Summer Contest Hots Up for a Cornish Skateboard

Like skateboarding? Proud of being Cornish? A brand new free competition is offering you the chance to talk to the world.

Whatever It Takes, a competition to design a Cornish skateboard, has just opened. Winners will receive prizes from S J Skate Store, Truro. One of the UK’s top skateboarders, Nick Jensen, is backing the contest and - with other professionals - has donated decks for shortlisted competitors to use as canvases. Bradfords Builders Supplies, Pool, has also donated wood for use by competitors.

Jensen is designing a board as a point of inspiration, as is L.A. based star Mark Foster (Fos). Winners will be announced on 20 October by Jensen at Heartlands, Pool, where all work will be on display in the Glass Atrium for two months. The competition has its heart in the Camborne/Redruth area. Organisers are keen to draw as many local people into the contest as possible. Claire Arymar is Neighbourhood Manager for Pengegon estate and surrounding areas.

“Skateboarding is very popular here and whenever we hire the mobile skate park for this area young people always come along in large numbers. We want to see as many designs as possible from those youngsters and we can put Pengegon skaters on the map,” she says. “We all have dreams and aspirations – this is our chance to tell the world who we are, what our lives are like and what we want in the future.”

Arymar is working with Bridging Arts and Redruth-based Cornwall Community Action Network (CCAN), which runs work placements and apprenticeship schemes. At the exhibition, which will showcase entrants’ designs, CCAN will offer visitors the chance to learn about apprenticeships and job opportunities.

Heartlands will be holding an Urban Festival on 1-2 September, where budding skateboarders and artists will be given the chance to design their boards on site at this inspirational 19 acre cultural playground. The twoday event will showcase fresh young talent including music, skateboarding, BMX, graffiti and dance. For more information visit the Urban Festival events page.