Vancouver’s Kevin Reimer re-established his dynasty at the Britannia Classic on Sunday, May 24 but a young competitor took him to the edge.
Reimer captured his sixth open division longboarding title in the eight year history of the event, but 17-year-old Alex Charleson came out of nowhere to place second.
Charleson, who also won the junior event, participated in the open event for the first time in his longboarding career and didn’t disappoint. The previous two years he competed exclusively in the junior division and said it was surreal to be on the podium with racers he watched in the past.
“It was kind of strange being at the top and surrounded by all the top open people,” he said, of his mood before the final race. “But I was hyped and it was a good time.”
He explained that it was the first time he could race in the open division, as all competitors have to be at least 17 years old. The final four saw Reimer, Charleson, Dillon Stephens and Will Smallwood battle it out in an extremely close heat. Charleson, who lives in North Vancouver, said he battled Reimer hard.
“Kevin got me off the push and I kind of stayed behind him the whole time,” he said. “There were opportunities to pass but I just didn’t take them.”
He said it was a thrill to fare so well in the open division and took home $1,000 for placing second, along with $500 for winning the junior division.
“I just wanted to do as best as I possibly could,” he said. “I didn’t know I was going to do that well.”
Charleson has been riding for four and a half years and said the Britannia Classic is always a good time.
“It’s a super fun time,” he said. “Lee [Cation, organizer] always hosts a great event and it’s such an amazing thing to have this every year and have people out here to support us.”
He plans on attending the Whistler Longboard Festival in September, along with races on the East Coast and in the Czech Republic later this summer. He also hopes to return to the Britannia Classic next year.
Other winners at the event included: Calgary’s Matt Kroetsch (masters division) and Peru native Marisa Nunez (women’s division).
For more info, visit britanniaclassic.com.
