Skaters descend on Ballard Commons Park

Posted by Geeky Swedes on July 18th, 2009

The skateboarding bowl at Ballard Commons Park became the scene of a raucous skate showdown and chowder cook-off today.

Spectators lined the bowl to watch skaters grip and grind.

From blocks away, you could hear the announcer on the loudspeaker yell, “Whoa!” whenever a skater scored a gnarly move.

Or caught some serious air.

Then cooks competed in a chowder cook-off. The unusual combination of events was the brainchild of Salmon Agah, a pro skater who has put on similar events in San Francisco, but with chili instead of chowder. We have to wonder if skaters and chowder really go together, but it was an exciting event to watch.

Tags: Ballard Share

27 reader comments so far ↓

1 NoraBell // Jul 19, 2009 at 4:52 am

This I'm sorry I missed. It sounded like a lot of fun. It's a really nice little skate park and there is lots of room for events over there. Hope there are more of the same.
2 motorrad // Jul 19, 2009 at 6:53 am

Let the countdown commence…
3 Ballardmom // Jul 19, 2009 at 3:38 pm

I was disappointed when my daughter recently decided she's not interested in skateboarding anymore. Oh well. When I was a kid there was no where safe in Seattle to skateboard so I'm glad to see more skate parks popping up. I heard on the news there is an amazing one down at Seattle Center now too.
4 MGHart // Jul 19, 2009 at 3:39 pm

Gosh, I love this blog!
5 daniel // Jul 19, 2009 at 3:40 pm

“…whenever a skater scored a gnarly move.”

Really? When was the last time you used “gnarly” in your ordinary speech? Or ever?
6 NoraBell // Jul 19, 2009 at 6:06 pm

It's an 80's thing. Some of us just have trouble letting go. I, myself, have had repeated requests to stop saying 'fab' all the time. ;-)
7 Silver // Jul 19, 2009 at 6:10 pm

I think they were being tongue in cheek. It's fun to use outdated lingo, daddy-o! All the totally bitchin' kids are doin' it.

I think it's neeto.
8 Black_Sheep // Jul 19, 2009 at 7:42 pm

Rad post, Silver.
9 NoraBell // Jul 19, 2009 at 8:01 pm

Totally. ;-)
10 db // Jul 19, 2009 at 8:40 pm

right on man!!!!
11 sleestak // Jul 19, 2009 at 8:46 pm

I'll be taking my horseless carriage down to ye olde Nickelodeon and get some moonpies as well! 23 Skidoo!
12 Mikee // Jul 19, 2009 at 9:49 pm

I won this competition. It was a great turn out!
13 Mikee // Jul 19, 2009 at 9:50 pm

by the way im busting the gnarly air haha with the orange snocon board
14 NoraBell // Jul 19, 2009 at 10:48 pm

Groovy. Congratulations on the win, Mikee!
15 Mondoman // Jul 20, 2009 at 2:35 am

Nice, dude!
16 Mondoman // Jul 20, 2009 at 2:36 am

And through it all, Vans endures…
17 Geeky Swedes // Jul 20, 2009 at 3:11 am

In our defense, we heard the announcer say it several times. So it must still be cool.
18 Silver // Jul 20, 2009 at 5:30 am

I see. It's a technical term.

A “term of art” as they say.
19 Silver // Jul 20, 2009 at 5:32 am

Congratulations, Mikee! You kids scare the crap out of me, and I respect that.
20 Silver // Jul 20, 2009 at 5:33 am

YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!!

Whew. I feel better now.
21 Brian Behrens // Jul 20, 2009 at 4:01 pm

Very rad Mikee. I was very impressed with Seattle's talent. The first heat of the finals run was off the hook. Thanks for throwning down! Made my Saturday afternoon. I got a bit sunburnt though.

I posted a couple vids from my iPhone of your first heat on my flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianbehrens/37324...
22 Silver // Jul 20, 2009 at 4:13 pm

Thanks so much for posting the vids, Brian! So cool to see Mikee shred!

(Did I say that right? ;-)
23 SPG // Jul 20, 2009 at 7:04 pm

It's all in how it's used. If you're not proficient in the lingo and its application, best to stay clear or wind up sounding like, well, uh, how do I put this? A couple of old parents reading from the First Edition Teenage Slang Dictionary and Thesaurus.
The other thing that happens with misuse of the slang is that it comes off as a condescending put down to those involved in the event, and skaters in general, which we know was not the intent.
Hate to be critical of the sitekeepers, as the GS team does a wonderful job and we love you guys, but as a former skateboarder I remember all too well having to deal with the stereotypes.
24 motorrad // Jul 20, 2009 at 8:21 pm

Mikee,

You ruled that bowl and smoked everybody! Their were some great tricks thrown including the guy spinning McTwists. But you were on fire all day long. I got some great shots and series of you. If interested let me know. Congrats and I hope you got a lotta great merch.
25 Mikee // Jul 21, 2009 at 2:41 am

Ya thatd be great i need some photos..thanks everyone for the props!!
26 Mikee // Jul 21, 2009 at 2:42 am

my email btw is michaelofriel@msn.com
27 sleestak // Jul 21, 2009 at 8:29 pm

i took some photos earlier but it was way too bright to get good clarity – had to leave early to DJ a wedding reception but anyway here ya go

be warned not in this thread but others are not safe for work or wholesome people:

http://www.sleestak.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6454

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