Pender Harbour’s Dane Hanna placed first in China’s Fortune Hill Challenge – a twisting, hazardous downhill longboarding competition in Yichang, Hubei province, which ran from April 21 to 23.
“It was a really hectic hill, super fast, super steep, super [curvy],” Hanna said. “One side was a cliff, the other side was guard rails, so they covered the whole track with hay and put a net on there so no one would fly off. It was crazy.”
Hanna wasn’t the only longboarder to comment on the track. Louis Pilloni with Sector 9 – who placed second – called the track “very technical and complicated” in a promotional piece on longboardmania.ru.
James Kelly with Prism Skate Co. was quoted on the same website; he called Fortune Hill “one of the most impressive places I have ever been.”
For Hanna, the most challenging part of the course was a fast section going into a corner.
“Everyone was crashing there,” Hanna said. “I think I crashed there a few times. When the weather – and the pavement – was colder, it was a lot easier to take the corner. But everyone started crashing after awhile. That was probably the most difficult part.”
Hanna attributed his victory to consistency and being able to take the sharp turns while staying on his board. Also, “just being able to take the course as fast as possible without [defecating] my pants,” Hanna said. “It was a pretty scary course.”
The Fortune Hill Challenge is 1.5 km long with a vertical drop of 220 metres and a maximum slope of 14 degrees.
Hanna also managed to fit in some time exploring Shanghai, which he said was an eye-opening experience.
“It was super awesome,” Hanna said. “Good weather all the way through, super eye-opening. The nature there is just crazy and the buildings over there are just beautiful. They’re super huge. We went up to the top of one of them, it was just crazy. All the way through it was just an amazing time.”
Hanna rides with Team Irene from Pender Harbour.
“I couldn’t have done it without Team Irene, my parents and Rayne Longboards,” Hanna said. “I’d like to give a shout-out to them, they were awesome.”
Longboarding will return to Pender Harbour this month with the Attack of Danger Bay 16, running May 19 to 24. Registration is open at www.coastlongboarding.com
