HH WEEKEND XV RECAP

Harold Hunter Weekend XV went down from June 22-26, 2022 in New York City. This year's event was presented by DC Shoes with additional support from Dickies, Element Skateboards, G-Shock, Red Bull, and HUF, among others.

Ever since its inception 15 years ago, Harold Hunter Weekend is one of NYC’s largest and most highly anticipated skateboarding events. This year, hundreds of skateboarders from all over NYC and the world gathered to celebrate the life, spirit, and legacy of Harold Hunter. As always, events throughout the week were packed with friends, family, and fans of both Harold and NYC skate culture.

As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit grassroots organization, the Harold Hunter Foundation relies on financial backing from the community to provide a network of support, opportunity, and advocacy for NYC youth so they can reach their full potential as skateboarders and young adults. HHF believes skateboarding has the power to transform lives, and we thank you for your continued support!

​Element Skateboards kicked off Harold Hunter Weekend XV on Thursday evening with HAROLD 89, a photo exhibit of mostly unseen photos by Charlie Samuels at Elm Foundation. During the event, Charlie walked through each photo and spoke to the crowd about Harold’s life, their friendship, and the context behind each moment Samuels captured. All pieces were available for sale with proceeds donated to HHF. It was a history lesson, a fundraiser, and a dance party at the same damn time!

HUF was meant to kick off Harold Hunter week on the 22nd with a Cash-4-Tricks skate jam at Tompkins, but as usual NYC weather had other plans. Thankfully, by the time Friday rolled around we got blessed with nothing but sunshine and blue skies. Skaters came through in droves and threw down so hard at Tompkins that we couldn't help but get even more stoked about the weekend ahead of us!

After an eventful afternoon, we mellowed out on Friday night with a private screening of "MONOCHROME", ​a short documentary film that discusses and celebrates the Black experience within skateboarding. We invited members of our Rider Development program - which aims to support youth on their journey to becoming professional skateboarders - to join us at Red Bull HQ for a film screening and community discussion.

Saturday - easily the busiest day of this year's Harold Hunter Weekend - kicked off with The Boardr Open presented by DC Shoes at LES Skatepark featuring the HHF Wildcard Contest. It was a super high level of skating and, when it was all said and done, Ricci Tres took home the win on the women's side and Gabe Vigliotti aka Minnow won the men's division. The HHF Wildcard victory went to Juri Iikura for women and Jiro Platt for men.

​While The Boardr Open continued throughout Saturday afternoon at LES, Golconda Skatepark (better known as “Fat Kid”) played host to a Women & LGBTQ+ Skate Jam hosted by HHF Coach-Mentor Jae Cooper with support from members of Pansy Skate and Queer Skate Brooklyn. It was a beautiful day that consisted of a community conversation about inclusivity within skateboarding, instructional skate clinics, $1,500 cash-for-tricks contests, product giveaways, and - as always - good vibes!

On Saturday night, DC Shoes hosted a private party at The Flower Shop in the Lower East Side. Over 100 skateboarders and industry veterans alike gathered to celebrate Harold and each other. Even though very few photos were taken during the event, we can assure you that rad times were had by all!

The main event - Harold Hunter Day XV - went down on Sunday at LES Coleman Skatepark. With hundreds of people in attendance, it was an amazing way to celebrate the late, great Harold Hunter. The massive crowd enjoyed live DJ sets from Brujas, tons of giveaways, and plenty of insane skateboarding with best trick contests presented by Red Bull, G-Shock, Element Skateboards, Dickies, and DC Shoes. A huge thanks to all those who came through and made this year's HH Day one of the best yet!

Curious about Harold Hunter Day XV contest results? Click here!​

Red Bull Women’s Best Trick (Box, Ledge, Rail, QP Area)
1st - Vitória Mendonça
2nd - Juri Iikura
3rd - Chrissy Brown

G-Shock Best Trick (Wall Ride)
1st - Logan Kirshak
2nd - Ben Patrick
3rd - Malik Jordan 

Element Best Trick (Stairs, Rail, Hubba)
1st - Brandon Johnson
2nd - Andreas Alverez
3rd - Greyson Beal 

Dickies Best Trick (Gap to Rail)
1st - Christian Williams
2nd - Noah Pollard
3rd - Cass Hecht

DC Best Trick (Up Ledge)
1st - Dwaynne Almonte 
2nd - Brandon Johnson
3rd - Logan Kirshack

​Zumiez Destroyer 
Austin Hufnagel
 

A huge THANK YOU to The Boardr and all the sponsors that helped make Harold Hunter Weekend XV happen including DC Shoes, Element Skateboards, G-Shock, Red Bull, HUF, Zumiez, AriZona, KCDC Skateshop, Mike’s Hot Honey, Bronx Girls Skate, Trophy Grip, Pansy Skate, Queer Skate Brooklyn, 5Boro, NY Skateboarding, Shut, Substance Skatepark, TORRO!, and UXA.

Photos courtesy of Ryan Zimmerman, Chaz Miley, Akira Ruiz, and Liliet Reyes.