2010 Championships

Press Release: 3/22/10

AJ K — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:07:00 GMT

Press Release
September 18-19th
The 2010 World Championships of Freestyle Skateboarding
Philadelphia PA
www.phillyfreestyle.com

This is to inform everyone that the 2010 World Championships of Freestyle will be coming to Philadelphia this September!

The reason this one is so special is that it is the 10yr. anniversary of the re-birth of competitive Freestyle skateboarding and we would like you to be apart of the celebration!
Last years event in Tokyo Japan saw 50 competitors from 8 countries in front of 10,000 spectators, competing for product and a $5,000 Pro purse. It is a tribute to how far Freestyle has come in those 10 yrs. and how all types of people can enjoy this form of skateboarding!

Freestyle is a very spectator friendly form that focuses on the creativity and technical mastery of the skateboard. It is a very consistent and flowing form of skateboarding that is highly individual in style and tricks performed. Many of the tricks performed at the higher levels can only be done by a select few in the world or are specific and unique to that individual.
Turning is the essence of skateboarding. All other progression beyond basic turning such as "tricks" on a skateboard is the essence of freestyle.
Freestyle is referred to as the first form from where all other skateboarding forms originate.

Anyone who has flatland skills can enter, all style welcome and there is no charge for participating contestants or spectators.
We are encouraging shops, local/national/international companies participate by sending and signing up some of their team riders as well as being apart of the event in various ways.

As of 3/22/10 there are almost 70 entries representing over 10 countries competing in this years event and more are signing up everyday!
There are 5 divisions of competition: Novice, Girls,Amateur, Professional and Masters (40+)
As well as 4 different flatland competitions to compete: Contest runs(2) 1.5-2min runs to music, Best Trick, Spins and Highest Ollie
Our judges and special guests represent all of the different genres and decades of skateboarding including some of the original originators of the sport itself.
Competitors will be competing for both prizes and Pro Purse of ($5,000) winnings for appropriate divisions.

The location for this event will be held at the Rizzo Rinks in South Philadelphia. This location is easily accessible from I-95, is located directly under the bridge to protect from the elements, close to area shopping as well as offers plenty of parking. It is a secure location with plenty of space 15,000 sq.ft for competitors, spectators and a trade show area ($500 per booth) proceeds go to non-profit Franklin's Paine to continue (re)building skate areas around the city as well as fund educational youth programing throughout the city of Philadelphia.

We encourage all those who are interested in being apart of this celebration to either sign up for an event(s), contact us to be a sponsor, for booth space or to spread the good word of skateboarding!
Secure your place in skateboarding history and be apart of the 2010 World Championships of Freestyle Skateboarding!

Sincerely,

AJ Kohn
2010 WC of Freestyle Skateboarding
Events / Locations Director
215 545-2984

Accommodations for the WC of Freestyle Philadelphia

AJ K — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:29:00 GMT

If you are going to join us you are going to need a place to stay and Philadelphia is full of great places to stay!

Currently we are working on getting group rates from several chains but for those who just need the basics or on a budget we got a great place for you to check out in the heart of Old City Philadelphia for around $30 a night!

Click on the logo and it should take you there!

2010 WC of Freestlyle Location!

AJ K — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:06:00 GMT

It is official!
Our location for the 2010 World Championships of Freestyle will be held at:

The Rizzo Rinks Recreational Facility
1001 S Front Street (corner of Washington Ave.)
Philadelphia PA 19147

The event will be utilizing the outdoor basketball / volleyball courts next to the Rizzo Rink building.
This location is great for many reasons:
1) easy to find and right off interstate 95
2) outdoor facility that is covered from the elements as it is under the highway bridge
3) plenty of free on street and off street parking
4) access to restroom / locker room facilities
5) the surface is smooth painted black top (not slick) and is approx. 15,000 sq.ft of space
6) close to major shopping plazas, South Street / Old City / Center City/ Penns Landing attractions, restaurants etc.
7) supports our local much needed recreational areas and centers

2010 WC Judging Guidelines

AJ K — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:47:00 GMT

So what will the judges be looking for at the WC of Freestyle in Philadelphia?!

5 Element Judging:

1) Artistry/Style

2) Consistency / Continuity

3) Originality

4) Difficulty

5) Variety

Each element will be judged on a 1-10 scale
Low and High score in each element will be taken out to get an "average" score
Best Run Score for each rider will be used to determine ranking, highest score wins

Confirmed Judges: Russ Howell, Mike Foster, Keith Renna, Tim Morris, Havn't confirmed yet: Gary Holl*, Tim Byrne*
We wanted our judges to represent the various genre's / decades of Freestyle Skateboarding .

Start getting your runs together and don't forget to practice your spins as well as your best tricks as we will be having those events as well!

