by Scott Albright
Daily Lobo
On Saturday the Silver Board Shop held its Silver Skate Jam '05, which consisted of skateboarding, live music, break dancing, art and concession stands.
Silver Avenue was blocked off between Harvard and Yale so skaters could have the freedom to ride the ramps and rails that were placed outside the shop without having vehicles impede their riding. There was also a stage under a large tent that was set up for local bands.
Nicole Montes, owner of Silver Board Shop and a UNM student, said she created this event as a way to say thanks to her customers.
"Not enough businesses are putting on events," she said. "You got to give back to the people that support you."
Various genres of music blasted away from noon until 8 p.m. while skaters showed off on the many ramps and rails.
The bands included A La Faderz, Black Maria, Garbage Pail Kidz, Moksha Jehannum, Mystic Vision, Skull Control, 2 Bers and With These Weapons. The UHF B-Boy Crew was break dancing under the tent and a few local rappers did some freestyling at the end of the Garbage Pail Kidz set.
There was a game of Skate which is like the basketball game Horse, but the word skate is spelled out instead by doing tricks on the board.
There was also a longboard competition where riders raced down Silver Avenue from Girard to Harvard. The winners received a $100 gift certificate to the board shop.
"I'm just helping to bring the community in to step," said Ryan Ep, winner of the long board competition.
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No one was injured by vehicles driving through the area not cordoned off. Two police cars were parked at the finish line, which was of no use to the longboarders who were trying to dodge moving vehicles throughout the race. There was an effort to block off the remaining intersections, but it didn't work quite as planned.
Skaters under the age of 18 had to sign a waiver to participate and were not allowed in the longboard competition. Several younger skaters spent the day doing tricks on the mini ramp and catching air on the launch ramp.
Tom Beer, a 10-year-old skater, said being safe while skating is important.
"I always wear a helmet," he said. "I used to not wear pads but I almost broke my knee, so I wear them all the time now."
Daniel Zamora, another young skater, described how he hosts his own street competitions by setting up ramps at UNM.
"I'm gonna skate until I get a wheelchair," Zamora said. "If I can't stand up, I'll skate on my butt."
Montes has been operating the Silver Board Shop for almost two years.
She said students were sick of getting parking tickets and they use skateboards as a form of transportation to get around campus.
"The first week or so of school we'll probably sell the most longboards," Montes said.
