Red Bull Manny Mania 2012 - Have you entered?

The winner of the 2011 Red Bull Manny Mania skateboarding contest, Moses Adams from Cape Town, executes a highly technical manual during the 2011 final. Adams went no to represent South Africa at the Red Bull Manny Mania grand final in New York, and the winner of the 2012 edition will follow suit, winning an all-expenses paid trip to NYC to take on the world's best skateboarders. (Photo © Tyrone Bradley/Red Bull Photofiles)

One of the most anticipated events on the South African skateboarding calendar, Red Bull Manny Mania, is set to embrace the digital realm this year, with entries to the event being via online video submission. Scheduled to take place on 9 June 2012 at the Wave House in Gateway, Durban, skaters wanting to enter can upload a 45 second video edit showcasing their skills on a manual pad to the international ‘Red Bull Manny Mania’ Facebook Page to stand a chance of qualifying for the final.

Centered around the ‘manual’ trick aka, the ‘manny’, the 2012 edition of Red Bull Manny Mania will be the third installment of the contest locally.  A Manny is essentially a skateboarding 'wheelie' - a balancing act that is a must-do in any new skateboarder’s skill set but can be made extremely difficult with limitless combinations.

The top three in the 2011 event - Moses Adams, Dlamini Dlamini and Dada Marumo - will automatically qualify for the 2012 final at Wave House. The skater that takes the 2012 Red Bull Manny Mania title will win an all-expenses paid trip to New York, USA, to represent South Africa in the world Red Bull Manny Mania world amateur finals.

Last year’s winner, Moses Adams, is looking forward to this year’s competition: “Getting to go to New York to represent South Africa was such a big experience for me and I really enjoyed it. I’m going to do my best to defend my title and go to the world finals again this year.”

Red Bull Manny Mania has seen thousands of participants put their two wheels to the ground in Red Bull Manny Mania events across the globe, from America and Europe, to Africa and the Middle East. Who will join the best this year? Who will be the chairman of the United Nations of skate? Red Bull Manny Mania 2012 provides an opportunity for one skater to battle their way from their neighbourhood streets to the biggest stage in the world.

To enter, head to www.facebook.com/redbullmannymania.



*Entry into Red Bull Manny Mania is restricted to:
- Anyone aged 14 (as of June 9, 2012) or older who is a resident of South Africa.
- Amateur athletes (i.e. those who have entered a contest at the professional level at any point or have had a signature product sold in stores or received royalties from a product are not allowed to enter the competition.)

List of participating countries:
Argentina
Australia
Belarus
Belgium
Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Denmark
France
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Netherlands
Peru
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States

For further information contact Hayley Venter on hayley.venter@za.redbull.com or 0839626755.

Manny Mania South Africa

Skaters in Jozi had a busy weekend with both the JHB qualifiers, on Saturday, followed the next day by the SA Finals of the Red Bull Manny Mania.

Kanya looked pretty stoked to make the Finals.

Kanya Spani of Sandown won the qualifier for Red Bull Manny Mania 2011 at the Revolution Skate Park in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.  He and 3 other qualifiers the event went on to compete in the South Africa finals of Red Bull Manny Mania, the largest international event for amateur manual skaters.

“I feel really stoked about winning. It was unexpected, so I’m really stoked. I'm a little nervous about the final, but I know most of the skaters so it's going to be fun.”

The Manny Mania 2011 Finalists

From 32 competitors at the event today, the three other skaters selected to compete in the final included: Anthony Monalonca, Dada Marumo and Michael Bervoets.

Moses on his way to the win.

The final day kicked off and the pressure was on. In the end Dlamini Dlamini from La Lucia and Dada Marumo from Johannesburg finished second and third, receiving prizes from Session magazine and Element.

According to Red Bull Manny Mania judge Brendan Body of Session magazine it was a very difficult competition to judge, due to the high level of skating. 

