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Front Page  Events & Coverage Puerto Rico Schools District Downhill Racing Fest
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Puerto Rico Schools District Downhill Racing Fest |
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Written by Hector Valle
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Wednesday, 01 April 2009 |
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Puerto Rico Schools District
Downhill Racing Fest
FIRST EVER
SCHOOL DISTRICT
DOWNHILL COMPETITION
A new bar has been set for varsity sports at school district level. The announcements came out the school’s speakers sluggishly on a sunny Friday morning. The monotonous voice of the principal’s assistant read the routine highlights for the week, but today it was different. Out it came, for the first time ever anywhere, something that excited the senses and the imagination of the most athletic students in L.M. Rivera Junior High. Today the School’s Downhill Fest was announced, inviting all students at the schools to participate and to entice other schools in the district to participate. The announcement of this first ever downhill race was repeated throughout the Arecibo School’s District schools along the North Shore of the Island of Puerto Rico. The event echoed across the land like the announcement of an invading horde… Here comes the downhillers again… But this time it was different; this time the sport of downhill skateboarding took center stage in varsity sports, right along side traditional team sports and activities such as basketball, baseball and football.
Sunday morning, 29 March 2009 finally arrived and brought a sunny and warm day to hold the event at the legendary Guajataca Beach road # 113; home of the annual Guajataca Downhill races. 82 racers from all 10 schools in the district were signed up by 10:00 AM. A large crowd of family members and spectators assembled along the 2.3 km route to root for their favorite racer or school. A large number of volunteers from the Pirate Surf Club and the Luis Muñoz Marin Junior High covered the route in a variety of roles to ensure that the event was executed smoothly. Thanks to the School Principal, Mrs. Migdalia Barreto, this initiative was accepted by the school’s district leadership, and the groups of volunteers were organized to execute this event flawlessly.
The Town of Quebradillas and its Mayor, Heriberto Velez, sponsored the event, with trophies and a slew of resources to include the support of the State and Municipal police, as well as the Emergency Management Office. Each heat of skaters was escorted by 2 police motorcycles to ensure their safety and keep pedestrians, animals, and cars out of the race course. Super Ambulance Services provided emergency services for any riders that bit the dust in their heats and promptly treated by paramedics, and evacuated as necessary. Only 5 racers required treatment of their wounds, with no serious injuries.
The event ran smoothly throughout the day, as the different age groups charged the hill at speeds over 45 miles an hour. The girls and boys 10 to 13 were allowed their own categories at grade school level at ½ the course. Then the 14 to 17 age group represented their respective schools charged the full course for their school’s honor. After the schools encounter, the district allowed the organizers of the event and other guests to participate on an open “pot” where riders cashed in at over $250 in prize money. Bob Stack from Concrete Wave Magazine and his Miami based crew came down for this event and ended up having a great time racing and sharing good times with the locals. We want to thank all the sponsors like Abec 11, Bangee Bungee, Rayne Skateboards, Khiro Hardware, Ollie Pop Chewing Gum, Time Ship Racing, and Birdstown Surf and Skate for donating products to be given away as prizes for the students of the Arecibo School’s District who won their different age groups at these races. We look forward to the next event with even more schools from all overt the Island participating, and invite other school districts on the Mainland to organize events like these where we can travel and compete alongside other talented athletes of this great sport of downhill racing. Varsity sports beware, the bar has been set, let us know if you want to try and push higher…
The results for this first ever Schools Downhill Fest were as follows:
NIÑOS DE 10 a 13 AÑOS (Boys 10 to 13 years)
1st Place : Vidal Velez
2nd Place : Christian Guzman
3rd Place : Carlos barreto
NIÑAS DE 10 a 13 AÑOS (Girls 10 to 13 years)
1st Lugar : Akisha Soto
2nd Lugar : Jennifer Juan
3rd Lugar : Tiara Perez
MUJERES JOVENES: 14 a 17 AÑOS Jr. (Women 14 to 17)
1st Lugar: Naomi Cruz
2nd Lugar: Magdaliz REillo
JOVENES DE 14 A 17 AÑOS(Jr. Men 14 to 17)
1st Lugar: Jomar Guzman
2nd Lugar: Kenneth Barreto
3rd Lugar : Luis Ramos
OPEN – (Expert Riders)
18 to 29 years old:
1st Lugar: Carlos (Kirbo) Butler
2nd Lugar: Juan Rodriguez
3rd Lugar: Christian Rivera
30 to 39 years old:
1st Lugar: Hernan (Pito) Velez
2nd Lugar: Alexis (Troll) Rosa
3rd Lugar: Nestor Ocasio
40 and over:
1st Lugar: Noel (Noli) Soto
2nd Lugar: Hector (Pajaro) Valle
3rd Lugar: Arnaldo Garcia
4th Lugar: Robert Stack
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Last Updated ( Friday, 03 April 2009 )
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