Press Release:
The voting was fierce – and close – but after more than 100,000 votes were cast Transitions Skatepark nudged ahead of Anime To Skateboards by 2,147 votes and left ten other shops in the dust. Both shops, however, get the golden ticket to compete at Bangers For Bucks at Surf Expo, January 6-8, 2011. One of the most prestigious skate shop contests anywhere, Bangers For Bucks will pit nine skate shop teams against each other as they battle for $15,000 in cash and merchandise credit.
Held on a specially designed Team Pain street course, Bangers For Bucks is sponsored by Vans, Skullcandy, and Eastern Skateboard Supply.
Make no mistake, Transitions, located in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, was in it to win it from the beginning. Not only were they the first shop to enter when the call for nominations went out, they also logged the first vote when the polls opened at midnight two weeks ago. And there at the end, with only seconds to go before the polls closed, they were still at it.
Transitions has been supporting the metro-Detroit skateboard scene with a great ramp set-up and a fully stocked pro-shop. Check out photos of the skatepark here. Let’s hope they bring their skills come January, because this year’s field is stacked with talent:
Bangers For Bucks Qualifying Shops
Defending Champion: Progressive Skatepark from Canton, Georgia
3rd Lair Skatepark from Golden Valley, Minnesota
Blacklist from Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Midtown Skatepark from Orlando, Florida
Bluetile Skateshop from Columbia, South Carolina
Graffiti Skate Zone from Palm Beach, Florida
Orlando Skatepark from Orlando, Florida
Transitions Skatepark from Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Anime To Skateboards from Southgate Michigan
“As time grows near for the 2nd annual showing of Bangers For Bucks at Surf Expo. I can’t help but get excited,” says Martin Ramos, contest manager and owner of Kona Skatepark. “Last year’s event raised the bar when it comes to shop team contests. “
Progressive received an invitation to defend their title at this year’s contest. Six other slots were chosen through a series of three Top Shop qualifiers held around the country. “With the success of last year’s contest, Team Pain stepped up its presence and has devised a one-of-a-kind course for the contest,” says Ramos. “The riders are going to be stoked and the audience will get a show they will not soon forget. The head-to-head format makes for a ‘do or die’ approach and creates some intense action. I can’t wait to see who will come out on top!”
The nine shops competing at Bangers For Bucks will receive will receive free accommodations in Orlando during Surf Expo, media exposure, coverage on surfexpo.com, several planned catered events, an opportunity to take home thousands of dollars in cash and prizes for the skaters themselves and their shop, and access to influential leaders of the skate industry. They’ll also claim bragging rights to the Bangers For Bucks title for the year.
“The fact that Surf Expo has adopted a shop team event shows they understand that it’s not only about the rock stars,” says Ramos. “Recognizing the guys in the trenches is what it’s all about. The core shops and parks these riders represent are the true roots of skateboarding•our foundation. Keeping things in line with shops and parks only make sense and Bangers For Bucks does just that.”
But Wait, There’s More
Not only will this year’s Surf Expo feature the second annual Bangers For Bucks contest, the most prestigious shop contest in America, it will also feature The Quiksilver All 80s All Day Vert Challenge.
Quiksilver is set to bring some of the world’s most popular skaters to the world’s number-one action sports trade show. Quiksilver’s All 80s All Day Vert Challenge will be open to the public, but Banger competitors and all Surf Expo attendees get VIP admission.
Check out the highlights from the Quiksilver All 80’s All Day Vert Challenge held at Quiksilver HQ in Huntington Beach. Then prepare to join Quiksilver in reliving one of the greatest generations in skateboarding at Surf Expo on January 7.
About Surf Expo
With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Surf Expo is the largest and longest-running trade show for the board/beach/fashion industry (34 years). Surf Expo is held in January and September in Orlando, Florida, and draws buyers from specialty stores across the U.S., the Caribbean, Central and South America and around the world. Surf Expo is endorsed by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA); the Board Retailers Association (BRA), and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA).
