Fortunately for aspiring grinders, an element of the Alliance of Action Sports (which also includes Dew Tour) did plan a return to Charm City. Literally and figuratively. The Free Flow Tour, an amateur competition now sponsored by Gatorade, made a return to Charm City Skatepark in Canton for the second stop on a 53 stop national tour that allows regional winners to compete for the chance to participate in the pro tour.
So May 23rd I took the tunnel to East Baltimore to one of the best known skateparks in the state, where 70 young skaters were competing to win a trip to Salt Lake City and possibly a shot at the pros.
Charm City is as unpretentious as East Baltimore itself. It was difficult to find, being located under O’’Donnell Street rather than on it. Getting in required a few trips across railroad tracks. (I tried not to think of Gus Vansant’s Paranoid Park)and reminded myself it’s not so different than Camden Yards 20 years ago.)
But this facility has all the characteristics of a popular hangout for one of the fastest growing sports in the country, starting with a complete lack of pretense.
While some may find the location gritty and industrial, others rate it rad. Never having been in another indoor skate facility, I'll leave the ambiance evaluation to the cognoscenti.)
Imagine a floor about the size of a basketball court, covered in ramps, steps, platforms and rails made of unfinished plywood and decorated with graffiti and stickers. One corner has an elevated kidney shaped bowl. In the center is the newly-constructed podium, covered in Gateorade tape, which doubles as a new skate obstacle for the course.
Competitive skateboarding is a spectator sport, even at this level. Charm City has an observation deck outside the party room and snack area. There are plenty of parents and siblings, many of whom are regulars. Charm City has a team, and produces other competitions during the year. One of the mothers told me their events were very well organized, drawing enthusiasts from throughout the region.
Today’s event is skatepark (not vert) only. It begins with a jam –– several competitors on the course at the same time, doing individual routines (while trying not to collide with anyone else doing THEIR own routine.) This is a spontaneous skill demonstration, and judges grade based on difficulty of tricks performed and ability to adapt to conditions and competition.
An integral part of the competition (again, a cultural thing) is the music. In a word, LOUD. Pulsating, rhythmic, totally incomprehensible, and very LOUD. Enough to drown out the occasional freight that shakes the building as it rumbles a few feet away.
The heats and skate-offs will last several hours as the field is winnowed down. Because this is an open competition, there are no geographic restrictions for competitors. Although greater Baltimore produces skilled skaters, (many nurtured at Charm City,)the top honor -- a trip to Salt Lake City for the national prize -- went to fifteen-year-old Alex Longcamp of Aurora, Indiana, who wowed the judges with some fancy stunts during the final jam session. Kadian Maxwell and Tyler Thomas, both of Baltimore, finished second and third.
The day didn't end there. Once the tournament ended, it was skate time again for the regulars eager to try some of the moves they just saw. Such is the allure of the skateboarding world -- watch one, do one, teach one . . . and hang loose.
Miss you, Dew-dettes. Hope your Tour will bring you back to Baltimore soon.
See the Pix:
http://www.allisports.com/content/charm-city-2009-free-flow-tour-skate
Try It!!
Charm City Indoor Skatepark
4401 O'Donnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
Tel: (410)-327-7909
www.charmcity.tv
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