BOWLZILLA Gold Coast 2024 Finals

For the ninth year in a row BOWLZILLA Gold Coast delivered the Australian Skateboarding Federation’s National Park Skating Championships to a raging audience and a raucous field of competitors. There were big differences this year in both and as a result everyone in attendance said it was the best one for years.

Energy levels were high and everyone there was up for the best day’s skating on the Gold Coast all year. So a bit of rain and a lot of humidity did not deter anyone. The crowd stayed through the showers and pitched in to dry the bowl during the breaks in rain and screamed louder for everyone each time the skating took off again. There’s no crowd like a Gold Coast skate crowd.

BOWLZILLA Gold Coast 2024 FORMAT

7.00 – 9.40 OPEN PRACTICE

16 and Under Eliminations: Format: 3 Heats: 3 x 40 second runs + 10 minutes practice, best run counts, top 8 scores of competition advance to Final.

9.40 – 10.00         Practice

10.00 – 10.30       Heat 1

10.30 – 11.00       Heat 2

11.00 – 11.30       Heat 3

Women’s Eliminations: Format: 3 Heats: 3 x 40 second runs + 10 minutes practice, best run counts, top 8 scores of competition advance to Final.

11.30 – 11.50      Practice

11.50 – 12.20        Heat 1

12.20 – 12.50        Heat 2

12.50 – 1.20          Heat 3

Open Eliminations: Format: 3 Heats: 3 x 40 second runs + 10 minutes practice, best run counts, top 8 scores of competition advance to Final.

1.20 – 1.40          Practice

1.40 – 2.10          Heat 1

2.10 – 2.40          Heat 2

2.40 – 3.10          Heat 3

Lunch

3.10 – 3.30         

FINALS:

16 and Under Final: 8 skaters, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts

3.30 – 3.40           Practice

3.40 – 4.00           Final

Master’s Final: 8 skaters, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts

4.00 – 4.10          Practice

4.10 – 4.30          Final Jam

Women’s Final: 8 skaters, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts

4.30 – 4.40           Practice

4.40 – 5.00           Final Jam

Open Final: 8 skaters, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts

5.00 – 5.10           Practice

5.10 – 5.30           Final

AWARDS:

5.45 – 6.00

COMPETITION FORMAT:

16 and Under: 3 Heats – 8 person heats, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts, top 8 scores advance, each heat is based on 10 minute warm up. 8 best scores advance to Finals.

Masters: smaller field this year, will run a straight Final.

Yeah Girl Women: 3 Heats – 8 person heats, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts, top 8 scores advance each, heat is based on 10 minute warm up. 8 best scores advance to Finals.

Open: 3 Heats – 8 person heats, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts, top 8 scores advance each, heat is based on 10 minute warm up. 8 best scores advance to Finals.

16 and Under FINALS: 8 skaters, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts. Judges will rank skaters 1 – 8.

Masters FINALS: 8 skaters, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts. Judges will rank skaters 1 – 8.

Yeah Girl Women FINALS: 8 skaters, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts. Judges will rank skaters 1 – 8.

Open FINALS: 8 skaters, 3 x 40 second runs, best run counts. Judges will rank skaters 1 – 8.

BOWLZILLA™ Gold Coast 2024 JUDGING

JUDGING:

Three (3) judges with one (1) acting as head judge who will also score. Head judge ensures other judges are understanding of format and judging criteria.

BOWLZILLA™ is a park competition and therefore will be judged according to park skating style. Park skating has its emphasis on style and flow. Tricks are complementary to the riders run rather than being the focus of the run.

Judging is based on:

Use of the bowl: Each park is unique and therefore requires a unique approach. Elanora park has these things to consider use of in a line: two ends, full pipe, corners, hips and extension. A well-rounded run in this park will utilise as many of these features in a fluid park skating approach. If a skater spends the majority of their time utilising just one area of the park performing tricks, their run will be scored down.

Style: the fluid linking of park features and how individual tricks are performed within the run (i.e. continuity of line).

Content: park skating dictates that tricks are complementary to the whole run. If the tricks appear awkward and singular rather than part of the whole run they may be marked down. If the tricks are fluid and complimentary to the run then; the number, difficulty, originality and variety of tricks successfully performed will add to the score.

Note: These categories are weighted by the individual judge’s subjective opinion. Judge’s decision is final. Skateboarding is judged subjectively rather than objectively so it is fair to assume different people will have different ideas on results.

Run points:

Scoring is out of 100 per run.

The top two scores will be taken and the bottom two scores will be thrown away. In the event of a tie the riders other scores will be taken into consideration to form a tie breaker.

