PAY-BO-PLAY
Story:
Don Fisher
Photos:
Chris Ortiz
Forward or backward, Collin McKay (opposite page)
is one to watch. Colin snagged a clean second place
In vert with heavy fakle grind-to-fakles. Riding a
wooden and metal anake in the heat of battle, John
Cardiel (bottom) took control of the situation, pound-
ing out a hard-fought ninth in street. Jesse Roach
(below) made moves like this melon spine assault at
the Western Regionals in San Jose. Although he didn't
make it to Atlanta this year, he'll try again next year.
Keep an eye on this kid, because when he grows up he
is going to blow minds. Willy Santos (right) could do no
wrong on this day, with one-footed ollie-to-grinds down
the handrail and other sure-footed riding, he was on his
way to the national street title.
36 THRASHER MAGAZINE
f
On August 18th, the NSA's
nationwide talent search came
to a close in Atlanta, Georgia.
This year's amateurs, who
numbered in the hundreds in
early summer, were rounded
off at three regional contests
to thirty skaters in each
category (vert, mini and
street). Some skaters got to
the Skatezone early to
practice in Tim Payne's world-
renowned wooden kidney
(which went unskated during
the contest) and were shocked
when they had to pay through
the nose for memberships and
skate fees. The ball got rolling
after the NSA showed up and
Steve-O built what appeared to
be the best street course of
the series. The skaters quickly
went to work.
It is not an easy task judging street skating and at
this competitive level some skaters inevitably get
burned. That was the case at this contest. The question
of who would win became clear, however, after watching
Willy Santos practice.
The only amateur freestyle event of the year took place
with thirteen real stylers and a few jokers taking turns
on the floor.
The mini-ramp was a small Masonite hip ramp-no
spine or bowled end for these thirty finalists to show
their talent. Stand-outs included Matt Beach, Eric Kosten
and Jeff Taylor. They threw down a mastery of lip and
hip. Intense heat and an approaching thunderstorm cre-
ated an eerie slow-motion effect as eventual winner, Jor-
dan Richter, devoured the competition.
New Masonite brought the halfpipe back to life and vert
was definitely the tightest event of the finals. Many were disappointed with the
results of the semi-finals because of what some call the "name-game" theory, In
which popular skaters are judged differently than unknowns, who may have
trouble getting high scores even though they have killer runs. Household names
like Richter, McKay and Morgan are amateur legends, but they were no match
for Eastern Vert's own Brian Howard. His flawless runs were unquestionable and
victory was eminent. Coned on nest page. Results on page 100
37