Bowl-A-Rama skates into Bondi

The skateboarding festival Vans Bowl-A-Rama will celebrate its 10th birthday at the Bondi skate park with six days of events from Tuesday, February 18.

The main skateboarding competition will take place on Saturday, February 22 with both Pro and Masters divisions showcasing some of the world’s most successful skaters. The line up includes current world champion Pedro Barros and members of the ‘Bones Brigade’, skaters Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain, and Nicky Guerrero. The iconic skater Tony Hawk will emerge from competitive retirement to take part in the festival for the first time.

“I’m excited to finally participate in Vans Bowl-A-Rama Bondi after seeing the action from afar for so many years,” Mr Hawk said. “I can’t wait to skate it in person!”

Bondi resident Ben Key will compete in the Pro division while fellow eastern suburbs locals Geoff Fletcher, Adam Luxford and Scott Spring will contest the Masters title.\

Amid the flurry of flips, twists, grinds and ollies of competition, the ‘Festival of the Skateboard’ will include art shows, music performances, and film screenings under the banner of “10 years of blood, sweat and cheers”.

The first annual Bowl-A-Rama began at Bondi in 2005 and is now the biggest professional concrete skating series in the world, with other events in Wellington, New York, and Getxo, Spain.

“We started from such humble beginnings all those years ago and to be here 10 years later is truly amazing,” said Frontside Events director, Chad Ford.

“This year we are set to have the best line up of riders in the world celebrate with us.”

Gabrielle Upton, the NSW sports minister and member for Vaucluse, said the Bowl-A-Rama is fast becoming an important event on the local sporting calendar.

“The event not only showcases Australian and international skateboarding prowess but also provides the perfect opportunity for visitors and competitors alike to explore the lifestyle offerings of iconic Bondi Beach,” Ms Upton said.