Press Release: Vans Pro Skate Park Series (VPS) and the International Skateboarding Federation (ISF) today have announced a strategic partnership in advance of the new world championship skateboarding point series’ inaugural qualifying event in Melbourne, Australia this Saturday, April 16th at St. Kilda Skatepark. VPS will partner with the ISF as the official sanctioning body for the 2016 Vans Pro Skate Park Series World Championships.
VPS and ISF will work in tandem to create and uphold guidelines to define and elevate the park terrain discipline worldwide by establishing the premier global points ranking system for park terrain skateboarding, culminating with the official crowning of a park terrain world champion for men and women this August in Malmö, Sweden. The goal of the partnership will promote an influential global platform for organized skateboarding, showcasing expert athleticism while maintaining the unique culture and values of skateboarding.
“In anticipation for the exciting potential of skateboarding in the Olympics, preserving and upholding skate culture becomes an even more critical mission; the only way to achieve this with authenticity is to ensure skateboarding is being represented by skateboarders,” remarks Bobby Gascon, Vans Global Director of Action Sports. “This mutual vision shared by Vans and the ISF forges a partnership that is committed to skateboarding first, above all else.”
Additionally, VPS endorses the ISF as the only true skateboarding federation of, by and for skateboarders, to represent skateboarding worldwide and looks forward to creating a strong foundation for global park terrain competition.
Gary Ream, ISF President, elaborates on the partnership further. “For over 12 years the International Skateboarding Federation has been working to unite the skateboarding community and ensure the best possible representation of skateboarding for both the skateboarders and the fans.” Ream continued, “Following the success of our partnership with Street League Skateboarding and the endorsement of the SLS Super Crown as the ISF World Championship of Street Skateboarding, we’re excited to work with VPS and are proud to endorse their season-ending Malmö event as the ISF World Championship of Park Terrain Skateboarding.”
The first fifteen 2016 Vans Pro Skate Park Series Select Pros have been revealed, prepping the field for an exhilarating qualifiers competition this Saturday, April 16th, at St. Kilda Skatepark in Melbourne, Australia. The inaugural event will be webcast live on www.vansparkseries.com with daily updates shared on social media via @vansparkseries.
The 2016 Vans Pro Skate Park Series kicked off this afternoon at the Australian qualifiers at St. Kilda Skatepark in Melbourne. Watch the action of the Semis and Finals live at VansSkatePark Series.com tomorrow where 8 top challengers (from today’s qualifications)- Cory Juneau, Trey Wood, Josh Borden, Brad McClain, Collin Graham, Alex Sorgente, Keegan Palmer and Tom Schaar – will meet up with twelve of the Park Series Select Pros.
