Skateboarders learn and compete

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FIRST GIG -- Entertainment at the Go Skateboarding Day was provided by local band, StrathGlass Park. This was the first gig for the group, made up of Andrew Phelps, Tyler Smith, Miles Sullivan and Collin Merrill (absent). (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

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FUTURE SKATEBOARDER -- Seamus Sullivan, 4, not only watched the skateboarders perform their tricks in the Rumford Skate Park, but he performed as well, riding back and forth on a skateboard -- on his stomach. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

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SKATEBOARDING TRICK -- Kain Harris of Mexico performs a backside lipslide during a skateboarding competition held in the Rumford Skate Park. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

RUMFORD -- Dozens of skateboarders came to Rumford Skate Park to celebrate National Go Skateboarding Day. There were beginners as well as those who had been skating for years.

On a perfect first day of summer, youths came to compete, learn tricks or just watch their friends as well as professional skateboarder Toebee Parkhurst and crew members Nate Jones, Nolan Brann and Josh Gallant.

Sponsored by the recently created local youth empowerment organization "Eleven Circles," this events was one of thousands of similar events held throughout the world on this day to celebrate the fun, exhilaration and creativity of skateboarding.

Erin Cox and co-organizers Cindrie Cormier and Becky Skibitsky have formed the nonprofit Eleven Circles Teen Center in Mexico (Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/6ytk8o6). Cox said this free event also served as a fundraiser to make improvements to the existing skate park.

Cox said they have an opportunity to receive a grant from the Tony Hawk Charitable Foundation to build a skate park just like the Tony Hawk-designed concrete park in Bethel.

Tony Hawk, considered the undisputed founder of modern skateboarding, founded a national foundation in 2002 that fosters youth recreational progress and empowerment through the creation of public skateboard parks in low-income neighborhoods.

Since 2002, the Tony Hawk Foundation has given out 387 grants totaling more than $35 million to build or improve existing skate parks, including parks in Bethel, Lewiston and Augusta.

The event attracted a number of onlookers, including four-year-old Seamus Sullivan, who rode back and forth on a skateboard -- on his stomach.

At the other end of the facility, entertainment was being provided by local band, StrathGlass Park. This was the first gig for the group, made up of Andrew Phelps, Tyler Smith, Miles Sullivan and Collin Merrill. Check 'em out on Facebook.

At the entrance to the facility were food concession stands run by the Mountain Valley and Dirigo High School Interact Club.

Parkhurst and his crew conducted the skateboard skills clinic and served as judges for the skateboarding competition. The competitors were judged on style, difficulty and landing.

A couple skateboarders were asked what their moves were in the competition. Nate Boucher of Rumford performed what he called a one-sided disaster to a 180 pivot. Kain Harris of Mexico performed a trick called a backside lipslide.

Results from the skateboarding competition (ages 10 and under) were:

Best trick category

1. Fisher Cormier

2. Noah Breton

Transition category

1. Kain Harris, Mexico

2. Nate Howe, Dixfield

3. Cory Cochran, Mexico

Stair category

1. Trevor Newman, Dixfield

2. Nate Howe, Dixfield

3. Cory Cochran, Mexico

Prizes were awarded to all top finishers.

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Dozens of skateboarders came to Rumford Skate Park on the first day of summer to celebrate National Go Skateboarding Day. There were beginners as well as those who had been skating for years. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)