By Tamas Mondovics
The second, and traditionally the largest, of the three-contest Best Shredder skateboard tournament will was held in early August at the Brandon Skate Park, 5720 Providence Road, in Brandon.
Event organizers expected a large turnout and were not disappointed giving testimony to the park’s rightful place in the community, which when completed came at the cost of $500,000.
Each year, the Best Shredder tourney brings together Hillsborough County’s top skateboarders to compete in a street-style contest that features prizes for first, second, and third place, and names a Best Shredder in each division for the overall series. The tournament is organized by Hillsborough County’s Parks and Recreation, and feature skateboarding-related vendors and exhibits.
The Brandon tournament is the second, and the largest, of the three tournaments that make up the Best Shredder contest, which this year began on March 18, at the Jackson Springs Skate Park, the County’s newest course located at 8612 Jackson Springs Road in Tampa.
The final event is scheduled September 30, at Apollo Beach Skate Park, 664 Golf and Sea Blvd. in Apollo Beach. The Apollo Beach park is designed for beginners and offers a street-like experience.
County officials said that the idea of the annual contest is to showcase the area’s most talented skaters and the County’s three skateboard parks as the sport gets increasingly popular. The annual Best Shredder event helps fuel the excitement.
As reported by the Hillsborough County communications, Zackary Monson, 19, an accomplished skater from Valrico, is a regular at Brandon Skate Park who has recently displayed some of his skills at an exhibition at Apollo Beach Skate Park, and is strongly considering a run for Best Shredder said, “I just love it. I’ll keep doing it until the day I die or my legs fall off.”
New this year at each event is the best-trick exhibitions during midpoint breaks. Skaters who execute the best tricks earn prizes, but the maneuvers won’t count toward the Best Shredder competition.
First place winners at the Brandon contest included Sam Christoff (8 and under), Tommy Lee (9 – 12), Paris Kilby (13 – 15), and Sly Sullivan (16 and up).
For information, visit HCFLGov.net/skate or call (813) 744-5319.
