Kevin “K-Rimes” Reimer won the 15th annual Attack of Danger Bay longboarding competition on May 22 for the fourth year in a row. Reimer has won a total of six out of 15 years.
Reimer – originally from Vancouver, now living in Santa Barbara, Calif. – finished first, with Troy Yardwaste from Vancouver in second and Laine Jackart, also from Vancouver, in third.
Organizer Bricin Lyons estimated that almost 200 longboarders competed through seven rounds of racing in Danger Bay 15. This was the biggest year yet, according to Lyons.
“We got people from Puerto Rico, Brazil, Colombia, Australia, England, New Zealand, Peru, California, Colorado, New York – it’s the biggest it’s been ever,” Lyons said.
Each heat consisted of four riders, with the top two from each advancing to the following round. The champion was determined through a single elimination, tournament-style bracket.
Spectators could also participate somewhat by picking a fantasy longboarding team. Judges tracked the progress of each team member and assigned scores. The people who picked the first, second and third fantasy teams got to share in a little of the glory – and prizes.
Despite a high turnout of fans and record participation, Lyons said that Danger Bay took a big hit in sponsorship this year.
“We lost five of our biggest sponsors this year,” Lyons said. “The skate industry has really kept this race going for the last 10 years.
“The first five years we had a lot of local sponsorships, but ever since then the skate industry took over and sponsored our event for the last 10 years. The local sponsorship has gone down, so we really need to continue this event and the success of it relies on the support we’re getting from the Sunshine Coast.”
The Attack of Danger Bay ran from May 19 to the 25th in Pender Harbour, with the main race on Sunday.
The week-long event also featured the grind push race, road rash rumble race, slide competition, live music, camping, skateboard hockey and more, with over $8,000 in
cash prizes.