The top 8 scored riders will go through to the final. The final riders are chosen by top score across all heats and not by top skaters from each heat.

Run point distribution for judging guidance; 90-100 best runs of day – these runs should sit between; 90-100 and are usually reserved for the finals to ensure a lifting of scores throughout the competition. 80-90 top scoring heat runs sit within this range. A run within this bracket will consist of use of whole bowl, fluid and fast approach, tricks are complementary to the run and there is a variety with a mix of difficulty and originality. 70-80 runs within this range are generally smooth and consistent, use the whole bowl, fill the allotted time of 35 seconds per run but may not have the most spectacular approach. 60-70 a rider may not complete a run but within their run may use the bowl well and do some amazing tricks or a rider may do a very trick focused run that only utilises a portion of the bowl rather than all of it or the rider may be consistent but not perform a run that stands out against the other skaters. 50-60 a rider may only last 5 or 6 walls but do a couple of tricks that really stand out but did not have a long enough run or the rider may use the whole time but not perform a spectacular run that stands out. 30-50 the skater dropped in a got one or two tricks but nothing was spectacular. 0-30 the skater dropped in and did nothing.

Falls:

A subjective penalty will be assessed, and the following will be taken into consideration when determining the amount of penalty: First wall rebate; if the rider falls on the very first wall, they get to rebate but the clock keeps going. Not the second wall. The rider must race to restart their run as quickly as possible. If the skater chooses to rebate it is within the 40 seconds, the clock does not start over. When the clock hits 40 seconds the run is over, regardless of when the rider decides to start their run. What was being attempted when the fall/step off occurred? How the overall fluidity of the run was affected. Ability to recover and continue the continuity of the run.

BOWLZILLA Wellington is CANCELLED for 2024

It is with deep regret that we announce the cancellation of BOWLZILLA Wellington for 2024. The current global financial challenges have impacted the ability of BOWLZILLA Wellington to secure the necessary sponsorship funds required to conduct the event successfully. Despite the dedicated efforts of the BOWLZILLA Wellington team, the legacy National Bowl Skating Championships cannot proceed without adequate financial support.

BOWLZILLA Wellington has been a cornerstone of the community for the past eight years, and it is disheartening to make this decision. The BOWLZILLA team takes great pride in supporting local and skater owned businesses and acknowledge the impact this cancellation will have on Wellington's skate economy.

While New Zealand’s National Bowl Skating Championships is on hold for this year, we strongly urge the skate community to rally behind other skater owned and run events such as Mangawhai Bowl Jam and other SBNZ (Skateboarding New Zealand) supported competitions. In these challenging times for many it is crucial for the community to show their support by getting behind skater-owned and run businesses and events, who are all no-doubt doing it tough too.

The BOWLZILLA team extends heartfelt gratitude to every individual, business and organization that has played a role in making BOWLZILLA Wellington the premier skate festival in New Zealand since its inception in 2016. Thanks to Wellington City Council for your ongoing funding and support of BOWLZILLA. Your support has been invaluable, and we look forward to the possibility of resuming the event in the future.

BOWLZILLA Gold Coast 2023 Highlights

Beautiful one day, ripping the next. The BOWLZILLA Gold Coast highlights clip is here to warm up the southern winter with a scorching summer recap – watch, enjoy and GO SKATE.

Higher, faster, longer, funner. Competitions can push skaters to challenge themselves and risk that little bit more. The best of it is when they’re pushing their mate in the next run to do better than they just did. Yeah, people won but that wasn’t ever the point. Nothing and no one was left behind this year and everyone celebrated together at the end. BOWLZILLA Gold Coast 2023 was a uniform free zone of rad times and ripping skating.

The Gold Coast skate scene is massive and growing with so many rad spots and generations of shredders keeping the torch lit it is no wonder that it is being called the skate mecca of Australia. Everyone’s welcome to come and grind the epic concrete and share in the stoke of it all.

It’s the community that makes BOWLZILLA Gold Coast happen and as rad as it is. Without their support it just isn’t possible to have festivals like these. The week is really a celebration of how epic they all are. Watch the shredding in the 16 & Unders, Masters, Yeah Girl Women and Opens and you'll see the next step that Australian skating took in 2023.

Sponsors and partners like; Dickies, Santa Cruz, Independent, Kangol, Yeah Girl, Gold Coast Skateboard Coaching, Australian Skateboarding Federation, Truckstop, Fuel TV, Girl’s Skate Gold Coast, Etnies, Rattlesnake Motel, Gold Coast City Council and Tourism & Events Queensland made sure everyone got thanked properly.

Massive shout outs go to all the friends, family, fans, media, sponsors, supporters, community, crew, and skaters for what was truly one of the best years ever for BOWLZILLA Gold Coast.

