Victorian Rollerblading Titles 2014 locked in for Prahran Skate Park on November 29

Victorian Titles 2013

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/vic-titles.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”305″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Outside the Australian Rollerblading Open, there aren’t many competitions in Australia that attract the same excitement as the Victorian Titles.

Held annually at skate parks across Melbourne, the Vic Titles are one of the country’s longest-standing and best-loved events, with a turn-out that even rivals ARO. The crew from Rolling Victoria have recently announced the date and venue for the 2014 competition, which will take place at the iconic Prahran Skate Park on November 29 from 4pm.

If you’d like to compete, registrations are now open, with categories including Under 14s, Under 18s, Opens, Over 30s, Mini Ramp, Vert and Best Trick Registration is $20 to enter one category, or $30 if you’d like to enter a few. The fee is payable with cash on the day, or via credit card/PayPal. To register, simply sign on at rollvic.org.au by November 27.

For full information, check out rollvic.org.au or RSVP at Facebook.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Victorian Rollerblading Titles 2013: Edit by Kal Crew” link=”http://vimeo.com/71302141″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Summer is already here at the Melbourne Rollerblading Prahran Sessions

Gavin Drumm Melbourne Rollerblading

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Screenshot-2014-11-10-11.01.09.png” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Summer might not officially be with us in Australia just yet, but the Melbourne Rollerblading crew are already taking advantage of the good weather with their Wednesday night Prahran Skate Park sessions now in full swing.

Taking advantage of the extra hour of sun that daylight savings time provides, the Wednesday sessions are a great way to meet the tight-knit Melbourne Rollerblading crew and throw down in one of the city’s oldest and best-loved outdoor parks.

All rollerbladers are welcomed with open arms and here at rollerblading.com.au, we can attest that they are a friendly bunch!

To celebrate the return of the warmer months, Melbourne legend Brad Watson has put together this cool edit of the Wednesday Daylight Savings sessions, featuring skating by some of the Victoria’s best skaters including Gav Drumm, Thomas Scofield, Josh “Doey” Toofresh, Rob Ham and loads more.

If you’re in Melbourne and would like to hook up with other rollerbladers for a skate, make sure you join the Melbourne Rollerblading Facebook group. It’s a closed group, so make sure you send them a message letting the crew know who you are and you’ll be added to the group.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Melbourne Rollerblading Prahran Summer Sessions: Edit by Brad Watson” link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPUOXonptZc&list=UUgSo-N9E__j23psCykPBgWg”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Official Australian Rollerblading Open 2014 video and review (The Park, Geelong)

Shane Yost

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image image_width=”800″ image_height=”400″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”10″ src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0187.jpg”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”24″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”25″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]ARO 2014[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Melbourne Rollerblading’s Rob Ham gives us the official review and wrap of this year’s Australian Rollerblading Open 2014 at The Park in Geelong.

The Old Skool 30+ title was again won by an entrant who’d travelled from interstate, and George Sarantoulias certainly wasn’t planning on bringing any gold back to his current home in Adelaide. There was a strong interstate attendance, with people travelling from ACT, NSW, QLD, SA TAS and WA, and by all reports the shuttle bus to the event from Fed Square in the city was a hoot.

Hayden Golder turned 30 on the day of the event, qualifying him to enter the Old Skool 30+. He also entered in Vert, Mega, and made the finals in the Open Street too. His buddy Brad Watson medalled in Vert, Mega and Old Skool.

The wildest vert ramp in the country played host to Brad and Hayden putting on a show they’ve been working on, with the creative lines it was built for. Also world vert legend Shane Yost turned up “just to watch”, only to strap on the boots, put on a show of his own and took 1st.

The first ever ARO mega ramp style event did not disappoint. Brad hit the roof above the quarter, and Canberra’s Tristan Richards had big plans of his own to put his gymnastics influence to good use. He was lacing tricks in his heat more easily than he expected and was seen pulling a handwritten shopping list of tricks from his pocket, to decide what to try next. His double misty in the final will go down in Australian rollerblading history.

Junior Girl entrant Alana Boots, skated the Street, Vert and Mega events, and Tiffany Street showed us what’s up and held on to her women’s title.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”OFFICIAL ARO EDIT BY MITCHELL MACRAE” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEivtYfB5JQ”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Last year’s Open Street winner, Martin Gade, changed his flights home from an extended vacation in Europe to arrive home just in time to find himself on the podium again. Also within a week of the contest, NZ’s Tom Scofield moved to Melbourne and the new guy took 2nd place.

