The Blake Doyle Classic, presented by the not-for-profit organization Upward Intuition, drew in successful amount of skateboarding talent on Saturday along with a crowd. Event organizer and Upward Intuition Executive Director Jon Shell publicly told the crowd he plans to bring the competition back to Milton next year.
“This is something we can build upon every year,” he said.
The first ever competition, which allowed skateboarders of all ages to compete for prizes and cash, also served as a fundraiser for the organization’s goal of building a public skateboarding park in Pensacola. Click here to see our Photo Gallery for photos of skaters in action.
Kyle Kemp, the events coordinator for the City of Milton, also wants the event to come back to Milton.
“I know they want to make this an annual event and if it continues to bring in crowds like this, then I will be all for it,” Kemp said.
In addition to the parents and guardians of the participating skateboarders, Upward Intuition supporters showed in force at the competition. Area food trucks were also on hand to provide food and refreshments and the local band ‘Post Pluto’ provided live music.
With cash prizes at stake, the competition attracted an array of skateboarding talent from across the EmeraldCoast and some even from further away, Shell said. Some competitors are relatively new to skateboarding and have the bruises and scratches to prove it, like 13-year-old Baeden Veale of Crestview.
“It happens a lot, but that is just what makes you a better skater,” said Veale, who placed third overall in the 11-13 age category.
Like Veale, Milton teenager Brandon Evois is also new to skateboarding and got involved after meeting some friends at the Milton skate park.
“I just met all of these cool people and started skating,” he said. “I enjoy the adrenaline.”
Results from Saturday’s Blake Doyle Skateboarding Competition:
10 and under age group:
1st– Kieren Liner
2nd– Gabe Lujan
3rd– Nick Schepper
11-13 age group:
1st– Caleb Cook
2nd– Micah Cook
3rd– Braydon Veale
14-16 age group:
1st– Mason Broussard
2nd– Koa Porto
3rd– Seth Fell
17 and up age group:
1st– Martin Miller
2nd– Andrew Kendrick
3rd– David Singleton
Girls
1st– Anna-Claire Davidson
2nd– Taylor Green
3rd– Hannah Waltman
Best Trick Contest
1st– Niels Bennett
2nd– Chase Kendrick
3rd– Mason Broussard
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Kickflip and grind