On Saturday, September 12, the Beach 91st St. Skatepark was the site of many a grind, ollie, and grab and slide as 60 skaters competed in Battle at the Beach 8, presented by Clipmode. The annual competition drew more than 200 spectators. The event included five categories: Boys 13 & Under, Girls 13 & Under, Non-Binary, Women’s, Men’s Unsponsored and Sponsored. Judges included Wade Yates and Jayte Matias. Leo Heinart hosted the Men’s Division and Adrianna Gil of BRUJAS hosted the Women’s Division.
Battle at the Beach is Far Rockaway’s annual community skate contest, and 2026 marked its eighth year in a row. It is one of the few skate events that activates the skateparks in Rockaway, and skaters look forward to it all year as a showcase for the skills they have been building.
By the end of the event, 14 skaters earned trophies and $3,000 in prize money was awarded. The winners’ trophies were made by the Clipmode Media’s young summer interns: Sasha, Chelsea, Tiye and Sydney, local youth who otherwise would not have access to the skate and nonprofit world in Far Rockaway. The top sponsors were Nike SB and Red Bull, as well as many smaller local and skate businesses, and visitors had an opportunity to shop at a Far Rock Shop popup.
The victors were:
Boys 13 & Under – 1st Noah Uchida, 2nd Sky Whopes, 3rd Lucas Lora
Girls 13 & Under 1st – Sakura Coppola
Non-Binary – 1st Poppa Jay
Women’s – 1st Brendah Lomelino, 2nd Trinity Degracia, 3rd Daniela Balanta
Men’s – 1st Derek Holmes, 2nd Kevin Godette, 3rd Peter Lopez
Sponsored Men’s – 1st Walon Saveeda, 2nd Sebastian Lemus, 3rd Adrian Rosales
Photos by Jena Cumbo.
