Boarders take to Skate Park for competition

WINNERS – Winners of the first Roger Howland Memorial Skateboard Competition are, from left, front, Ian Goetsch and Ryan Dee of Houlton; back, Joe Degenhardt of Houlton  and Ryan Scully of Monticello.
   The Skate Park in Houlton was a buzz Saturday with the sounds of rolling wheels on pavement and metal ramps, along with sights of aerial jumps and board tricks, as the Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (ASAP) and Link for Hope partnered to sponsor the first Roger Howland Memorial Skateboard Competition.
    ASAP approached Link for Hope about working on a skateboard event, which would incorporate training with veteran skateboarders and finish with a competition in Houlton. The event, which would be an initial fund-raiser to implement a comprehensive school-based prevention program in a County school, was open to anyone who skateboarded.
AIR – Ryan Van Buskirk gets air time and grabs his board on a jump during last Saturday’s competition.
    “It was a great fit for Link for Hope to work on a skateboarding event in memory of Roger Howland, as he loved skateboarding and his untimely death was one of the initial reasons Link for Hope was formed,” said Trudy O’Bar. 
    The Howlands agreed.
HIGH RIDERS-  Ryan Scully of Monticello gets air off a jump at Houlton’s Skate Park in Community Park during last Saturday’s first Roger Howland Memorial Skateboard Competition.
    “We are so grateful to everyone who helped organize the first competition, and especially grateful to all the kids who participated,” said Mary and Roger Howland. “Skateboarding was one of our son’s passions and to see the dream of a skate park in Houlton come true would have made him so happy. Watching everyone on Saturday brought back many fond memories. The money raised this year, and hopefully for many years to come, will be put to a use that is dear to our hearts — raising substance abuse awareness among our youth.
Ryan Dee shows his skateboard savvy on a ramp during last Saturday’s first Roger Howland Memorial Skateboard Competition.
    “These kids are our future and it is our wish that no other family would have to watch their child struggle with such a difficult battle. Education and awareness is the key to success.,” they said.
    Organizers began working on the planning the competition in August and pulled it together for last Saturday. Many people volunteered and helped to make the event a success.
BALANCE –  Micah Goetsch grinds his board on an obstacle during last Saturday’s first Skateboard competition.
    There were 15 participants in the training session in the morning, with eight young people participating in the afternoon competition. Competitors were divided into age groups, completing two runs and judged on style, effort and ability. 
    The best of the two runs was the skateboarders’ final score and the winners were: Ryan Dee of Houlton, age 8-10; Ian Goetsch of Houlton, age 11-13; Ryan Scully of Monticello, age 14-17 and Joe Degenhardt of Houlton, age 18 and older.
Ian lands a jump during last Saturday’s first Skateboard competition.
  Link for Hope and ASAP extend their thanks to all the many who helped make the event possible. Organizers are already planning for next year’s competition.