On Sunday, Jan. 24,1999, fifteen snakers from New York and New Jersey, gathered to compete at the 516 Skatepark in Long Island, New York. Despite the rain and fog, so thick you could cut it with a knife, Alan made the 4 hour trip down from Rhode Island, to help run the competition. In addition, JuJo, Jerimiah and Michelle Larew, a professional dancer, were there to judge the competitors.

There were 3 categories: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, with about five riders in each. The beginners showed they had skills not to be ignored, by 50-50ing the low rails and pullin' nice methods off the flybox. In the intermediate category, the riders were gettin some air off the 1/4pipes, mixin' in some grabs, spins and grinds. Kara Guire(me) did a 360 melon off the launchbox(they have a SWEET launchbox!)to land in 3rd place. In the Advanced category, Rich Pearce took first place, showing his portfolio full of tricks!...floating 540melon, japan-grabbin method, 180 nose blunts. He even went for the frontflip 180 off the launchbox, but he kinda slid out of it..still kewl! John Lutke landed a perfect 720 off the launchbox to land in Second place. He also pulled 540's on the 1/4pipes, 50-50ed the rail and 360ed off the side of the 4ft 1/4pipe!

Seems as though everybody had a great time. It was nice to see so many riders I've never seen before!~~Kara..[ ]==[ ]