Skatefest thrills for a second year

"I think we had more spectators than last year, it was a really good positive vibe, every kid - regardless of skill level - was supported through each of the heats, it went really well," said Sapphire Skate Park Association president Peter O'Keefe said on Monday.

The day opened with about an hour of free skating or scootering where some early learners and even first timers got to grips with their boards, but had plenty of expert guidance with some elder statesmen of the skating scene showing them the ropes.

"That's a pretty good representation of how the skate park functions and it was good to see the little kids or those who have never competed before going in and taking on that challenge," Mr O'Keefe said.

"We had a mum in her early 40s went in the Grey Groms section for over 35s and the fact she got out there and had a go and stepped out of her comfort zone to share the day with her kids."

The Police Citizens Youth Club had planned on running bubble soccer as part of the day, but cricket was also on at the Pambula Sporting complex, with the group able to still run some sideline events and activities.

"It was really cool for the PCYC to come along and provide that and it shows the amount of support for youth infrastructure for them to volunteer their time on the weekend and add to what is already a really good event," Mr O'Keefe said.

Jointly run by Pambula Rotary, volunteers were on deck to run the barbecue throughout the day with each contender strutting their stuff in the skate bowl across two heats with one-minute individual runs.

Impressing organisers was the influx of female contenders with under 14s skaters making up the largest pool of entries on the day.

"Most notably was the under 14s girls skate division, that was the largest division and they were all ripping, they're really riding quite well," Mr O'Keefe said.

He said one of the standouts was Sophie Lewis, who had only taken up skating late last year, but was ripping in hard after a few lessons on the board.

Raging Bull and Bendigo Bank both supported the day and Mr O'Keefe said the Raging Bull team ensured dozens of contenders walked away with some quality skate gear.

"The winners walked away with new skateboards, new scooters, hats - the prize pool was really significant and a big hats off to Raging Bull for the amount of support that he put into it," he said.

Councillors Joy Robin and Karen Wright both attended and spoke highly of the community spirit and enthusiasm shown by competitors on the day.

Mr O'Keefe said Cr Robin even personally put in a cash prize as an encouragement award and said he was thrilled to see councillors supporting youth infrastructure in the area.

"We're really excited to be able to work with the new councillors," he said, adding organisers were delighted with the response to the day.

"When you put an event like this on and everyone turns out in droves it just reinforces that there is a passion and people who want to be involved in skating and scooters."

Organisers said they were stoked with the turnout and were already in talks for 2023 planning, with Mr O'Keefe hinting Skatefest might get a run in Eden after a new skate park is built late this year.