Skate the Hate (STH) is a New England blade competition, organized each year by Gabe Holm on the hottest and most humid day of the year, in the middle of nowhere Massachusetts. Despite these things, STH also happens to continually be my favorite event of the summer. The unique location allows for the entire competition to go down at a single spot, local sponsors get a chance to open shop, and the entrepreneurial bladers light up their grills and open food stands. Like any event, it’s also a great way to spend the day with friends and familiar faces.

It’s amazing to see how much STH has grown over the past 5 years. This year I watched rented U-Hauls, moving trucks and pick-ups deliver some of the craziest homemade pvc rails and boxes I’ve seen to date. If there wasn’t enough to skate at the school (with posted signs that allow skating on the property after school hours) already, there was definitely something for everyone this year.

I spent the majority of the day selling shirts with Chris while trying to fight off a full force sinus infection and 101° fever, but we made sure to temporarily close up shop to catch all the action during the open division. There is no doubt in my mind that everyone who skated pushed themselves to their limits; an old hockey coach once told me, “If you don’t fall, you aren’t trying hard enough.” Those words certainly rang true as we watched body meet pavement again and again. But like true warriors they kept on going, the competition pushed on and Mike Dempsey was named the winner. Mike skated each round creatively and consistently and absolutely destroyed the final spot; it was also hard not to notice the smile on his face the entire day. And in the end, it’s all about skating with friends and having fun, which is exactly what he did. Congratulations buddy.

I could attempt to go into a long detailed list of the tricks that went down, but my words wouldn’t do justice to the job that Mark Golembeski and Mark Rosen did capturing the atmosphere of the event in the edit above. I’d assume you’ve already watched it or at least have it loading, and hope you enjoyed it. And be sure to keep an eye out for Black Bandit Media’s next online video and sequel to “Breakfast,” coincidentally named “Lunch,” coming soon!

On behalf of everyone in attendence, I’d like say thanks to Gabe and everyone who contributed to make the event possible. Hope to see you all again next year. — Jamie Murrett

Skate the Hate – 2010 Results:

Open Skate Division:

1st Place: Mike Dempsey – 23 – Cheshire, CT

2nd Place: Mark Wjoda – 21 – Louisville, KY

3rd Place (tie): Julio Amiama 29 – Boston, MA / Ben Zerfuss 22 – Weymouth, MA

Grom – 20 and Under:

1st Place: Dave Hartnet – 17 – Cumberland, RI

2nd Place: Dylan Hopp – 17 – Warwick, RI

3rd Place: Ryan Strout – 19 – Cape Elizabeth, ME

4th Place: Cam Mann – 16 – Foxboro, MA

OG: 30 and Older:

1st Place: John Williams – 34 – Taunton, MA

2nd Place: Brett Labelle – 30 – Portland, ME

3rd Place: Eric Dalnas – 33 – Cranston, RI

For additional coverage, including the Grom and OG divisions, check out this extended edit by Gabe Holm.