Phoenix, AZ
With a whirlwind week of travel to Hawaii and a rained out éS Game of SKATE behind us, we all looked forward to the trip out to Cowtown Skateboards in Phoenix for what was guaranteed to be a hot Game of SKATE. Cowtown always turns it up full blast and the locals in Phoenix always bring the talent. Hmmmm, do you think this might have something to do with a plethora of killer skateparks and great street spots to refine their skills on? This year’s éS Game of SKATE at Pecos Skatepark held true to everything we had learned to expect when we roll into town: hot temps, hundreds of eager kids ready to play SKATE, great hosts in Cowtown and a beautiful sunset during the finals. Locals Ryan Dent, Andrew Cannon, Simon Lambey, John Moore and Britt Rutan all battled their way into the top 10 with Britt Rutan and John Moore advancing to the finals to battle brothers Ruben and Diego Najera for that top spot. Only 13 years old, Diego Najera from El Centro, California, showed no mercy, not even for his own brother, and proved it was no fluke that he made it into the finals. Rumor has it he begged his Dad to drive him to Phoenix from El Centro and his Dad only reluctantly agreed when Diego bravely declared, “If you get me there, I will win.” We predict you’ll be seeing a lot more of this kid in the near future!