Unfortunately the Palms staff can’t be everywhere at once… On a positive note, the florida skateboard community is filled with talented writers and photographers dedicated to capturing the important moments in the scene. Nick Murphy of Domain was kind enough to be our first guest writer and talk about the first stop of the Florida Vert Series. – LS (Cover photo originated from the Florida Vert Series Facebook page)
NM: This past weekend was the first stop of the Florida Vert Series in Merritt Island, FL. The event was full of ripping skating from heavy hitters such as Collin Gram, Ben Johnson, Keith Baldassare, and Steven Pineiro. Skaters from young guns to veterans flew in from all over the U.S to go head to head at Paradise Skatepark in Merritt Island, FL for the first official stop of the Florida Vert Series.
The Embassy Skateboards crew was holding it down for Texas and Oklahoma, Jack Winburn from the north east ripped all day, and even some rippers from the west coast made it out; Kevin Reynolds, Josh Rodriguez, Darren Navarrette and Jimmy Wilkins even made appearances throughout the day. Demonseed Skateboards and Domain Premium Apparel held it down for Florida with their riders taking top 3 in almost every division. After the event, when the grommets and parents cleared out, the after party kicked off! Complete with a killer after session and live music by Florida’s own The O’Holleran’s and Concrete Criminals.
This is the first official year for this contest and it’s already shaping out to be a KILLER contest series. Completely grassroots and organized and managed by Bob Umbel, Adam Effertz & Mark Lake, it’s an example of skateboarders taking initiative within their community and giving back to strengthen the skate community as a whole. It’s rad to see the once thriving underground skate community in Florida making some noise again! Let’s keep the fire burning! Next stop of the Florida Vert Series is May 28th at Ramp48 click the link here to sign up!
Results
Woodward Scholarship Awarded to: Christian Frazier
Longest 1 Truck Grind: Collin Graham – 20ft
Best Trick on the Extension: Ben Johnson – Stalefish Egg Plant 540 “The Ben Over”
Highest Air: Isaac Crawford – 8.5ft
12 & Under:
Reef Orlando – Age 11
Riley Patterson – Age 12
Grace Marhoefer – Age 12
Nash Barfield – Age 8
Logan Radd – Age 9
Shaye McInnis – Age 12
13 – 19:
Christian Frazier – Age 13
Jake Yanko – Age 14
Julian Lewis – Age 19
Nathan Midgette – Age 14
Parker Buxton – Age 14
Trey Ownes – Age 16
Felipe Duarte – Age 13
20 – 39:
Eric McGuiness – Age 25
Tyler Coffman – Age 26
Gary Morris – Age 26
Brandon Avery – Age 23
Ed Dottavio – Age 31
Tyler Russell – Age 27
40 – 49:
Rodney Mead – Age 47
Brian Drake – Age 44
Steve Workman – Age 42
Buck Smith – Age 48
Travis Beatie – Age 42
Brett Snyder – Age 45
Steve Hauck – Age 43
50 & Up:
Henry Gutierrez – Age 51
Bob Umbel – Age 50
Tommy Leggett – Age 52
Mark Buncy – Age 52
Dan Brown – Age 54
Robbie Weir – Age 50
Mark Carpenter – Age 53
Russell Morrison – Age 52
Mike Rogers – Age 50
Mark Lake – Age 58
Open Sponsored:
Steve Pineiro – Age 19
Jack Winburn – Age 13
Collin Graham – Age 19
Ben Johnson – Age 26
Kevin Reynolds – Age 26
Juan Pineiro – Age 18
Isaac Crawford – Age 19
Will Cortez – Age 19
Keith Baldassare – Age 20
Ronnie O’Neal – Age 26
Dylan O’Neal – Age 18
Brandon Yarborough – Age 22
Zack Castillo – Age 19
Check out the photo and video recap below.
Photos by Howie Gordon