Rhys Bell is no stranger to skating in the finals of the Aussie Titles; he’s been killing it since he was in the U16s in 2005. 2014 turned out to be his year, finally becoming Australian Champion.

Massive thanks to Rosie at The Park – Geelong Indoor Skate Park and her helpful staff, chef Ben Mccoll on BBQ duty, Andrew Munro with BBQ and banners, Jean-Claude White and Danny Hawkins on coping box duties, Paul Kreutzer on bus organising duty, MC Josh on microphone duty, Nat Rawlings, Danny Hawkins, and Trent Phillips on judging duties, other people that helped out on the day including Daniel Talbot, Jenny Logue, Brad Watson, Chris Pullar, Mitch Macrae for filming and editing the official edit, and all others that released an edit or shared photos online, and especially Rob Ham and Simon Kelly from Rolling Victoria for putting the whole event together.

Also those that sponsored the event including Razors Australia, The Probate Professionals, 4Sqair Wheels, Bayside Blades Skates, Velvet Couch Clothing, Rollup, rollerblading.com.au. Melbourne Rollerblading, and Little Creatures Brewery. Without their contribution things like this can’t happen. Support your supporters![/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”ARO 2014 Edit by Daniel Talbot” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkaDAT6PROw”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”14″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]AUSTRALIAN ROLLERBLADING OPEN 2014 RESULTS: OPEN STREET, VERT & MINI MEGA[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Opens Street

1st: Rhys Bell

2nd: Tom Scofield

3rd: Martin Gade

Vert

1st: Shane Yost

2nd: Brad Watson

3rd: Hayden Golder

Mini Mega

1st: Tristan Richards

2nd: Brad Watson

3rd: Rhys Bell[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”ARO 2014 Edit by Iain Smith” link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyLXFADC038″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”14″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]AUSTRALIAN ROLLERBLADING OPEN 2014 RESULTS: GIRLS, OLD SCHOOL & JUNIORS[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Girls Street

1st: Tiffany street

2nd: Jenny Logue

Junior Girls Winner: Alana boots

Old Skool

1st: George Sarantoulious

2nd: Chris Pullar

3rd: Brad Watson

Under 18s Street

1st: Darcy Smith

2nd: John Jacob

3rd: Daniel Werry

Under 14s Street

1st: Nick Thorne[/vc_column_text][mk_image_slideshow title=”ARO 2014 PHOTOS BY CRAIG RICHARDS” images=”7907,7905,7904,7903,7902,7901,7900,7899,7898,7897,7896,7895,7894,7893,7892,7890,7889,7888,7887,7886,7885,7884,7883,7882,7879,7878,7877,7876,7875,7874,7873,7872,7871,7870,7869,7868,7867,7866,7865,7862,7861,7859,7858,7857,7856,7855,7853,7852,7851,7849,7848,7847,7846,7845,7844,7843,7842,7841,7840,7839,7838,7837,7836,7835,7834,7833,7832,7831,7830,7829,7828,7827,7826,7825,7823,7822,7821,7820,7819″ image_width=”800″ image_height=”550″ effect=”fade” animation_speed=”700″ slideshow_speed=”7000″ pause_on_hover=”false” smooth_height=”true” direction_nav=”true”][vc_video title=”ARO 2014 Edit by Alice McTaggart” link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL_ZD6ThXf4″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Pay it forward: Donate a pair of kids’ skates and help the next generation

Bayside Blades

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/bayside-thumb.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The good folks at Melbourne’s Bayside Blades have kicked off a new initiative to get kids into rollerblading and need your help to make it a reality.

They are looking for any unwanted kid’s skates and protective gear to donate to a local primary school skating program in the Frankston area.

The after school program will give a huge number of kids an opportunity to try skating for the first time and in the process, help ensure the next generation of Melbourne rollerbladers.

If you’ve got kid’s skates up to size six, please drop into Bayside Blades’ store in Highett, Melbourne, or contact Jenny Logue at jenny@baysideblades.com.au to arrange a pick up (if possible).

