James Kingston Wins Amazon’s ‘Zon of the Lines’

James Kingston Wins Amazon’s ‘Zon of the Lines’ Skateboard Invitational in Christchurch.

Sunday 4 Nov, Christchurch, New Zealand: James Kingston took away $1250 and top honours at the very first Zon of the Lines Skateboard Invitational at a sun-baked rooftop set up at Papanui’s Northlands Shopping Centre in Christchurch.

After bad weather forced the event to be postponed by a day, skateboarders and event staff were welcomed with a sun-drenched day. The purpose built ZOTL set up consisting of a manual/grind box, wedge to picnic table, flat bar and wheelchair ramp turned the vacant lot into a skateboard paradise.

20 of the best skateboarders from around Christchurch, Dunedin and the South Island’s West Coast formed the core crew. The result: a fun event that celebrated the simpler parts of skateboarding. A great session with friends, up and comers and competition stalwarts.

Element’s Scott Lai, local legend Stuntdubs AP (of ‘Quaked’ fame) and industry heavyweight, Amazon’s Justin Watene, manned the judging table, with Justin also keeping the tempo on the mic.

Finalist Cade Wilson-Russ and Olly Wilson’s manly approach saw them stomp classic trick after classic trick, with Cade nailing a frontside five-0 grind on the wheelchair railing in the closing moments of the event. Wildcard Josh Bamford seemingly came out of nowhere blazing through lines of solid and speedy tricks falling just short of a place on the podium.

Hootie Andrewes stacked up impressive combos including backside Smith grind frontside 180 outs and feeble grinds to backside lipslide. His effortless style earned him third placed. Jack Woodrow’s jaunty manoeuvres were watched with awe, and the occasional wayward line saw him attacking a nearby shopping trolley bay with frontside 50-50s. This and other technical lines that included the likes of a frontside nosegrind 180 out on the picnic table secured him second place.

Competition favourite James Kingston lived up to expectations with a powerful onslaught. He skated the top of picnic table from the flat, launched kickflips and backside flips off and over the wheelchair bump, setting it up later as a gap to flat bar nailing blunt transfers crooked grinds, a backside Smith grind and a backside tailslide within minutes. He was the standout of the day setting the bar for the rest of the lineup. His efforts were rewarded with yet another contest win. He took home a healthy $1250 and secured himself a spot in the Auckland Zon of the Lines on 1 December.

Other standouts were Kurt Green’s attire on the day and Niwa Warner’s gap to frontside feeble grind on the wheelchair railing.

The next stop for the ZOTL invitational series is Wellington's Waterfront on 17 Nov. Another 20 skaters, this time from the Capital and around the lower North Island, will transform Oldins Plaza, one of the cities most iconic skate spots, aptly nicknamed 'Brewery'. More prizes and cash will be on offer.

James Kingston - Winner
25-year-old Christchurch native James Kingston has been a mainstay on the competition scene in New Zealand for a number of years now, claiming title after title with his relentless approach. James had a blazing run through last year’s circuit winning not only the Cheapskates Nationals, but also Amazon’s The Biggest Game of Skate and Billabong’s City Squared event in Auckland’s Aotea Square earlier this year. He’s a force to be reckoned with and a favourite for the Zon of the Lines Skateboard Invitational series.

For more info visit: Zon of the Lines Skateboard Invitational series
http://manualmagazine.com/2012/10/12/zon-of-the-lines-skateboard-invitational/

Confirmed Rider Lists
http://manualmagazine.com/2012/10/19/zon-of-the-lines-rider-lists/

Wildcard Callout
http://manualmagazine.com/2012/10/21/zon-of-the-lines-wildcard-callout/

Follow the event on Instagram #zotl

Keep up to date with the event by following Amazon Surf Skate Denim on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/amazon-surfskatedenim/10150147325600585?fref=ts

Zon of the Lines Skateboard Invitational Series, proudly supported by Amazon, Mountain Dew, Vans and Plan B.

The next stops in the Zon of the Lines series: Wellington – 1-5PM, 17 November, Odlins Plaza, Jervois Road, Wellington Waterfront (‘Brewery’ spot)
Auckland – 1-5PM, 1 December, Shed 15, 90 Wellesley Street, Auckland

Zon of the Lines Christchurch Results
1. James Kingston
2. Jack Woodrow
3. Hootie Andrewes
4. Josh Bamford
5. Cade Wilson-Russ
6. Olly Wilson

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