DES MOINES – Skate DSM, a local nonprofit dedicated to making skateboarding fun and accessible to all, announced today that it will host the first-ever Des Moines Streetstyle Open, a skate contest from September 23rd – 25th with prize money held at locations throughout the Des Moines region. The Des Moines Streetstyle Open is modeled after what is known as the “best” international skate competition, the Copenhagen Open. This multi-day event, presented by Jethro’s BBQ will take place throughout the Des Moines metro with skate contests moving from spot to spot, with the final contest held at the Lauridsen Skatepark. This event will feature some of the world’s best skaters, as well as talented skaters from the Midwest and of course, right here in Des Moines.
“With skateboarding’s debut in the 2020 Olympics and the opening of our new world-class Lauridsen Skatepark, in downtown Des Moines, we are seeing an explosion of new and former skaters in the region” said Norm Sterzenbach, President of Skate DSM. “This will be a great opportunity for us to host an amazing one-of-a-kind event and showcase our great city,” Sterzenbach said.
Jethro’s BBQ will be this year’s presenting sponsor. “We at Jethro’s BBQ our proud of our dynamic City and our new one of a kind, world-class skatepark. Jethro’s is excited to be the presenting sponsor of the first ever… Des Moines Street Style Open, said Bruce Gerleman, Founder of Jethro’s BBQ. “Visitors from around the country will be impressed with everything our City has to offer. I invite everyone to visit our 8 Jethro’s BBQ locations throughout the Metro and enjoy our first class hospitality and World Famous BBQ,” Gerleman said.
Red Bull will take part in the 3-day skateboard event in Des Moines, supporting a number of activities (on and off the skateboard) as part of their Red Bull Drop In program. Additionally, professional Red Bull skaters will be on the ground in Des Moines to participate.
Polk County Supervisor and Board Chair Angela Connolly added “We are very proud that Skate DSM is able to bring the Des Moines Streetstyle Open to Polk County. We knew the opening of the Lauridsen skatepark would bring a new sense of excitement and new events to the community. We are proud of Skate DSM of their commitment to make our community a skating destination for all ages and skill levels with events like this. We are sure between their passion and our world class skatepark, this will be one of many events to call Polk County home.”
Event Details
Thursday, September 23
4pm – Welcome to town Streetstyle Jam
Subsect Skate Shop, 309 E. Walnut St
Select skaters will compete on various elements on E. Walnut St including a jump ramp/wall ride best trick contest hosted by Street Plant and judged by Mike Vallely.
Friday, September 24
Select skaters will compete in skate contests at various skate spots throughout the metro.
11:00am – Iowa State Capitol Center Plaza, Des Moines
2:00pm – Railroad Park, West Des Moines
Includes contests for all ages including Tic Tac Races, Highest Ollie Contests and more
4:00pm – Skate to Legion Skatepark
5:00pm – Legion Skatepark Competition
8:00pm – SIDE-LOT Video Premiere, The Hall, West Des Moines
Saturday, September 25
11:00am 1:00pm – Streetstyle Open Men’s/Women’s Qualifiers, Lauridsen Skatepark
1:30pm – 2:30pm – Semi-Finals
2:30pm – Finals
TBD – Best Trick Contest
Awards Ceremony immediately following
6:00pm – After-Party at Captain Roy’s featuring Mike Vallely and the Complete Disaster
To learn more, or to register, go to DesMoinesStreetstyleOpen.com.
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Skate DSM is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the positive aspects of skateboarding by leading fun and educational skating programing for new and advanced skaters at all levels of the sport. Programming will include: Clinics, private events, regional and national events including an annual contest.
