The inaugural Northwest Open took place at Seek Skateboard Camp on August 26-28, 2022. Skaters from across the country gathered to compete in the concrete jungle for a chance to win $10,000 in prize money. If you haven't seen the video yet, hit play on it below. It's worth a watch.
Welcome back! Now that we've got the latest information, we have one more perk and one more instruction. Below you'll find a photo recap featuring a mix of photos by Transworld Skateboarding staff photographer Blair Alley. Scroll down to enjoy some memorable moments from the first Northwest Open.
The children took home lots of prizes
Day 1
From kids to adults, pro skaters and local legends gathered in the concrete jungle for a chance to win a $10,000 prize. After participants warmed up, the first jam session, the "Poler Stuff Tent Jam," began. Skaters flew over the tents and each other, and the crowd cheered. At the end of the jam session, Kevin Kowalski and Jake Selovar each won $250. However, Kevin had ordered pizza, and when informed of his prize, he replied, "Seriously?! But I'm going to eat pizza first." His priorities are clear: pizza > prize money.
Kevin Kowalski brings Japan Air to the Northwest Open
The action continued as events unfolded on Day 1. The Brixton jam saw a lot of crazy falls. While there were plenty of successful tricks, some of the most memorable falls were from Tactics snow team rider Phil Hansen, who took home $250.
Phil Hansen was focused on the prize money.
At 5 p.m., the RVCA "Pole Jam Jam" kicked off. As the crowd enjoyed happy hour beers, Nathan Vitale pulled off the impossible, Faith Bakin put on a kickflip and style clinic, and Maya Volpaccio won $250. While our coverage may be biased, there's no denying that the Tactics crew delivered on day one. But who expected more?
Pop, flick, catch. Face.
Anyone who wins $250 will be beaming with joy.
As we camped out, sipping Migration and Rogue Brewing beers, word spread that Evan Smith and co. from Uma Landsleds—Maite Steenhout, Cody Chapman, and Roman Pavich—had arrived. They were skating to BOB (Building Out Back), and the techno bass and roaring from the hilltops on Willis Kimble's trusty SOUNDBOKS confirmed the rumors.
With the Tactics registration tent and countless beer cans lined up in front of BOB's door, Uma's team and the others gathered under the tent. Outside the tent, skateboards lined up, dubbed the "Gauntlet," and people were trying to cross the "Gauntlet," though few succeeded. I witnessed most of the slams I saw that day. If you ask me why I do this, it's for fun. Uma's jam session didn't go as planned on Day 1, but that's part of the fun of skateboarding.
Day 2
The morning of Day 2 was a bit hazy, tinged by the Migration Double IPA from the night before and the low-hanging fog and light rain that morning. I stepped into the concrete jungle to find Seek Skate Director Brian humming an industrial leaf blower to dry out the park as quickly as possible. Asking him about his previous night's activities included closing down the unofficial "Uma Jam" with BOB at 2 a.m. wasn't exactly surprising news.
An unknown ripper that blasts like a MAC-10 on the wake and skate course
After the concrete dried, the Acetrax Wake 'n' Skate began. Young skaters and early risers sprinted down a pre-set course, aiming for time trial glory and prizes. Participants quickly warmed up and were ready for the day's events.
Silas Baxter Neal nailed the "Wake and Bank" and performed multiple bluntslides.
If the Wake & Skate didn't get everyone moving, ProTech's Big Wall Jam did. This jam session saw big transition skaters crawl out of the woods and put on a fierce performance. Kevin Kowalski and Jake Selover put on a great show, but Casey Tratz and Chris Russell stole the show and walked away with a pocket full of cash.
Chris Russell shows off his powerful moves.
The winners with bread in their hands.
The Uma Landsleds jam was next and became the unofficial main event. The UMA crew descended on the skatepark, Slayer music blaring, beer cases in hand, and gathered on and around the team van. It was reminiscent of the atmosphere from the night before, but rather than a "gauntlet," challengers faced a quarter pipe at the entrance. The rule was, "No reward, no chance." This water pipe was the first concrete landmark built on the campground, and it held great sentimental value.
Roman Pavich met the requirements without any problems.
Same with Cyrus.
Phil responded in the same way.
Phil trusted and fell.
After the UMA Jam, the bar for the evening was set high. Next up was a special donation from the brand known for the three stripes, Adidas. Adidas delivered a trash can—a replica of the one Tyshawn Jones famously used to effortlessly nollie heelflip. This time, it was set up in a more user-friendly way, with Cyrus in charge of judging. With a past Skater of the Year watching every trick, the pressure was on.
Alex Robashuk does a Tyshawn impression.
SMOOOOOOOKESS
Day 3
The morning of day three arrived early and was a blur of memories, blending the previous day's events with Saturday night's camping (see video for details). Excitement and energy continued to build as everyone warmed up and prepared for the first event of the day: the Yeti Cooler Jam.
Ice Cold Ollie
Dakota Mead - Cooler Boardslide Master
"Off the Wall" was an understatement for the following Vans session. We had our own pool party in the pool below BOB. Davin Wynkoop, Liam Helberg, Sid, and other local skaters were smashing the coping like any true PNW resident knows. But it was Kowalski and Helberg who took home the cash, and it's clear why.
Helberg put the finishing touches on it.
NWO's final event might have been the most chaotic. With the special weekend drawing to a close, skaters seemed determined to get one last chance at $10,000 by kicking off the Roark spine jam. As mentioned before, there were people flying everywhere, but this time there were up to eight people skating at once. It was pure madness.
chaos
Bs 360 judo, classic Kevin.
With time running out, skaters desperately tried to win the final piece of the $10k prize pool at the final event of the inaugural Northwest Open, the Roark Spine Jam, where up to eight skaters could skate simultaneously, creating some real mayhem.
After the event, Camp Director Greg presented a special plaque to Jamie Weller, the man behind the incredible concrete design at Seek Skate Camp. Jamie designed and poured all of the skateable concrete at the campsite. His contribution was a special moment that touched so many.
If you visit Seek Skate Camp, be sure to check out Jamie's full-size plaque displayed at the main entrance of BOB.
Thank you, Jamie Weller, for your dedication to PNW Skateboarding
The closing moments of the inaugural Northwest Open were filled with emotions that are hard to put into words. We were exhausted from skating so much and exhausting the concrete at Seek, but it felt like the fun never stopped. We felt truly blessed to have spent three days in the woods experiencing all that PNW skate culture has to offer.
Our hearts are full and we can't wait to repeat this event next year.
