Skate Contest: Blistering heat and white hot skateboarding at Dolosfees Skate Comp 2023

The annual Dolosfees Skateboarding Competition went down at the Alkantstrand skate park in Richards Bay on September 30, writes Llewellyn Drummond.

Words by Llewellyn Drummond. Prizegiving photos Stephan van den Berg /other pics Dolosfees Skate Comp spectators.

With a blistering high of 38 degrees on saturday September 2023, we had a jam packed day, starting junior’s division with some fearless laaitjies putting on a show. 

In run one we got to see the nerves kicking in with no one staying on their boards, but after that things picked up with Shpelele (Junior) Gamede putting down a full 45 second run to take first place.

This event was all thanks to our local sponsors Epic Solar for keeping it lit. Red Metals and U-MET scrap metals for breaking the bank on the cash prizes and Northcore Surf and Skate coming through to keep everyone refreshed and cool with ice cold drinks.

10-year-old Conner Cawood took second place with his first ever 50-50 around the mini bowl coping and topped it up with a 5-0 in the best trick.  Raylin Robertson came through with guts to take the glory. Taking a couple hard bails before and during the comp, he pushed through for third place. 

Shpelele (Junior) Gamede frontside boarslides is way to first in the juniors.

The advanced division saw some of the biggest and most technical tricks go down. From 180 indies and backlips on the vert to ghetto birds on the hip. Malusi Memela just missed his last best trick, but landed a massive 50-50 down the 9 stair hubba ledge, winning the spectators’ cheers as the people’s champ and a free tattoo from Nomadic ink.

Tomas (The Wonderboy) Raper took first place, showing why he is Richard’s Bay’s local ripper with a flawless run. Putting together some of the smoothest transitions known to man, he added some crooked grinds and big spins on the hip just because he can.

Open winner Tomas (The Wonderboy) Raper.

Liam de Villiers took second with his surfer style. Power skating the transition like it owes him money. Getting brownie points from all the local ballies on park when he added some foot plants and bonelesses to his run. 

Mason van der Merwe took third place showing why he’s the local king of S.K.A.T.E. He put down a blissfully tech line and absolute bangers in the best trick.

All and all, the kids really stole the show, coming in numbers this year. We’re all looking forward to seeing the progression of these young guns next year. 

This event was all thanks to our local sponsors Epic Solar for keeping it lit. Red Metals and U-MET scrap metals for breaking the bank on the cash prizes and Northcore Surf and Skate coming through to keep everyone refreshed and cool with ice cold drinks. 

Big shout out to Zoo York and Skatevisionsa for making it all happen. Leo and Deleah never fail to impress making last minute plans to make sure we pulled it all off. See you in 2024.

Check out the photo gallery from the event below: