ARO 2015: Australian Rollerblading Open competition set for Canberra on November 28

Rhys Bell ARO Champion

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0892.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The Australian Rollerblading Open is the biggest park skating competition in country, bringing together rollers from across all states and territories to battle it out for national supremacy.

It’s the one time of year we can all count on to see each other, catch up for a roll and witness a whole new level of rollerblading.

After a smashing 2014 edition at The Park in Geelong, this year, ARO is taking place in the national’s capital, Canberra.

Event categories include Open Street, Old School (30+), Under-18s, Under-14s and Girls.

The competition currently has approval to run at Woden Skate Park, but after some discussion with the locals the competition may move to Tuggeranong Skate Park so a vert category can be included.

UPDATE: ARO 2015 moves to Tuggeranong Skate Park

Either way, after Rhys Bell and Tristan Richards blitzed ARO 2014 in both the Open Street and Mini Mega categories respectively, the locals are going to be very tough to beat.

Rollerblading.com.au will make sure to keep you updated with any movements as they happen.

For now, start booking those flights and RSVP on Facebook.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkaDAT6PROw”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Official Australian Rollerblading Open 2014 video and review (The Park, Geelong)

Shane Yost

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image image_width=”800″ image_height=”400″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”10″ src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0187.jpg”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”24″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”25″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]ARO 2014[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Melbourne Rollerblading’s Rob Ham gives us the official review and wrap of this year’s Australian Rollerblading Open 2014 at The Park in Geelong.

The Old Skool 30+ title was again won by an entrant who’d travelled from interstate, and George Sarantoulias certainly wasn’t planning on bringing any gold back to his current home in Adelaide. There was a strong interstate attendance, with people travelling from ACT, NSW, QLD, SA TAS and WA, and by all reports the shuttle bus to the event from Fed Square in the city was a hoot.

Hayden Golder turned 30 on the day of the event, qualifying him to enter the Old Skool 30+. He also entered in Vert, Mega, and made the finals in the Open Street too. His buddy Brad Watson medalled in Vert, Mega and Old Skool.

The wildest vert ramp in the country played host to Brad and Hayden putting on a show they’ve been working on, with the creative lines it was built for. Also world vert legend Shane Yost turned up “just to watch”, only to strap on the boots, put on a show of his own and took 1st.

The first ever ARO mega ramp style event did not disappoint. Brad hit the roof above the quarter, and Canberra’s Tristan Richards had big plans of his own to put his gymnastics influence to good use. He was lacing tricks in his heat more easily than he expected and was seen pulling a handwritten shopping list of tricks from his pocket, to decide what to try next. His double misty in the final will go down in Australian rollerblading history.

Junior Girl entrant Alana Boots, skated the Street, Vert and Mega events, and Tiffany Street showed us what’s up and held on to her women’s title.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”OFFICIAL ARO EDIT BY MITCHELL MACRAE” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEivtYfB5JQ”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Last year’s Open Street winner, Martin Gade, changed his flights home from an extended vacation in Europe to arrive home just in time to find himself on the podium again. Also within a week of the contest, NZ’s Tom Scofield moved to Melbourne and the new guy took 2nd place.

Rhys Bell is no stranger to skating in the finals of the Aussie Titles; he’s been killing it since he was in the U16s in 2005. 2014 turned out to be his year, finally becoming Australian Champion.

Massive thanks to Rosie at The Park – Geelong Indoor Skate Park and her helpful staff, chef Ben Mccoll on BBQ duty, Andrew Munro with BBQ and banners, Jean-Claude White and Danny Hawkins on coping box duties, Paul Kreutzer on bus organising duty, MC Josh on microphone duty, Nat Rawlings, Danny Hawkins, and Trent Phillips on judging duties, other people that helped out on the day including Daniel Talbot, Jenny Logue, Brad Watson, Chris Pullar, Mitch Macrae for filming and editing the official edit, and all others that released an edit or shared photos online, and especially Rob Ham and Simon Kelly from Rolling Victoria for putting the whole event together.

