The fourth of five Unlock The Spot locations took place in Kansas City, Missouri, at Gillham Park, where the famous Slabs spot can be found. Nestled away in the hometown of MTN DEW skateboard Sean Malto, Slabs has a long history of serving the skate community that even dates back before Sean stepped on a skateboard. Similar to the three previous Unlock The Spot events, MTN DEW was on site snapping photos, handing out drinks, and locals showed up to skate, hang, and for a chance to throw down their best tricks on the three-block.
Before things got officially underway, nonprofit Super Skate Posse was invited to come in and give skate complete setups and shoes to 25 Operation Breakthrough children. Escapist skate shop riders, locals, and Sean helped the kids step on their board and guided some of them through their first pushes ever. While other slapped on their new kicks and wasted no time testing their limits off the plentiful options around Slabs.
After the kiddos got their scrape in, it was time for the older kids to jump down the set. Battling through a wicked heatwave, it didn’t take long for everyone to get through their warm-up moves and conserve energy for the main event. After Malto went around the horn signing autographs, taking selfies with fans, and getting in a switch kickflip down the three block, it was time to get the cash for tricks started.
The Escapist shop crew was on the premises and showed us a preview of what to expect from Manny Maire, Brian Metcalf, and Bryant Doerfler in the Battle of the Shops at Dew Tour Des Moines. Team riders Bryant popped off nollie flip, Manny added a layer of tech difficulty with a manual before dropping down the set, and Brian with a smooth switch 360 flip. Other stands include bigflip from Lucas Delao, Brad Bozarth with quick feet wizardry nollie late flip, and Weston Sparks closing out Unlock The Spot taking the rest of the cash home with a frontside 360.
Massive shoutout to the KC skateboard community, Escapist, Super Skate Posse, and everyone that came out to support their hometown icon, Sean Malto. Stay tuned for more info on the fifth and final Unlock The Spot location and dates coming soon.
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