Well it’s that time again. The West49 Canadian Open is the biggest skateboard competition to hit the GTA. People from all over the World are here to compete…(Brazil, US, … Toronto). Since it’s an “Open” amateurs can enter. Your local hero am’s just have to qualify with the pros for Sunday’s final showdown and big money (am’s can’t grab the cash though… they’re am’s - full sponsorship is a possibility). The contest makes its third visit to the Hershey Centre and the course this year is one of the best yet. Skateshops from around the corner, Ottawa and Montreal have brought their teams out here but that’s not even half of the 200 in the contest.

Some of the biggest and best have come down to try for the US$75,000 in cash prizes (Eric Koston, Jereme Rogers, Ryan Sheckler, Chris Haslam, Devine Calloway and many more). Los Angeles flew here in a big way, despite the cool weather! Ten year old Nyjah Huston is AMAZING. He’s going to a lot of pressure on the heavy hitters for sure! It’s great to see young and old, better that they have also keeped the Women’s street. Get up early Sunday if you want to see Vanessa Torres and Lyn-Z bring their serious skills to the Women’s Competition. I had a glimpse last night of the handrail competition and missed the locals trying to make the cut. It’s going to be wild. No vert ramp this year but a “mega jump”!!! Aptly named… A jump ramp with a ten foot gap up to a six foot platform ??? Crazy.

Should be a wild wild weekend!!! (W49 for photos and video and OT for work…ouch)

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2. West49 Canadian Open
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5. Total Madness…