Boarders moving into the spotlight

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nathan Nahina, 15, of Wahiawa is entered in the Sunburn Classic at A'ala Park. Nahina is looking forward to the competition. "All the contests are important," he said. "Because we don't have them that much." Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser Skateboarding What: T&C Skate Osiris Shoes "Sunburn Classic" Where: A'ala Park When: Tomorrow, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration: Pick up an entry form at all Town & Country stores. Participants will register free on the day of the competition. Age divisions: 13 and under, 14 to 17, 18 and older, sponsored (open age) Event highlights: Pro skate exhibition, amateur skate contest, best trick contest and free-for-all product toss. Autograph session: With professional skaters Chany Jeanguenin, Louie Barletta, Chris Dobstaff, Jay Adams and Dylan Rieder. Today at T&C Pearlridge at 4 p.m.

"When I started, we were (skateboarding) in the drainage ditch and it was like, don't tell mom and dad," said skateboarder Robby Gaskell of Kailua. "In the 80s, we were outcast. Now we're a little accepted."

Tomorrow, in a symbol of their acceptance, Gaskell and Hawai'i's best skateboarders will compete in the T&C Skate Osiris Shoes "Sunburn Classic" at A'ala Park. Organizers are calling the Classic the largest amateur skate contest in Hawai'i with 80 to 100 skateboarders expected. There will be a best trick category for sponsored riders only, with the winner earning $500.

"Skateboarding is really big now," said Rob Waldron, a Town & Country skate buyer who helped organize the Classic. "With all the skateparks coming up, it's only going to get bigger."

The Classic is one result of the growing popularity of skateboarding. According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, from 1990 to 2000, the number of children ages 12 to 17 who participated in skateboarding increased 14 percent from 3.7 million to 4.2 million. For younger children, ages 6 to 11, the growth was even larger, increasing 36 percent.

"It's being publicized a lot more," said Waldron, who cited national television exposure and $100,000 skateboard contests as reasons for the sport's popularity.

Waldron said the Classic serves many purposes and welcomed the public to watch the free event.

"The parents will get to see a different side of skateboarding, not just your stereotypical punk, like how people think of us now," Waldron said. "For the younger kids, they'll be able to see all the local talent, and if they want to get to that same level, it's not too far from their grasp."

For businesses, the Classic can be a boost to stores who sponsor elite skateboarders and provide them with clothing and equipment, Waldron said. If sponsored riders perform well, "it will push the kids to shop at their stores," Waldron said.

Gaskell said the Classic and the construction of additional skateparks are two reasons of the public's acceptance of skateboarders. He predicted additional competitions and skateparks would reward Hawai'i with national recognition.

"I think as we get bigger and better skateparks, we'll not only see better skaters, but Hawai'i will be able to host a major event," said Gaskell, who is sponsored by several companies, including T&C.

Nathan Nahina, 15, of Wahiawa, welcomed the Classic and said the exposure it gives skateboarders is priceless. Nahina is sponsored by T&C and will compete tomorrow.

"All the contests are important," Nahina said. "Because we don't have them that much."

Nahina's mother, Linda, said skateboarding has been a good outlet for her son. She said at one point, she used the sport as an incentive for her son to keep up his school studies.

"I think it's really important to keep them off the streets, keep them off drugs," the mother said. "Skating gave him confidence and gives him something to shoot for."

The competition will feature four divisions, including an age 18-and-older division. Gaskell, 29, who will be competing in the sponsored, open-age division, described skateboarding as his "fountain of youth."

"A lot of us don't want to stop," Gaskell said. "I hate to do anything else for exercise."