Video by Will Pritts
Photos by Donny Dino
Words by Ben Kretz

Back in 2019, my friends and I launched what would become a summer tradition in Cleveland, Ohio: The White Claw “Invitiational”. Originally a modest gathering of no more than ten people in my friend’s driveway, featuring a rickety quarterpipe and a few cases of White Claw. Yeah I know – we biffed the spelling of “invitational” on the original flyer but decided to run with it ever since. Since then, the event has evolved into the city’s most anticipated event of the summer. We use the event to raise money for Cleveland’s DIY: The Zü. Every penny of what we raise goes straight to crete.

The theme of this year’s White Claw Invitiational was “Science.” The venue was adorned with periodic tables, bubbling test tubes, old science textbooks and hella pictures of Neil deGrasse Tyson. The night’s lineup included three events: The Scientific method, Most Textured Manny, and The Ring of Fire.

The Scientific Method:

The evening kicked off with a biggest kicker to kicker gap challenge. Two 10 inch kickers painted with the stages of the scientific method were brought into the center of the venue. The gap between the kickers started at a feeble 2 feet, but increased with time. As the ramps moved further and further apart, the crowd’s hype grew. Jojo Morehouse ended the event and took first prize after blasting a ollie across a 13 foot gap.

Most Textured Manny:

Next up was the Most Textured Manny, featuring a manny pad with three different surface textures: diamond grind, earth, and magma. The competition began with diamond grind, the routed out grooves in the surface were no match for Cleveland’s talent. Skaters flipped in and flipped out with ease. The ante was upped as the second texture was installed: earth. The sweet aroma of artificial daisies filled the air as contestants held nose mannys through fake grass and flowers. The final texture, “magma” was coated in fragments of rough slate rock with a mysterious hole cut in the middle of the manny pad. Wheels begged for mercy as they growled across the chipping rock shards. The event took a sudden turn when our mad scientist poured a mysterious liquid into the manny pad’s hole. Shortly after, an eruption of skin burning magma oozed out of the hole and onto the manny pads surface.

The Ring of Fire:

The grand finale was The Ring of Fire, a 6-foot-wide steel ring rigged with propane to unleash hell fire flames as skaters flew through it. I kicked the event off with a dramatic WWE-style entrance. Bursting onto the scene, I rallied the crowd but cut their excitement short when I called out my girlfriend Rachael and demanded she join me at the front. Nervous and confused, she joined my side in front of the crowd. I pointed to the fiery ring and declared to the crowd, “Before we address this ring here, there’s another ring I’d like to address.” I then dropped to one knee and proposed, placing an engagement ring on her finger. As the crowd cheered, Rach and I ignited the Ring of Fire, kicking off the final event of the night. As Gene Wilder’s “Pure Imagination” played over the PA system, skaters launched off the Skate Jawn x Monster Energy kicker through the ring’s flames. It was a moment so beautiful it seemed to slow down time, capturing the essence of the evening’s magic and wonder.

The White Claw Invitiational is an annual celebration that defines what makes Cleveland’s skate scene so unique. Each year, the event continues to grow, bringing together skaters, fans, and friends for a bombastic display of creativity and camaraderie. The White Claw Invitiational is here to stay, and we have no anticipation of slowing down or fixing our typo.

Massive shoutout to all of the Cleveland brands that help support the event: Blame 730, Nine Ways Out, and Westside Skates. An even bigger shout out to all of my friends that help make the event happen: Schwartz, Will, Craig, Frankie, Adrian, Joey, and Willy, this event wouldn’t happen without your support. Love you guys.