Last Saturday, May 16th, we teamed up once again with our friends from Ride In Pleasure Skateboarding to host the 4th edition of the STEP IN THE ARENA skateboard contest. This event combines a best trick format with a jam session throughout the entire Skatehalle Innsbruck.
We’re beyond stoked that we still have the support to keep this contest going, with a 1,000 € prize purse. In times when the media claims that „the skate industry is down,“ we’re feeling the pressure too—but thanks to the amazing support from the City of Innsbruck, ASKÖ Tirol, and XDouble, we’re still managing to make it happen.
We run this contest without charging entry fees, without charging for food and drinks, and on top of that, we pay the helpers, judges, and media crew. We do it to keep volunteering attractive and meaningful—especially in challenging times like these. If some people wonder why it’s hard to find others willing to help, well… maybe that’s part of the answer.
By the way, it’s Martin, founder of go-shred, writing this and letting you know: we do this for the love of skateboarding and fair treatment of one another.
On Saturday, we welcomed around 20 participants—sponsored and unsponsored, unfortunately only male riders this year. But for sure, our competitions are welcoming everybody.
We were stoked to see so many new faces in the skate scene. One thing is for sure: skateboarding is not dead. What’s fading are the brands that got too greedy and started squeezing skaters like lemons.
That said, the show was on, and the riders were on fire. Everyone pushed the limits with new tricks, transfers, combos, and as the cherry on top of the cake, we had some NBDs. The jam format created an incredible energy and atmosphere—and that’s what really counts.
Huge thanks to the Skatehalle Innsbruck, the City of Innsbruck, ASKÖ Tirol, Lakai, Haze Wheels, and XDouble for always having our back. Big shoutout also to Volcom for supporting the unsponsored category with awesome goodies.
BIG shout to the crew for making an incredible job and making sure that everybody is happy!!!
But above all, thanks to all of you who keep skating and stay #truetothis. Have a great summer filled with skate sessions and new tricks! We’ll be back on October 31st for the legendary HALLOWEEN JAM at Skatehalle Innsbruck.