Top skaters set to fly in competition

Skateboarders from across the country will descend Busselton next week for the national King of Concrete bowl competition.

It is the first time the competition has been held in WA and will be the first competition for the new Busselton Skate Park at the foreshore.

Skaters will have a chance at winning $5000, among other prizes, and will get the chance to compete against some of Australia’s best skateboarders.

Event organiser and former pro skater Renton Millar said it was exciting to bring the event to Busselton, having played a role in the new foreshore skate park’s development.

“I helped design Busselton Skate Park with Convic and in the design and build stage those guys really put their heart and soul into it,” he said.

“I’ve never been to Busselton but all the skaters I have met from that part of the world are rad guys and it seems like such a great location.”

The competition will be broken into three categories —16 and under, opens and masters, with competitors given three rounds of 45 seconds to show off their speed and technical abilities.

Australian Skateboard Federation number one-ranked junior Jedd McKenzie will be travelling from NSW for the event, as well as Bowl Riot champion Kobe Higgins and Billy Harrison.

Millar said the event was due to be a great day for all involved.

“It’s a great spectacle for skaters — it’s all about skateboarding and skaters getting together to celebrate the sport and have a good time,” he said.

“It’s worth checking out for sure.”

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said the fact the Busselton Skate Park had been able to attract an event of King of Concrete’s calibre showed how highly it was regarded.

“Ours is one of the best skate parks in the State — if not the country. The facility was designed with these types of competitions in mind and it’s great to see this becoming a reality only a few months after the official opening,” he said.

“It’s going to be a fantastic event and I congratulate the City’s Youth Services Team for bringing it all together… I’m really looking forward to it.”

King of Concrete will kick off from 10am on Saturday, March 19 at the Busselton Skate Park.