It truely is a sight to see when you have a group of people come together to participate in something they love doing but not just for themselves but for others.
The event poster – thanks to all the sponsors!
On the 2nd of December 2012 a group of skaters came together to compete in a downhill competition at Noosa Hill Climb to raise money for a little grommet who is currently battling cancer. Over 75 riders had registered to compete in the days event, some of them masters of the hill who could do the 3km run through Noosa bushland with their eyes closed and some of them who had never even been down the track before. The way the day was run there would be three rounds of a round robin format where you would receive points for the place you came. Both groms and opens were racing together in these rounds which made these rounds far more interesting for both divisions, and also got most of the grommets stoked as they were racing against some of their heros. At the end of the round robin format eight riders from both the grom and open divisions would then move on to compete in the semi finals.
The semi final heats being called out.
The groms semi finals were two very tight racers seeing Brent Mason, Felix McCabe, George Warrner and Jaik Atcheson moving on to the final grom race. The final would be nothing but drama and adrenaline – boasting a Steven Bradbury like situation! George Warrener crashed out on the push line and ending up taking the rest of the heat down with him, so the race was on for who could be first back on their board and first across the finish line. But the drama continued through to the grom consi finals aswell! Throughout the whole run the position for 5th Grom was chopped and changed with the riders passing each other back and forth. Jacob Breede ending up making the best past and shooted out in front to take out 5th position. The fight for 6th and 7th continued all the way to the finish line where Jono Tate took 6th from Elliot Peet by 15cm, but once they had crossed the finish line they both locked eyes with each other and slowly move closer to each other, so close that they both ended up clipping wheels. Jono went skidding along the ground for 10 meters and in order for Elliot not fall on top of Jono he jumped over him and landed awkwardly on his left ankle.
Lucky for us ‘Wingers’ was racing on the day, and he came skating to the rescue to help Elliot out before the ambulance arrived. Word is that Elliot has dislocated his ankle and broken both is fibula and tibia – but should be back walking in the next 6 weeks! All the best with your recovery Elliot and here is a picture so close your eyes if this kind of stuff scares you!
Before the crash.
After the crash.
The Grom podium results were as follows:
- Jaik Atcheson 5. Jacob Breede
- Felix McCabe 6. Jono Tate
- Brent Mason 7. Elliot Peet
- George Warrener 8. Gus Fraser
Now on to the opens finals, with 7 out of the top eight riders all winning every single one of their races in the rounds there was no doubt the semi finals were going to be tight and fast. After the two semi finals the top two riders from each race were the ones who would be going through to the final these riders were: Zach Hewett, Jake Eaton, Josh Evans and Matthew ‘Wingers’ Pascoe. When the riders arrived at the top of the hill they were greeted with the news that Elliot had broken his leg, so the wait began till the track could be cleared. Once they were given the all thunderbirds are go, the race began Zach Hewwet rumoured to be the master of the hill as it is his local was pipped across the line by Josh Evans, who won every single one of his races on the day – a well deserved winner! With Jake Eaton and Wingers following close behind Zach!
Josh Evans doing a reverse stink bug – swag.
The opens podium results are as follows:
1. Josh Evans 5. Jayden Bilby
2. Zach Hewett 6. Jacob Lambert
3. Jake Eaton 7. Chad Gibson
4. Matthew ‘Wingers’ Pascoe 8. Michael Lacey
Opens Podium – (left to right) 4th: Wingers, 3rd: Jake Eaton, 1st: Josh Evans and 2nd: Zach Hewett
All in all the day was a huge success raising over $645 dollars for the local Brissy grommet who is currently fighting cancer! As a community we hope that the funds raised from the day is going to help this guy out – all the best dude! One of the goals for the day was to see smiles all around – and from what i saw the only person who went home without a smile was probably Elliot Peet. Day = Success. The Downhill for Daffodil event proved that the skating community in brisbane isn’t a community that should be defaced by news reports, however we are a community that should be praised for out efforts in supporting those who need a helping hand. Brisbane has one of the best scene in all the world – so make sure you jump aboard the train.
Thanks to all those who came and raced, and a big thanks to those who helped run the day.
We would also like to give a big shout out to the sponsors of the day:
Special mention to Adam Baldwin from Skatement Speedboards, he played a major part in the day running smoothly he also donated the raddest trophy i have ever seen. If you are looking for a new board to give you super steeze points and at a great price hit Adam up on the Skatement Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skatement-Speedboards/200295393334862?fref=ts
CHECK OUT THE TROPHY – as this event will be occurring a couple times a year the trophy will have the winners name and date and what the money raised went towards engraved in it and the trophy will stay with the winner until the next event.
Fat Pigeon Longboards – donated two boards one went to the opens winner and one was raffled off. Check them out here – http://www.skateboardracing.org.au/photo/albums/fat-pigeon-longboards
Daddow Skateboards & Kebbek Skateboards – donated decks for podium winners and a bunch of tshirts! Check them out here – http://daddowskateboards.com/ and here – http://www.kebbek.com
Heelside Magazine – gave up some of the gnarliest longboard magazines out. Heelside is by far the best magazine for all your longboard needs and wants – and they are Australian too. Check them out at – http://www.heelsidemag.com/ and while you are their subscribe to the magazine as well!
Massive props to Jacob Lambert Photography – this guy not only takes the best pictures out but he also shreds some serious gnar – Check out his photos at – http://jacoblambert.blogspot.com/
We would further like to thank the Brisbane Skate Shops that supported the day by giving vouchers, prizes, stickers and sending their riders out too for the day. It proves that shops can work together to build a better community. Thanks to:
Extreme Skates – Australia’s Favourite Skate Shop (I also must thank Michael English for covering my shift). Check them out online at http://www.extremeskates.com.au – Free shipping to Australia and New Zealand.
Goodtime Surf and Sail – they also provided the smiles and hydration in the form of smiley face stickers and water for eveyone. Check them out on their facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Goodtime-Surf-and-Sail/137250482958780?fref=ts
Sk8er – this was their first event that they have sponsored, and they did a mighty fine job! Check their website out here – http://www.sk8er.net.au/index.php
Skatebiz – you can check them out online also at – http://skatebiz.com.au
IT'S AN OBSESSION 
summed up the day well. so glad i came even if i got thrashed in each heat.