Vollmer skate park holds first annual LaSalle SkateFest

by Liam Higgins

Skateboarders recently hit a local skate park for a competition to test their skills.

The Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex held their first annual Lasalle SkateFest competition at the Vollmer Skate Park on Sept. 21. The event involved a best trick contest, a game of skate, and individual runs in different age groups of 13 and under, and 14 to 19. Over a dozen males turned out to compete with about 100 spectators. Prizes such as skateboards, t-shirts and stickers we’re given out to the winners.

Hosted by Essex County Skateboarding founder Rob Bondy, the competition was held in order to give local skateboarders the chance to showcase their talents, win prizes and to see what other skaters are doing around Windsor.

Bondy said the idea to hold a competition at the Vollmer Skate Park came to him after realizing that no one seemed to be doing anything in the county and that skateboarding was not getting much recognition.

“Skateboarding is not an organized sport, “ said Bondy. “So it gets little attention or recognition from anyone but the skaters themselves. “
Bondy has run other skateboarding events around the Windsor and Essex County area such as a best trick contest at the Tecumseh Skate Park opening and an Amherstburg Skate Park competition.

Local skateboarder Marco Urbano, 16, said he felt his initial thought was it was weird having a competition at the skate park since it’s usually not busy, but it was a nice change seeing so many people at the event.

“It’s different since its a lot more crowded.” said Urbano who has he’s been skateboarding at Vollmer Skate Park almost every day since it opened two years ago. Additionally, Urbano was the first place winner of his division.

Bondy said he plans on holding another skateboarding event around Windsor again, as well as another Vollmer Skate Park competition in the next year.

For those interested in learning more, check out www.essexcountyskateboarding.ca