Also those that sponsored the event including Razors Australia, The Probate Professionals, 4Sqair Wheels, Bayside Blades Skates, Velvet Couch Clothing, Rollup, rollerblading.com.au. Melbourne Rollerblading, and Little Creatures Brewery. Without their contribution things like this can’t happen. Support your supporters![/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”ARO 2014 Edit by Daniel Talbot” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkaDAT6PROw”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”14″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]AUSTRALIAN ROLLERBLADING OPEN 2014 RESULTS: OPEN STREET, VERT & MINI MEGA[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Opens Street

1st: Rhys Bell

2nd: Tom Scofield

3rd: Martin Gade

Vert

1st: Shane Yost

2nd: Brad Watson

3rd: Hayden Golder

Mini Mega

1st: Tristan Richards

2nd: Brad Watson

3rd: Rhys Bell[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”ARO 2014 Edit by Iain Smith” link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyLXFADC038″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”14″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]AUSTRALIAN ROLLERBLADING OPEN 2014 RESULTS: GIRLS, OLD SCHOOL & JUNIORS[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Girls Street

1st: Tiffany street

2nd: Jenny Logue

Junior Girls Winner: Alana boots

Old Skool

1st: George Sarantoulious

2nd: Chris Pullar

3rd: Brad Watson

Under 18s Street

1st: Darcy Smith

2nd: John Jacob

3rd: Daniel Werry

Under 14s Street

1st: Nick Thorne[/vc_column_text][mk_image_slideshow title=”ARO 2014 PHOTOS BY CRAIG RICHARDS” images=”7907,7905,7904,7903,7902,7901,7900,7899,7898,7897,7896,7895,7894,7893,7892,7890,7889,7888,7887,7886,7885,7884,7883,7882,7879,7878,7877,7876,7875,7874,7873,7872,7871,7870,7869,7868,7867,7866,7865,7862,7861,7859,7858,7857,7856,7855,7853,7852,7851,7849,7848,7847,7846,7845,7844,7843,7842,7841,7840,7839,7838,7837,7836,7835,7834,7833,7832,7831,7830,7829,7828,7827,7826,7825,7823,7822,7821,7820,7819″ image_width=”800″ image_height=”550″ effect=”fade” animation_speed=”700″ slideshow_speed=”7000″ pause_on_hover=”false” smooth_height=”true” direction_nav=”true”][vc_video title=”ARO 2014 Edit by Alice McTaggart” link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL_ZD6ThXf4″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

New Zealand’s Thomas Scofield drops killer new edit, now calls Australia home

Thomas Scofield

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/thomas-scofield.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]One of New Zealand’s top skaters of recent times recently made the move across the ditch to Melbourne and we’re very happy to have him.

Thomas Scofield clearly isn’t wasting any time, taking out second in the Open Street section of the Australian Rollerblading Open for 2014 and destroying parks and spots wherever he goes.

If you need any more evidence on exactly how talented Mr Scofield is, check out this dope edit filmed and edited over a couple of weekends in his native NZ by Isaac Rolls.

Tidy, tidy stuff… but Thomas records the best it yet to come and he’s recently been out filming with the one-and-only Kal Crew.

Stay tuned for more edits and a full profile on rollerblading.com.au very soon![/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Thomas Scofield profile” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naW2utGJyRU”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Interview: Australian Rollerblading Open 2014 women’s champion Tiffany Street

Tiffany Street Profile

[vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tiffanyprofile.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Street by name, street by nature. Meet Melbourne’s Tiffany Street, Australia’s new Australian Rolling Open female champion. Jesse Kuch caught up with Tiffany shortly after her big win at ARO to find out more about her life, rollerblading and what it’s like being to top female skater in Australia in 2014…

Hi Tiffany, how are you? First of all, let’s start basic. Tell us who are you, where you’re from and how you got into the world of rollerblading.

I’m Tiffany Street, originally from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. I started skating when I was (I think) grade 4, which seems like a lifetime ago now. I stopped in grade 7 for some unknown reason. Many years went by and I started missing that feeling of rolling so much I started to get back into it when I was 19. So it was a solid amount of time before I picked it up again.

You’re based in Melbourne now, though… aren’t you?

Yeah, currently based in Melbourne. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

You’re hooked up with Ground Control frames, aren’t you? How did that relationship start?

Basic answer is that Jenny approached me one day and proposed the idea of me joining the team. I was completely stunned!

Well, it seems like you’ve done them proud in 2014… How does it feel being the Australian Rolling Open Women’s Street Champion for 2014? You blitzed it at the comp!

Absolutely incredible. I thought my days of competing were long over. I mean, I’m not even old I just never thought I’d come back to the sport and compete again.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0130.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]You went pretty hard at ARO though… that disaster kind grind on the rail was one of the first tricks of the day when I was like damn… you must have known you were on a winner when you hit that!

Haha, I must say, kind grinds are my safety trick. I’d never tried a disaster KG before though, so landing that felt so nice. Pretty stoked with that trick.

Has the win given you a bit of motivation to push yourself to skate more and do bigger tricks? You’re the top female skater in the country for 2014!

