May I brag a bit?

 

2005

To those of you that are my facebook friends, or know me personally, thank you for your patience with my endless facebook postings, and replying with you support and encouragement this last weekend. Now please bear with me while I brag just a bit more… To those of you that don’t know me (and my hubby Wade and 13 year old son Eddie) here’s the fantastic account of why I feel the need to shout out my son's accomplishment!   Because Eddie is not keen on me gushing in our local paper, I just have to get this out somewhere!


2007



As you may or may not know, Eddie has been a passionate skateboarder since age 6. He is very driven to perfect his moves and always tries more and more difficult maneuvers. When he was just starting out, he would watch some of the local talent to learn from them.  He also spent endless hours studying videos, dissecting and practicing each move. I don’t know how he has managed to learn the names and different varieties of every slight maneuver which I can’t even begin to see a difference.  And along the way, Eddie has also learned how to design and build ramps, boxes, rails.  Along with Wade, they have turned our shed into an indoor skate park. It is here that he practices, along with the parks in Grand Rapids, Duluth, Superior, and 3rd Lair in Golden Valley.  A few years ago Eddie started competing.  He has learned how to skate under pressure.  As he has always had to compete on someone else’s turf, he's had to work hard to study the course, analyze how to put together his run and still be a gracious “outsider” on the home boys turf. It has not always been easy, there have been struggles along the way, disappointments, tears, and of course some injuries - nothing major, but we never go far without our first aid kit.   

So enough background, here’s what I’m leading up to. Last January we traveled to Arizona and of course, googled skate parks along the way.  The number one park on Eddie's list was Rio Vista Skate Park in Peoria, AZ.  As he skated this beautiful, huge cement park, he declared his goal of returning in October to compete in the championships of the “2010 North American Wild In The Parks Tour”.  In order for that to happen he would have to place in the top 7 at one of their 14 US stops. Luckily, one of their stops was 3rd Lair in Golden Valley.  Boy were we excited and proud that he did indeed place 6th in that comp in July!   His dream had come true.  

We arrived in Phoenix a few days for some practice time. We were not prepared for how exhausting the 108 degree temps were, and quickly learned that the tolerable skating time was morning and evening. Sessions required a lot of resting, gallons of water, and of course Gatorade! On the day of the comp, we were blessed with a gentle breeze and only 101 degree temps which kept things manageable. We also found a nice shade tree to sit under while we enjoyed the day. After nearly 40 qualifying stops around North America, Europe and Australia, the best amateur skateboarders in the world collided to test their mettle against one another for bragging rights and a piece of $25,000.00 cash!  The comp was comprised of 3 divisions; 14 and under, 15 and over, and ProAmateur. The comp began with the qualifying run and from this run, the top 15 advanced to compete in the finals. Eddie skated in the 14- division along with 67 other skaters. The 14- comp was set up in a run format with 5 heats of about 14 skaters in each heat. The run format allowed all 14 skaters to skate at once, with 15 minutes to throw down their best tricks in 3 zones; a 6 stair out rail, picnic table, and a 10 stair out rail. At each zone, judges watched and scored the skaters best tricks.  In the qualifying run Eddie skated flawlessly, throwing down difficult, technical and elaborate tricks in each of the three zoness. Things like a "board side big spin out on the out rail" and a "board feeble 180 on the 6 stair out rail". (Please don't ask me to describe those...)  He skated smooth and appeared calm and composed, compared to his parents who were exhibiting lots of hand ringing, gasping, and hair pulling! We of course were tickled pink just to be there. All we hoped was that he would be satisfied with his run and would not sustain any injuries. As it turned out… he was extremely happy!

Now the waiting began…would he be good enough to make the top 15? We really did not dare hope…well guess what? He qualified in the number 6 spot!!! Of the 7 kids there from Minnesota, only one other qualified (in the number 15 spot). We were thrilled!

So after the sun went down, the finals began. By this time, the tension had been building, kids were tired, and Eddie did not skate as he had earlier. Even though he did land all his tricks, they came with more difficulty which only increased the frustration level. But thankfully, he didn’t take any big risks and sustained no injuries. We saw other kids trying things they had not practiced, taking enormous risks, busting out front teeth, breaking wrists, elbows, arms, dislocating shoulders… The paramedics were pretty busy!  Luckily, Eddie is a very cautious, calculated skater with good judgment. When it was all over, they announced the top 5 in each division and gave away lots of prizes and products. Eddie was not in the top 5, and we’re just fine with that.  We are so very pleased with how the event unfolded and will forever treasure the memory. On the plane home, Eddie was already talking about the tricks he needs to learn before next year’s comp… Life goes merrily on.  Thanks for letting this proud mom ramble on.

Blessings to you,

Kathy