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Skateboarding Event Draws Top Amateurs

Cliff McBride / Tampa Tribune

Dylan Perry practices on his skateboard at SkatePark of Tampa. Perry, a Chamberlain High graduate, will compete in TAMPA AM, considered the biggest amatuer skateboarding contest in the world.

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2008

TAMPA - As a senior at Chamberlain High, Dylan Perry traveled across the country, competing in amateur skateboarding contests. Around the same time, he was hired at Skatepark of Tampa, a landmark in the skateboarding world.

Perry graduated from Chamberlain in 2006 and enrolled at Hillsborough Community College.

Six years into skating, he said he found his true calling.

"I think this was supposed to happen," Perry said. "I'm definitely thankful skateboarding came along."

Perry, 19, will be one of 200 amateur skateboarders from around the world competing at the 14th annual Tampa Am skateboarding competition at the Skatepark of Tampa today through Sunday.

Skaters will compete in a street-course and best trick contest. Today and Saturday, 200 skaters will be narrowed to 32 for the semifinals Sunday. The finals are expected to begin at 2 p.m., and the top qualifiers earn a "golden ticket" into the final round.

SPoT manager Ryan Clements said at least three girls have entered the contest, and skaters as young as 12 have traveled from Colombia, Brazil, Japan, Canada, Europe and all over the United States. Clements said more than 500 skaters applied for the contest. SPoT staff member Rob Meronek went as far as watching applicants' YouTube videos to pick the top applicants.

The top two finalists from each of the three Damn Am contests sponsored by SPoT automatically advance to Sunday's semifinal. Perry was one of the top two finalists at the Damn Am in Minnesota this past summer. He also won best trick at the AmsterDamn Am in Holland last year.

"The level of skating, the caliber, is at an all-time high," Clements said.

SPoT founder Brian Schaefer said he started the contest 14 years ago to give other skaters a chance to fly south in the winter for another skate contest. Since then, he said at least 100 amateurs have turned pro because they were recognized at the Tampa Am. Clements said marketing teams, magazine editors and pro skaters will be at the contest. Fuel TV also will air footage from the contest. There is no cash prize like most pro contests, Clements said, but skaters will receive iPods, surfboards, travel vouchers, watches and trophies sponsored by Nike.

While some skaters say they entered the contest for fun, Perry said he is out to make a name for himself in the skateboarding world.

"Winning is the goal," said Perry, who will be competing in this third Tampa Am.

Dustin Blauvelt, 18, met Perry at an amateur contest not long ago. He traveled from Detroit for the Tampa AM, his second time entering the contest. Like Perry, he is hoping to get noticed this weekend.

"I'll try to do stuff no one else is doing," Blauvelt said.

Leading up to the Tampa AM both skaters said they practice for at least eight hours a day.

"Anywhere," Perry said. "Streets, parks ... "

"It takes consistency and style to win," Blauvelt said.

After seeing endless talent skate at the park, Schaefer knows what it takes to win.

"One, you have to be a good skater and be able to hang on for that one minute," he said. "It's how you flow, how you ride. Creativity is a big part, to the clothes you wear and the way you wave your arms."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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