Joy of skateboarding

An excited crowd braved the scorching sun at Moore Park on January 8 to see local youngsters show their moves in Katikati's Skate Competition.

Organised by the co-owner of the new Surf, Skate, Snow shop in town, Peter Till, the event boasted $1000 worth of prizes and saw Hamilton skaters give demonstrations to keep teenagers involved in the sport.

Mr Till said he was really happy with how the event "went off" at Katikati's Moore Park skate facility.

"It's good to see something cool for the kids, something that they're excited about and I hope it gave them motivation to keep skating," he said.

The competition also highlighted a need to revamp Katikati's skate park, as requested by local teenagers who utilise the facility.

Fourteen-year-old Jared Tinetti, who has been using the skate park for two and a half years and has organised a petition for an upgrade of the facility, gathered lots more signatures for the cause.

He's also made a Facebook page to encourage fellow teens to get behind the project.

"I want to get as many people as I can to help get Katikati a new skate park," he told the Advertiser prior to the event.

Peter Watson of the Western Bay Council has told the Advertiser that the facility is listed in the Resource Management plan but any proposal would have to be presented to 2011/2012 annual District Plan. "No specific funding is set aside for improvements but because it is an existing structure, enhancing the facility can go through the RM plan."

Mr Till said more than 20 people entered the three-category competition this month and at least 40 family, friends and fellow skaters came to watch. "Everyone seemed to have a great day and parents came up to thank me afterwards, which is a good indication."