Vans Downtown Showdown
Posted 06/21/2012 by Vans Europe
Top Pro Skaters From The US & Europe Confirmed for Vans Downtown Showdown!
50’000 Euro Prize Money up for grabs!
4 August 2012, Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam – FREE EVENT -- STARTS 12 NOON
Eleven of the best international skate teams will be competing at the historic Westergasfabriek of Amsterdam on 4th August 2012 in a contest renowned to test skill, flare and creativity. Far removed from the usual format of any other skateboarding competition – and elevated to an international level in 2012 -- the event will take place on special customized ramps, designed by the invited teams themselves.
With Amsterdam’s rich history and culture the theme of the event, there are unlimited options for the designs of the obstacles. Four ideas from Flip Skateboards, Palace, Blueprint and Antiz have been selected, and will be brought to life for the contest. Between professional pride and the sizable €50,000 prize purse, the very best in European and US skateboarding talent have signed up for a chance to write their name in history.
Vans Legend Geoff Rowley reflected on mind-expanding memories of the city when he dreamed the Flip obstacle into existence. "Flip has a long history of debauchery in the wonderful canal district of Amsterdam and mainland Europe, what better way to reflect those great times than an obstacle covered in the psychedelic mushroom art from one of its most iconic skateboard graphics. The obstacle is designed to skate from any angle, front, back and sides. Keep it trippy! Keep it fun! We are proud to be a part of this Years Vans Downtown Showdown."
Lev Tanju and Palace skateboards followed their own trippy line of thought, saying, “It’s basically what 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' would look like if it was filmed in a Dutch coffee shop."
Antiz took inspiration from the skyline. Hugo Liard explains, “We merged Antiz spirit and Amsterdam with the cultural symbol of the windmill in a 4-sided obstacle, with many combos to do. Watch your landing!”
The Blueprint crew admired the diverse architecture of the city and all its endless possibilities. “Amsterdam is a beautiful city full of canals, barges, cobbled streets and amazing architecture. We wanted to stay as true as we could to that with also giving every skater whoever you are or whatever you like to skate something you can all get down on. Abuse your Architecture,” says Paul Shier.
In addition to watching world class skateboarding, there will be endless things to do at the event, including a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Vans Half Cab shoe, hosted by skateboarding legend Steve Caballero to open the event Thursday evening the 2nd of August, an exclusive premiere of the Bones Brigade Documentary, Friday August 3rd, and the Monster Music Night with very special music guests following the skate event Saturday evening. All events will take place at the Westergasfabriek of Amsterdam. Stay tuned for more details as the event approaches.
Confirmed Skaters as of today:
SAMU KARVONEN
SAM PARTAIX (PRO OF THE DAY, DTSD HAMBURG)
DALLAS ROCKVAM
DOMINIK DIETRICH
JOHNNY LAYTON
BILLY MARKS
MATT BENNETT
DANIEL LUTHERAN
NEIL SMITH
DANNY BRADY (PRO OF THE DAY, DTSD LONDON)
JEROME CAMPBELL
TOM KNOX
DAN CATES
ROB SMITH
ADAM MOSS
TIMMY GARBETT
MICKAEL MACKRODT
PHIL ZWIJSEN (AM OF THE DAY, IN DTSD TORINO, & DTSD HAMBURG)
NASSIM GUAMMAZ (AM OF THE DAY, IN DTSD LONDON)
MADARS APSE
GEOFF ROWLEY
DAVID GONZALES
LUAN OLIVEIRA
LOUIE LOPEZ
50’000 Euro Prize Money up for grabs!
4 August 2012, Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam – FREE EVENT -- STARTS 12 NOON
Eleven of the best international skate teams will be competing at the historic Westergasfabriek of Amsterdam on 4th August 2012 in a contest renowned to test skill, flare and creativity. Far removed from the usual format of any other skateboarding competition – and elevated to an international level in 2012 -- the event will take place on special customized ramps, designed by the invited teams themselves.
With Amsterdam’s rich history and culture the theme of the event, there are unlimited options for the designs of the obstacles. Four ideas from Flip Skateboards, Palace, Blueprint and Antiz have been selected, and will be brought to life for the contest. Between professional pride and the sizable €50,000 prize purse, the very best in European and US skateboarding talent have signed up for a chance to write their name in history.
Vans Legend Geoff Rowley reflected on mind-expanding memories of the city when he dreamed the Flip obstacle into existence. "Flip has a long history of debauchery in the wonderful canal district of Amsterdam and mainland Europe, what better way to reflect those great times than an obstacle covered in the psychedelic mushroom art from one of its most iconic skateboard graphics. The obstacle is designed to skate from any angle, front, back and sides. Keep it trippy! Keep it fun! We are proud to be a part of this Years Vans Downtown Showdown."
Lev Tanju and Palace skateboards followed their own trippy line of thought, saying, “It’s basically what 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' would look like if it was filmed in a Dutch coffee shop."
Antiz took inspiration from the skyline. Hugo Liard explains, “We merged Antiz spirit and Amsterdam with the cultural symbol of the windmill in a 4-sided obstacle, with many combos to do. Watch your landing!”
The Blueprint crew admired the diverse architecture of the city and all its endless possibilities. “Amsterdam is a beautiful city full of canals, barges, cobbled streets and amazing architecture. We wanted to stay as true as we could to that with also giving every skater whoever you are or whatever you like to skate something you can all get down on. Abuse your Architecture,” says Paul Shier.
In addition to watching world class skateboarding, there will be endless things to do at the event, including a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Vans Half Cab shoe, hosted by skateboarding legend Steve Caballero to open the event Thursday evening the 2nd of August, an exclusive premiere of the Bones Brigade Documentary, Friday August 3rd, and the Monster Music Night with very special music guests following the skate event Saturday evening. All events will take place at the Westergasfabriek of Amsterdam. Stay tuned for more details as the event approaches.
Confirmed Skaters as of today:
SAMU KARVONEN
SAM PARTAIX (PRO OF THE DAY, DTSD HAMBURG)
DALLAS ROCKVAM
DOMINIK DIETRICH
JOHNNY LAYTON
BILLY MARKS
MATT BENNETT
DANIEL LUTHERAN
NEIL SMITH
DANNY BRADY (PRO OF THE DAY, DTSD LONDON)
JEROME CAMPBELL
TOM KNOX
DAN CATES
ROB SMITH
ADAM MOSS
TIMMY GARBETT
MICKAEL MACKRODT
PHIL ZWIJSEN (AM OF THE DAY, IN DTSD TORINO, & DTSD HAMBURG)
NASSIM GUAMMAZ (AM OF THE DAY, IN DTSD LONDON)
MADARS APSE
GEOFF ROWLEY
DAVID GONZALES
LUAN OLIVEIRA
LOUIE LOPEZ
