The Hay City Slam, hosted at Centennial Park on July 27 and 28, is fast becoming more popular with BMX trick riders and skateboard enthusiasts.
In only its second year, the event drew 20 skateboarders on July 27, including three local competitors and some from as far away as Edmonton, and 20 BMX riders on July 28, including five local participants.
“It was a great event,” said Karen Strocher, one of the organizers. “We had a few less bikers this year than last year, but there's a few other competitions going on this weekend. Lots of people checked it out on Facebook and I've had lots of positive feedback that this is a well-run, small-town, friendly competition and people like to come here.”
Strocher said part of the draw for the event is the Olds Skatepark.
“It's got a good reputation and it's nice to see a lot of out-of-town people come,” she said.
Because of the large volunteer base that the event draws on, most of the registration fees go toward charitable causes. Strocher said a decision hadn't been made yet on this year's recipient, but last year, after expenses, funds were directed toward the Olds and District Hospice Society. She said she hopes as the event gets larger in future years, that more funds can be directed to worthwhile causes.
First place honours in the skating competition went to Zane Lindberg in the Young Guns category, Colton Popow in the Amateur category and Sonny Netterfield in the open category.
In the BMX competition, first place honours went to Colby Hall in the Young Guns category, Spencer Hansen in the Amateur category and Darcy Peters in the Open category.
