Well, another Blading Cup is in the books. Maybe we should call it “Blading Cup Classic,” because as the long-running event spreads its wings to other far-off international destinations, Santa Ana remains its home. So each November when skaters descend on Southern California for one more pre-winter fling through the spots and sunshine, it’s a time not to be missed. Which is why NYC –> Portland transplant Drew Humphrey was on the scene to experience the activities and document the action. Read on for a selection of digital medium format photos and a little sense of how it all came together. See you there next year!
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2025 marked another Blading Cup for downtown Santa Ana, in the parking lot right behind Them skate shop. I saw old friends, made new friends, and noticed a lot of missing faces. The turnout may not have been as strong as previous years, but the skaters still went big and gave it their all. One big surprise to see there was Chiaki Ito, skating in the Veteran’s Cup. He seemed as good as he’s always been and was able to get second place.
Rory Melehan (SkipBootZine)
Echo Pro Boi Hayden Ball
Matt Mickey of Kentuition
Megan Petersen (Bladies)
Junseong Lee / 360 Topsoul
Thor / BS Backslide
Watching the 17 & Under group left me impressed and showed off what the future of rollerblading has in store. Thor and Astrid Garcia came out wearing their signature skate from USD. They have truly progressed over the years, and I can’t wait for more. Junseong Lee was having so much fun hyping up the crowd. Landing 270 top souls and 540s just as good as skaters three times his age. He was able to secure first place.
Judges
Seoa Jang / Backslide
Jane Osborne / Soul
Emi Parejo / Christ Fish
All the Bladies killed it as usual. Becci Sotelo landed her 360/270 tricks on the quarter extension, while Chihiro Azuma was steezy as always. I was looking forward to seeing Seoa skate with a new bag of tricks she’s learned. Disaster 450 royale in the Finals was a standout. Emi Parejo got her big win this year landing grinds on all of the obstacles. Her christ fish on the down ledge stood out for me.
Chiaki Ito / Top Soul
Sean Darst / AO Soul
DJ Kang / Fast Slide
Aoi Iwama / AO Top Soul
Nils Jansons / Disaster Fakie 270 Sav
Eunho Park / 540
Aoi Iwama / Over the Gap
Sean Darst / Disaster Soul
Michal Pietrzak / Disaster Sav
Aoi Iwama / Fish
Adam Bazydlo / Disaster True Makio
Fred Bukowski / Disaster Something
During the pro finals everyone went big. If there was a wall, John Vossoughi was gonna ride it. Adam Bazydlo hit a crazy disaster true makio. I was really looking forward to seeing Frédéric Bukowski since I first saw him skating at the Hang Losers’ bowl jam at Winterclash. He totally did not disappoint, skating fast and going big. Lastly, David Sizemore. He had lines for days, even adding the little curb for some extra points. His disaster 360 heel roll was insane.
Jun Shoha / AO Soul Transfer Topsoul
Soichiro / Cess Slide to Fish
Excited crowd
17 & Under Top 3
Bladies Top 3
Veterans Top 3
Pro Top 3
By the end I was done. I had an awful headache mixed with some nausea from standing in the hot sun all day. I managed to pull through and shoot all of the winners at the end. As always, it was a great time. Come for the skating, friends, tradeshow, and all the side events and memories. — Drew Humphrey
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Photos and Words by Drew Humphrey
