Skateboarding is a lifestyle as much as a sport, which means skating events are about far more than just the judges’ scores. This is clear at Tampa Pro, a weekend-long celebration of creativity that brings professional skaters and fans together every year on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Almost all the big names on the pro skating scene have competed here, and the list of winners since 1995 reads like a who’s who of the top board riders in the world. Olympic medallists Shane O’Neill and Jagger Eaton are among the recent victors, alongside living legends of the sport like Nyjah Huston. Even Tony Hawk himself has dropped into competition in Tampa, claiming the crown in the 1998 Vert Finals.
One of the keys to the enduring popularity and prestige of this event is the annually changing street course. The Skatepark of Tampa hosts the contest, and each year the venue reimagines the journey skaters will take in their bids to score big. This means that every edition of Tampa Pro provides new opportunities for radical tricks.
A panel of judges watches the skaters as they showcase their originality and skill in qualifying rounds. Assigning points based on difficulty, execution, style, creativity, variety, and use of the course, the judges whittle the competitors down until 12 remain to skate in the Finals. Each skater then has 3 chances to perform their 1-minute run, with only the best score counting towards their ultimate result. When every finalist has skated, the pro with the top score will take home USD $10,000 and the knowledge that their name sits on a list with the all-time greats.
Tickets are available now for this spring festival of skateboarding, with single day passes ranging from USD $15 for Friday entry to $35 for Sunday’s Finals. If you don’t want to miss a second of the action, Weekend passes offer access to every day of the event for just $70.
These tickets don’t just guarantee close-up enjoyment of the best skaters on the planet; as all enthusiasts would agree, skateboarding is about more than just the numbers on the scoresheet. When the main judging is done for the day, Tampa Pro keeps going with evening parties, live music, and special trick events. Daily tickets get you into the nightlife on your designated date, while Weekend passes give you access to every party throughout the 3 days.
Don’t miss this skateboarding fiesta – get your tickets now!
