Williamsburg-area skateboarders will be shredding it on the ramps this Friday at the James City County Recreation Center.
The annual Skate Jam will begin at 5 p.m. at the recreation center’s skate park at 5231 Longhill Road. The event will host almost three dozen local skaters competing at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, said Max Pfannebecker, president of the Triangle Skateboard Alliance.
Skaters can also compete in a trick portion as well, to show off more skills that catch more air, Pfannebecker said.
“For the competition, it’s more street style, where the skaters are focusing on the body of their work,” Pfannebecker said. “But for the trick competition, they’re really going for the one-punch wow factor.”
For the different levels in the competition, skaters will participate in groups, or heats, divided among their skill level. Judges will choose skaters from each heat and move them into a smaller group to compete until there are finalists for each level.
Winners will receive prizes ranging from skate decks to gift cards.
Skaters can register at all ages and skill levels. Registration is available at the James City County Recreation Center before the event, or at the skate park the day of the jam.
The event is free and spectators are welcome. The food truck Stuft will also be on site.
After the competition there will be a free outdoor screening of about 30 minutes of skate films, Pfannebecker, said.
Pfannebecker, along with other members of the Triangle Skateboard Alliance, will be volunteering at the event. The Alliance is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide and improve skate parks in the area.
On July 12, the Alliance is working to move equipment from Chincoteague Veteran’s Memorial Park on the Eastern Shore to Gloucester and Williamsburg. Because Chincoteague is closing, the Alliance plans to revitalize the park’s equipment and use it in skate parks around the area.
Volunteers will be needed to help move 30-foot ramps and other equipment into trailers to take to a storage space in Gloucester, where they will be revitalized to be repurposed, Pfannebecker said.
Pfannebecker has been paying for trailer rentals out of his own pocket, he said, but he encourages anyone who owns a trailer to help out. To help cover costs, the Alliance has numerous locations online where donations can be made. All donations are tax-deductible, Pfannebecker said.
For more information on how to volunteer, email tsaproject@outlook.com or contact Pfannebecker at 804-426-3663
