Pro skaters set to ‘Rock the Cradle’

Pro skaters set to ‘Rock the Cradle’

By CHRIS ELLIOT Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle

Forty-five of the world’s top pro skaters will gather at one of the country’s premier skate parks today with a few common goals.

Of course, each hopes to win his division in the second annual Rock the Cradle for Johnny Romano Memorial Contest. More importantly, however, all hope their presence at Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark will help raise the awareness of the fight against childhood leukemia.

In its inaugural edition last fall, the event — which is named for the Houston-area skater who died in September 2008 of leukemia at age 10 — brought out the likes of Rune Glifberg, Benji Gallaway and Lincoln Ueda. They spent the day circumnavigating the world’s largest “cradle,” or concrete skating venue, carving the bowl-shaped surface and catching up to 25 feet of air off its vert ramp-styled features.

X-Games vets attending

For their efforts, those superstars of the skating world left with the satisfaction of knowing they had raised close to $19,000 for the Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds further research into childhood leukemia.

Today, X-Games gold medalist Pierre-Luc Gagnon (PLG), Maloof Money Cup winner Alex Perelson and X-Games veteran Omar Hassan will put on a show for skating fans in honor Romano.

In skating terms, they’re heavyweight names akin to getting Michael Jordan to come do a slam-dunk clinic at your local rec center, said masters pro skater Ken Fillion.

“It’s especially nice that it’s the second year and the event is really growing,” Fillion said. “Guys like them are happy to come out. They’ll clear their schedule to try to come out and help the cause.”

Beth Burnside, Mimi Knoop and 2009 X-Games gold medalist Lindsey Adams-Hawkins top the list of competitors in the women’s bowl rider division.

For a good cause

Julie Romano, Johnny’s mother and overseer of the Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation, hopes the contest will do wonders for her cause.

“We’re hoping that the PLGs and the Rune Glifbergs that come out will help us raise awareness and increase funding for childhood leukemia,” she said. “That’s my goal. My goal is that eventually, when you hear Johnny Kicks Cancer, it’s going to be synonymous with childhood leukemia research, very similar to Susan G. Komen. You hear that and you think pink ribbons and fighting breast cancer. My goal is to top that.”

The Rock the Cradle for Johnny Romano Contest is a World Cup Skateboarding sanctioned event, which counts toward placement in the world skateboarding standings.

Admission is by $10 donation to the Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation or a blood donation to the Gulf Coast Blood Center.

Oct. 24, 2009, 12:10AM

Chris Elliott Chronicle

Pro skater Ken Fillion pulls off a Benihana 16 feet above the cement at Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark in preparation for today’s Rock The Cradle for Johnny Ramano contest.

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ABOUT THE EVENT

• What: Rock The Cradle for Johnny Romano Memorial Contest, with a who’s-who of pro skaters competing in a World Cup Skateboarding event.

• When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

• Where: Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark, 103 Sabine (acros from Fonde Recreational Center).

• Admission: A $10 donation or blood gift to Gulf Coast Blood Center.

By CHRIS ELLIOT Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle

Oct. 24, 2009, 12:10AM