All donations will go straight into use, so stay tuned for pictures and videos from Bayside Blades very soon.

For more from Bayside Blades, check out their Facebook page, Instagram and official website.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/payitforward.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”800″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

New Zealand’s Thomas Scofield drops killer new edit, now calls Australia home

Thomas Scofield

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/thomas-scofield.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]One of New Zealand’s top skaters of recent times recently made the move across the ditch to Melbourne and we’re very happy to have him.

Thomas Scofield clearly isn’t wasting any time, taking out second in the Open Street section of the Australian Rollerblading Open for 2014 and destroying parks and spots wherever he goes.

If you need any more evidence on exactly how talented Mr Scofield is, check out this dope edit filmed and edited over a couple of weekends in his native NZ by Isaac Rolls.

Tidy, tidy stuff… but Thomas records the best it yet to come and he’s recently been out filming with the one-and-only Kal Crew.

Stay tuned for more edits and a full profile on rollerblading.com.au very soon![/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Thomas Scofield profile” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naW2utGJyRU”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Kal Crew’s Tom Sawyer 2014 compilation is the one of the best Aussie edits this year

Tom Sawyer Kal Crew

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/sawyer.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Melbourne’s mighty Kal Crew has just dropped another killer edit, this time from the one-and-only Tom Sawyer.

Sawyer is straight up one of the best rail skaters in Australia right now and this epic edit shows exactly why, with hammer-after-hammer filmed across Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide between 2012-2014.

You may have seen a few of the tricks in edits of over the last couple of years, but seeing them together really shines a light on the Melbourne rail king and all-round nice guy. So much vibe!

Big ups to Sawyer and Kal Crew for bringing the rain again. More like this please.

Filmed and Edited by Thomas Dalbis

Additional Filming: Kevin San Jose, Gav Drumm and Dan Rhodes

For more from Kal Crew, check out their Vimeo page.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Tom Sawyer Profile 2014″ link=”https://vimeo.com/108089437″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Check Matt Caratelli’s edit of the Newport P-Rail Invitational 2014 in Melbourne

Hayden Golder and Thomas Dalbis

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Matt Caratelli has just dropped his awesome edit of the 2nd Annual Newport P-Rail Invitational in Melbourne recently.

Less serious than it sounds, as Matt says: “Basically an excuse to get together in the great weather with even better mates and getting some blading done at the same time!”

Judging by the video it was a good turn-out, with a big Melbourne crew making their way down to Newport Skatepark for the day.

Thomas Dalbis took out the first prize of a sweet trophy adorned with a legendary Cozmo wheel, while Hayden Golder was runner up.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Newport P-Rail Invitational 2014: Edit by Matt Caratelli” link=”https://vimeo.com/107211207″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image_slideshow images=”7734,7735,7733″ image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ effect=”fade” animation_speed=”700″ slideshow_speed=”7000″ pause_on_hover=”false” smooth_height=”true” direction_nav=”true”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Interview: Australian Rollerblading Open 2014 women’s champion Tiffany Street

Tiffany Street Profile

[vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tiffanyprofile.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Street by name, street by nature. Meet Melbourne’s Tiffany Street, Australia’s new Australian Rolling Open female champion. Jesse Kuch caught up with Tiffany shortly after her big win at ARO to find out more about her life, rollerblading and what it’s like being to top female skater in Australia in 2014…

Hi Tiffany, how are you? First of all, let’s start basic. Tell us who are you, where you’re from and how you got into the world of rollerblading.

I’m Tiffany Street, originally from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. I started skating when I was (I think) grade 4, which seems like a lifetime ago now. I stopped in grade 7 for some unknown reason. Many years went by and I started missing that feeling of rolling so much I started to get back into it when I was 19. So it was a solid amount of time before I picked it up again.

You’re based in Melbourne now, though… aren’t you?

Yeah, currently based in Melbourne. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

You’re hooked up with Ground Control frames, aren’t you? How did that relationship start?

Basic answer is that Jenny approached me one day and proposed the idea of me joining the team. I was completely stunned!

Well, it seems like you’ve done them proud in 2014… How does it feel being the Australian Rolling Open Women’s Street Champion for 2014? You blitzed it at the comp!

