When people hear “Bergfest at the Monsterbowl” most probably think back several years. They recall names like Emmanuel Guzman, Robie Brockel, Ben Hatchel, Tim Bijsterfeld, Jürgen Horward, and Jaime Mateu on the registration papers.
They remember bands like Insanity Alert, Adolescents, and Space Chaser coming to Münster. Those days are long gone. After a seven-year break due to a lack of sponsors, the non-profit association Münster Skateboarding e.V. took on the task of reviving the legendary “Battle at the Monsterbowl.”
Last year, Germany’s once-largest bowl contest celebrated its comeback, and despite the rain, it was a successful premiere. This year was no different: with good weather, more than 1,500 visitors came to Skatepark Berg Fidel throughout the day. The big surprise this year: Hammerhead live. Also special: spontaneously, enough female skaters gathered before the contest to form a girls division. Lina Damerow, Anna Plewa, and Annika Brauer made it to the podium. The session, with a total of five female participants, was characterized by fun and mutual support. The girls set the mood for several more hours of great skateboarding.
Alongside Toon Dierckx from Belgium, good boys like Lenni Jansen, Tim Rebensdorf, and Tom Schulze competed in the A-Division. Besides numerous deep-end tricks and all sorts of air variations, Tim pulled off a manual-to-nosebonk-acid-drop-thing into the deep end. It came out of nowhere and left everyone stunned. Shout out to Wolfgangster who probably hasn’t got his voice back because he had to grab the microphone from John in sheer excitement).
Locals like Fabi “Bobo” Wenzel, Mathis Wenner and Linus Lonnemann represented the B-Division, showcasing some great skateboarding. The podium in the B-Division featured Peter Eisebith, Fabian Wenzel, and Amadeus Dittnis. And of course: There had to be a “cash for tricks” at the Monsterbowl rail. We are already looking forward to next year.
The revival of the Bergfest is thanks to a small group of dedicated humans, many volunteers, and the support of several small sponsors. Especially the expertise of Markus and Johan from Koloss Skateboards proved to be extremely important.
A thousand thanks to everyone involved! Here’s to many more years of the Bergfest!
Words by Meike Gajewiak
Photos: Daniel Paul Halfmann
For more Bergfest action, check out Confusion magazine’s report on Bergfest 2011: Monsterbowl in Münster