Clear Pathways and Competition Standards launched

For a long time, competitive skateboarders have wanted a clear directive in a pathway to global events.

Our team and other event organisers, have been on a committee with Skate Australia, to develop a system to give people clear identified pathways and standards.

We’re happy to announce that a Sanctioned ranking system has been established to deliver a path for skateboarders.

Daniel Woolley just competed at the world championships in Tokyo

What does it look like

Events will fall under 3 categories
Gold events - Highest Level and most points
Silver events - Second highest and second most points
Bronze events - Third highest level and third highest points

Events will be given their Gold, Silver or bronze Status based on accreditation level of judges, Prize money and other parameters.

Ranking points will be allocated for each sanctioned event with the higher the status of the event, the more points allocated.

Standards
Competitions that fall under the ranking will have minimum standards.
These are:
Street
Minimum 45 Second runs
Heats must have a minimum of 2 runs
Minimum of 2 runs and 3 best trick attempts for Street finals
Must run a heat and a final.

Park/Bowl
Heats must have 2 runs minimum
Finals must have a minimum of 3 runs.
Must have a heat and final.

This allows organisers to have a bit of mobility in their formats, while making sure a minimum standard is implemented.

Other standards include minimum judges, Prize money and accreditation level of judges. This Varies dependant on whether its a Gold, Silver or Bronze event.

Our favourite outcome - Minimum prize money standards
We’re extremely happy that Skate Australia agreed to enforce minimum prize money standards across Gold, Silver and Bronze events. These standards make sure skateboarders have more opportunity to earn income and make event organisers accountable to ensure funds are being better distributed across the community.

Which divisions are ranked?
Only the Mens and Womens divisions will be ranked for pathways. If you are a serious competitor, no matter what age, entering Mens or Womens is the best way to get on the radar.

Changes
As far as our event delivery goes, it’s business as usual. Experienced and trusted judges will have options to upskill in courses and accreditations, rather than replacing them with someone who has done a course and has no skills.

Our current formats fit the criteria of sanctions, so we will run the formats you love at events.
Cash grabs and Jams will remain and there shouldn’t be any changes to the event experience on the day.

Whats Next

We’ve started off straight away with the season by having the BMD Southern Rumble Sanctioned on January 20 as a Silver level event.

We will look to have the others sanctioned earlier in the new year, and roll out more park/bowl events throughout the year.