Kingsley local, Nathan Arias, is an accomplished skateboarder at only 13 years of age. Nathan has been skating for three years and has already secured sponsorship through Beyond Skate. On Saturday 19th of December Nathan competed in a qualifying round of the YMCA HQ’s Summer Skate Series in Leederville.
11 January 2010
Placegetters of each qualifying round of the series are eligible to compete at the Championship Event at YMCA HQ on Saturday 13 February 2010.
The YMCA HQ is a multi-use purpose built youth facility which is one-of-a-kind in Australia consisting of a skate park, gig space, art galley, basketball court, fully-serviced café and internet lounge. The YMCA HQ Summer Skate Series Championships act as a qualifying event for Skateboarding Australia Dew Series National Championships.
The series is supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation and involves four divisions: 15 & under boys/girls, 18 & under boys, 18 & under girls and Open (including sponsored skaters). Nathan competed in the Open division against skaters much older then him however inspired the crowd with his impressive tricks and technique. Nathan came third in the Open division, with only one point separating third and second places. In second place was Adam Oliver and in first was Matt Brazier.
In the 15 & under division first place went to Matt Doyle, in second place was Jordan Manning and third went to Issa Hassa. Ryan Van Nellestyn came first in the 18 & under division, Matt Jones came second, and in a close third was Daine Brown.
Five more qualifying rounds will be held at skate parks around WA, with the next round being held at the McCallum Park Skate Park (Vic Park) on Saturday the 9 January. Visit www.hq.org.au for competition dates and locations. All rounds have free registration and all skill levels are encouraged to participate. For more information contact YMCA HQ on (08) 9328 3221 or gemma.richman@ymca.org.au.
