Top skaters impress at Revolver

A quartet of top New Zealand and Australian skateboarders impressed Queenstown skaters and spectators with their airborne tricks on Wednesday night on what has been hailed as the only indoor miniramp in New Zealand.

Sponsored professional skaters Mikey Bancroft, of Auckland, Matt Hosey, of Wellington, "Skinner", of Mt Maunganui, and Jesse Noonan, of the Gold Coast, performed their tricks, while a DJ played at the demonstration, in a ground-floor space hired for the occasion by Revolver.

The skaters entertained the crowd of more than 100 at the peak.

They aimed to promote the international snowboarding competition, Billabong 2010 Bro Down Party, at Snow Park, near Wanaka, this weekend.

"It's not often you get to watch four skaters of that calibre in town, so it's a good display," Revolver co-director John Stapleton said.

Australian electro pop rockers Art v Science added to the party by performing live in Revolver's back bar after the skate demonstration.

The skaters were using the Shotover St venue's new $5500 solid wood miniramp, constructed by two builders about two months ago and used by Wakatipu skate enthusiasts for the first time in July, soon after the bar's move to larger premises and relaunch in June.

The miniramp handily packs away into 16 pieces and is erected in Revolver's back bar on the quieter Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights for free public use, Mr Stapleton said.

"It's always what we wanted to do and now we have the space. It's a good point of difference and we like to support people in town.

"Good things for good people."

Positive word of mouth around the Wakatipu has led to 20 to 30 skaters, aged between 18 and late 30s, using the ramp every night it is available.

The sociable miniramp was proving especially popular in winter as it was warm, clean and illuminated, compared with the outdoor skatepark in the Queenstown Gardens, Mr Stapleton said.