Skaters On A High For Contest
Illawarra Mercury
Friday April 25, 2003
THE West Dapto skate park was pumping with adrenalin yesterday as 40 youths competed in the second Illawarra regional skate competition.
In-line skaters, BMX riders and skateboarders performed their best tricks and stunts on the 1.8m-deep skate bowl.
In-line skater Shayne O'Donnell, 15, impressed the crowd with three backflips.
He was happy with his third place.
``I just tried to stick to everything when I landed," Shayne said. ``I fell a bit hard but I'm all right ... because of the adrenalin you don't worry about that."
Leeanne Sinclair, 16, was the only girl in the competition. She had been at the park practising on her skateboard since 7am yesterday.
``I've learnt heaps of new tricks today so hopefully I'll go good," Leeanne said before her competition.
The boys did not seem fazed by a girl in the bowl.
``When I started I was a bit shaky so I got in the way. But I'm a bit more serious now," Leeanne said. ``I enjoy being around guys because they give you more courage, they say `don't give up'.
``They need to get more girls out there and in comps because I'm competing against guys because there's no chicks."
The competition was organised by Illawarra Skate Park Network, which is a coordination of youth projects in Dapto, West Dapto, Berkeley, Koonawarra and Unanderra.
``It's to celebrate and promote youth culture," Dapto Neighbourhood Centre youth project coordinator Belinda Thomson said.
The event attracted up to 350 spectators and also included three live bands, rides, minigolf and information stalls.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury