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The Story of the First Ngongotaha Skate Competition
Jump to chapter:
The Event
The Winners
The Future for NGO's Skate Park
Ngongotaha Skate Competition Organiser, Layla Robinson |
Turning an idea into an event
In November 2008 while working on another community project, MovieTime™ Ngongotaha’s owner/operator Layla Robinson conceived the idea to showcase local skateboarding talent by organizing a skate competition.
With a background in marketing, Layla found it easy to organize the promotional elements, immediately preparing a web page with an online registration form, and contacting potential sponsors and advertisers.
Having no experience in formatting or judging a skateboard competition before, Layla knew that she would need to get expert help to assist her with this aspect of organizing the event. |
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Using her first method of research, the Internet, Layla discovered Alta, New Zealand’s award winning snowboard and skate retailer. Alta not only has an extensive online store and skateboarding blog, but also offer free skateboard coaching clinics. |
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Best known as having some of the top teams in NZ for snowboarding, Alta was voted Snowboard Retailer of the Year in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
As well as their online presence, Alta have physical stores in Newmarket, Auckland and Queenstown. Because of their Auckland presence, only hours from Rotorua, Layla thought that the company might be able to help her organize the competition. |
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“I sent an email to a generic address on their website, and asked if Alta would sponsor the competition by offering a skateboard for first prize, as well as sending a team down to judge the comp,” said Layla. “I also asked if they would be keen to send a crew down a month ahead of the competition to run one of their free clinics and teach the locals some moves.”
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Layla was pleasantly surprised when less than a week later she received an email from Alta’s co-owner, Matt Finnegan to say that he liked the sound of the idea and that Alta was interested in helping with both the clinic and competition.
After multiple emails back and forth to Matt and Auckland based co-owner Andrew Clark (Cookie), Ngongotaha’s first skate competition started to take shape. |
Between running MovieTime and her other venture, Biz Marketing, Layla pieced together the logistics for the competition.
Between December and February, Layla’s phone ran red-hot and her inbox had at least 10 messages per day in regard to the event. She took to the streets, visiting local businesses and community members, seeking support and sponsorship, and before long had over 20 logistics and prize sponsors.
Once the main sponsors were confirmed, Layla’s next move was to get the word out, starting with printed promotional materials such as posters and flyers. |
With Biz Marketing's design skills and graphics programs, Layla had no need to outsource a graphic designer. Already having a good relationship with Noel Merrick, owner of Advocate Print in Rotorua, Layla was able to secure printing sponsorship and had hundreds of posters and flyers printed and distributed by her friends and family.
Initially, it had been planned that Alta’s clinic would be run one full month ahead of the competition, on March 7th.
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But when March 6th came along and the rain was heavy and steady, Layla and Alta’s skate manager Rory Jesson, had to make the difficult decision to postpone the clinic, much to the dismay of local skaters.
“I tried for one full day, to find an alternative location for the clinic, but there are no sheltered concrete areas in Rotorua suitable for this type of event.” Recalling her youth, Layla said “back in my day, we had Bladeworld. An awesome indoor skating venue on View Road, complete with ramps and large floor area. It would be great to see such a place open in Rotorua again.”
Rory suggested that they postpone the clinic to the same day as the competition, and Layla agreed. Changing the website and marketing materials, contacting those who had pre-registered, and spreading the word through local skaters, she made sure that everyone was aware of the new plan.
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Getting a quick run-down before
the coaching clinic. |
With media sponsorship from The Radio Network and local youth’s favourite station Flava 89.6FM, and after a slot on tvRotorua’s Rotoview show, the skate competition was getting a lot of publicity.
Permission was granted from the Rotorua District Council to use the park, and with help from Youth Projects Officer, Jill Morrison who organized extra rubbish bins and port-a-loos from Hire Pool, there was nothing left to do, but wait for April 4 th. |
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The event
MovieTime owner/operator, Layla Robinson, was relieved to awake to sunshine and blue sky on Saturday April 4th, as she made the final preparations for the Ngongotaha Skate Clinic and Competition with help from Damel’s Traffic Management and the CraFarms Group.
After setting up a large tent, registration tables and safety barriers, Layla and her mother Raewyn Banks, who was to be the nurse for the event, greeted the team from Alta who had driven down from Auckland that morning.
“Rory and the guys were onto it straight away. They checked out the park, got their gear ready, and waited for the participants to arrive,” said Layla. “From that point on, I knew everything was going to run smoothly.”
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Alta’s skateboard coaching clinic began right on time at 10am. The participants were divided into three skill levels; beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Coaching the beginner level were Harris, from sponsors ES and Emericas shoes, and Rory from Alta. Matty Patek and Dean from Alta took the intermediates, and Kale also from és shoes ran through some tricks with the advanced group. |
Alta: Rory, Dean, Matty
ES and Emerica shoes: Harris and Cale. |
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Alta is all about supporting the future of skateboarding, and Matty from Alta was very impressed with the turnout of not only participants, but supporters on the day.
“Skateboarding has always been frowned upon in the past, but now we are trying to change everyone’s minds about that. Ngongotaha looks like it’s already made great progress as I have never seen a competition with so much community backing. It is really good to see. I wish more towns and cities would support its youth the way Ngongotaha does.” |
Ngongotaha skater and bike
rider, Jacob Smith. |
When the clinic turned into a ‘free skate’ at around 11am, it was decided to pull the competition forward and begin at noon instead of 1pm, giving more time for the main event.
Keeping everyone entertained during the competition was DJ Massive, Sam Hema from Da Bomb Shelter, who provided not only the PA system, but some great music, including talent from local heavy metal act, Harvest.
During the break between the clinic and competition, Layla advised participants to get hydrated and have a bite to eat at the sausage sizzle fundraiser for Ngongotaha’s Oasis Youth Group. |
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By now there were over 80 people signed up for the competition including skaters from Ngongotaha and Rotorua, as well as car loads from Mount Manganui and Whakatane.
Once the Alta team had all the heats worked out, Matty took control of the mic at noon and got everyone organized for the competition, starting with the under 13 section. |
The winners
All eyes were on local skaters Cruz and Cole Whakaue to take placings in the under 13s. The boys did a great job, working as much of the park as they could, and Cole ended up taking third prize and winning $50 cash donated by The Village Sports Bar. Second place went to Kalem who won a shirt from ES and a fishing rod donated by Houghton’s Hardware and in first place was Jarrod who won a deck from Alta, a t-shirt from ES and Emericas shoes, and a guitar donated by Super Liquor Ngongotaha. |
The under 13 competition was tough. |
Second in the under 16s, Luke.
Watch out for this guy in the future,
he's got natural talent. |
Next up were the under 16s. Ngongotaha also had some talented local skaters popping their best tricks during this section. Third place went to Luke who won a DVD and merchandise pack from Madman Entertainment, plus a shirt from ES shoes. Second place was taken by Donovan who won a shirt from és shoes, a $50 cash prize from Essence Café, and a $100 voucher from Coin Save Ngongotaha. First place in the under 16s was won by Sean who received an és t-shirt, an Alta deck, and a Cellphone and $50 credit from Ngongotaha Ocean Seafoods and MovieTime Ngongotaha. |
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The crowds were asked to stand back as the Open Mens section began their warm-up, and just as well, they were getting plenty of air at the top of the bowl.
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Third place in the open mens went to Red who won a $30 voucher from Fat Dog Café and a $20 voucher from Serious Fun. Second place went to Rotorua’s number 1 skater, Tahuri who won a shirt from Alta, a Jim Beam Bean Bag from Super Liquor and $50 cash donated by Brake’s Butchery. First place in this section went to Nic who won a pair of és shoes, a skate deck from Alta and $100 donated by Ngongotaha Fish Supply.
Every prize winner also got one (or two in some cases) vinyl poster from és shoes.
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First place in the open mens, Nic. |
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While organizing the competition, Layla, who rents out the Tony Hawk’s Secret Skate Park Tour DVD frequently at MovieTime, thought she would try her luck again, and contacted the Tony Hawk Foundation in the hopes that he may be able to make an appearance at the Ngongotaha competition.
After hearing back from Director of the Tony Hawk Fan Club, Lenore Hawk Dale, and later, Tony Hawk himself, Layla was disappointed, but not surprised to hear Tony would be in Ireland at the time of Ngongotaha’s competition. |
10 year old Cruz Whakaue, winner of the Tony Hawk Most Promising Future in Skateboarding. |
The Tony Hawk Foundation graciously sent a large signed photograph of Tony skating a vert ramp in California, which Layla had framed and put up as a prize in the competition.
10 year old Cruz Whakaue from Ngongotaha was the recipient of the Tony Hawk Prize for the most promising future in skateboarding. “Cruz is such a smooth skater, he skates hard and never gives up, and I hope he decides to keep working on improving his tricks, I’d love to see him at the top of this sport,” said Layla. |
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All participants were winners on the day, with drinks provided from The Caterpillar Experience, Super Liquor Ngongotaha and MovieTime Ngongotaha. Everyone, including Layla were surprised when the owners of Super Liquor Ngongotaha appeared at 2:30pm with boxes of pizza to share out amongst the organizers and competition entrants! |
The future for NGO’s Skate Park
“I’m doing this again next year,” said Layla. “The participants had a great time, the spectators loved it, and many parents got to see how talented their kids really are. The skate park can be a great asset to our community as was proved today. It is also a valuable tool for those with futures in skating or BMX, so why not embrace it in a positive way?”
When asked if they would be interested in taking part in future skateboarding events in Ngongotaha, Matty from Alta said, “ We would definitely be keen on perusing future contests, Ngongotaha has massive potential. For a town so small to have such a vibe with the community supporting its youth is truly impressive.”
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Local talent, Tamati
impressing the crowd. |
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He also mentioned that the park was really well maintained and was a good size. “Everyone that skated it had fun there. You could expand it if you have the means, because the bigger the better!” |
Layla plans to take this message to the council in the hopes that they will consider either expanding the skate parks Rotorua currently has, or adding a new indoor park, where she would happily offer her time on a voluntary basis to help promote and run.
“Skateboarding has been around since the 1950s and with positive advocates like the team from Alta, it’s not going anywhere, and I’m behind them all the way.” |
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To register your interest in becoming a sponsor for next year's event, email Layla. |
Check out Alta's take on the event on their blog at www.skateboard.co.nz.
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