I get so taken aback when anybody says that to me, it feels so surreal. Ah man, this weather has been getting me down. After the comp, there was so much rain so I haven’t been able to get out much which has been killing me. Ultimately, I blade for my undeniable love of the sport. I’m a perfectionist, so when learning new tricks I’ll probably be stuck on them for months until I have them absolutely perfected.

There probably aren’t as many girl rollers in Australia anymore… not compared to what you see in Europe and other places across the globe. Do you hope to inspire more women into the sport?

I’d love to be the person to inspire more women into the sport. When I tell somebody that I Rollerblade they always assume I mean Roller Derby or something, it’s pretty funny.

Where could one find you skating in Melbourne? Do you have a favourite park or spot you hit regularly?

Well, usually I’m just trying to get a quick skate in in between study and work so I’ll just ride to my local (which is 5 minutes away) and just have a solo roll. But I love to skate strange obstacles, I love being creative and just messing around and having fun.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0085.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”1000″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]What about your favourite skaters? Who do you admire and why?

Right now Alex Broskow and David Sizemore. They both have such controlled styles and are always so creative. That’s what I’m loving most about the current state of Rollerblading: creativity. When I was little, Chris Haffey used to be my absolute hero, I idolised him and wanted to be him.

What about Aussie skaters? Anyone here inspire you?

I really enjoy watching Gav Drumm for the same reasons as Broskow and Sizemore. Also, Robbie Pitts is somebody who I feel really comfortable expressing myself in front of (skating wise). But I’ve got to shout out to the boys who I mostly skate with who are always there pushing me: Lil Kev and Matt Caratelli. Always love watching them skate.

What do you get up to outside blading? Do you have any hobbies or interests outside the blade game?

Well I’m currently studying Graphic Design and I also do freelance work in that field. That takes up a lot of my time but outside of that I love going for long rides on my bike, reading lots of literature, DIY projects, taking photographs and hanging out.

Do you take many blading shots?

Yeah. Photography is my second default, I love being behind the lens. I’d much rather be there than in front of it. I just love capturing that perfect shot, feels almost as good as doing the trick itself for me.

Do you think those talents will come together a bit more around rollerblading in the future? Seems like they could go hand-in-hand…

I’m really interested in the idea of creating a little Rollerblading zine. I know that there used to be one around but I wasn’t in the scene that point and I’d love to bring one back at some point. I’d love to be a part of something like that for the community.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0666.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Is there anything else you’d like to mention before we wrap it up? Do you have anything major happening before now and the end of the year?

I’m really keen for daylight savings to kick in again and get back to all those night sessions. This summer I really want to push myself to the next level.

Can we maybe expect an edit or some photos then?

The rollerblading community is a community I am so proud to be apart of, everybody has such a great attitude. I’m conjuring up a couple of edit ideas at the moment, so we’ll have to see where that takes me. Probably one before the end of the year I’m hoping.

Awesome… anyone else you’d like to thank or shout out in particular?

Anybody and everybody who blades, they’re always inspiring me to skate harder and better myself especially the guys who I skate with regularly – Lil Kev, Matt Caratelli, Robbie Pitts, Tom Cameron, and also to rollerblading.com.au for having me here. Also Ground Control Australia for seeing something in me and giving me the opportunity to ride for a brand which I love.

Awesome Tiffany, thanks so much for taking the time out of your studies to chat to us. Congrats on the big win, you rocked it!

No, thank you for having me!

Peace!

Interview by Jesse Kuch. All photos (except slideshow) by Craig Richards.[/vc_column_text][mk_image_slideshow title=”Photos by Tiffany Street” images=”7917,7918,7435,7436″ image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ effect=”fade” animation_speed=”700″ slideshow_speed=”7000″ pause_on_hover=”false” smooth_height=”true” direction_nav=”true”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Watch Tristan Richards’ epic double misty flip on the mini mega at ARO 2014

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0627.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Of all the hammers at this year’s Australian Rollerblading Open at The Park in Geelong, it was hard to go past Tristan Richards’ epic double misty flip for the most spectacular trick of the day.

The Canberra native had been training hard in the lead up to the event and it showed when it counted, with the lofty double misty sealing his win in the first ever Australian Mini-Megaramp competition, following a huge double backflip earlier in the runs.

Iain Smith caught the mini-megaramp competition in all its glory, including the winning trick in all its suicidal glory. Big ups to Tristan for putting his body on the line for the sake of ARO glory, you definitely deserved the win. Nitro Circus anyone?

