European Skateboard Championships 2009
06 – 09 August 2009 in Basel, Switzerland

Since it’s beginning in 2001, the event has been one big success. Thanks to the great atmosphere, the amount of competitors, spectators and media has been constantly growing and although the weekend is about competition for the best title, the “ESC” is more like a family meeting of Europe’s skateboard scene. Every year you can meet the whole spectrum of skateboard culture: the protaginists themselves, the media, the industry, the organizers and of course the fans! “The Experiment” has been 2009s theme and got consequently applied to all matters concerning the contest:

About 400 competitors from all over Europe made it to Basel/ Switzerland to compete for the titles and to celebrate skateboarding together with the crowd, which received an amazing show. On sunday about 3000 people came to witness Europe’s finest defying gravity in the finals and setting the new standard of skateboarding in Europe. Apart from the long-time partnership with Carhartt & Etnies which gives the financial base to the contest, TSG, Element, Skullcandy, Red Bull and the City of Basel showed their love for the ESC and made 2009 possible with their sponsorships. Europe’s Kingpin, Germany’s Monster and Switerland’s Blackout Magazine have been official media partners. Thanks again to Oli Buergin who did a great job with the organsiation To all the workers and voluntary helpers for making the ESC 2009 another unforgettable weekend!

Andreas Schützenberger and his crew from IOU Ramps did a great job with the streetcourse, this time almost fully lacking transitions and featuring some experimental obstacles such as the “trampoline tranny shaped wheeliebox” and the “seasaw-curb”. The park got painted in grey with a nice mix of luminous colours accenting the obstacles, which gave the park a really geometric look.

Schützi took care of the Miniramp as well, which was over 20 meters wide, featuring a hip plus different extensions and an oververt wall.

One of the highlights of the weekend throughout the last years has definitely been the evening program at the Blackcross Bowl. The DIY bowl has been originally built by the Basel locals together with Pontus Alv for an art exhibition during the ESC in 2006 and is located in an old industrial area, which transformed into an “alternative zone” having concert venues, art spaces and bars etc. The place was once more packed and the atmosphere was great, people were shredding the bowl with flood lights, there was live music and good times until sunrise.

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