Staurday 12th of september the team set off on the road early to organise and run a Skate Jam, Demo and Competition at Ricall Skate Park near Selby in North Yorkshire. When we finally arrived there wasn't a cloud in the sky - perfect skating conditions!

After a quick sun-assisted drying of the ramps team members Ryan Swain, Stephen Blythe, Stevie Donaldson, Sarah Agar and Spike began skating. It didn't take long for the local people and skaters to realise what was happening with Stevie Donaldson throwing large airs over the spine, Blythe hitting the tech style tricks on mini that he's so good at and Ryan throwing his kickflip back tails down! Soon enough the locals started to join in on the fun!

We had alot of people booked in for what we are known for best - teaching youngsters how to skate and giving them a chance to improve, make friends and have fun along the way. We did two half an hour classes which was great fun and with a great turnout.

Finally after a short the delay Globe Representive & DJ for the day Dan Richmond finally arrived banging out a wide selection of hip hop classics. A local catering service set up a tent for a free bbq to locals, and rest assured the team didn't hesitate in munching a burger or seven!!

Soon we began one of two team displays for the day. Taking to the ramp on skateboards we had our very own Stevie D & Blythe putting on a great show for the locals, with Stevie getting 4ft Air out of the spine to flat with a rad melon grab and Blythe chucking a big FS 180 Air out of the mini ramp extension. We also had Spike on his blades wowing everyone when he threw a sweet 540 over the spine. Ryan was on the microphone commentating and making everyone laugh. The crowd were then invited to join in for the last five minutes.

It was coming towards the end of a day to remember for Ricall Skate Park. The weather was scorching as we began the comp. On the judging pannel we had Stevie, Sarah, Spike and Blythe all waiting to see what talent Ricall had to offer and to make the comp more exciting Ryan was on the mic goding the skaters to push there limits and spitting a few rhymes in the process. We started with 2 bladers battling it out to see who was the best. Luckily these guys were friends so there was no sour grapes when the prizes where dished out.

Finally the skateboarding heats took to the ramp. We saw kids of all ages really push themselves and battle it for the prizes. The prizes were a top notch pair of Globe shoes along with t-shirts, skating hardware and stickers. We lad skaters from all over the aera like York, Selby and even Leeds battle it out on the mini ramp seeing tricks such as 360 Flip Fakies and smooth Smith Grinds get thrown down.

Sadly it came to the end of the day. Stevie and Blythe left as did Spike and then finally Ryan and Sarah said bye and hit to road.

On the 11th August the Skate Safe Team landed in Malton to organise and run what was set to be a fantastic competition. We had an amazing turn out probably the best turn out of people and skaters Malton Skate Park has ever seen, along with the summer weather to match. We ran the skate school there before we started getting onto any competitions, encouraging young people to try out skateboarding. We loaned out a few skateboards and got a bunch of kids rolling around the park pushing them as much as we can to take skateboarding up but most of all have fun along the way!

It was 2pm, the sun was shining ,music was boomimng and all the competetors were ready to roll in the competitions. Ryan, Sarah & Blythe went round the skatepark to gathet up names for the compeition, trying to encourage as many people as we could to enter.

We began the first competition was the in-line skaters. It started really well as we were gobsmacked watching the front flips and back flips, we saw grinds, flips, grabs & big airs on the vert all be hyped up by the MC for team Ryan. The comp ended after 15 minutes. Sarah and Blythe (judging the competition) gave 1st to Chris Oldfield who astounded the crowd with a backflip air to fakie out of the spine. Gareth Thistleton placed 2nd with 3rd place going to Luke Ledbetter!

Second up came the skateboarding competition. We had skaters from up North and down South enter this street course based event. Team member Blythe took part in this jam for a laugh and helped the competors go even further in the comp. The competitors skated everything from street to mini ramp and even the vert ramp! When all was said and done in first place came a guy who really caught the eye called Tom. 2nd place was given to local Malton skater Lucas Petit and third we saw the youngest guy in the comp the 11 year old Polish legend PAVO!

Coming towards the end of an epic and highly successful day we then had the BMX competition. We saw alot of major things get thrown down in this comp. This one was especially hard to judge as we saw Supermans, Tailwhips 360's and huge airs on everything. We saw Ryan Carpenter put his self out of the competition after throwing a large tail whip over the jumpbox only to slip out and hurt his back. Everyone at Skate Safe wishes Ryan a quick recovery - he was ripping until that happened. Blythe came to a decision on the winner and chose Eric Bowie to place 1st with his consistency and his power followed by Ryan Carpenter in 2nd for his effort and skills then in 3rd the underdog Harley Rance who chucked a huge 360 over the spine!

So we dished out the prizes got the photgraphs had a game of SKATE with the locals. That rapped up the day at Malton, a successful event indeed!

Malton Skatepark is home to the 11ft outdoor halfpipe, the only one of its kind across the land, originating from Alton Towers as a Team Extreme demo ramp. The council decided to purchase the 11ft monster and bring it to Malton Skatepark. You will also find a miniramp, jumpbox, quarters, a spine & a very fun funbox and hubba at the park.It's definitely one for you skaters to check out if you're looking for somewhere new to skate!

- Improves balance and spacial awareness
- Great for building social skills
- CRB checked instructors
- Enhanced CRB
- Fully insured
- All equipment provided
- Actively promotes use of safety equipment
- Teaches good skate park etiquette
- Our instructors are some of the best local skaters, providing kids with good and relevant role models.

We currently work with schools in the County Durham and North Yorkshire areas with a variety of sessions for children of all ages, and even cater for parties and children and parents sessions.

Interested in hearing more?

Contact Sarah (c/o Popcorn Skate on):
01609 761 600

e-mail: sarah@popcornskate.co.uk

Popcorn Skate (www.popcornskate.co.uk) and Skate Safe were in the proverbial house at the Culture Shock Festival at Stone Cross Fields this past weekend and fun was had despite the dreary weather! Another fantastic Skate Skafe sponsored project, this one attracted skaters from all over the area with hundreds of pounds of prizes in the offer, with Skate Safe instructors Stephen Blythe and Stevie Donaldson also present. Check out the pics by clicking HERE