Words: by Jason Lunn
Photos: Mark Mapstone and Jason Lunn
Location: Epic Skatepark, 582 Moseley Road, Moseley, Birmingham
B12 9AA - 0121 442 2425
Web Design: Mark Mapstone
Copyright: all content copyright ChilledHeat 2007

Just a few words to introduce those of you who do not already know about Epic Skatepark in Moseley Birmingham. This skatepark has filled the shoes of the now defunct Radlands skatepark as the main competition level skatepark facility of the Midlands.

The Facility

Hipped Bowl
The park contains a 7 foot deep bowl with a hip, this is a great bowl super fast and really well constructed and has lots of different lines over the hips both ways and through the corners. Over the years many visiting BMX riders and Skateboarders competing on an international level have absolutely taken the place apart Ryan Nyquist and Zac Shaw have been seen doing flairs over the hip. The bowl has always hosted the Blockless Combat series run by Coventry’s one and only legendary “Jim the skin” Atkins whereby skaters from all corners of the UK have gone through the corners at ridiculous speeds.

The Vert ramp
40 ft wide 10.5 ft transition 2 ish feet of vert. Great ramp with a birch plywood surface which has remained super fast to skate and remains relatively safe to skate unlike indoor skatelite facilities which become super slippery when covered in the unavoidable dust and indoor skatepark always seems to generate. The park has hosted various Red Bull vert series days and the Armageddon Cup which brought over the likes of Brazilian pro vert skaters Lincoln Ueda and Sandro Dias. All you ned to know is 8-10ft 540’s and 9ft body jars and indy kickflip and heelflips. Sandro also threw down a 6ft pad less Madonna after taking all his pads off at the end of the day. Renton Miller broke his ankle on the ramp after coming off the side and hitting a roof upright, so it is most definitely to be respected.

History
Other legendary pros I have witnessed on the ramp spinning some urethane include Tony Magnusson, Reese Simpson, Terrance Bougdour, Jusi Korhonen, Rune Glifberg, Pete Dosset, Neil Dans, Ali Cairns, Pete King, Mattias Ringstrom, Jocke Olson.

The UKs legendary Sean Goff continues to keep the coping free from rust as he still continues to annihilate the ramp only the ways Sean Goff can, Dave Allen, Luke, Morfa Mike, Matt Bain, Andy Vost and many others from all UK vert generations have been spotted on many occasions. However it must be said on the rare occasions when you can witness his presence on the ramp very few, if any have laid down as many different technical skills, lines and manoeuvres as the UKs premium vert skater Andy Scott. His speed style flow and technical brilliance humbles all who watch, it just so happens he is skating the ramp more than ever now that his partner Lois lives in Birmingham.

Vert Sessions
most Sundays 2pm onwards and here are a few pictures of what you might witness on any given Sunday.

The Park
has a tidy street course area with driveway rails and quarter pipes both ends and is changed pretty regularly. The park also has a 5ft high mini ramp with a tombstone. If you like a jump box and a roll in they also have one of medium proportions to cater for you needs. Add a sprinkling of ledges, rails, freestanding manual pads, grind blocks and wedge ramps and that is the park summed up in paragraph.

Faults
It is not the cleanest of places and the lighting on the vert ramp is diabolical but it is dry and friendly and because it rains in the UK 250 days of the year it means you will always have a place to skate.

Admission for members is £6 but there are usually deals and offers on so call to find out.

Well basically what we have her are some photos taken by myself Jason Lunn and Mark Mapstone of the rippers you will find on any given Sunday. It has to be said if you want to witness the future of British Vert Skating take on the rest of the world come and witness Sam Beckett and Paul Luc Ronchetti, Learn every vert trick and new variation in front of your very eyes. Head height method airs, stalefish’s, kickflip and heelflip mutes and indy airs, Varials, Air fakies, fakie ollies and all manner of frontside, nosebones, nosegrinds, rock and rolls, 540’s smith grinds K grinds, Mc twists and gaytwists will all unfold before you getting smoother, faster, higher and more stylish each time. I suggest you all watch this space.

Enjoy
Jason Lunn