Orange, CA
This is my favorite time of the year for skating, because it's when the best skaters in the world come and skate in my back yard. During the weeks prior to the event, I was able to hang out and skate with Lance Mountain, Omar Hassan, Bucky Lasek, Cara-Beth Burnside, Mimi Knoop, Lester Kasai, Duane Peters and the list goes on. I'm already looking forward to next year.
So... on to the Big Show. Another Pro-Tec Pool Party has been permanently scribbled into the record books. As with past Pool Parties, there were some "incidents" and drama. Let's see... a skater from the audience rolling into the round while Lincoln Ueda was taking his practice run. A collision followed and massive beat-down almost ensued. Lyn-Z Adam's brother was escorted out of the park by the O.C. po-po. And some other drama that I am choosing not to mention on this site. All in all, it was an incredible day of skating.
The women started off the contest first. This year, it was all about lines. CB, Mimi and Lyn-Z all learned airs into the round this year. Julie Kinstrand had some lines that made some skaters envious. Nicole Zuck and Kim Peterson charged the combi hard and put a beating on the new coping. Apryl Woodcock went missing for the better part of her finals heat, but came back swinging. Holly Lyons was consistent as usual. Jodi MacDonald improved by leaps and bounds in the past 3 weeks. Cressy Rice decided once again to pass on the protective gear and put in a good show. And Mandy Esch rode well, but was hampered by recovering from an injury from the past year.
In the Masters division, there were a lot of new faces. Some may have belonged and some were questionable. Malba came in strong. Lester was on fire. Mark Partain and Buck Smith were ruling. But in the end, Chris Miller was too much for Lance Mountain and took top honors for the the third year in a row.
As with the Masters, the Pro division added some new faces this year and some were questionable. Bucky Lasek was healthy this year and it showed. Omar Hassan skated with his usual power and style. Bob Burnquist rode switch more than regular and often had you scratching your head, and asking, "Wait... what did he just do?" Bruno Passos had the best lines of the whole day. Benji Galloway was his usual self, and came in rocking a fresh mullet. Nolan Johnson can say the he held his own with the big boys and should be proud. Remy Stratton put in a good show for his first Pro-Tec entrance. And finally, Rune Glifberg put on a clinic in the combi and walked away with the $25k.
Click the links below to view the photos