Check out the MBJ Facebook page HERE for even more photos, but here are some of my favourites from last Saturday. Some of them aren't technically the best skating shots, I selected some that have a cool backstory or I just like for random reasons. The Mangawhai Bowl Jam is the baby of Jesse Peters and this was the 9th Annual one. I've missed the last two 'cos of social commitments, but this year I was back on the staff and back in the happy place coping-side. It's a heavy day of shooting, 2500 frames taken, 3 litres of water drunk, you're sweating from 8am to 5pm ...and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Every year the Bowl Jam has grown. This year Jesse expanded the scaffolding terraces and still spectators were queuing up for up to 2 hours to get seating.
The view from the judge's tower and a sample of the beyond capacity crowd.
The man himself; Jesse Peters hyping the crowd and sharing the spono's love.
Two literal legends, Andrew 'Morri' Morrison and Dave Crab on bowl duty.
Morri's daughter Billie, one wheeler out of the deep end...just fricken gnarly.
Krysta Ashwell, casual as, set up frontside grind. Missing a couple of Jams was enlightening, the level of spectators, the amount of competitors across all divisions and the heightened skills. The 9 years of the Mangawhai Bowl Jam is a graphic example of how competition raises the bar in every aspect.
The Blue Bullet! 12 year old Liam Haze, always a crowd favourite.
Timmy Thompson... barefoot, no pads... heavy.
Ramon Thackwell [Prez of Skateboarding NZ] and Dave Crab look on as Morri slides to victory in the over forty division.
Wanaka's Chris Curran, Skateboarding NZ Secretary Smithing deep.
Wellington's Chris Wood.
Mozza, 50 years old, and what the actual hell bro, half way through run of the day.
Dave Crab's signature Plant, always a crowd pleaser.
Me ol' mate Shaun Boucher made it back from the Goldie to compete again this year, but he didn't come away with a repeat victory.
Bowman Hansen freaked everyone out with his speed and height again this year... but he didn't repeat his wins either.
It was Aussie dominated this round, Jakob Robinson won the Open and best trick.
Fellow Aussie invader Taniah Meyers dominated the Womens division ... and gave the Open a good knock for that matter.
But this Grom... Z-boy, Zedyn Boyd, stoked out the crowd heavily, he won the Juniors but his ohhh so close 540's had the crowd frothing.
So, so close to riding out!
Here's the highlight reel of the day from Manual.
Yeah Steve Nickolls! Sums up the warm vibes and rad times. Missed it this year? Get there 2021.
Follow the Mangawhai Bowl Jam FB page HERE
From The Galleries
Selling out or buying in? I say buying in, the now classic Piha Bar Barrel shot is the official signature image of the 2020 Piha Pro... you are going to see it all over the show, and yes the copyright release was very fair :)
Check out the image better HERE