The 14th Annual Basic Pool Skateboard Contest
The 14th Annual Basic Pool Contest went down today in Huntington Beach, California. I can't believe that Greg Castle has been putting on this contest for 14 years now. I gotta give him credit for always throwing a cool event and getting enough sponsors to cover the costs. This year there were 4 categories and anyone could register. There was the grom contest, girls contest, amateur contest and pro contest. The one thing I like about the Basic Pool is that anybody can cruise in and get an inside look at what backyard pool skateboarding is all about. Also if you are feeling it you can just enter into whatever category you’re in and get your skate on! The jam sessions as usual were amazing and even though there were a few collisions nobody got seriously hurt. I can't wait until April 2010!
This shot was taken from the roof and gives a nice overview of the clover leafed Basic Bowl. The 4 foot section is closest to you in the picture, the 10 foot over vert section is off to the right, and the 7 foot section is to the left.
This picture was taken from on top of the garage and is a straight on shot of the Basic Pool. Note the guy on the manlift lurking high above the 10 foot deep end. There is always something new going down at the Basic, and this year that was one of many new things.
The 7 foot bowl is a great place to build up speed. You can throw high speed frontside smith grinds through it like the one shown above.
Dave Ruel has been skating the Basic Pool contest for at least 12 years and he still has style. This year he brought out his band the Skatanic Rednecks to play some live music for the crowd.
The infamous hip at the basic bowl is a great place to launch airs over. Here is a lofty and stylish frontside air.
Jake Piaseki is another Basic Pool Contest regular. Here is Jake doing a high speed frontside grind through the deep end.
Jake Rueter has a pool of his own just down the street, which was also built for skateboarding. Here is Jake busting a Crail to Tailslide over the hip.
Mark Partain has been skating this pool since the cement dried in the early 90's. Here Mark hucks a big frontside air up for the press.