Inside Elliot Sloan's Highland Showdown
Wiener takes all
On August 6, eight-time X Games medalist Elliot Sloan opened his backyard playground for the first-ever Highland Showdown. With one of the gnarliest vert ramp setups in the business, the Highland Showdown pitted skateboard vets against up-and-comers in a vert showdown, featuring 24 of the top vert skaters in the world. Here's an inside look at the action, which started off with a hot dog guy shredding Elliot's miniramp.
On August 6, eight-time X Games medalist Elliot Sloan opened his backyard playground for the first-ever Highland Showdown. With one of the gnarliest vert ramp setups in the business, the Highland Showdown pitted skateboard vets against up-and-comers in a vert showdown, featuring 24 of the top vert skaters in the world. Here's an inside look at the action, which started off with a hot dog guy shredding Elliot's miniramp.
Getting buck
It's always a pleasure to see Bucky Lasek skate, and this day was no different. Gap to backside tailslide.
It's always a pleasure to see Bucky Lasek skate, and this day was no different. Gap to backside tailslide.
Big and fast
Clay Kreiner goes fast, goes big and has a deep bag of tricks. Here is a massive stale fish on the far end of the ramp.
Clay Kreiner goes fast, goes big and has a deep bag of tricks. Here is a massive stale fish on the far end of the ramp.
On home turf
Tail grab fakie from Elliot Sloan. This was a set up air for the 720 he did on the opposing wall.
Tail grab fakie from Elliot Sloan. This was a set up air for the 720 he did on the opposing wall.
A large ollie
Where's his back leg? Oh yeah, it's laying flat against his board because he can do that, and it blows minds. Jimmy Wilkins floats a large ollie over the channel.
Where's his back leg? Oh yeah, it's laying flat against his board because he can do that, and it blows minds. Jimmy Wilkins floats a large ollie over the channel.
You don't see this everyday
This kickflip stalefish was a make from Italo Penarrubio. It's a cool looking trick that you don't see too often.
This kickflip stalefish was a make from Italo Penarrubio. It's a cool looking trick that you don't see too often.
Style matters
Lincoln Ueda always reminds us that style matters. This giant slob air was done just for the camera. His heat was already finished.
Lincoln Ueda always reminds us that style matters. This giant slob air was done just for the camera. His heat was already finished.
All day ripper
Talk about a deep bag of tricks. Moto Shibata was ripping all day.
Talk about a deep bag of tricks. Moto Shibata was ripping all day.
As it should be
After many years of never playing a show, Elliot Sloan stepped in as guitarist, and Nihilist played an amazing set. This is thrash metal as it should be.
After many years of never playing a show, Elliot Sloan stepped in as guitarist, and Nihilist played an amazing set. This is thrash metal as it should be.
Sound on sound
Omar Hassan bluntslides over the patio stairs, while David Gonzales and his band Ratt Black play a set.
Omar Hassan bluntslides over the patio stairs, while David Gonzales and his band Ratt Black play a set.
Going for a swim
After landing the bluntslide over the stairs, Omar Hassan rolled straight into the pool for a little refresher.
After landing the bluntslide over the stairs, Omar Hassan rolled straight into the pool for a little refresher.
Style and form
Even from afar, you can see the style and form Paul Luc Ronchetti has.
Even from afar, you can see the style and form Paul Luc Ronchetti has.
Podium winners
Paul Luc Ronchetti (left) took home third place, Moto Shibata (right) took second, leaving Clay Kreiner (center) with the win.
Paul Luc Ronchetti (left) took home third place, Moto Shibata (right) took second, leaving Clay Kreiner (center) with the win.
Throwing out surprises
Sam Beckett has such a great style and is always throwing out surprises in his runs, like a cab disaster revert. It's great, and it keeps things interesting. Here, he takes an invert to fakie.
Sam Beckett has such a great style and is always throwing out surprises in his runs, like a cab disaster revert. It's great, and it keeps things interesting. Here, he takes an invert to fakie.