Friday, 20 January 2012
By SAMANTHA MOTION
ARE you the next Sarah Walker?
In March Kawerau will host an open BMX riding and skateboarding competition which could give young hopefuls a chance to impress some of New Zealand’s top athletes in the field.
The March 10 event – KYC Skate Park Jam – will run from 11am to 4.30pm and has been organised by the Kawerau Youth Council.
Youth co-ordinator Regan Barkla said the idea was inspired by the popularity of Kawerau’s skate park and BMX track with the town’s youth.
The council had arranged for a professional skate team led by New Zealand skateboarding identity Justin Watene to come down from Auckland and do a demonstration and judge the event.
Barkla said she was trying to talk one of the Bay of Plenty’s best BMX identities into judging at the event.
She said Kawerau BMX star Walker was herself unable to attend the event as she had training and competition commitments overseas in March, ahead of the London Olympics in July.
Barkla said the event was open to anyone and would be run with heats, semis and finals.
“I think there is some good, raw talent in Kawerau.
“We want to make this a really great day for the kids.”
The event is funded by a Ministry of Youth Development grant and fundraising by the council.