The Vans Pool Party is what many consider to be the skateboarding version of the Super Bowl and every year, in contrast to the words of Public Enemy, you CAN\u00a0believe the hype. The level of magnitude seems to be increasing exponentially while the age of the warriors who come to battle are getting younger and bringing more vigor to the coping.<\/p>\n
This year it was any skater\u2019s shot to win with the format of the contest becoming almost an opponent of its own, forcing by way of \u2018if you fall off your board, your run is over.\u2019 This format can be devious, yet it really drives the heats and makes everyone reach a heightened level of focus that pushes the limits and keeps the charged-up crowd in constant anticipation.<\/p>\n
One of our favorite components of the Vans Pool Party recipe is the age divisions of the skaters ranging from young teenagers to others who cross the half century mark. While age may play a much bigger factor in other high impact contemporary sports, in skateboarding, the bar has literally yet to be set on what age you are no longer competitive as was proven by the Legends division this year.<\/p>\n
Chris Miller, Steve Caballero and Lance Mountain were in top form. Lance was skating with a distinction and purpose and a renewed spirit that drove the crowd to its feet for his entire runs. This was the first win for Lance Mountain, with Cabbie taking second and Miller\u00a0coming in\u00a0third.<\/p>\n
The Masters division was a heavy round with Darren Navarrette edging out last year\u2019s victor, Bruno Passos, who placed second, with Jed Fuller in a close third.<\/p>\n
The Pro division never falls short of amazing and the energy it produces is electrifying. Pedro Barros always comes in with an aggressive approach, which landed him in first place this year, with young gun, Cory Juneau, a close second and veteran, Bucky Lasek, landing third.<\/p>\n
This was another epic barrage of skateboard mastery from some of the absolute best pool riders in the world and a hearty taste of what the future generations will be bringing to the game with young coping assassins like Kiko Francisco, Trey Wood, Heimana Reynolds, Collin Graham and Jack Winburn, ready to fight for the crown for years to come.<\/p>\n
Thanks to Vans for putting on such a first-class event and a big shout out to all of the skate warriors who came to ride with a fury and elevate pool skating to the next level.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Words by Dan Levy<\/p>\n