ARO 2014 Mini Mega results:
1st: Tristan Richards
2nd: Brad Watson
3rd: Rhys Bell

Video by Iain Smith. For more from Tristan Richards, see the Canthrax website.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Tristan Richards – Double Misty Flip in the Mini Mega competition at ARO 2014″ link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkABHYt_kgg”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Meet Rhys Bell: Australian Rollerblading Open Street Champion for 2014

Rhys Bell Profile Photo

[vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/10566335_10154400707710114_623881691_n.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]How does it feel to be the ARO Open Street champion for 2014?
Yeah it still doesn’t feel real! I have been going to the Aussie titles since I was a grom, watching all the pros lacing hammers. Now it feels like I have accomplished a big goal with my skating.

Did you think you were in with a chance though this year leading up to the event?
No, not at all. All I wanted to skate was the mini mega leading up to the event. I didn’t even think about the street! A few of the Canberra guys have been filming and pushing each other to try new tricks, this itself became sort of like training for the ARO.

That’s kinda my next question… It seems like there is something in the water in Canberra at the moment! Both you and Tristan Richards took out the top spots in street and mega ramp respectively… the scene must be in the capital at the moment.
Yeah, we have a great scene, with great street spots and skateparks. There isn’t a whole lot to do in Canberra besides skate, which I think helps us keep pushing ourselves. Growing up we have always had a solid scene with a lot of dedicated people to keep blading alive in Canberra… and Tristan is a machine!! Keep an eye out for his next profile, it’s going to be next level.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0892.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Sick.. can’t wait. I guess we should shoot back a bit… tell us a bit about yourself. Did you always grow up in Canberra?

I’m 23 years old and I’ve been rolling for over a decade now. My Dad first taught me to skate when I was moving back and forth from a little coastal town called Narooma. Growing up in Narooma, We had a really tight crew of about 10 rollers, which included CJ Wellsmore. He was the main influence growing up skating and making sure every trick possible at the tiny little Narooma skatepark had been done. We eventually both moved back to Canberra and kept the Canberra Scene (Canthrax) going. Dave Jacobs Put together a DVD Called Canthrax – Wasted Days and we have have been filming ever since. The crew has changed alot of the years but we still a lot of the OG guys in our crew.

The plot thickens! Narooma really has had a big influence on Australia… that’s crazy. Sometimes it’s the smallest places that bring the biggest results…
Damn right.

I know you ride your Razors Australia, are they your only sponsor? How did your relationship with them start?
I ride for Razors Australia and Velvet Couch Clothing. My first ever sponsor was Salomon, I stuck with them until the day they decided to stop make rollerblades. Andy from Canberra skate shop Straightline helped me go straight from Salomon onto Razors. Throughout all the Right 2 Roll other competitions, Gerard from VC hooked me up with a few clothes and then I found myself skating for VC. I wouldn’t be here without all the support from these guys.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMF7HIEsKd8″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Have you ever had the chance to skate overseas, in competitions or otherwise?
I once got invited to Junior X Games in Sinapore, but brock my leg soon after hahaha

Damn… Now you have ARO under your belt, maybe it’s time for another trip!
I would love to head to Europe to some of the bigger comps over there, but there are no plans at this point. I have going to New Zealand in Novemeber. I’m going to film an edit over there. But it’s definitely something I’m going to think about a bit more.

Speaking of edits, you just dropped a killer one… tell us a bit about it… how long have you been filming for on that one?
I seem to be constantly filming putting canthrax edits out every few months. This one, I grabbed the best clips over the last 3-4 months and made my own profile. Plently more to come, I’ve still got a few unused clips sitting there.

I checked out the Canthrax site just before… you are heavily into photography and filming, aren’t you?
Yeah, I work full time in a photography studio here in Canberra. I also do a fair bit of my own work filming music videos and taking photos for magazines, etc. I has all come from skating. I starting taking photos of my mates skating then it progressed from there just trying to get the best shot of the tricks, and now it has became a big part of my life.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/A6-1-copyHires.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]It’s crazy how passions like that can build into a career… what else do you get up to outside skating and work.
Most of my life outside skating is based around my photography work, I also play guitar in a band, I surf, and of course have the girlfriend Carissa. Sometimes it gets hard to balance everything but its all worth it in the end.

Awesome… what kind of band? What are you guys called?
We play a blend of blues and hip hop, called Made By Mandy. We are just starting to recording our originals at this point.

Do you guys play out at all? Any gigs coming up?
Our first gig is coming up which is just a backyard party for Octoberfest.

