Men's Slalom Team (L-R) Jackson Shapiera, Nathan Paff, Paul Carey and Paul Shaddock.

11 September 2024

 

THE universal language of skating wheels will gather athletes from 12 different sports within a single event. The spotlights will be on the urban disciplines born in the streets of the world, such as skateboarding, roller freestyle, and scootering; the adrenaline-pumping and high-speed sports like speed skating, skate-cross, downhill, and slalom; the exciting team sports like rink hockey, inline hockey, and roller derby; and the harmony, elegance and exquisite technique of artistic skating.

 

The World Skate Games Italy has an estimated participation of over 12,000 people, including athletes, coaches, and delegations from 100 countries worldwide and an expected presence in Italy of tens of thousands of fans from the four corners of the globe.

 

This dynamic, urban, and sustainable event is set to captivate everyone, especially new generations. Indeed, sports on skating wheels are particularly appealing to youngsters, as evidenced during the Tokyo Olympic Games where skateboarding was among the top sports in terms of audience on social media.

 

 

This exciting skateboarding discipline, which will feature the top racing talents from around the world, with three exciting days of competition and prize money of $10,000, has Central Coast slalom team members set to roll straight into the competition and bring on some heat.

 

Those attending the event are Slalom Team members Coach - Neil Duddy (Central Coast), Team Manager - Jack Meyn (Central Coast), Paul Shaddock (Central Coast), Imogen Mcmillan (Central Coast), Paul Carey (Central Coast), Ayesha Pang (ACT), Jackson Shapiera (Sydney) and Nathan Paff (Old Bar Beach).

 

The Aussies will be competing in a three-race event in the streets of Chieti, Italy from today until 15 September.

 

Central Coast slalom skateboarder Paul Carey said, “I am truly honoured to be representing Australia as part of the Slalom Skateboard Racing Team, especially at the age of 62."

 

“I have lived on the Central Coast for 57 years and have been skateboarding for 49 years.” he said.

 

David Harris Member for Wyong said, “The team have been training endlessly to prepare with their last session held at Warnervale.

 

“I wish the team all the best in their in the competition.”

 

Slalom skateboarding is a form of downhill skateboard racing that first appeared in the 1960s and 1970s and made a worldwide resurgence in the 2000s.

 

Racing events are electronically timed, adding to the challenge, competitors must launch from a ramp and navigate through a course of variously spaced cones while still generating speed, requiring technical strategy and high skill level.

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