For adventure-loving skateboarders, there is no greater thrill than the next gravity-defying trick they’re about to land. Whether it be off a rail or a flight of the stairs, the body-bending adventure is usually always in the name of fun, practice, and good times – just not when a world crown is at stake.
Street League Skateboarding’s 2014 SLS Nike SB Super Crown World Championship was held this past Sunday, August 24th, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and tensions were as high as the skaters’ unbelievable maneuvers. Elite skateboarders from around the country came together to show off their moves, smoothly sailing off ramps, rails, benches, and more to compete for the largest prize in skate history: one million dollars.
Founded in 2010 by pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek, Street League Skateboarding is designed to promote growth, popularity, and acceptance of street skateboarding in every nook and corner around the world. Nike SB joined forces in 2013 in order to assist with SLS’ positive mission to serve and educate communities. What emerged from that fusion was the respected and highly competitive SLS Nike SB World Tour.
The yearly tour adventure hits world-famous arenas in the United States and transforms them into custom concrete skate parks that feature obstacles intended to emulate street scenes. Winners of each tour event receive a “Golden Ticket” that guarantees them a spot in the final Super Crown World Championship tour stop. Only eight skate professionals qualify in the end, making the Street League Super Crown Champion title that much more desired. We told you tensions were high.
This weekend, the eight pros that faced each other were: Torey Pudwill, Ishod Wair, Nyjah Huston, Matt Berger, Chaz Ortiz, Paul Rodriguez, Shane O’Neill, and Luan Oliveira. It was a tight shuffle for the win, but Nyjah Huston landed on top with a 51.5 score (SLS uses an instant-scoring format) and final Full Cab Flip Down the Impact Section into the bank trick. He also made SLS history by completing sweeping the 2014 season with a win in every stop – congrats, Nyjah!
Street League Skateboarding’s work isn’t over, though, and in truth, it never is. All year long, the SLS Foundation relentlessly works to travel to different cities in order to empower neighborhoods by building free, public skate spots and creating SLS Certified Skate Plazas that can host future events and programs. The SLS Foundation, along with Nike SB, understands the power of skateboarding, and the life-changing effects it can offer if you work, sweat, and – most importantly – believe in yourself hard enough. Just ask Nyjah.
