I could have been a contender Phoenix AM 2006.

LATELY I'VE HEARD a lot of talk about Arizona being the new hot spot for skating. The thing is, it's always been a hot spot; it's just that new people are making their way out there. If you look back over several decades, skateboarding in Arizona has always been prominent.

The '80s had JFA, Patty Sellers' ramp and the Barecover contests--hopefully you forgot about the one where Ken Park took a run in his ball hugger undies. One memorable contest of that era was Streetstyle in Tempe, where Neil Blender graffiti'd the wallride and did a selection of tricks that had never been seen before. The '90s rolled in, and so did H-Street with Colby Carter, Chris Livingston and others. Then it was time for World Industries/Blind and two of the more loved skaters, Randy Colvin and Tim Gavin. Currently, Donny Barley, Ronnie Creager, Rob Welsh, Ernie Torres, Cody Boat, and ams from all over call the Phoenix area home for at least part of the year. All the while, there have been plenty of ditches, empty pools, ledges, and banks for everyone to skate.

THE CREW

Cowtown Skateboards has several stores in the Phoenix area, and they cater well to the skaters' needs. From the beginner who needs to buy his first set up to the pro who lost his board while drunk at the PV and needs to get one on credit--they can handle it. It's not easy putting on a legit competition, and they've done it for five years. Just ask Marty Murawski, he's entered all of them.

THE COURSE

Previous years' events were held at Desert West Skatepark. It's the oldest park in the Phoenix area, and with that said, it's not the best one--pretty much a large, flat area with a volcano and a couple ledges around it. But this year's event took place at the Rio Vista Skatepark, in Peoria. The street course there is tightly-packed and fast-moving with an equal mix of transition and street obstacles. The only additions necessary were a large plastic Jersey barrier and a fire hydrant.

THE CONTEST

There were over 100 entrants, and only riders with a recognized industry sponsor were allowed to enter (so the guys who ride for Board Bro and The Shred Shed had to sit this one out). John Goemann did backside tailslides on the quarterpipe faster than most people would take a 50-50. David Gonzales didn't stop skating the entire day; he was still rolling around when his name was called to pick up his second place prize money. Last year's favorites Lizard King and Adam Dyet had a little trouble this year; neither made it past the opening round. Adam was claiming food poisoning--something about a bad roast beef sandwich--and I overheard Lizard complaining about an inured knee (and who could be surprised, after that triple kink rail from Lizard of Oz). They both, however, resisted the urge to pile out the rest of the weekend, and stuck around for best trick. Lizard impressed with a crowd-pleasing backside 180 one-foot, and Adam would have taken it for sure if he'd stuck the nollie Cab heelflip he was trying. Since Robbie Brockel threw down the winning move pretty early in the event, everyone had a good 25 minutes to step it up however they could. From the looks of it, Tommy Sandoval was going for a three flip lip but he was willing to take whatever it would give him. Several of the tre flip lip attempts ended in switch hurricanes, and one almost a noseblunt. His "go for it" approach got the best of him when he scorpioned hard.

THE CASH

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but ams get paid now. I guess that would make them semi-pro. I remember when ams would place in a pro contest and have to turn down the cash so they could remain an amateur. Not any more, and I'm sure these guys are glad for that because Circa put up two grand for first place, a grand for second, and five hundred for third. I saw Nick Fiorini a couple of days later, and he was already looking at a new car. Zoo York threw another couple of Gs up for the best trick contest so it looks like Robbie Brockel is taking this summer off. I'm sure there are people out there who are going to point out that the winners of both the contest and best trick were locals, and that there was some possible nepotism going on. Well, I kinda doubt it. Nick Fiorini won and David Gonzales came in second, but when the results were called I think pretty much everyone figured it could have went either way. As far as best trick goes, a perfect 10-stair is pretty much the same wherever you go, and the crowd was unanimous on that one.

And what was this--there was no old man bowl jam? I know, but there are a couple of really killer bowls at the Peoria skatepark and throughout the day you could catch various team managers, David Gonzales and some kid who thinks he's Chet Childress sessioning the 'crete. Randy Colvin was all up in there; Jimmy Moore, once again, was a no show. And come to think of it, where were Colby Carter and Chris Livingston? If there had been a bowl contest Aaron Astorga would have won, Bruno Passos would have taken second place, and Colvin would have come in third.

2006 PHOENIX AM FINALS

1. Nick Fiorini

2. David Gonzales

3. Taylor Smith

4. Jordan Hoffart

5. Tommy Sandoval

BEST TRICK: Robbie Brockel, backside 360 kickflip, $2000