Big name pro skaters dazzle at Arataki

Top international skateboarder Chima Ferguson was among a line-up of big-name pro board riders who dazzled young fans with their aerial antics at the Arataki skate bowl yesterday afternoon.

The Sydney-based skater, who has been riding for major skating brand Volcom since 2005, joined other international figures including Collin Provost, Shane Azar, Aaron Suski and Ben Raemers in testing out the skatepark's ramps and rails as part of the five-stop 2011 Volcom Brand Jeans Tour.

Spectators were encouraged to donate their old Volcom jeans for the company's Give Jeans a Chance programme, which passed on the donated jeans to homeless people.

Organiser Leston Koroheke-West was "stoked" to see 200 young skaters lining the park yesterday, many of them who had brought their old jeans along for the cause.

"The tour also gives the kids the opportunity to meet some world-class athletes and to see them skate in person.

"It's pretty mind-blowing that they get to see them all here in their local skatepark in New Zealand."

Tauranga 16-year-old Donovan Allen said he had been watching Ferguson skate in a DVD at home just hours before seeing him in action at Arataki.

"I was just watching him at home and next thing you know, here he is skating at Arataki skatepark - it was pretty amazing. And the cool thing is that they don't mind you riding with them - they're real nice."