Comp co-organiser Cale Tolley, definitely walking the talk
It was a weird old week. The AK was on lockdown. Me and the missus were already in Whanga post the Billabong Grom Comp, do we stay in Whanga and side step another lockdown? Do we go home to Piha and risk not being able to shoot the inaugural Verticus Ramp Jam in the Mount...and even if Lockdown continues will the Verticus be allowed to run? We did what anybody would do...nothing. We opted to stay put and daily assess the deal. There also happened to be pretty decent waves on offer at Whanga. By the time Lockdown was over, there was only a day difference from when I'd have to drive to the Mount anyway, besides it was offshore.
Remus Henare warming up on Friday evening
The Mount Ramp at Blake Park is the big daddy. It's wider and higher than any other NZ public ramp. It even scares the most seasoned vert skaters. It's the Pipeline, the Teahupoo of ramps. The organisers Cale Tolley and Gav Bisman shrewdly created the event around a somewhat freestyle jam format over 4 hours- 4-8pm so that the light, heat and wind would be at their best. Over 500 spectators filled Blake Park. All the competitors in every division fed off the crowd and went large. My job was made easy; just shoot NZ's creme d la creme doing their best.
The Palmy crew, foil hats ON!
Skating royalty Morri and Scott Woolston; always watching, always judging
Welly's Chris Wood
Josh Wilson on his way to the podium
The gurls going for glory
!4 year old Niwa Shewry has now won 3 back to back vert events
Zedyn Fellows took out best trick and highest air
...and this is why..he landed this Mc Twist
How stoked is he
Takuma and Z with the video evidence
Mount legend Ants McCloud cruised the event but threw down a couply to show the groms how it is done
Cale giving Z a run for best trick and winning the Masters on the way
Miles Ratima and Cale on the live broadcast
The groms between heats
Hamish Stewart gave Cale a good run in the Masters
As ever Steve Nikolls put on a technical show
Nik Clegg with his trademark Backside tail bone
An epic evening, shot too much, got fried in the sun and can't wait until next year's! In the meantime check out more coverage of the Verticus Ramp Jam 2021 HERE
And Deeeen ....
Meanwhile home is on the pump
How stoked is Ratty! As a side bar that board is a single fin triple stinger that Ratty shaped and he absolutely rips on it
Today is a bit big for around these parts, and this weekend we have the final of the Billabong Grom Series here at South Piha. The forecast looks sick!- See ya on the sand.
And Over on Recreational Society
Pretty damn stoked to have interviewed Tyler Anderson and his mint Troopy this week!
Check it out HERE
From The Gallery
And totally related...Classic Whanga Bar, shot on film, way back in the day. Wanna see it bigger or even having adorning your home wall? Check it out HERE