2010 WC of Freestyle Roster so far!

AJ K — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:23:00 GMT

We are still adding and getting confirmations in every day! * means they are still confirming
Pro:

AJ Kohn-US, PA
JJ O'Donnell-US, PA
Terry Synnott-US, Mass
Joe Flemke-US, MD
Tim Bryne*-US, OR
Killian Martin-Spain
Sean Burke-US, NC
John Leathers-US, FL
Kevin Harris-Canada
Rene Marabashi Shigueto-Brazil
Stefan "Lillis" Akenson-Sweden
Jesse Whalen-US, NJ
Mario Steinman-Switzerland
Per Canguru-Brazil
Moichi Suzuki-Japan
Takashi Suzuki-Japan
Tokahashi Fuji-Japan
Gunter Mokylus-Germany -current World Champion
Tommy Harward-US, NC
Daryl Grogan *-US, CA
Sebastian Heupel-Germany
Stefan Albert-Germany
Christian Heise -Germany
Frank Lee-US, GA
Francis Lavelle* Canada
Brett Moser US MO
Joe Humeres US NYC
Kyle Nicholson US PA
Jamal Smith US PA
Matt Gokey US Mass
Kevin Ritchie Canada

Amateur

Tyrone Smith-US, PA
Ryan Brynelson-Canada
Alex Nunez-US, FL
Greyson Ashton-US, KY -Current World Am Champion
Greg Pachell-US, PA
Kai Dunkel-Germany
Robin Schoof-Germany
Connor Burke US,Mass
Justin Dettle* US, PA
Oriel Sanchez US, CA
Mike Osterman US, IL
Barry Everson US, CT
Matheus Navarro Brazil
Casey Shultz US,CA
Jesse Mitchell US,PA
Erwin Schuijtvlot Netherlands
Tore Bevivino US,PA
Brian Panebianco US PA
Joey Fitzpatrick US PA
Luke Cionci US VT
Pete Betti US, NJ
Lucas Mansano-Brazil
Jacob Whitt-US TX
Patrick McCullion-US PA
Daniel Trujillo-US CA
Doug Williams-US NY
Luke Cionci-US VT

Girls-Sponsored by GRO and AGSJ

1) Mic-Japan - current Women's World Champion
2) Shannon Sexton-USA Philadelphia
3) Emily Bettis-USA Missouri
4) Alaina-US-PA
5) Kristina Brown-US-CA current California State Champion

Masters Division:

1) Rob Rodreigues-US,NY
2) Bernhard Kuempl-Germany
3) Bob Staton-US, CA
4) Denny Riordon -US, MD
5) YoYo Shulz-Germany
6) Gary Holl*-US, CA
7) Alan Benson US, GA
8) Mike Rogers US FL
9) Dan Murray US FL
10) Russ Howell US, ID
11) James Simmons US, PA
12) Rogerio Antigo Brazil

13)Bob Ashton US KY

Head Judge: Mike Foster US, NC

So what is Freestyle Skateboarding today?!

AJ K — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:01:00 GMT

There are a lot of new comers to the world of Freestyle and those who are curious to learn more about it so this entry will give you a quick overview of the history and basic terminology of Freestyle Skateboarding!

Brief History:
The essence of skateboarding is turning.
Everything else done on a skateboard is technically "freestyle" as it is beyond the simple essence of turning.
Freestyle started when skateboarding started (50's-60's) it is the origin of all modern day skateboarding.
The essence of Freestyle is progression both technically and creatively
When people today refer to Freestyle it is often related to the 80's era of Freestyle skateboarding where the most notable Freestyler Rodney Mullen came from. Rodney's innovations as well as those of his peers spawned a new age in skateboarding as we know today as street skateboarding.
In the early 90's due to the popularity of this new and highly accessible form of skateboarding Freestyle and Vert Skateboarding became an underground pursuit, and although the mainstream skateboard industry stopped supporting top riders, the true die hards and enthusiasts kept the fire burning throughout the 90's throughout the world.
In 2000 due to the efforts of some of these die hards and the world wide web Freestyle made its reemergence once again as a world wide competitive scene at the 2000 World Championships of Freestyle skateboarding in San Fransisco. Since then the world of Freestyle has communicated with one another and started getting together and organizing more events throughout the world and is growing exponentially each year! Freestyle skateboarding has almost come full circle and although industry obstacles still face the community, this new generation of Freestykers have been getting sponsors and progressing the form once again to extraordinary levels!

Terminology: The basics

Primo Slide: refers to a slide performed on the side of the skateboard while moving and named after the inventor Primo Desidario
The stationary equivalent is called a "rail stand" to which there is positioning called heel side and toe side rail depending on the way you are standing on it while on its side.

Flip Tricks: Any trick that "flips" over in a barrel motion, end over end or variation of. Flip tricks can be done with Finger/Hand, Feet (toes/Heel), top of the foot or any extremity that can cause this motion.

Finger Flip: a maneuver with ones "fingers" to flip the board over in a rolling manner and can be done stationary or moving, similar to the modern day kick or heel flip to which the toes or heel is utilized to rotate the board.

Truck stand: any maneuver where the board is near or is perpendicular the ground and your standing with at least on one the trucks of skateboard. some variations: Two handed, No handed, Ooh Lala

Pogo: Is the up and down set up movements needed to keep balance when in a "truck stand" combination.

Footwork: is done in between tricks creating utilizing your feet to maneuver the deck in various and interesting ways to create movement and continuity.

Space Walk: a footwork technique similar to a tick tack and is done while in a manuel (wheelie) and rotating your hips to create movement.

To learn more about basic Freestyle moves got to: www.youtube.com/user/TonyNewmanDesign

Welcome

AJ K — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:00:05 GMT

Welcome to Philly Freestyle Blog.
Please check back often for new entries.