BOWLZILLA Wellington 2023 Highlights

BOWLZILLA Wellington brought the heat this summer for the National Bowl Skating Championships. As

winter sets in in the southern hemisphere this clip will get everyone all fired up again. After the last few

years of weather and lockdowns it was the celebration everyone wanted and needed – watch, enjoy and

GO SKATE.

The best skate comps are just excuses to get the tribe together for a week of good times and ripping sessions. Wellington is the perfect city for an event like BOWLZILLA where the community is the focus. The week is full of free learn to ride clinics, street jams, parties, art shows, barbecues, free jams and the excuse of the National Bowl Skating Championships.

Many were not able to attend BOWLZILLA Wellington at the last minute because of a cyclone hitting the North Island. Everyone in attendance went above and beyond to make it another legendary year though, 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 because of the We Skate Poneke initiative. 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. Watch the ripping skating in the Hot Wheels 16 & Unders, Masters, Women and Opens and you'll see the future really looks bright for New Zealand skating.

Sponsors and partners like The Cambridge Hotel that housed all the crew and competitors 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, and skaters for what was truly one of the best years ever for BOWLZILLA Wellington.

SALKZILLA!!!

The first ever SALKZILLA is on tomorrow 15th March from 5-9PM at Salk Oval Skatepark; 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin QLD 4223, Australia.

There’s gonna be some $10 and $20 notes being given our with some prizes for tricks and good vibes for all our rolling friends across the spectrum.

There’ll be a bit of a free barbecue and an over supply of good times. Everyone is welcome.

We want to thank all our sponsors and supporters for making this first year possible for us to share the stoke and have a bit of fun with all our friends and family.

BOWLZILLA Wellington – BARRIER BREAKING

BOWLZILLA Wellington is going to be the Celebration Capital on the 5th of March, capping off an amazing year of skateboarding Breaking Barriers. New Zealand’s National Park Skating Championships are returning once again to crown the Nation’s best skaters.

BOWLZILLA always delivers the biggest week of skating in New Zealand and nothing gets in the way. Through border closures and travel restrictions the celebrations continue. This March marks the seventh year of Wellington’s skateboarding festival bringing everyone together.

2021 saw the largest gathering ever of fans and competitors from outside of Wellington for the BOWLZILLA celebrations and given the massive increase in participation in skating the last two years the larger attendance is expected to continue.

Gathering friends and family together to celebrate them and the awesome community that is skateboarding is always the most important part of the week. The weeklong festival highlights all of this through art shows, music, barbecues, catch ups and of course the competition.

“Wellington City Council is excited to welcome back the annual BOWLZILLA Wellington event. Following the debut and success of so many incredible skaters at the Olympics, we look forward to seeing these athletes in action at the National Championships in the Capital. An incredible opportunity for our community to witness the skill of these skaters. To all of those competing at BOWLZILLA Wellington 2022 – we look forward to seeing you in action.” Mayor Andy Foster

It is fair to say this seventh year of BOWLZILLA Wellington is a triumphant celebration given the last couple of years. The growing field of inter-city fans and competitors, the full week of festival happenings and the continuing growth in participation will all be culminating in the biggest week of skating seen so far in New Zealand. The competitors will be going all out to give everyone the best show of the year with Tech Deck 16 & Under, Women, Masters 40+ and Opens. Everyone is welcome to come along and cheer and be part of the whole festival for free.

Wellington City Council, Wellington Skateboarding Association, Redhead or Dead Events and Miryoku Agency have joined forces once again to bring this fantastic festival to the New Zealand skaters.

“Skateboarding in New Zealand has seen a lot of change since the inception of BOWLZILLA Wellington seven years ago. Through all of the developments we have worked extra hard to stay consistent in our support and representation or our clan because they are our friends and family. No matter how big the skateboard, event or organisation, we have not been distracted and beguiled from doing our part to present our community how they feel they want to be. BOWLZILLA has and always will be the voice of the people and the platform for them to create opportunity for all. Everyone is invited to come enjoy, participate and celebrate with us.” BOWLZILLA Director – Chad Ford.

BOWLZILLA was born out of likeminded friends in the skateboard community looking for new platforms to promote the extraordinary talents of their friend’s talents that run in oversupply within skateboarding but are not often seen in the outside world. BOWLZILLA Wellington is the biggest platform for showcasing all of this amazing talent in skateboarding in New Zealand. There is an open invite for everyone to come and be part of the celebration.

There will be more information coming in the New Year about all the great events and sponsorships happening as part of BOWLZILLA Wellington 2022.

All photos: David Read for Manual Magazine