Crowd rolls up for skate contest | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

There were all ages - great-grandparents down to little kids.Jack Bullock of Wanganui Youth Council

There were thrills and spills galore at the Kowhai Park Skate Competition on Saturday.

About 200 people, of all ages but mainly young, gathered at the Kowhai Park Skate Bowl on a gorgeous afternoon for the competition, organised by the Wanganui Youth Council.

There were nine different events, youth council co-chairman Jack Bullock said, and 250 sausage sizzles were given away.

"It was very much a success. There were all ages - great-grandparents down to little kids. Some people in the community don't often get a chance to go to an event like that."

About 20 people in two age groups competed in the eight events of the competition, and a ninth event was added to cater for all the BMXers who turned up.

There were prizes for category winners, and also for people who did "the baddest trick and the baddest bail" in each, and there were two overall prizes.

Three skate decks, with trucks and wheels were won, as well as six pairs of shoes, T-shirts, caps, speakers, vouchers and cash prizes.

Wellington artist Michel Tuffery was to have  launched the new octopus mural  but  sent his apologies.

Mr Bullock said the youth council would look at doing something similar again, perhaps involving scooters too.