Amplifier November 2000
Spotlight:BG Skate & Freestyle
The Bowling Green Skate & Freestyle Association has a new address in cyberspace - www.bgsfa.com Their new webmaster, Patrick Stuart has been making regular updates to the site, so you can keep up with all the changes going on at the park which is located at Basil Griffin Park. Their half-pipe is complete now and thier efforts are now being placed on a fund drive to contrust a spine mini ramp. Work is also in progress on a new promotional video about the park that will be used to procure professional demonstrators to come to Bowling Green for skateboard, inline and BMX exhibitions.
Amplifier, May 2000
Spotlight: Bowling Green Skate & Fresstyle Association Competitions
The Bowling Green Skate and Freestyle Association continues their monthly competitions, having the finals of their “Spring season” series May 6. The competitions are generally held on the first weekend of the month and include beginners and advanced divisions for roller bladers, skateboarders and BMXers. According to President, Nathan Curry the May competition is excepted to complete the fundraising for the initial construction of their new half pipe. Measuring 8 1/2 x 24 feet the half people is just shy of a “vert ramp” and the largest in the area.
The park has also adopted a house band for their exhibitions. Matt George (drums, programs), Todd Roddy (bass guitar, programs) and David Prater (keyboards), all former members of Grandmonster put together a jam session for the fist competition under the name Glitch. The athletes enjoyed the hybrid of electronic, rock and a bit of hip hop and requested their return. Glitch plans to invite other bands to join them at each competition and is talking with other former Grandmonster members Jonathon Treadway and Eric Curtis about playing with their new group PornLord. All three members of Glitch contribute to the creation of their music and their are future plans for a CD, but for now their emphasis is on writing and developing their styles.
A video of last summers competition can be seen Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-5pm on cable Channel 2. New footage is being shot at this year competitive series for a new video by the end of summer. Plans are also being made to showcase some pro demos such as skate boarders Mike Vallely and Kein Lieu to be held at the park. Long term plans include additional skate parks in some of the new Warren County Parks currently being created, night lighting and an all concrete terrain free park. Repairs and maintenance to the already existing structures are also needed. Currently the Basil Griffin Park Skate Park is run by the BGSFA, a nonprofit organization and the creation, maintenance and overhead costs are funded from membership fees and fund raisers as well as donations of materials from local businesses and the sales of signs lining the walls around the park. By the end of summer the organization plans to have their shop built so that they can have concessions, a pro shop and a lounge area.
Lessons are also offered on a by request basis. The cost is $25 per person and they are held from 8-11am on Saturdays. For more information contact 270.745.0499 or mayday91@prodigy.net.
Amplifier July 2000
Spotlight: BGSFA Concert & Exhibition
The Bowling Green Skate and Freestyle Association will be hosting a fundraising concert and skate exhibition/competition July 14, 7pm. Bands included are Bring Your Own Tomatoes, Remember When, Random Conflict, and Porn Lord. Full concessions will be available including fresh-grilled burgers and dogs, etc. The $5 ticket price is for everyone, whether they are skating or just watching. The skatepark, located at Basil Griffin Park is currently being updated and reinforced. There will be giveaways at the fundraiser.
Amplifier May 1999
Extreme Competition
May 8th marks the first competition at the Bowling Green Skate & Freestyle Association’s new facility. A kick off for their first summer in existence, the event will include competitions for skateboarding, in-line freestyle and bmx freestyle. Prizes will be offered for first, second, third and last place. The gag prizes for last place are meant to take the edge off of the competition. The judging will also be done a bit differently. Each participant will rank everyone except themselves from one to ten for their skill and style then points will be tallied to determine a winner.
The event will also include a lineup of several local rock and punk or ska bands, vendors, concessions and product giveaways.
The facility is located in Basil Griffin Park and is one of the most extensive structures of it’s kind in the state. The Freestyle Association was formed in an effort to give skaters a place to practice their art, as they were not welcomed on many public byways. Several new features are being planned for the park including the construction of a half pipe 8 feet tall and 24 feet wide. Other facilities with varying terrains are being planned for the new county parks as they are developed.
This event is the first of many that the association plans for the season including competitions and professional demonstrations.
To participate May 8th you must be a member of the association. Membership fees are $20 per year and include unlimited visits to the park. The fees are much lower than found in other parks. According to Nathan Curry, president of the association they wanted to set fees as low as possible so that anyone could use the facility. The fees are mainly for covering an individuals insurance costs. Money for construction, upgrades and operations have come from community support and sponsors. Signs are available at the facility for businesses who would like to support them. Curry explained that he organized the association and the park as a way of giving back to the sport that had given so much to him. He credits his involvement with skating for giving him some direction and a way to channel some of his energy and focus while providing a heathy aerobic workout. Unlike team sports the extreme sports are tests of individual potential. Curry believes the participant judging to be used in the contest is the best way to do it as know one but another athlete realizes the skill involved in performing some of the stunts, especially with fluidity and style.
Sign ins will begin at 9am and each contest will be proceeded by a practice session. Competitors must be signed in by 9 and registrations fees are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the event. On May 1 they also held a contest for beginners and awards will be given for that also at the close of the May 8th event.
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