The Whakapapa Spring Festival of Snowboarding
Spring is here and what better way to celebrate than a Half Pipe comp up at Whakapapa in the morning and a Skate comp over in Ohakune in the afternoon. A who's who of some of N.Z's top riders, including a large South Island contingent gathered for a classic day in the sun.
Whakapapa laid on perfect weather and with overnight efforts by their grooming crew produced a fun pipe, complete with music and beers for all. In this laid back atmosphere riders strutted their stuff.. N.Z womens champ Juliane Bray showing her top form to claim first place followed by Lucy Marcus and Pip Grant.
The standard of visiting riders gave locals a taste of how things have developed down south with Olly Burke going huge, with tight inverted spins to win followed by Glenn Howe and Jimmy Hunt, both pulling off very big smooth airs and stomped landings.
The afternoon saw the comp shift to Ohakune to the local skateboard ramp...With a huge crowd of local kids gathered to watch, the event entertained for hours before heading to local bar the Powder Keg for prizes and lots of Spring celebrations.
This event is part of the week long Snowboard Festival at Whakapapa.
The Whakapapa Spring Festival of Snowboarding