2010 Red Bull Manny Mania Around The Globe

I love a good Manual for many reasons.  Note: I am not talking about Manuel: the guy who cleans your POOL, but the manual skate trick.  It’s one of the few skateboarding activities that do not require a high level of balls.  It doesn’t require that much balls because it does not take a lot to learn a manual trick.  All you need is a simple platform, sidewalk, or the flat ground to learn a variety of manuals.  The manual is polite to the elder skater who cannot take as much punishment to the knees.  It is a low impact activity with a number of variations.  Ex. Ollie nose manual nollie flip out.  Backside one-eighty manual switch heel out.  Switch three-sixty nose manual, frontside one-eighty out.  And my favorite, the DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL MANUAL.  So as you can see, manuals can be fun for everybody who tries to learn them.  You just need great balance.

That is why I would like to propose that if there is any skateboard event to be included in the Summer Olympics, it be the Manny Event.  My one-quarter Chinese heritage and me would dominate the event.  I can imagine all sorts of countries participating but only China would win every year.  China already has an impeccable ability to tediously balance things.  In addition, my countrymen would develop new and creative OUTFITS to match their creative manuals.

Until that time comes, we still have the widely popular RED BULL MANNY MANIA.  The event is already in its 3rd year.  It originated on the streets of NYC, and because of popular demand, this event has spread rapidly like a nasty STD.  From 32 participating countries, there can only be one winner.  That is a long shot but if you work hard enough, you may be able to match my Chinese Manual BROTHERS of the future.  Read the press release after the jump.

April 14, 2010 – (Santa Monica, CA) – From its humble beginnings in the mind of skate pro Joey Brezinski to its growth as the premiere skateboard event in New York City, Red Bull Manny Mania has always been about connecting skaters through a mix of fun, relaxed contests with the highest level of technical trickery on two wheels. In 2010, Red Bull Manny Mania will expand around the globe to an epic series that will take amateur winners from countries as far ranging as South Africa to Oman to Japan and throw them in the mix in the city that never sleeps.

U.S. skaters will battle it out in local competitions to earn their spot at the National Final taking place at Woodward East in July 16, 2010. The winner of that contest will represent the United States at the Red Bull Manny Mania World Final for amateurs in New York City on August 21, 2010. The one amateur skater who defeats every other in the global field will get their chance to step into the big leagues – a spot in the invite-only Red Bull Manny Mania Pro Event, on Sunday, August 22. Now entering its 4th year, the pro event has brought some of the best skaters to New York City, including past winners Brezinski, Ronnie Creager, 2009 winner Eli Reed as well as other top skaters such as Brandon Biebel, Mike Mo Capaldi and Eric Koston among many others.

WORLD CUP ON WHEELS

With 32 countries hosting Red Bull Manny Mania stops, it’s time to take bets to see which skater’s small town dreams turn into big city reality. On the line is a $30,000 prize purse including $10,000 for first in Sunday’s Pro. With a chance for one amateur to compete against skateboarding’s top professionals, this August will quite possibly see a manual pad turn into a launching pad for one tenacious two-wheeler.

For USA info and registration information for the Am series, visit www.redbullusa.com/mannymania?For a complete list of global contests and updates, visit www.redbullmannymania.com. ?For complimentary images for editorial use, visit www.redbull-photofiles.com