Moses Adams from Milnerton was the winner of Red Bull Manny Mania 2011 in South Africa, held at the Revolution Skate Park in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.  He beat out 12 other finalists at the South African finals as part of the largest international event for amateur manual skaters.

“I didn't expect to win, but gave it my all. At the end my legs were so tired and numb, so I just tried to act like I was alone at the park skating. And I thought, if I can pull this off then maybe I can win. The event was awesome, I had fun and now I'm exhausted.”

Moses Adams will be flown to New York City on an all expenses paid trip to represent South Africa at the Red Bull Manny Mania World Final for amateurs on August 20, 2011. The winner of this event will get a chance to step into the big leagues by competing in the invite-only Red Bull Manny Mania Pro Event, on Sunday, August 21 in New York City.

For more information on Red Bull Manny Mania:

• Visit www.redbull.co.za
• Follow @RedBullZA (#MannyManiaZA)

All images: Red Bull Media House / Tyrone Bradley

Red Bull Manny Mania - Stellenbosch

Kieran stoked with his first place at Red Bull Manny Mania (Photo: Kolesky)

The Red Bull Manny Mania event in Stellenbosch was really good. I never truly realized now many variations of the classic skate manual were possible. Check out all the action on me video -

Cape Town, 4 June, 2011 – Three local skaters have shown that they've got what it takes to head to Joburg on June 26 for Red Bull Manny Mania 2011, after winning today’s qualifying event at The Son Skate Park in Stellenbosch. They beat out 25 other skaters and will join qualifiers from three other events across South Africa as part of the largest international manual skating competition for amateurs.

“I’ve been working on my tricks and am amped to be representing Cape Town in the finals,” said Keiran Mans, the top skater at the Stellenbosch event. Moses Adams of Milnerton took second and third place went to Zuhandré Yslie of Goodwood.

The winner of the national final will be flown to New York City on an all expenses paid trip to represent South Africa at the Red Bull Manny Mania World Final for amateurs on August 20, 2011. The winner of this event will have a chance to step into the big leagues by competing in the invite-only Red Bull Manny Mania Pro Event on Sunday, August 21 in New York City.

The Finals happen tomorrow in Jozi!

For more go to Red Bull Manny Mania

Red Bull Manny Mania - Meet SA Skater, Jean-Marc Johannes

Manny mania gets underway here in South Africa on Saturday. I will be at the Cape event with camera in hand. Joining me for the day as your liason to the event, will be Cape Town skater and Red Bull team rider, Jean-Marc Johannes - or Johnny as he likes to be called. So meet the man and get inside his head...

Resides: Cape Town, South Africa
Sponsors: Red Bull, Almost Skateboards, DVS footwear, Volcom Clothing, Sport Unlimited Stores and TuneBug

Recent achievements:
- Placed top-three in Ultimate X Games and PRO X Games in 2010.
- Placed 1st in the Advanced Category in Spring Tide contests (2007-2010).
- Given a spot in 2010 and 2011 from DAMB AM Costa Mesa to compete in DAMB AM contests.
- Placed 1st at the Street Cred 2010 contest.
- Placed top-5 and 1st in Best Trick at the NSA Buck Tour 2005, at the age of 15.

This is huge. Wonder if he landed Manual?

Jean-Marc got into skating at a very young age. He was exposed to extreme sports as he grew up alongside BMX rider Buddy Chellan, but wasn’t sure what direction to take. Eventually his neighbourhood friends all started skating, and a fire was ignited. After almost a decade competing, Jean-Marc has risen to the top.

Johnny is from the streets of Cape Town.

