Embasi covers all its bases to be a killer shop--they have edgy softgood brands, solid hardgoods selection, they press their own skatedecks, and the guys that run the place are knowledgable, chill and super friendly. They're also very community oriented and host a ton of events for boardsports-types in the Lebanon area. Their reputation was apparent with the large turn out yesterday at the skatepark--about 40 skaters competed, from super young to old enough to know who Matt Hensley is. The third place winner had his son there with him, who looked about three and only wanted to try finger flips or some similar trick I can't identify.
It was super humid but no one seemed to mind. Oakley and DC had set up tents and gave away so much swag to kids it was awesome. We brought a ton of Red Bull of course.
The West Leb skatepark is set up horizontally, if that makes sense, and when the Advanced Finals took place, the quarter pipe on the far end was getting slayed. I have never seen that much boosting at a park at one time--there is a solid skate scene in that area. After the winners were announced, someone wheeled a Red Bull cooler over in front of a launch ramp and kids started sessioning it. Oakley and DC announced a Best Trick contest over the impromtu Red Bull can bonk for some shoes and sunglasses. Not to be cliche, but that kind of creative sessioning is what it should be about.
I wish I had written down the names of the winners, because I definitely have some pictures of them, but apparently I'm bad at remembering to do that. The next event is in July and I'll bring a notebook.
Mike Rheault tweaked on the quarter.
John Huff snapped his tail when he finally landed this and then he grabbed another board and hit it some more.
Keith from Embasi ran around in the humidity keeping everything on lock and providing the NH skate scene with a great outlet for shredding wood and pavement.
This guy was killing it all day--super fast and smooth. He skates for Embasi and his last name is Cleese I think.
The spine saw a lot of action.
