RedBull's Manny Mania NYC

NYC Skateboard Weekend Recap

By Jana K. Hoffman

Photos by Joey Perron-Kozar

It was a shred-filled weekend (June 4-7) for those in NYC. To start it off right, the Sunshine Theater premiered Zoo York’s “State of Mind” video starring Brandon Westgate, Donny Barley, Chaz Ortiz, Anthony Shelter and more. If you want to check the trailer, visit www.zooyork.com/news/state-of-mind-trailer.

If you’re a NYC dweller then you should have heard of 5BORO by now. If you haven’t, click the site at www.5boro.com. To celebrate the team’s 13th Anniversary, they threw a sweet party at the Red Bull Space. Congrats, guys, on 13 years supported by loyal skaters and relationships created round the globe!

Oh, yeah, and this is where the shred part comes in. The Brooklyn Bridge played host to the 5th Annual Back to the Banks contest Saturday afternoon featuring skateboarding’s most familiar faces and sick up-and-coming ams from all over the world completed with a 2,000+ audience. A combined $10,000 was up for grabs with Collin Provost deemed Overall Winner. Willy Akers won Bank to Wall and Bank Ledge, Chris Blake claims Rail/Stairs and David Gonzales with the Bump to Spine.

Of course, BettyLife got in on the action Sunday afternoon at Red Bull’s 3rd Annual Manny Mania. The roar of the train rolling across the Manhattan Bridge was a mere lull as the sounds coming from the DJ booth and the rumbling of the crowd reverberated throughout Coleman Park in China Town. Skate scene legends Jeff Pang and David Ortiz returned to MC the day’s manual contest. Heat 1 started at 3 p.m. with each round lasting 7 minutes. NYC native Eli Reed took home top honors and a dip into the huge cash pocket winning $10,000. Mike Mo placed second and Kelly Hart walked away with third.

Obviously it was a sweet summer-like weekend for shredders and spectators alike. And, if you haven’t heard, Rob Dyrdek wrapped up his Fantasies Run Deep Tour with a stop at the DC flagship store in Soho. His new film “Street Dreams” premieres June 12 in select theaters across the country. I don’t want to jinx it, but check back for an exclusive interview with Rob.