Simon Joosten is skating his way to big things.
The 15-year-old boarder was the highlight of the latest action sport event after taking both the Under-16 and Open Championships at the recently-concluded One Movement Invitational Skateboard Contest at the Dover hard courts.
Riding flawlessly through all of his open runs on the temporary course, the teenaged Joosten was only able to complete his heats – along with the rest of the competition – before the rains came, leading the skaters to decide on using the points amassed to determine the winner.
This was after Joosten surrendered an eight-man Big Air event to Brett Thomas, who cleared six and a half feet to upend his fellow 15-year-old rider.
Joosten’s Irie One teammate, Paul Wilson, placed second in the Open competition while skater Justin Deverteiul was third. Thomas also took home the award for Best Trick with a “crooked” off of a picnic table ledge.
Eight brave-hearted boarders began the day with the first ever Big Air competition. This event is done much like “high jump,” but this competition includes wheels and a ramp.
The hard court played the role of the soft high jump bed.
Joosten and Thomas battled round after round, but on the last height of six and a half feet, Thomas conquered.
Joosten was out of attempts but like any skater, he persisted, clearing the bar right after the competition had ended.
The skaters in the Open competition were only able to complete their heats before being interrupted by rain.
They collectively decided to use the points amassed in the heats to determine the winner.
Paul Wilson leader of the Irie One skate team of which Joosten is a member, placed second, and Trinidadian I-Jah skater Justin Deverteiul placed third.
Michael Bell who won also won the Steve Urkel award for skater with the most style, placed fourth.
Surprise entrant out of Guadeloupe, Harold Lomboin, looked promising in the warm-ups but was unable to put together a good enough run to place. (NW/JM)
