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Around 1000 spectators gathered at the Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) for the annual Mangawhai Bowl Bash on February 7.
The event showcased the skill of 50 competitors from both New Zealand and overseas, who competed in four categories.
Mangawhai skaters were prominent in the Under 16 event, with Monty Graham finishing first and Sage Freeman placing second. Third was James Mulder from Christchurch.
Japan’s Mizuho Hasegawa put on a spectacular display in the Open Women’s category to finish first, ahead of Australia’s Mia Kretzer in second place and Chile’s Ignacia Munoz in third.
In the Open Men’s division, Australian skater Hudson Walker stepped onto the top of the podium, with New Zealanders Zedyn Fellows finishing second and Shaun Boucher in third.
In the Masters (Over 40s) category, Stephen Nikolls secured first place, followed by Orson Reynolds in second and Von Griffin in third, all representing New Zealand.
The event was organised by Andrew and Shiree Morrison, who rated it a 10.
They said there had been “unbelievable” feedback from the spectators, in what was one of the sporting highlights of the year for Mangawhai.
“We lost $25,000 worth of funding, and it took six months to find many smaller sponsors to make up the shortfall,” Andrew said.
“Then just three weeks before the event, we lost another $10,000. Funding stability is difficult, especially with the current economic climate. We are not promoters who do this for a living – we are skateboarders who want to help skateboarding in Mangawhai grow and do something inspiring for the community.”
However, beyond the economic challenges, Andrew highlighted the undisputable talent of the participants, including skaters like Hasegawa and Walker, who were among the best in the world. “These skaters are superstars, but they are more than happy to mingle with everyone.”
