Flying high at the Skate Jam
Bradley “Bread” Pichler gets massive air during Skate Jam hosted at Polson’s Seventh Avenue Skateboard Park on Sunday.
Local skater James Rausch launches out of the bowl.
Rachelle Tomlinson rides the rail during Skate Jam hosted at Polson’s Seventh Avenue Skateboard Park on Sunday.
Noah Roberts flies over the five-step obstacle.
POLSON — Skateboarders from across western Montana were in Polson last weekend to enjoy what they do best – skate.
On Saturday, the Seventh Avenue Skatepark hosted its annual Skate Jam party were more than 50 skaters of all ages and skill levels showed up to show off their best skills, while others wanted to just hang out.
The entire afternoon of skating was free for all participants and had different tiers of skaters competing for prizes depending on their age as well as free-for-all skate sessions.
Throughout the day, groups of skaters waited in line to take turns dropping off the ledge of the bowl, while other skaters concentrated on perfecting tricks using the rail and ledges. Still others practiced curving their boards through the park’s obstacles riding from one ramp to the next doing some jumps.
“I love this,” said Great Falls skater Noah Roberts. “Everyone getting together and hanging out. It’s a great environment.”
Blaring music and shouts of encouragement from fellow skaters, fueled the riders as they went all-out putting on a show of aerial tricks, jumps and grinds.
“I love skateboarding and sharing my passion with everyone,” said Missoula skater Rachelle Tomlinson.
Skateboarding overall has generally been a laid-back type of sport, where fellow skaters are friends as well as competitors and usually root for each other to succeed at an attempted trick.
Saturday’s free event exemplified exactly the reason why the Seventh Avenue Skatepark was originally constructed back in 2006 with the goal towards creating a positive outlet for the valley’s youth while providing them with a place to belong.
