Event Recap: The Red Bull Floating Skatepark visits STL!

The Red Bull Mississippi Grind visited Downtown St. Louis (via a GIANT 195-foot Barge) this past weekend! We couldn’t wait to watch five amazing pro skaters in action! The demo featured Luis Tolentino, Joey Brezinksi, Ronnie Creager and Kenny Anderson, along with a few small-town skaters.

The Floating Skatepark will make four stops on its 28 day adventure departing in Twin Cities and continuing on to Davenport, St. Louis, and finally New Orleans. Each stop will be jam-packed with extreme skate demos from world-class Red Bull and Converse athletes.

Some of the athletes in action on the barge!

 

Renowned skate park builders Spohn Ranch & Mark Leski developed the innovative course, which includes a hubba ledge, and a double stair set.

Well known for its skateboarding culture, New Orleans was chosen as the final stop in the Floating Skatepark tour. A three day celebration beginning October 7th and concluding October 9th will be held in downtown New Orleans.

The closing ceremony will be dedicated to Red Bull’s donation of the massive skate structure to the City of New Orleans! So exciting!

To see more photos from the event, check out our Facebook Album here:  http://on.fb.me/qPvDmX!

Antonio Rodriguez – Glik Skate Team Member

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Antonio Rodriguez is the first member of our Glik Skate Team.  We sat down with him and asked him a few questions about his experiences, his favorite tricks and skaters and his style.

Antonio won our tickets for Street League 2011 in Kansas City.  How was your experience?  Where did you sit?  Who did you hang out with?  What were your favorite tricks and skaters?

A: Amazing!  I don’t even know what else to say.  We sat behind all the pros.  There were a lot of people there.  We had VIP tickets and there was a lounge for us to hang out in.  Torey Pudwill and Sean Malto were there.  We sat right behind P. Rod. (Paul Rodriguez).  Niyjah Huston won both that day in Kansas City and at the Street League in Seattle.  He’s pretty awesome because he’s such a young guy.  My favorite trick in the contest was the one Niyjah won with, a nollie inward heelflip off the bump over the hubba.  After the whole event, they had a best trick run and all the pros went at it.  My favorite trick there was Tommy Sandoval’s front side flip late shove it.

June 21st was Go Skate Day, what did you do for it?  Where did you go?

A:  I filmed with Elliot Glik.  He was trying to kill me. (laughs) He kept saying, “It has to be cool, dude.”  He had me ollie over a gap fire hydrant.  We were about to leave and I finally landed it.  It was in St. Robert.

What’s your favorite skate trick?  How long did it take you to learn it?

A: Tre-flip aka 360-flip.  It took me 4 days.

Who is your skate idol?

A:  I look up to all of them.  It’s hard to pick.  They’re all my favorite.  I hate them at the same time because they make the sport harder.

What blogs do you read?

A: Me and my friends in St. Louis actually have a blog at we-are-the-city.blogspot.com.  I don’t get on the Internet much.  My friend will be like, “Dude, there’s a picture up of you,” and I’ll just say, “Cool, I’ll see it the next time I get on in about three years.”

What is your favorite brand of skate shoes?

A: I really like Fallen.  It’s kind of why I have the tattoo. (Antonio has a sweet tat of “Fallen” on his arm)  I like Vans shoes.  Those are really the only skate shoes I like.

Antonio's Fallens

What brand is your go-to brand for skateboards?

A: Plan-B is good.  Elements are good, they’re really light.

And hardware?

A: Probably Shorties because they are the only ones who make the really really small bolts I use.

Why do you love Glik’s?

A: I like the fact they put on contests in smaller areas, like the Olliepalooza.  I guess that makes sense because you guys are in smaller areas.  The products, obviously, I wouldn’t shop there if I didn’t like your products.