Summer Bowlstice Longboard Festival 2018
A collaboration between Roots Longboards and the ATBShop crew saw our very own mini festival for the longboarders of the nation to get down and shred Watlingtons Soul Bowl with a mixture of live music, Dj’s, BBQs and some serious shredding all day, every day throughout the weekend.
Having started off with the perfect summer conditions you can imagine from the weekend prior to Summer Solstice, we where met with beautiful sunshine which with the push of the play button on the sound system, began to draw the crowds out of their houses and onto the grass around the bowl to see what gnarly lines where where happening.
With a BBQ in the evening to keep the stomachs full and the energy flowing; flood lights where placed around the bowl for all to ride while the live DJ’s; DJ Nelly and DJ Dom Etchells kept us grooving. Soon after we where met with the soothing tunes of the amazing Rujiero which gathered the crowd for what sparked into one of the greatest jam sessions we have ever seen. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning did we eventually see some down time!
An early morning down pour of rain cleared the air for the majority of the day as the weather was fighting for our corner and only just holding out for day two of Summer Bowlstice. With the clouds opening and closing on us, sharing their tears of delight upon the longboard festival it was unfortunate to say the band could not play in the unpredictable weather, however it did not dampen the spirits of the mighty as people continued to come and enjoy the head bopping sounds of the live DJ’s while getting involved in the bowl.
With riders years in experience willing to share their knowledge with the younger and upcoming generations of long boarders/ skaters, complete Roots Longboards where available to demo and learn on with the assistance of an instructor if needed. Those who progressed quickly even at the ages of 8+ and never having stepped onto a board before, took the bravery medal by dropping into the bowl without even the slightest hesitation!
As the day descended into an incredible sunset aluminating the sky with a red tinge, the flood lights made their second debut for another night time shred. With burning thighs, bruised hips and dead batteries it was time for some garage tunes and a relax around the campfire.
Day three saw some heavy heads as the setup for the final day came about with a flow of public coming to see whats going on. With riders lining up for a five man plus drop in for what the MC was calling a bit of “bowl jousting” the public where kept entertained as riders cheers’ed one another as they passed each other with Jimmy’s Ice Coffee.
With the weather yet again just about holding out for us, the kids took their chances at getting involved some of which having just purchased themselves a shiny new Roots custom Longboard! Finishing off the day and the high level of stoke to be had by all we hosted a raffle for the various donated prizes from Mindless Longboards, Roots Longboards, ATBShop and Jimmys Iced Coffee to help raise money for the local council to pay for a shelter to be built on the grounds. The final band to play and entertain the crowds both bopping at the sides and skating the bowl where the incredible King Bolete! As the day drew to an end the sense of envy for the sensation of it being Friday sank in and it was time to pack up, marking an end to the best weekend of the year.
A huge thank you to our sponsors; Mindless Longboards and Jimmy’s Iced Coffee for topping off the epic weekend with fantastic giveaways and prizes! An even bigger thank you to our musical geniuses that brought the vibes in force over the weekend; DJ Nelly, Rujiero, DJ Dom Etchells and King Bolete!
We look forward to seeing you all at next years Summer Bowlstice Longboard Festival 2019!
