2003_King_of_the

RESULTS FOR 2003 KING OF THE GROMS SKATEBOARD CONTEST:

STREET:

1ST - KIERAN STONE

2ND - TOM ROHRER

3RD - CODY DAVIS

4TH - JON MART

5TH - IAN WEISS

6TH- MAX WERLICH

7TH - MASON WEISS

8TH - JACK WIDLUND

9TH - ANTHONY BEHL

10TH ZACH BLOCK

BOWL:

1ST - MAX WERLICH

2ND - CODY DAVIS

3RD - IAN WEISS

4TH - KIERAN STONE

5TH - COLIN HAUNTER

6TH - JAKE STRUZYK

7TH - JOE HOUSE

8TH - KARTER HOLTHUSEN

9TH - JACK WIDLUND

10TH - WES DODD

MINI - RAMP

1ST - KIERAN STONE

2ND - MAX WERLICH

3RD - MAX MOSS

4TH - MASON WEISS

5TH - CODY DAVIS

6TH - NOAH SCHUMACHER

7TH - TRENTON ROMENS

8TH - JACK WIDLUND

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY THAT ENTERED OUR FIRST ANNUAL KING OF THE GROMS

The Story of the 2003 King of the Groms Contest…

It was a Sunday, February 23, 2003 and we couldn't believe the day was upon us already. This was a highly anticipated contest for the 3rd Lair because it was the first one at the new facility. It would be the first time that any of these kids had the entire park to themselves, I could only imagine how this must have felt to them. The only time they could have the entire park without anyone getting in their way and it had to be in front of hundreds of other people watching them. You take the good with the bad in life.

It was a great turnout; a lot of riders entered multiple categories. Their options were: street, bowl, and/or mini - ramp. The street course had the best turn out, then mini - ramp, and least was the bowl. No offense to the bowl, but these were 12 and under riders and take a look at that thing - it stands more than double the height of all of them.

We started the contest in the street course and when I got out there I couldn't believe my eyes - these kids meant serious business. I saw multiple riders ollieing down the stairs off of our tallest quarter pipe and on to the bank below. I saw kickflips being stuck no problem by most of them. I saw 360 grabs off the launch, 360 flips, and variels. I saw these Groms flying all over the course and I didn't know where to look next it was happening so fast.

Steve Gareri the 3rd Lair MC had the contest on lock down - each heat started on time and in order. The crowd was way into it, lots of parents and friends showed up to cheer on their favorite Grom. I got onto the course and started taking some photos.

I started to immediately notice the standouts - Kieran Stone was killing it!! And so were a lot of others like Cody Davis and Ian Weiss. Both of these kids have a go for broke style, which I love to see. They threw caution to the wind and went for every single trick they attempted. But Kieran was just amazing he rode the course like a big boy and I questioned how somebody so good could be less than 13 years of age? But I heard Kieran's only 11. This is a kid who has a FUTURE in skateboarding; he could easily be a top am in a couple of years.

Check the results to see who did good, but I think that the most important statistic is the status of skateboarding in the state of Minnesota. We have a ton of young kids around here who just plain rip. I don't know why or how these kids got so good so young but its a good thing to see and be apart of.

I want to personally congratulate everybody that came down to this event, especially to the riders that entered the competition. I know that entering a contest is a tuff thing to do. But after you do it you are always so happy that you did. So to everybody that gave it their best shot - you are a true skateboarder and the 3rd Lair emulates you. We hope to see you back for some riding soon!

I also want to thank all of our sponsors that kicked down the goods for the Groms:

SPONSORS TO THANK:

1. CAL SURF 2. FOBIA SKATESHOP 3. AXIS SHOES 4. LAKAI SHOES 5. DVS SHOES 6. SUPERNATURAL 7. IOTA 8. PIZZA HUT 9. TACO BELL 10. COKE COLA 11. SODALICIOUS 12. ALIEN WORKSHOP 13. HABITAT SKATEBOARDS 14. GIRL SKATEBOARDS 15. FOUR STAR CLOTHING

Your support of our park and special events is greatly appreciated. We hope to reciprocate your generosity by constant promotion of your products in our shop.