For 2009 there will be 33 skateboarding competitions (five skate vert and 28 skate park) at 28 parks across the United States. The winners in each of the 33 skate competitions will be flown to the Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals, taking place at the Dew Tour's Toyota Challenge, September 17-20 2009.
The goal of the Free Flow tour is to give younger amateur skaters a chance to get out there and get seen. "To go from Flow to Pro," is the way they put it. Plus you get to meet other skaters, perhaps some pros, see what a competition is like, and have a LOT of fun! And $10? That's nothing! You'll get prizes just for showing up and trying, and if you WIN ... well then, you'll be getting back a lot more than your $10!
What's the Free Flow Tour Like?
I asked a mom of a couple of skaters who did well at the Free Flow Tour (but who's names I'm leaving out on purpose!) to tell me her impressions of the tour:This is one of the most exciting Amateur contests of the year. Past winners include David Loy, Chaz Ortiz & Timmy Knuth. This contest gives locals kids a chance to compete on a national stage and get their names out there. If you win a spot to compete in Salt Lake City, it's like having an instant live "sponsor me tape".The contests are all local, but skaters are welcome to come from anywhere to any competition. That means that, if you don't do well at one, you can hit up another one later! It also means that this is a great way to meet other local skaters, and to push yourself, and to have a good time!But watch out, this contest brings out the best skaters in the area, if you win your local contest, you are on your way! Last year I attended the Mesh Contest in Longwood Florida and it was some of the best local skating I've seen. These kids knew a trip to Salk Lake City and national recognition was on the line, competition was fierce and it came down to perfect runs. Free Flow judges are tough, its jam format, then if you make the cut it's semi final jams, then you get one final 60 second run. Last year they gave the final three skaters, one last, one try, final trick. Could it be more nerve wracking! In this competition, at this level they are looking for perfection and skill.
If you think you got what it takes to win at one of the stops, go for it. This tour is fun, competitive and you never know you can be the next Chaz Ortiz! From Flow to Pro!
Free Flow Tour 2009 Finals:
Jack Olson won the skate park contest at the Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals, held in conjunction with the Dew Tour’s Toyota Challenge on September 19th, 2009. “It feels great. I never dreamed it would happen to me,” Olson said. “It took me three contests to qualify for the Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals, so this gave me the chance to prove myself. I knew there was a way bigger prize at stake, so I knew I had to skate harder than I ever have.”With the win at the Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals, Olson earned a spot in the Dew Tour’s PlayStation® Pro in Orlando, Fla., October 15-18.
The final scores for the 2009 Freeflow Tour are: 1. Jack Olson, St. Louis Park, Minn., 85.18. 2. Raymond Macken, Australia, 84.45. 3. Brendon Villanueva, Poway, Calif., 80.75. 4. Alex Longcamp, Aurora, Ind., 79.15. 5. Tyson Bowerbank, Sandy, Utah, 77.60. 6. CJ Dixon, Cocoa Beach, Fla., 76.83. 7. Chase Webb, Oceanside, Calif., 73.40. 8. Alec Majerus, Rochester, Minn., 73.10. 9. Ryan Thompson, Katy, Texas, 72.85. 10. Caedyn Curto, Redondo Beach, Fla., 70.30. 11. Anthony Estrada, Ontario, Calif., 65.85. 12. Aaron Collier, Lake Mary, Fla., 54.20.
If you or your kid loves skateboarding, and wants a chance to get out there and be seen, to make new friends, and to be challenged - then the Free Flow Tour was made for you. Take a look at the Free Flow Tour website to find more stops near you, or plan to travel and hit even more! Come out to watch, come to skate, and come to have fun.
