ONE Staff / July 18th, 2011 / Events
EVENTS: The 2011 Popularity Contest is coming!

Randy Juarez Fakie 540 Top Soul as captured by B Smith in 2007.

Though we’ve never been, the Popularity Contest easily has the best comp/event name ever, and also seems to embrace a great vibe that puts fun first. Famously(?) started by the Sol Crew guys and centered at the Kamloops skatepark, this year the contest is moving south and taking place at the Penticton Youth Center, and we have to say the pics look promising. To get the scoop on the location change and everything there is to know about this year’s event we caught up with current organizer Matt Vigneux. This is what he had to say.

Matt, really quick, remind us all about the history of the Popularity Contest. It was started by the SOL Crew guys, right?

Yeah, from what I understand Outaline Skateshop in Vancouver used to have the Throwdown competitions, and when they lost interest in throwing them, which was around the same time the city of Kamloops (hometown of the SOL crew) built the biggest and best concrete park in Western Canada, the Pop Contest was born. It continued there for seven years, but this year we are mixing up the park, changing it to a new city, Penticton, BC.

So when and how did you take the reigns, and have you been to all of the events?

Unfortunately, I have not been to all of the events, as I grew up rollerblading on the other side of the country and have only lived out here for three years. But I have been lucky enough to attend the last three events. Two years ago I helped out Todd Mac with the judging and then he asked me to take over for last year, which was a last minute effort, but I was still pleased with the result. So I decided to do it again with a bit more notice, find a new city and park, and get a few more sponsors.

What have been some past highlights?

* At one of the first contests Mark Armitage (of the former Outaline Skateshop) humped some core old hateboarders leg who was calling on the whole crowd. I don’t know all the details but I remember an epic picture in an old issue of Be-mag.

* Dustin Werbeski has been a highlight at many a Pop contest. He’s held the title Mr. Popular three times, and his legendary tricks include 720 Mizou the gap to ledge and 900 the 12-stair set.

* The Max was a hole of a bar (now demolished) which held the after party for many Pops. Rumor has it that the money rollerbladers spent kept the place open. The legends include underage drinking, foam parties, break dancing competitions, backflips off pool tables, quadruple fisting beers, etc.

* Ross Anthony was nice enough to come through and compete while riding his motorbike to the Arctic Circle. Solid dude on a mission.

What makes Pop Comp different from other blade events, even other events in Canada?

Atmosphere; can’t quite explain it, but it’s definitely a combination of people and place. The setting is the British Columbia interior (this year specifically the Okanagan Valley), definitely some of the best scenery we have to offer, combined with the rollerbladers of BC and Alberta who like to get Hyphy on blades and at a party.

Popularity Contest 09 from Brent Volk on Vimeo.

Why should anyone who can hop in a car and get to BC be there?

Because if they don’t they are missing out on seriously good time, in a seriously gorgeous setting. If you’re driving, try to allow yourself a few days before or after to explore the amazing skateparks and scenery lining the highways in this part of the world.

Okay, Matt, thanks for giving us some more info. Anything else we need to know?

You should try and book a hotel soon, because there is an Ironman Race taking place in the city that weekend. Also, don’t forget to bring your helmet—the city has a by-law requiring it that I have to enforce during the comp.

Interview by Just Blade

Discussion / EVENTS: The 2011 Popularity Contest is coming!

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  • James Q - July 20th, 2011

    I luv it though

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