There’s no better way to kick off the weekend than a best trick contest and a degen crowd of thousands of people on the beach. We launched the first day in Virginia Beach with explosive Best Trick competitions. The electric atmosphere was palpable as thousands of fans gathered to witness raw skateboarding across both the Vert and Street disciplines. The open and pro categories saw riders pushing the boundaries, making it clear that this contest was going to be one for the books.
Monster Energy PRO Vert Best Trick
The best trick immediately set an unbelievably high bar. Legend and ambassador Bob Burnquist showed his presence by hitting a crucial switch front krook on the extension and capping off the jam with a massive flip fakie.
The future of the sport was also on full, impressive display, notably with 11-year-old Hudson Walker landing a body varial 900 for the second time ever, and his first time in a contest! Juno Matsuoka threw down an incredible cab blunt slide. The street-to-vert crossover was embodied by JD Sanchez’s big kickflip indy, while Rony Gomez redefined audacity with a crazy no hander frontside heel over the channel. Collin Graham also added to the frenzy with a stylish alley-oop heelflip. Every trick was a testament to the raw vertical power of the skaters.
Monster Energy Pro Street Best Trick
The Best Trick jam was pure madness, split across two critical sections of the park. While our friend Etienne entertained the hyped crowd by throwing goodies, the riders went all-in on the bump-to-rail, bump-to-ledge, and pole jam sections.
Deyvid Anderson started strong with a nollie 270 lip on the bump to bar, and Wyatt Hammond came through with a crazy cab flip back tail worthy of experienced pros. The Canadian, Micky Papa, owned multiple sections, landing both a nollie heel front blunt and, later, a nollie inward heel back fifty. Valentina Krauel also impressed the judges with a solid nose grind on the rail.
The intensity peaked on the big section, the massive stair set with a down rail and down ledge. Micky Papa secured another highlight with a switch flip back lip, and Matias Dell Olio delivered a technical half cab nose slide 270 heel out. Local hero Chase Norman, representing Ghost Ship, brought the house down with a front blunt backside flip out, while Deyvid Anderson took home the win with an incredible nollie big heel front board, cementing the raw, uncompromising skate vibe of the first day.
In short, a completely wild first day that perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the contest!
