“King Of Queens” Comp Photo Story

A day change, a MIA Jon Morciglio, multiple rain showers, Parks Department drama, complaining bladers and spot changes could not hold us down. The “King Of Queens” Comp still went down and produced blading that will be talked about for a very long time. Here are some random pics I managed to snap in between co-judging the comp.

One of my favorite bladers Steve Nichols has a great mind when it comes to blading. Every time we reconnect we always have a good time. And no Steve, your voice no longer sounds like Michael Cera to me.

Trevor Johnson arriving at the scene and already deep in thought about how things will be going down.

Prizes from A-Mall, Denial, Bakerized and others are starting to pile up quickly. This is just a small sample of all of the amazing prizes and giveaways our generous sponsors hooked us up with.

The plastic studded crown fit for a King Of Queens…BK would be jealous of this royalty.

There are Kings in Brooklyn as well…I just had to remind everybody.

The chalice has arrived and thirsts to be filled with the winners’ beverage of choice.

Gee Lee’s camera game had basically put every would-be photographer to shame.

The row of spectators and supporters are starting to grow.

This exclusive IRollNY shirt showcasing the legendary Brooklyn Banks is not ever coming out so please get over it already.

Bladers are arriving, sizing up the competition and warming up on the ledges.

Craig Benabu from IRollNY is getting ready to drop a promo for upcoming edits coming from the comp.

Brown bagging beer…I see you…the LB-CAM catches all of your evil deeds.

Jose Henriquez and Anthony DeToma catching up.

Sign-Ups are going great and the heats are being put together.

Craig on the megaphone announcing the 1st heat…let the games begin!

Craig making sure the judges area is clear so we can see what’s being laced.

Mike Hazard aka Jersey Drake is all smiles as the comp ensues.

#14 Christie Toledo the ONLY female who entered the comp made it to the second round.

A rain cloud snuck in and dropped some water on us for a bit so we are dispersing until things calm down.

Bladers standing under the globe for cover…the world can’t save you.

We starting heading to the ledges at Maloof to finish off the 2nd round since the floor there isn’t painted and won’t stay wet for long.

Craig waiting patiently for the rest of the competitors to arrive from the previous spot.

A view from the judges area. co-Judge Hector Rodriguez looks bored as he waits for the round to re-start.

Jaime doesn’t need a megaphone to get the bladers for this round ready to go. It’s all about how you project your voice.

Shardy’s bike rolled through to check out the comp.

The 2nd spot which was the handicap rails was just over this small bridge.

The swelling crowd gathered rather quickly for this round to get the best viewing spot.

The competitors are getting ready to start their round.

Andy Hartnett looked exactly like Aragon and bladed very well all throughout the comp.

In this pic you can see the nice clear landing space that we made sure that the bladers had. Nothing ruins a comp like an ignorant crowd.

The guy in the middle was an “undercover” Parks Department employee. I guess he wanted the glory of shutting down the comp. But with several hundred bladers in attendance booing and shoving cameras in his face he opted to call for back up haha.

Back to Maloof we go, where they can’t kick us out.

Since the Parks Department had vehicles patrolling the area we decided that this would be the final spot.

Co-Judge Nick O’Leary sharing his opinion on what direction the comp should take being that we are shut down from blading the handicap rails and the triple kink at the moment.

Trevor Johnson and Craig Benabu listen in and we make a final decision.

If looks could kill most of you would be dead by Craig’s glare.

The last heat of the 2nd round was decided on this mellow low handicap rail in the skatepark.

Jordan Baez upward planking the last spot to christen it before the blading begins.

Cameras are ready to go to catch what is about to go down.

Another surprise downpour stalls things for about 30 minutes and sends everyone scrambling again.

It’s bad enough that people still say rollerblading is gay and then we get a rainbow over the comp.

Just in case we didn’t get the message Mother Nature then decides to send us 2 rainbows to validate the point haha.

The original Jedi knight…

…rocking a throwback B. Unique tee customized for maximum comfort.

Mach 11 Backslide with the Grab of course by Alex Ryerson.

Tom Burch lacing a spin to win Topsoul.

Sorry I mangled up some of the names but at the end of a long frustrating but fun day the winners were:
1st place DYLAN HOPP
TIE 2nd place DAVE HARTNETT & TIM FRANKEN
4th place & Best Trick KEVIN LaPIERRE

Once Boxes start coming out the crowd immediately knows a product toss is about to begin.

A King Of Queens is crowned and the victor comes the spoils.

Champions of Queens congratulate each other in a great show of sportsmanship.

After 6 hours of judging & reconnecting with friends I’m on my way back home to the borough of Brooklyn.