Owen Tozer: Outside Skate Jam Photo Comp Winners!

Last week, I joined forces with my pals at Outside and some of my favourite brands for a special photo comp at the Outside Skate Jam. Here's judge Owen with the winners and the lowdown of the day

The Outside Skate Jam from above. Photo: Owen

When our friends at Outside announced the inaugural skate jam at their bowl in Devon using a photo I took on my phone (that’s it above), it made me think three things:

1 Aren’t phone cameras amazing?

2 Why do I carry all this massive camera gear around?

3 Wouldn’t it would be cool to do a photo event alongside the skate jam to encourage people not skating to get involved, and to give a platform to some of the local up-and-coming photographers?

---

Photo: Owen

A few messages later, and we’d snagged prizes from our friends at Yeti, Db and Goodrays. A day before the event, we were doing our first photo comp! 

Outside is in a field just up the road from Bantham Beach in Devon, and when I arrived just after midday, I have to admit I was blown way by how busy and epic the whole scene was. The sun was blazing, music pumping and the bowl was already teeming with skaters and spectators.

A few rounds of hugs and high fives later, I unpacked my camera and spent the day enjoying beers in the sun with friends, chatting with the photographers and skaters buzzing around the bowl, and taking some pictures of my own. 

---

Paddy - the man with the vision. Photo: Owen

The whole day I kept thinking how I wished we’d had events like this when we were growing up in Devon, and marvelling at the place and atmosphere my friends have created. From the start, Outside was the lifelong dream of local hero Paddy Wellens, eventually made real by him and a crew of legends. Memories and friends are made all day, every day at this unique place. 

We’ve had some great entries to the photo comp, and with the help of skate photography legend Leo Sharpe, we’ve chosen three winners and a few honourable mentions. 

Thanks to everybody involved, especially the organisers, skaters and of course the photographers who took part. 

---

The Winners

1. Freddie Fryer

Freddie’s shot of George Chegwin boosting a frontside air sums up the day perfectly - great skating, smiles and perfect weather. Freddie wins a Db camera bag, a case of Goodrays and a copy of our Looking Sideways California book. 

---

2. Chiz

Chiz’s shot of Cam Ash’s ollie to fakie on the quarter has classic composition and feels like a timeless skate shot which we love.  Chiz wins a Yeti cooler, slab of Goodrays and a Looking Sideways California book. 

---

3. Rosa Lloyd

8 year-old Rosa’s amazing portrait of Asher at the side of the bowl is exactly why I love photography. Rosa borrowed her mum’s phone to take some photos of the event and submitted a truly unique perspective of the day. We love this photo Rosa!! We’re working on a prize for you because we figure you probably don’t fancy a big camera bag or a beer cooler! 

---

Honourable Mentions

Ted, Ben and Nancy all submitted collections of photos that really gave a great feeling of the day and in the end it was hard to chose a winner but these guys all came close. We’re sending each of you guys a Looking Sideways book.

1. Ben Woodman

Ben also submitted some really unique and interesting shots. This multiple exposure is one of our all-time favourites. Super creative and beautiful. 

---

2. Nancy Creedy

Nancy came in late with some really lovely pulled back shots. Extra props for shooting on film! 

---

3. Ted Pearson

Ted, a young local standout photographer, put in loads of great shots, this one of Chegwin an absolute belter. 

---

I think the only thing left to say is that next time we won’t frame it as a competition, but more of a photo prize. It’s not really about being a competition and there are just too many styles and great photos. Thanks to all the photographers who submitted pictures. 

See you all next year I hope!