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Showing posts with label manny mania tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manny mania tour. Show all posts
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.
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.
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.
So the peeps in South Africa are getting pretty amped on the upcoming Red Bull Manny Mania tour in June. So much so, that I thought it would be a good idea to give you guys some info on the man who started the whole thing. So ladies and gents, meet...
Joey Brezinski (c)Yoon Sul/Red Bull Content Pool
Sponsors: Red Bull, Cliché Skateboards, Autohbahn Wheels, Diamond, Adio Shoes, FKD Bearings, Val Surf, Skatepark of Tampa Party Team, Independent Truucks
Hometown: Venice CA
Stance: Goofy
How did you hook up with Red Bull?
This story again? I sent out a Sponsor Me Tape. No, that’s not real. It was on the Red Bull Seek & Destroy, my team won, we went partying and they offered to have me ride for Red Bull and I did. I took the opportunity.
How did you come up with the concept for Manny Mania?
I was a rail dude and I just wanted to change my direction. My legs were getting sore form jumping down the Carlsbad Gap and I saw Daewon Song skate and said, “I want to do that.” No, that’s not right. It was me and Jeff Regis talking. Regis knew I skated a certain way so we just came up with the concept of doing a contest for tech skating. Is that what I do? Tech skating?
Why is it not called the Joey Brezinski Manny Mania?
It was originally going to be called Joey Brezinski’s Manny Mania and that was the only thing I was opposed to. I didn’t want my name on it because I didn’t want to jinx it. I don’t think it would’ve worked if it had my name on it. I definitely would’ve lost every time.
Is there a jinx associated with self-endorsed skate contests?
Yeah, I don’t think anyone has ever won one that they self-endorsed. If you self-endorse a contest, you’re definitely going to lose. Ask Eric Koston about his Game Of Skate or Reese Forbes about his High Ollie Contest.
Tell me, when did you invent the manual?
I didn’t invent it. I think it was invented in the 70s. Who was the dude that used to do the crazy G-turns? Wasn’t there footage of Stacey Peralta doing it with a ponytail, hanging ten, doing long mannies back then?
Joey Brezinski at training: Nollie heelflipping out of nose manual up the bank, then landing back to manual down the other side (c)Shad/Red Bull Content Pool
Maybe he is your father?
He should be. But who did invent the manual? That is the real question.
I’m going to say Rodney Mullen, since he invented everything.
No, he didn’t do it. I thought that ballerina guy from the old Powell videos did.
Oh. Dan Gesmer. No. I’ll say Brandon Biebel.
Yeah, he invented the switch manual.
I’m sure you’re asked this a lot but what is a manual?
The definition of a manual? It is a skateboard maneuver, skating on two wheels, balancing without hitting your nose or tail. Do you want me to use it in a sentence?
Please.
That guy right there just did a nose manual and lost control and fell on his face and knocked his two front teeth out.
Now spell it.
T-e-a-t-h. No, that’s not how you spell teeth is it. T-e-e-t-h. Man, I spelled teeth wrong.
That’s your other area of expertise, how could you spell it wrong?
My teeth were in the way when I was spelling it.
2010 is the fourth year of the Manny Mania contest. What’s going to be different this year?
Four years strong. Hoverboards this year; there’s no wheels. Michael J. Fox is going to show up. No, I guess harder maneuvers are going to go down, I hope. I’m definitely trying to learn some hard ones.
What tricks are you working on? Can you say?
The Viagra Manual; that’s getting harder.
Do you plan on doing better in 2010 Manny Mania than you did in 2009?
Yes, definitely.
Is it possible to do worse?
I definitely hope not.
Are you nervous now that Brandon Beibel rides for Red Bull that— They’re going to call it Brandon Beibel’s Manny Mania this year?
Yes. No, he’s a homie.
Could you beat him in an arm wrestling match?
If we go left arms.
How do you feel about a second day of Am Manny Mania being added this year?
I think it’s rad because there’s no Back To The Banks; they needed to do something on one of the days. Might as well watch the ams kill it.
There are 25 countries involved in the Am contest. Do you think any of them matter other than America?
Maybe Haiti. Is there one in Haiti? Haiti Mania?
But the cream of the crop of skateboarding is based in America...
Wow, this is turning into the Olympics. As long as U.S. ams don’t choke they can bring home the gold for America but there’s good kids all over the world.
Who are some guys you like from your native country? That are good at manuals?
Ray Maldonado. Steven Webb, Justin Shulte and Marty Murowski. How about that Flip dude? He’s good at manuals. Oh, he’s not from America—nevermind.
There are 25 countries involved in this year’s am contest. And you have to visit all of them.
I’m looking forward to Iceland. Wait! Greenland is covered in ice, right?
I think they all are except South Africa.
Perfect. I don’t really have to go to all 25 countries, do I?
No, but if you could, which country would you like to go to?
I want to go to China, I haven’t been there yet. Or Taiwan. I’d like to see how things are made. Everything is usually made in Taiwan,
Who are some of the pros in this year’s contest that people should be afraid of?
Stevie Williams probably. Brandon Biebel.
Two years ago Stevie destroyed the early rounds—
And then he fucked up. I don’t know what happened. I thought he had it. I was like, “Stevie is on point.” That’s the thing, if you rush it and do really well in the beginning you’re going to tire yourself out for the finals. I’ve noticed the people that kill the first heat, the second heat they slow down and by the third heat they’re just dead.
The dates and locations for this year’s qualifying events in South Africa are:
·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)
Each participating country will hold qualifying events, selecting athletes to participate in a national final; the winner of which will represent their homeland at the Red Bull Manny Mania World Final for amateurs in New York City 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.
