12.02.2009
In the afternoon I got a call from Ralf who is working often at the Area 51 skatepark saying that Winterclash was cancelled because of a devastating fire and that I should call Jojo to check what is up because my own Mind the Gap ramp was in the skatepark as an extra obstacle for the Winterclash. I thought he was making a sick joke but to be sure I called Jojo and the way Jojo answered his phone made sure that Ralf was not joking.
After the phonecall I did not know what to do because myself and Dick planned to go to Sint Niklaas to have a small warm-up session. Without a skatepark this plan was impossible but driven by curiousity I decide to go to Sint Niklaas to check what happened with my own eyes.
At the moment of arriving at the location many fire fighters were working hard to stop the fire and of course they did not let us come close to the fire. We spoke a little bit with some local people, living nearby the skatepark. We also saw Frank (the owner of the skatepark). He was totally discouraged, watching together with the whole family what was going on. I had a short talk with him and slowly I found out that nothing was left from one of the biggest skateparks in western Europe including a lot of products from skateshop Foward Freestyle, all the luggage of Jojo and his crew, all goods for the Winterclash, my Mind the Gap ramp and the trailer to transport it.
One hour later we drove to Eindhoven and met Jojo and the Area51 crew. We spoke about what happened in Sint Niklaas and still wanted to realise the 5th editon of Winterclash 2009. Luckily the Crew of area 51 and a lot of volunteers had the energy and spirit to make this happen.
13.02.2009
In the morning we met with Ralph and the rest of the crew. We planned to add 3 new, extra obstacle to the park. After a few hours hard work the park already looked much better.
Around 14:00 the park opened and skaters could enter the park. Friday was scheduled a meet&greet and session day. At the end of the day I also skated a bit so I could set my mind on something else than the fire in Sint Niklaas.
14.02.2009
Saturday was the big day. A huge amount of people came to visit although the skatepark could only fit 1000 people according to regulations. This number was reached in no time so before the actual contest started there was a sign on the door already that's said: Skatepark full!
After some delay everything started, starting with the amateurs. The amateurs skated in sessions which worked pretty good and fast. There were some sick skaters resulting in a top 5 which advanced to the pro division. Dick Heerkens, Rollerblade rider, was the only Dutch rider who made it to the pro division. He even made it to the Pro final (12 skaters). Other Rollerblade riders who made it into this final were myself (8th place) and 2nd place winner Steve Swain.
So in the end the Winterclash was a great success espescially after what happened two days before in Sint Niklaas. Moving such a big event from location to another in only two days deserves a lot of respect.
Big up to Jojo and his crew, Area51 and their crew, Ralf and friends for building extra obstacles, the people who were working hard in Sint Niklaas (Thomas&Bruno) and of course Frank the owner of the skatepark in Sint Niklaas who lost a big piece of his life.
Peace Sven
Photos: Dominic Swagemakers