The CalStreets Throwdown at Bear Creek Skate Park went off in a big way.
After 19 years without a proper skate jam at Bear Creek, going all the way back to the Hippie Mike Tour de Surrey days, the park came alive again with skaters, families, sponsors, spectators, and the local scene all showing up strong. This was more than just a contest. It was a full-on community skate day, and the energy was unreal.
Presented by CalStreets and hosted by Chadd Sinclair and Rocke “Kevin Rocke” Lawson, the day was packed with skating, laughs, prizes, and pure stoke. Jams went down on the quarter pipe, tall bank, circle rail, and the step up, with skaters throwing down hard and pushing each other all day. There was also a race across the park and back, plus a scavenger hunt put together by Rocke that kept the fun rolling between sessions.
A huge thank you goes out to Rick Tetz at CalStreets and all the sponsors who helped make the day possible. Save-On-Foods kept everyone fuelled with snacks and drinks, K’s Pizza Kitchen came through with pizza for the crowd, and Parallel 49, Sneaky Weasel, Dead Frog, Strange Fellows, and The Parkside Brewery helped support the adult side of the refreshments. The BC Lions also donated two tickets, which was a killer bonus.
Big respect to Mark Melyukov, who filmed the event even though he was dealing with a broken hand and couldn’t skate. That is real scene support. Mark is a serious shredder, and we can’t wait to see him back on the board at the next one. The video was edited by Chadd Sinclair, helping lock in the memories from an incredible day.
A very special shoutout goes to Ryan Clark of Media Slave Productions, the contest photographer who was out there shooting all day and even after the event wrapped up. Most of the amazing photos from the Bear Creek Throwdown were captured by Ryan, and we want to make sure he gets full credit for helping document such a huge day for the local skate community.
We were also honoured to have MLA Elenore Sturko make a special appearance to show support for the skateboard community. Having that kind of recognition means a lot, especially for an event bringing life back to Bear Creek after nearly two decades.
The first skate jam at Bear Creek Skate Park in 19 years was an absolute banger. Thanks to everyone who showed up, donated, skated, filmed, shot photos, volunteered, sponsored, cheered, and helped bring the stoke back to Bear Creek.
See you at the next one.
Ryan clark is a photographer shooting under names Media Slave Productions for Skateboarding and FILTH photography for models, concerts and everything not skateboarding related.
Ryan has been a photographer for 6 years originally starting in skateboarding under the name Ripper Sk8 Mag where he was trained and supported by Hippie Mike to give a proper foundational sense of how to do skateboard photography and the logistics behind it.
From there Ryan has shot every major skateboard event in the lower mainland such as every stop of the bowl series, the official 7 Gen Cup photographer, shot for Canada skateboard, the World Round Up, Vans Park series and many many more community events.
“For me skateboard photography isn’t a career path, its not a medium to try to generate financial gains, its about using photography to become a better human being and trying to support the friends around you”