“THE GATHERING IS NEAR”

With just over 4mths to go the road to SLAMMJAMM XI has begun.

The year 2009 will see SLAMMJAMM reach its 11th gathering, in doing so firmly making it one of the longest running rollerblade sessions in the WORLD. Once again as always its home will be the legendary Rampworx Skatepark (http://www.rampworx.com) on 16th & 17th OCT 2009.

The year 2009 not only signals the 11th session of SlammJamm it also brings with it a renewed belief and positive direction for Rollerblading World Wide. At the start of the 2009 the WRS (http://www.worldrollingseries.com) was born meaning that all the major skate brands are now working together to develop a credible Pro circuit worldwide. Its partnership with the already established AIL (http://www.inlineleague.com) and other rolling events around the world finally creates a structured path that every AM and Pro Rollerblader can follow if they wish.

SlammJamm has always been built on the basis of development and promotion of the UK Rollerblading scene. We are lucky within the UK that we have a tight rolling community which has been built on many a road trip, session, belief and support over the years. Such names as Albert Hooi, Chaz Sands, Nick Lomax, Steven Swain, Oli Short, Jenna Downing have grown from local heroes into International renowned names worldwide. The Chaz Invitational, NASS and SlammJamm are only three of many events that take place within the UK rolling calendar but they are by far 3 of the most important to UK rollerblading. Each of the three takes a different approach to promoting and developing Rollerblading in the UK and will do so for many years to come.

SlammJamm this year is full of positives.

SJXI is presented by two of the best rolling outlets the UK has to offer, UKskate (http://www.ukskate.com) and Loco Skates (http://www.locoskates.com). UKskate has been backing up the UK rolling scene for many years and has been a supporter of SlammJamm since 2000. Loco Skates has firmly cemented itself as another true supporter of the UK rolling community over the last 5yrs and has supported SJ since 2004. This year both have become platinum sponsors of the SlammJamm and both will have trade stalls at this year’s event.

Other sponsors of the event are Be-Mag, Noiya Clothing, Kaltik, BHC Wheels, Remz Skates, Eulogy Wheels, Rollerblade & Razors Skates. All these brands will also have stalls at the official trade show so you’ll be able to meet and greet the peeps behind the brands.

I’m pleased to announce that SlammJamm will now become an official AIL event for the UK/Europe. This means that all Amateur rollerbladers across the UK and Europe can compete for qualification to the AIL World Championships held at Woodward West (http://www.campwoodward.com/wwwest) California USA (OCT 2010). SJXI will be the first qualifier for the AIL 2010 season, meaning that AM’s will be able to qualify 12mths in advance for a place at the 2010 Finals. By doing this it gives a more realistic chance of all those qualified gaining/saving funds to attend the Finals in 2010. The top twenty (15male / 5 female) AM’s qualified through SJXI will also have the chance at the AIL World Finals to compete for places at the WRS World Finals in 2010.

The winner of the AM session at SJXI will win his/her flight & accommodation package to the AIL Finals in 2010 and they will also qualify to the amateur semi finals of WINTERCLASH (http://www.winterclash.com) in 2010.

I’m also proud to announce that 2009 will be the start and development of the Richard John Taylor Scholarship Award and its association with SlammJamm.

Richard was a true Pro Rollerblader and inspiration to many people / rollerbladers around the world. His time spent at WOODWARD in the early 90s helped greatly to shape and inspire him into the Pro he became. It’s therefore fitting that the award will help one AM travel and compete at the AIL World Finals in 2010 and future years. The RJT award will be given to one of the top 20 AM’s qualifying at SJXI. The award can only be given to a UK resident between the ages of 16 to 25 on the day of SJXI and will be awarded by the trustees of the RJT fund.

Of course this year there will be the usual additions to “theGathering” such as BEST trick, The Rolling Art show, Edit Comp, Tradeshow and the infamous After Party etc. So stay tuned to the news pages (http://www.slammjamm.com) to keep you up to date on what’s developing, as there is still a lot more to come.

Cheers

Dangerous