GNARLY >>>
It was the mini Sturgis of skateboarding, a day of ripping, beer and bands Saturday. No giant contest money ($500), corporate sponsors or swooping ESPN camera cranes - just local hard-core skaters summoned by the scent of wood dust tossed above the vertical lip of the miniramp sponsored by Saves Clothing.
Intermediate and advanced skaters, a couple with bandages on their foreheads and a gleeful disregard for personal safety, a couple dozen skaters from across the Puget Sound pointed their wheels toward the newest South Sound skate Mecca:
O'Malley's Irish Pub, Tacoma. Population: many tipsy.
Saves Clothing, in partnership with O'Malley's Irish Pub and a handful of other local businesses, hosted "Oktobersesh" Gnar at the Bar Skate Competition yesterday in the lot behind the Sixth Avenue watering hole. Between the beer garden and a small bleacher full of families, skaters attached the ramp with rock and punk music blasting the neighborhood.
After the competition, local bands rock the joint.
Yesterday's event had an awesome DIY vibe. I'm hoping O'Malley's hosts more of these skate competitions.