I guess we’ll start wrapping it up… any other plans or projects we should know about? Anyone you’d like to thank?
There has been talk about getting the Razors Australia Team together to film another podcast, so hopefully that goes ahead. I’d like to thank, Jenny from Bayside Blades for looking after the Razors team, Gerad from VC for straight up being The Man. All the Canthrax lads for all the great sessions and big ups to my whole family, as they have always been very supportive and I woudn’t be rolling without them.

Thanks Rhys, it’s been a pleasure.

Interview by Jesse Kuch. Photographs by Canthrax Crew and Craig Richards.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Rhys1_hires.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Australian Rollerblading Open 2014: All the videos, photos and results in one place

Rhys Bell ARO Champion

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0892.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”true” custom_lightbox=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkaDAT6PROw” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”24″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”25″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]ARO 2014[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The mighty Australian Rolling Open hit The Park in Geelong on August 30, bringing with the nation’s best skaters for a battle of the titans across street, vert amd mini mega disciplines.

Needless to say, it was the biggest gathering of rollerbladers in the country in 2014 and saw some landmark tricks go down, from the return of the legendary Shane Yost to the vert ramp, to Tristan Richards’ epic double misty on the mega and Rhys Bell’s hammers on the street course (including the picture above, photographed by Craig Richards).[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]If you’d prefer to just check out the results and watch the videos without having to read the full review, it’s all here, including edits by Daniel Talbot, Iain Smith and Alice McTaggart, and photos by Craig Richards.

Rollerblading.com.au was proud to sponsor ARO 2014, big thanks to all the organisers, sponsors and supporters for making it the killer weekend that it was! See you all next year.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”ARO 2014 Edit by Daniel Talbot” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkaDAT6PROw”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”14″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]AUSTRALIAN ROLLERBLADING OPEN 2014 RESULTS: OPEN STREET, VERT & MINI MEGA[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Opens Street

1st: Rhys Bell

2nd: Tom Scofield

3rd: Martin Gade

Vert

1st: Shane Yost

2nd: Brad Watson

3rd: Hayden Golder

Mini Mega

1st: Tristan Richards

2nd: Brad Watson

3rd: Rhys Bell[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”ARO 2014 Edit by Iain Smith” link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyLXFADC038″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”14″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]AUSTRALIAN ROLLERBLADING OPEN 2014 RESULTS: GIRLS, OLD SCHOOL & JUNIORS[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Girls Street

1st: Tiffany street

2nd: Jenny Logue

Junior Girls Winner: Alana boots

Old Skool

1st: George Sarantoulious

2nd: Chris Pullar

3rd: Brad Watson

Under 18s Street

1st: Darcy Smith

2nd: John Jacob

3rd: Daniel Werry

Under 14s Street

1st: Nick Thorne[/vc_column_text][mk_image_slideshow title=”ARO 2014 PHOTOS BY CRAIG RICHARDS” images=”7908,7907,7906,7905,7904,7903,7902,7901,7900,7899,7898,7897,7896,7895,7894,7893,7892,7891,7890,7889,7888,7887,7886,7885,7884,7883,7882,7881,7880,7879,7878,7877,7876,7875,7874,7873,7872,7871,7870,7869,7868,7867,7866,7865,7864,7863,7862,7861,7860,7859,7858,7857,7856,7855,7854,7853,7852,7851,7850,7849,7848,7847,7846,7845,7844,7843,7842,7841,7840,7839,7838,7837,7836,7835,7834,7833,7832,7831,7830,7829,7828,7827,7826,7825,7824,7823,7822,7821,7820,7819″ image_width=”800″ image_height=”550″ effect=”fade” animation_speed=”700″ slideshow_speed=”7000″ pause_on_hover=”false” smooth_height=”true” direction_nav=”true”][vc_video title=”ARO 2014 Edit by Alice McTaggart” link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL_ZD6ThXf4″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Australian Rollerblading Open champion Rhys Bell’s new 2014 Profile

Rhys Bell AO Soul

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_0892.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Canberra skater Rhys Bell was recently crowned Australian Rollerblading Open Street Champion for 2014, and to celebrate, has dropped this killer new edit.

Filmed in and around Rhys home city of Canberra, plus footage from ARO 2014 at The Park in Geelong, it’s not hard to see why Rhys is on fire in 2014.

For the inside word on what it’s like to win ARO, plus what Rhys is planning for the rest of the year and beyond, check out his interview with rollerblading.com.au here.

For more of Rhys’ work, check out his YouTube channel or the Canthrax website.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”http://youtu.be/AMF7HIEsKd8″][/vc_column][/vc_row]