NCBC Skate Jam Recap

Words photos and interview by Alex Porterfield

When word got out that 5th Pocket Skateparks was going to set up a pop-up park at Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, everybody knew where to be on Saturday the 2nd. After the free lessons and youth session (courtesy of Skate The Foundry), people crowded around the course as heavy tricks started being laid down on every feature. At around 2 o’clock, the double ledge session kicked off. Pure chaos was the only way to describe it. Trick after stylish trick, dudes kept rolling in and setting up. Dustin Shropshire, 15, stomped a steezy backside bluntslide down the hubba like nobody was watching. Devin Flynn, flow for Santa Cruz, touched down with 2 noseslide variations; shuv and 270 out. When time on the double ledge ran out, the bump to kegs was set up. Dustin Shropshire hucked a fastplant on the keg and knocked it down. Colby Bilotta caught a tre flip over the kegs effortlessly. The final two events the kicker to kicker set up over kegs Most could clear it comfortably until it got to be around 7 kegs. Tyler Nelson set the record and made it look easy clearing 9.  For the grand finale A keg hop. Anybody who was ballsy enough threw down and went full speed, leaping from board to board over the kegs. Again at 9 kegs, TJ Hernandez flew across all of them and won. The atmosphere of the event was blood pumping and had everybody watching from outside the ropes wishing they knew how to skate. Thanks for making this happen Philly Skate Network.

Interview with Dustin Shropshire

where are you from and how old are you?

I’m from Brick, New Jersey and I’m 15.

What brought you out here?

My friend Kyle invited me and I had nothing to do today and I was like “this would be a good time.”

How do you think it is with all of the people on the course?

Its hectic, yeah its definitely harder to skate.

Favorite thing on the menu from McDonalds?

Oooh definitely strawberry and banana smoothie.

What about for food?

Aw shit that’s a good ass question I love McDonalds. I usually go with a Mcdouble and the nuggets.

Do you have any sponsors?

Not at the moment, no.

Are you filming a part right now or working on a project?

I want to but our filmer never goes out with us. It kinda sucks. For photos, my friend chase and I went to the skatepark and shot some photos. That was pretty fun.

HD or vx?

HD. I would film a vx part but my friend Danny doesn’t have the adapter for it.

You do anything else besides skating?

Fortnite haha. If I played a sport it would be either be hockey or lacrosse. I snowboard too. I went to Killington in Vermont last weekend.

Interview with Colby Bilotta

How do you think the event’s going right now?

It’s sick. There’s tons of people and the whole vibe is super chill you know what I’m sayin?

Where are you from?

I’m from Chalfont, PA. Its like an hour north of the city.

How old are you?

I’m 17, about to be 18.

Do you have any friends here or did you come up solo?

I went with a couple of my homies, were all from Chalfont, PA

what’s your favorite thing on the menu at your favorite restaurant?

Damn, I don’t know. Outback man, the Bloomin Onion. That big ass onion thing.

Favorite trick that you’ve landed today?

Honestly just doing back tails on the kicker to hubba just felt really nice. I had a brand new board, trucks and everything so it was super weird to try things.

Any sponsors?

Nah I don’t have any sadly haha.

Local park and skate shop?

The most local park is Ambler that everyone goes to and the closest shop is Ambler Skate Shop.

What are you doing if you’re not skating?

Just chilling with the homies doing stupid shit haha.

Favorite genre of music?

Obviously rap. Rap is my favorite but I listen to a little rock sometimes. Depends what it is though.

Have you been on any big skate trips?

I’ve gone to New York a couple times just to get some clips and skate. I usually go to the city. I try to go once a weekend but the weather has been super shitty.