Absolutely incredible. I thought my days of competing were long over. I mean, I’m not even old I just never thought I’d come back to the sport and compete again.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0130.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]You went pretty hard at ARO though… that disaster kind grind on the rail was one of the first tricks of the day when I was like damn… you must have known you were on a winner when you hit that!

Haha, I must say, kind grinds are my safety trick. I’d never tried a disaster KG before though, so landing that felt so nice. Pretty stoked with that trick.

Has the win given you a bit of motivation to push yourself to skate more and do bigger tricks? You’re the top female skater in the country for 2014!

I get so taken aback when anybody says that to me, it feels so surreal. Ah man, this weather has been getting me down. After the comp, there was so much rain so I haven’t been able to get out much which has been killing me. Ultimately, I blade for my undeniable love of the sport. I’m a perfectionist, so when learning new tricks I’ll probably be stuck on them for months until I have them absolutely perfected.

There probably aren’t as many girl rollers in Australia anymore… not compared to what you see in Europe and other places across the globe. Do you hope to inspire more women into the sport?

I’d love to be the person to inspire more women into the sport. When I tell somebody that I Rollerblade they always assume I mean Roller Derby or something, it’s pretty funny.

Where could one find you skating in Melbourne? Do you have a favourite park or spot you hit regularly?

Well, usually I’m just trying to get a quick skate in in between study and work so I’ll just ride to my local (which is 5 minutes away) and just have a solo roll. But I love to skate strange obstacles, I love being creative and just messing around and having fun.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0085.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”1000″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]What about your favourite skaters? Who do you admire and why?

Right now Alex Broskow and David Sizemore. They both have such controlled styles and are always so creative. That’s what I’m loving most about the current state of Rollerblading: creativity. When I was little, Chris Haffey used to be my absolute hero, I idolised him and wanted to be him.

What about Aussie skaters? Anyone here inspire you?

I really enjoy watching Gav Drumm for the same reasons as Broskow and Sizemore. Also, Robbie Pitts is somebody who I feel really comfortable expressing myself in front of (skating wise). But I’ve got to shout out to the boys who I mostly skate with who are always there pushing me: Lil Kev and Matt Caratelli. Always love watching them skate.

What do you get up to outside blading? Do you have any hobbies or interests outside the blade game?

Well I’m currently studying Graphic Design and I also do freelance work in that field. That takes up a lot of my time but outside of that I love going for long rides on my bike, reading lots of literature, DIY projects, taking photographs and hanging out.

Do you take many blading shots?

Yeah. Photography is my second default, I love being behind the lens. I’d much rather be there than in front of it. I just love capturing that perfect shot, feels almost as good as doing the trick itself for me.

Do you think those talents will come together a bit more around rollerblading in the future? Seems like they could go hand-in-hand…

I’m really interested in the idea of creating a little Rollerblading zine. I know that there used to be one around but I wasn’t in the scene that point and I’d love to bring one back at some point. I’d love to be a part of something like that for the community.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0666.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Is there anything else you’d like to mention before we wrap it up? Do you have anything major happening before now and the end of the year?

I’m really keen for daylight savings to kick in again and get back to all those night sessions. This summer I really want to push myself to the next level.

Can we maybe expect an edit or some photos then?

The rollerblading community is a community I am so proud to be apart of, everybody has such a great attitude. I’m conjuring up a couple of edit ideas at the moment, so we’ll have to see where that takes me. Probably one before the end of the year I’m hoping.

Awesome… anyone else you’d like to thank or shout out in particular?

Anybody and everybody who blades, they’re always inspiring me to skate harder and better myself especially the guys who I skate with regularly – Lil Kev, Matt Caratelli, Robbie Pitts, Tom Cameron, and also to rollerblading.com.au for having me here. Also Ground Control Australia for seeing something in me and giving me the opportunity to ride for a brand which I love.

Awesome Tiffany, thanks so much for taking the time out of your studies to chat to us. Congrats on the big win, you rocked it!

No, thank you for having me!

Peace!

Interview by Jesse Kuch. All photos (except slideshow) by Craig Richards.[/vc_column_text][mk_image_slideshow title=”Photos by Tiffany Street” images=”7917,7918,7435,7436″ image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ effect=”fade” animation_speed=”700″ slideshow_speed=”7000″ pause_on_hover=”false” smooth_height=”true” direction_nav=”true”][/vc_column][/vc_row]