Vert Attack 9

Every year vert skateboarders make the pilgrimage to the Bryggeriet skatepark located in Malmo Sweden. Vert Attack is different than any other contest in the world in that, people come for the stoke not the purse.  John Magnusson is the architect of VA and I wanted to hear first hand what goes into this contest.

How did Vert Attack come about?

We thought something was missing, there was not an arena for “the normal” vert skater. We have a good ramp at Bryggeriet skatepark and since its pretty small we knew we could get both bowl & vert skaters to compete in the same event.  We also think that there is no ”best before date” on a skateboarder, we want people to skate until they can’t walk anymore! At Vert Attack everyone is welcome, it doesn’t matter how good you are and that’s what makes the vibe so good!

Who are the sponsors and how big of a production crew do you have?  

 Vans is the main sponsor and Bryggeriet school, plus a few private supporters. Other than that, Bryggeriet skatepark organization puts in a lot of time and money into this. We also apply for some extra money from the Swedish skateboard association. Its a tight budget, way to small…haha. A lot of people support the event with their time & expertise.  Vert Attack main crew is around 20 people I would say….but then we have a lot of volunteers and other people that support what we do. It is an event produced by skateboarders for skateboarders!

You have classes there at Bryggeriet for vert skating and vert seems to have stronger presence in the skate community than the US. How is skateboarding culture different in Sweden?  

It always been Bryggeriets philosophy to try and promote all kinds of skateboarding. I think the small ramp makes it easier for people to learn how to  skate vert. We do not have a lot of  skilled vert skaters in Malmö but, we do have a lot of all terrain dudes that can jump in and shred little bit of everything. Sweden has 5 indoor public vert ramps: Malmö, Stockholm, Halmstad, Gothenburg, Borlänge + 2 private I think. Skate media doesn’t show vert skating at the moment but it’s still rad as it’s always been.

Vert Attack just celebrated its ninth year. It draws amateurs, pros & Joe’s. What is the atmosphere like?  

One of the goals of  Vert Attack since the start, has been to show people that vert skating is really rad…it always has been…but a lot of times people forget that. Vertskating can not only be for the elite dudes..it needs more involvement from juniors, girls, masters, pros, weirdos etc..its the mix that makes it good! Vert is gnarly, hard & pure,  nothing beats the energy around the ramp . We think it might be one of the best live event shows in the world, produced by skaters for skaters!  It`s hard to explain…it has to be experienced!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=446840132130129&set=vb.134557226691756&type=3&theater

  “The thing that makes Vert Attack special is the passion. There are skateboard contests where you can earn more money. There are some where you’ll get your face on TV. There are some where you leave with a big fancy trophy or a medal. It doesn’t matter, the passion is at Vert Attack. What started as a local collection of like minded friends turned into a regional phenomenon and 9 years later is now known around the world for the place where the most raw unbridled vert skating happens. Every year I sit down with the Bryggeriet crew in Malmö to talk about how to make it better for the next year. My answer? It’s perfect…….don’t change a thing.”  –  Neal Hendrix

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=447438142070328&set=vb.134557226691756&type=3&theater

 

“There is a great energy in that place”  – Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk  & Bob Burnquist came this this year, what was it like  seeing both legends skating at your event?

We always try and bring in some new interesting people to Vert Attack. I have been working on Tony for 3 years I think, Neal Hendrix helped and having Staab at VA8 last year also helped as well. I  told Tony that he can come and skate and we won’t promote it. We tried to keep Tony a secret as long as possible but somehow it leaked to Swedish press. We cut a deal with them , we would give them an exclusive with Tony  if they didn’t put it out on front page that Tony was coming. We wanted to keep the skateboarding crowd…not some random people taking up seats just because Hawk is here.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=446943845453091&set=vb.134557226691756&type=3&theater

“I like the fact that we can skate with beginners to well over experienced skaters” – Darren Navarrette

 

“Vert Attack was a blast, so much fun. I’m happy that so many people showed up to skate and have fun. And its getting better every year. It was rockin to see Tony Hawk and Bob Burnquist come to the event. Don’t miss out on next years Vert Attack folks. thanks to John Magnusson for making everything happening.” – Jocke Olsson

JUNIOR FINAL RESULTS:
1. EVAN DOHERTY US
2. MATTY CARLISLE UK
3. TATE CAREW US
4. ALESSANDRO MAZZARA ITA
5. MATS HATLEM NOR
6. TYLER EDTMAYER GER
7. KALLE BERGLIND SWE

 

WOMEN FINAL RESULTS:
1. ALANA SMITH US
2. LIZZY ARMANTO US
3. ALLYSHA BERGADO US
4. JULZ LYNN US
5. BRIGHTON ZEUNER US
6. GABI PONCE US
7. MIMI KNOOP US
8. VALERIA BERTACCINI ITA

 

 

 

 

MASTERS FINAL RESULTS:
1.TONY HAWK US
2. NEAL HENDRIX US
3.MIKE FRAZIER US
4. NICKY GURERRO DK
5.JOHN MAGNUSSON SWE
6. JOCKE OLSSON SWE
7. LINCOLN UEDA BRA
8. MATHIAS SERNKLO SWE

 

PRO/ AM FINAL RESULTS:
1. SAM BECKETT UK
2. BOB BURNQUIST BRA
3. PAUL LUC RONCHETTI UK
4. JIMMI WILKINS US
5. RUNE GLIFBERG DK
6. COREY JUNEAU US
7. RONY GOMES BRA
8. CHRIS RUSSELL US

Thank You Peter Furnee & Martin Haavde for your video contributions.

 

Thank You Eddie Think and Fred Fernand for your images.

Words by Rex Singleton

Find more info about Vert Atack on their website. http://skatemalmo.se/