“Skateboarding has given me many things,” reckons Jean-Marc, looking back. “It has made me realize that being happy is the most important thing in life. Skateboarding has given me a sense of direction, and a focus in life. It has helped me realize who I am.”
Jean-Marc is well known for thinking up new and crazy tricks, and more often than not, pulling them off. He explores concepts and ideas, and puts them into action; to the amazement of spectators and other skaters. Best Trick awards come his way, as well as accolades whenever he does something out of the ordinary.
Jean-Marc likes to compete against some of the best skateboarders; not just to be victorious, but to also learn so that he can to take his skateboarding to new heights.
The best thing about skateboarding, according to Jean-Marc, is the joy that it brings when he lands a new trick that, until that moment, has only been a visual in his mind.
Jean-Marc is also highly skilled in the forgotten art of switch, mastering most moves either regular or switch. He has a motto, ‘think fast, but move slow,’ which many people believe is the very reason why he hasn’t broken bones going for the massive moves he does. Also a skilled musician, when he’s not skating, Jean-Marc is on his guitar.

For more check out Craig Kolesky's Youtube

Red Bull Manny Mania is coming to South Africa

Its about time this happened to be honest. South African skaters deserve some international exposure and now Red Bull are going to supply a vehicle for this through the Red Bull Manny Mania tour of South Africa. I cannot wait, its such a unique skate event! For the second year running Manny Mania comes to our southern shores and I will be keeping you in touch, informed and entertained for the duration.

The origin of Red Bull Manny Mania lies with master skate pro and Red Bull rider Joey Brezinski.  The concept for the contest is based on one simple trick: the Manual.  The basics of a skateboard manual are essentially balancing on either the front or back two wheels. From that simple exercise in control spring limitless variations, each more difficult and complex than the previous. A manual trick can involve rotations, flips, grinds and riding switch. Only the best can do all of these consistently, and Manny Mania is about showing mastery: it’s no place for one trick wonders.

Joey was inspired to create Manny Mania by the lack of contest focus on this style of skating. "At the time there wasn't any technical trick contest going on and that's the way a lot of skaters and I skate, so I thought it would be a good idea."

Big Manuals are the order of the day!((c)Alejandro Mercado/Red Bull Content Pool)

Manny Mania has grown in leaps and bounds and is entering it’s 4th year. Back in 2007, located at Venice Beach, California, the first annual Red Bull Manny Mania was a relatively small event. Some of the pros taking part were Kenny Anderson, Danny Montoya, Daniel Castilo and Chris Roberts, plus of course Joey Brezinski. The format was an instant hit and shortly after New York City hosted their own Red Bull Manny Mania in the city of Manhattan. The response was even bigger than its West Coast inspiration.

In full force, 2008's Red Bull Manny Mania was again in Manhattan, New York City and the turnout defied even the most optimistic of expectations.  Crowds flooded to the venue in the thousands to watch heavy hitters such as Brandon Biebel, Jason Dill, Eric Koston and Stevie Williams, names synonymous with amazing technical approaches to skating.

In 2009 Manny Mania took its first tentative steps into the international arena with an event in the UK. As expected, skaters beyond America’s shores enthusiastically embraced the contest and 2010 saw a rapid expansion into several other countries, including a qualifier held right here in South Africa at Wave House Durban, won by Simon Stipich. Simon flew to NYC to compete against fellow qualifiers from around the world for a single coveted spot in the pro invitational.

Simon Stipich will be charging for SA ((c)Tyrone Bradley/Red Bull Content Pool)

2011 has followed precedent and is even bigger with 34 countries taking part in regional qualifiers. South Africa will be hosting qualifying events and a grand qualifier featuring the best tech skaters from around the country. It’s a chance for one of our talented locals to show their skill on skating’s biggest stage.

I will be along for the ride and keeping you up to date with the events. Also look out for profiles on top riders you can expect to see at the Manny Mania events.

• June 4: Son Skate Park (Stellenbosch)

• June 11: Element Skate Park (Jeffreys Bay)

• June 18: Wave House Skate Park, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga (Durban)

• June 25: Revolution Skate Park, Festival Mall, Kempton Park (Johannesburg)

• June 26: Finals – Revolution Skate Park, Festival Mall,Kempton Park (Johannesburg)