This year’s BOWLZILLA Wellington which was presented by Monster Energy was one that will go down in legend. The National Bowl Skating Championships really turned it on this year.After the last few years of weather and lockdowns it was the celebration everyone wanted and needed.

BOWLZILLA Wellington is a community event and many were not able to attend at the last minute because of the cyclone hitting the North Island. Everyone in attendance went above and beyond to make it another legendary year, but more importantly, celebrate for those in our community who could not.

Having the support year in year out from Wellington City Council has ensured not only that BOWLZILLA Wellington is the largest skate gathering in the country every year but that Wellington is also home to the most thriving skate scene. The We Skate Poneke initiative that WCC run, has given a massive boost to the community and is bringing some incredible spaces and gatherings for everyone to utilise. The BOWLZILLA Wellington week is growing and becoming more representative of the whole colourful community and the best is yet to come.

The support that goes into festivals like these are so important and everyone in attendance: fans, staff, friends, family and the competitors all step it up a little bit more to show their appreciation. This was well and truly evident in the Hot Wheels Skate 16 & Under division. These kids are getting so good that many aren’t waiting to age out before heading into the big leagues of the Open Division. The future really looks bright for New Zealand skating.

Our sponsors and partners like The Cambridge Hotel that housed all the crew and competitors and provided the perfect gathering place and all the other sponsors combined; Radioactive.FM, Monster, Hot Wheels, Kangol, Santa Cruz, Independent, Dickies, Manual Magazine, Powerhaus Automotive, Manky Chops, Wellington Skateboarding Association and Skateboarding.NZ were bloody awesome.

The BOWLZILLA Wellington Champions for 2023 are; Hot Wheels Skate 16 & Unders: Monty Graham, Masters: Ramon Thackwell, Women: Yeva Butler and Open: Shaun Boucher, and a special congratulations to Yeva Butler for taking out the Hot Wheels Skate fingerboard competition as well, she’s going to need extra baggage allowance to get home.

A huge THANKS goes out to all the friends, family, fans, media, sponsors, supporters, community, crew, judges, Head MC Sean Goff from the UK, international DJ Ally AF and skaters for what was truly one of the best years ever for BOWLZILLA Wellington.

BOWLZILLA Wellington 2023 placings:

Hot Wheels Skate 16 & Under

1st Monty Graham

2nd Ari Saffer

3rd Marshall Littlefair

4th Ace Findlay

5th Rio Saffer

6th Tate studd

Masters

1st Ramon Thackwell

2nd Von Griffin

3rd Chris Wood