NottingJam made its returnFlo Skateparkfor another year this past weekend on the 25th and 26th of November. It stands as the largest skateboard event of the year, boasting an impressive £4,000 prize pool. With sponsorship from Triple 8,Fracture Skateboards, Stance Socks, Samsung, Tech Deck, Aquapax, and Forty-two Skateshop, this was an event not to be missed.
Flo Skatepark is an ideal location for hosting skate competitions because it features both street and park sections that cater to skaters of all levels. The street section is equipped with driveways, hips, banks to wall, ledges, rainbow rails, slappy curb, regular rails, and hubbas. The park section showcased the bowl, which had a special addition for the competition. An extender was added so larger tricks could be executed in the bowl... and indeed, we witnessed some impressive tricks!
Numerous skaters from across the UK traveled to Nottingham to take part. Approximately 80 competitors participated, with many more attending to support. Among them wasEddie Darocha, Rio Obryne, Annalise Lam, Jesse Thomas, Ruby Dolan and Yuki Takahashi-McGilvray. Many influential skaters were present, such asAshley Mercer and Daniel Websdalewho both have significant followings on TikTok.
The event spanned two days; Saturday, 25th November featured the Open Street Competition (for both male and female categories), while Sunday, 26th November hosted the Park Competition with a U16 Comp and an Open Park Event (covering both male and female disciplines).
In the Male Street Open category,Joe Hinsonclaimed the top spot with a score of 68.33, followed byNiall Gilroyin second place with a score of 61.33, and James Whitesecured third place with a score of 55.00. In the Female Street Open category,Abbie Burnsemerged as the winner with a score of 45.33,Ayva-Mae Whittenburytook second place with a score of 38.83, andMiriam Nelsonfinished in third place with a score of 36.50.
The open street event was particularly challenging as it was not divided into age groups, meaning young skaters like Corey Roper and Rorey Buckley competed against older skaters like Joe Hinston and Rio. This can be incredibly nerve-wracking but also offers a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in larger contests.
In the Female Park Open category, Miriam Nelson captured first place with a score of 49.00, followed byCaitlin Coxin second place with a score of 47.50. Despite suffering a major fall on Saturday,Olive Newmanpersisted and managed to take third place with a score of 43.67. In the Male Park Open category,Tay Cunninghamtook the lead with a top score of 59.77, with Rio Obryne coming in second with a score of 59.00, and Jordan Thackeraysecuring third place with a score of 57.00.
In the U16 park section, the winners for the U16 Girls Park category are as follows:Holly Dewsnapachieved first place with a score of 24.67,Phoebe Mottramtook second place with a score of 22.83, andDelilah Taylorsecured third place with a score of 19.50. In the U16 Boys Park category, Joss Bellamyclinched first place with a score of 33.00.Gideon Parry-Laidlertook the runner-up spot with a score of 30.50, andHenry Turnersecured the third spot with a score of 27.33.
We have some highlights from the event, such as Rio Obryne surprising everyone with his inventiveness, presenting a move never seen before at Flo Skatepark. He deftly transitioned from the vert to the wall at the spectators' vantage point, performing a trick now known as the "back blunt on the vert wall." As always, watching Joe Hinston skate is a joy; his massive gap to front bluntslide was definitely one of our highlights. Lastly, Miriam Nelson amazed the audience with her display in the bowl. Her big spin back disaster revert was truly astonishing, generating a buzz of excitement among the onlookers.
