Video by Jeremy Riggs
Words and Photos by RancerStank
JT’s Bump N’ Grind at the legendary Dave Armstrong Extreme Park is quickly becoming one of the largest skate events in Louisville, Kentucky. There was $1000 on the line this year, so all the area thrashers came out. The warmup session was going down on the Sprak picnic table, as everyone got ready for the best of two runs preliminaries. Each one-minute run felt like an eternity in the 100-degree heat and high humidity.
Alex Handcock – Front Bluntal
With the crowd packed around the street section, seven skaters moved onto the finals. Local heroes like Alex Handcock and Anthony Smith got beaten down by the sweltering air, with only a few skaters able to pull their last run together. Local Home Skateshop’s team came to skate with Jake Clemmons taking third and Noah Long second. However, it was the Molotov Skateshop crew that really took the day. The first-place spot went to the Lexington legend Parker Blann, winning a Home board and $1K in cash!
Then it was time for the cash for tricks jam on the brand new Samio Rail Co. rainbow rail. This was a six foot long, nearly two and half foot high rainbow rail, on top of 5 feet of transition. Rail creator Sam Mullins laid down a buttery back smith, Landon Snawder’s boardslide was wild to watch, and even vert legend Paul Zitzter put on his street legs to give the rainbow a test drive. Though it was Molotov skater Anthony Dezaldivar that just set this whole thing off. He skated this renegade addition to the park like it had been there for a decade. His pole jam boneless and air walks were amazing.
As the skating continued, bands loaded in, and sound check commenced. It wasn’t long before the whole skatepark was a menagerie of thrashing on boards, in the mosh pits, and on stages. Even contest winner Parker Blann took to the stage, playing bass for These Eyes. The heat and humidity continued into the dark, but no one seemed to care. The party was off and another Go Skate Day ended. More Bumpin N’ Grindin to come next year.
Sam Mullins taking a smoke break on this back smith.
OG Paul Zitzer strapping on his street legs for this one
Parker Blann winning big. We love Parker, and we love his shirt.
Parker Blann with a front shove down the stairs.
Landon Snawder boardsliding in the dark.
The whole scene looks pretty sick.
JT showing off that cash money.
Jake Clemmons enjoying a refreshing drink on the jam.
Colin Aubrey getting krooked on the rainbow.
Anthony Smith with a perfectly executed hard flip.