The 5th Annual Vans Pro-Tec Pool Party lived up to the expectations the event has developed over the last half decade. With the world's best bowl riders, young and old, converging on the Block to jam on the replica Vans combi bowl this year's Pool Party was, in a word, badass.

Masters divisions legends Chris Miller, Christian Hosoi, Nicky Guerrero, Salba, Eddie Dagger, Mike McGill, Mike Smith, and many others showed modern progression and plenty of nostalgic style that, like a fine wine, just gets better with age.

The pro ranks were deep with longtime heavyweights and some surprising newcomers. Brazilians Pedro Barros and Josh Rodriguez, 14 and 17 years old respectably, were underdog crowd pleasers with full throttle amplitude, steezy grinds and grabs and technical spins--Pedro even landed three McTwists in one run, which according to Dave Duncan, is a first in Pool Party history. Also full bore was 20-year-old Santa Cruz skater, Josh Borden who brought a clean bag of slick smith grinds, frontside tailgrabs and bold McTwists.

The podium became a battle between Pool Party veterans Bucky Lasek, Rune Glifberg and Omar Hassan. Hassan and Glifberg, having won all the previous events were favorites to win, yet Bucky brought his A-game, no doubt sharpened from practice sessions in his recently completed backyard bowl, and earned $25,000 for the effort.

Among the ladies division, 16-year-old Julie Kindstrand of Santa Ana, CA capped her run of nine straight contest wins with a 10th at the bowl, besting Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins and Megan Brown who followed 2nd and 3rd.

In an entertaining intermission between the qualifying rounds and the finals, $1,000 checks went to Steve Caballero for the longest boardslide, Josh Nelson for longest backside 5-0 and Nathan Beck for longest frontside 5-0.


Thanks to Vans, Pro-Tec, Rockstar, Epiphone and Wahoo's Fish Taco for putting together yet another great event.


Overall Results 5th Annual Pro-tec Pool Party

Pros
1. Bucky Lasek (Baltimore, MD)$25,000
2. Omar Hassan (Costa Mesa, CA)$15,000
3. Rune Glifberg (Copenhagen, DEN)$7,500

Masters
1. Chris Miller (Del Mar, CA) $10,000
2. Christian Hosoi (Huntington Bch) $6,000
3. Nicky Guerrero (Copenhagen, DEN) $3,000

Women
1. Julie Kindstrand (Santa Ana, CA)$4,000
2. Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins (Cardiff, CA)$2,500
3. Megan Brown (San Bernardino, CA)$1,000



BNQT Exclusive Pool Party Video



CLICK HERE FOR FULL VIDEO INTERVIEWS (CAB, ALVA, RUNE AND MORE)




Cab talks about his Bronzed 20th Anniversary pro model shoe.




Julie Kindstrand praises the Lord on her powerful performance.




Omar Hassan likes being home and not getting hurt.




Rune Glifberg had a good time, despite not winning.




Bucky Lasek and his Holy Sh*t result!


Words/photos: James Sullivan
Filming: James Sullivan/Danny Spyra
Video edit: Kyle Kimberling