Qualifiers for the Pro and Masters divisions for tomorrow’s Pro-tec Pool Party hydrated by vitaminwater ran last night to determine which riders would join the pre-seeded competitors in the main event at the Vans Skatepark in Orange. 16 Masters riders battled it out for four spots and 27 Pro riders fought for the final nine spots.
Curren Caples
Mike McGill
Darrin Jenkins
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In the Masters, original Bones Brigade member and inventor of the 540 McTwist, Mike McGill qualified in first with excellent lines and power. He is joined by Australian powerhouse Mick Mulhall, lip trick and switchfoot master Justin Lynch, and first-year Masters division monster Darin "CookieHead" Jenkins. The legendary Eddie "El Gato" Elguera was narrowly edged out in his first time at the Combi, but with his strong lines and smooth style, he definitely will be a presence in the future.
In the Pro division Austin Poynter, winner of the amateur Combi contest just a few months ago, qualified in the number 1 spot making a loud statement in his first Pro competition with huge airs and lines that display a tremendous amount of prowess. 12- year old Tom Schaar who has become a media sensation over the past month also easily qualified with power moves usually reserved for someone much older. Young Kalani David coming out of Hawaii arrived 1 minute before his heat after surfing in a pro contest all morning and qualified with only one practice run before having to drop in and do battle.
Austin, Tom and Kalani are joined by 6 other qualifying Pro division riders. The ballistic Greyson Fletcher who lathered the crowd into a frenzy with his padless, high-speed insanity. Kevin Kowalski and Willis Kimbel coming out of the great Pacific Northwest and slaying the bowls with unique lines and tricks. Contest destroyer Ben Hatchell brought his vert ramp skills into the combi and qualified with ease. The young Alex Sorgente made it in using some of his big wall experience from Bucky Lasek's bowl to his advantage, and longtime Pool Party pro and multiple finalist Michael Brookman made it in with ease.
The final list is set for Saturday, be there if you can, and if not, watch the live HD webcast at 3PM PST this Saturday or via the Vans Live App. Get Hot!!!
Pro-tec Pool Party Start List (new qualifiers bolded):
Pros: Pedro Barros (Defending Champ), Rune Glifberg (’05, ’07, ’08 winner), Bucky Lasek (’09, ’10 winner), Omar Hassan (’06 winner), Tony Trujillo, Alex Perelson, Josh Borden, Andy Macdonald, Nolan Munroe, Benji Galloway, Zach Miller, Daniel Cuervo, Brad McClain, Michael O’Friel, Josh Rodriguez, Mike Owen, Nathan Beck, Steve Piniero, Sky Siljeg, Austin Poynter, Tom Schaar, Kalani David, Greyson Fletcher, Kevin Kowalski, Willis Kimbel, Ben Hatchell, Alex Sorgente, Michael Brookman.
Masters: Chris Miller (Defending Champ and ’05-’09 Winner), Steve Caballero (’10 winner), Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain, Jeff Grosso, Eric Nash, Sergie Ventura, Pat Ngoho, Steve Alba, Tony Magnusson, Brian Pennington, Lester Kasai, Mike Rogers, Aaron Astorga, Dave Reul, Pat Black, Mike Barnes, Jeff Hedges, Paul Wisniewski, Rob “Sluggo” Boyce, Mickey Guerrero, Steve Steadham, Josh, Nelson, Mike McGill, Mick Mulhall, Justin Lynch, Darin Jenkins.
Austin Poynter
Cab and Foss
Charlie and Graysen
Dave Duncan
Mike McGill
Pat Ngohno
Salba
Tom Scharr
Curren Caples
Mike McGill
Darrin Jenkins
See more photos and the rest of the story...
In the Masters, original Bones Brigade member and inventor of the 540 McTwist, Mike McGill qualified in first with excellent lines and power. He is joined by Australian powerhouse Mick Mulhall, lip trick and switchfoot master Justin Lynch, and first-year Masters division monster Darin "CookieHead" Jenkins. The legendary Eddie "El Gato" Elguera was narrowly edged out in his first time at the Combi, but with his strong lines and smooth style, he definitely will be a presence in the future.
In the Pro division Austin Poynter, winner of the amateur Combi contest just a few months ago, qualified in the number 1 spot making a loud statement in his first Pro competition with huge airs and lines that display a tremendous amount of prowess. 12- year old Tom Schaar who has become a media sensation over the past month also easily qualified with power moves usually reserved for someone much older. Young Kalani David coming out of Hawaii arrived 1 minute before his heat after surfing in a pro contest all morning and qualified with only one practice run before having to drop in and do battle.
Austin, Tom and Kalani are joined by 6 other qualifying Pro division riders. The ballistic Greyson Fletcher who lathered the crowd into a frenzy with his padless, high-speed insanity. Kevin Kowalski and Willis Kimbel coming out of the great Pacific Northwest and slaying the bowls with unique lines and tricks. Contest destroyer Ben Hatchell brought his vert ramp skills into the combi and qualified with ease. The young Alex Sorgente made it in using some of his big wall experience from Bucky Lasek's bowl to his advantage, and longtime Pool Party pro and multiple finalist Michael Brookman made it in with ease.
The final list is set for Saturday, be there if you can, and if not, watch the live HD webcast at 3PM PST this Saturday or via the Vans Live App. Get Hot!!!
Pro-tec Pool Party Start List (new qualifiers bolded):
Pros: Pedro Barros (Defending Champ), Rune Glifberg (’05, ’07, ’08 winner), Bucky Lasek (’09, ’10 winner), Omar Hassan (’06 winner), Tony Trujillo, Alex Perelson, Josh Borden, Andy Macdonald, Nolan Munroe, Benji Galloway, Zach Miller, Daniel Cuervo, Brad McClain, Michael O’Friel, Josh Rodriguez, Mike Owen, Nathan Beck, Steve Piniero, Sky Siljeg, Austin Poynter, Tom Schaar, Kalani David, Greyson Fletcher, Kevin Kowalski, Willis Kimbel, Ben Hatchell, Alex Sorgente, Michael Brookman.
Masters: Chris Miller (Defending Champ and ’05-’09 Winner), Steve Caballero (’10 winner), Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain, Jeff Grosso, Eric Nash, Sergie Ventura, Pat Ngoho, Steve Alba, Tony Magnusson, Brian Pennington, Lester Kasai, Mike Rogers, Aaron Astorga, Dave Reul, Pat Black, Mike Barnes, Jeff Hedges, Paul Wisniewski, Rob “Sluggo” Boyce, Mickey Guerrero, Steve Steadham, Josh, Nelson, Mike McGill, Mick Mulhall, Justin Lynch, Darin Jenkins.
Austin Poynter
Cab and Foss
Charlie and Graysen
Dave Duncan
Mike McGill
Pat Ngohno
Salba
Tom Scharr