Saturday 3rd August saw the annual Girl Skate Jam take place at Pioneer Skate Park in St Albans. The comp, now in it’s 18th year, attracted riders from all over the UK as well as several riders from the Hungary and Holland. A 5am start for Skate Hut rider Roxanna Howlett and her family from Exeter was probably the most impressive same-day return journey!
The day kicked off with two hours of skating for all of the girls and ladies, basically a social and a roll about. With a bbq fired up outside and Girl Skate Jam tee screen-printing going on out the back there was a really good festival atmosphere. At 2pm the comps kicked off with the Groms going first (or better known as the under 12’s). As ever the younger ones were remarkable to watch (especially as some were the same size of their boards!!). Pioneer local Marine Rogers impressed the judges overall with a tailstall, front disaster and 50-50 on the quarter. The under 18’s comp followed shortly afterwards. Another Pioneer local, Lucy Winter nailed a nice front rock and sweeper, whilst Lois Taylor was super consistent with her boardslides on the rail, front side ollies and bonelesses on the quarters. North London skater Zaynab Miah took first with a back D, front sweeper and bigspin to axel stall on the large quarter.
After a quick practice warm up the over 18’s were up next. With almost too many entries to fit the scoring sheets, the judges had a tough job deciding on the places as so many good skaters with such different styles were competing. Georgie Winter in the first heat landed a solid first run with a bs flip 5-0 on the bank, boardslide fakie out on the rail and a front shuv over the driveway. South Wales rider Fran Stroud also had a good run with a flip up the euro gap and a 50-50 on the box. London lady, Lily Lu-Sheng made use of the whole park, with flips to fakie on the bank, 180’s into the driveway and 180’s out of the wedge. Girl Skate UK’s Danni Gallacher again covered the park in her solid style; feebs 270 out and a front rock boardslide in amidst many other tricks. Rachael Sherlock however took the O18’s crown for the second year in a row landing her trademark caveman on the bank, boardslide on the rail and popping 180’s and flips all over the shop.
The sponsored category was the last street section to go. Camilla Mullins, Dora Horvath, Sophie Williams, Roxanna Howlett and Lucy Adams all fought it out for a share of £500 prize money sponsored by CHPO brand. Dora landed her trademark huge tre flips and kickflips up the driveway and a back 50 on the ledge. Camilla landed a back-to-back 50-50 down the ledge to 5-0 down the following hubba combo She also pulled of a pretty sweet 50-50 front board on the ledge. Sophie Williams took best trick of the comp with a first try nollie bigspin heelflip on the steep bank. Roxanna and Lucy seemed to be pushing each other to step it up. Roxy, the up and coming Olympian put down a run that included a backside flip on the far bank, a blunt pull in and a flip down the euro gap. But it was Lucy Adams who took first throwing out bs 5-0’s, wallrides, noseslides, flips to fakie and a boardslide on the large rail.
The final comp of the day was the mini. Everyone was given one 90 second run to produce their best wears…always a good relaxing end to the day.
Queen of the ramp was of course Danni Gallacher who retained her title for the second year in a row with her trademark front rocks, hurricanes and a blunt pull in amongst many other tricks…
Prize giving saw Caitlin Cox awarded best slam (and probably best perseverance!!) for landing hard on her face twice attempting a rock fakie on the mini, but getting up after each one to try again until she landed it and then took it to the extension first time! It was incredible to see her reaction to the announcement of her win, the best of the day!
Massive thanks to all the staff and volunteers at Pioneer Skate Park (Andy K, Chris, Jack, Wil, Sam, Sue and Joe). Judges Matt Talbot and Scott Walker, MC Charlie Spelzini and DJ Wil Izbister
And also a massive thanks to all of the sponsors who helped make it such a great day: Nike SB, Chpo, Lovenskate, Rogue, Death, Girl, Royal, Crupiê, Long Live Southbank, Eloise Dorr, Lariatt, Girl Skate UK, Artimus, Carve Skate shop and Plankzine.
RESULTS:
Groms
1st Marine Rogers
2nd Indi Robinson
3rd Amaya Ash
Under 18’s
1st Zaynab Miah
2nd Lois Taylor
3rd Lucy Winter
Over 18’s
1st Rachael Sherlock
2nd Danni Gallacher
3rd Lily Lu-Zheng
Sponsored
1st Lucy Adams
2nd Roxanna Howlett
3rd Camilla Mullins
Mini
1st Danni Gallacher
2nd Roxanna Howlett
3rd Rebecca Davies
Best Slam – Caitlin Cox
Best Trick – Sophie Williams
