Four Byron Shire skaters have returned from the Australian Skateboard League National Finals in Melbourne earlier this month, with some great results.
Suffolk Park’s Joey Cormack lead the pack picking up second place in the open division after taking on some of the best skateboarders in Australia.
Mullumbimby brothers Sumanyu (11 years) and Ekaya Black (12 years) came fifth and ninth respectively in the U/12s, while Oscar Southerden (10 years) from Myocum came eighth in the same event.
‘They all did very well, it was all part of the Moomba festival in Melbourne. A huge event,’ Oscar’s dad Nick Southerden said.
‘The skate park was Riverslide, which is right next to the MCG and Rod Laver Arena. There were thousands of spectators.
‘All the skaters now have a world ranking under an international points system averaged out over the points they scored in the contest.
‘Skateboarding has become a highly regarded professional sport, being held in the next Olympics. To think we have this talent in our shire is commendable,’ Nick said.
All the skaters had to qualify for the national event through high placings in state-based events.
‘We travelled as far as Browns Plains Brisbane to qualify for the street league,’ Nick said.
‘As a father of a skater I am travelling regularly to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and as far as Sydney to ride in decent skate parks.
‘There is much need for a professionally built skate park in Byron Bay, which there has been a lot of community push for.
‘The area’s youth population is growing quickly and we sure do have the talent,’ he said.
Unfortunately Nick is getting frustrated by the process to build a new skate park in Byron Bay.
‘Just when it looks like we are getting somewhere, we hit another stumbling block,’ he said.
