Rat Bowl contest at North Brigade – Cologne, Germany

Despite increased warnings for heavy rain and storm no one canceled the Volcom Rat Bowl Contest at North Brigade. We are well used to rainy moments here in the Rheinland. Et Kuett wie et kuett (kölsch slang for “What will be, will be”) und et haett no immer jut jegange (“it’s still gone well, or so good so far..). We were granted some heavy skating by a bunch of crazy dudes. Yeah, one always gets more wild than the others, but as a natural law, no one gets crazy if not pushed. And they pushed each other quite well after a rain break right until the rain started again with Jaime Mateu landing his deep end to steep bank backside 360 transfer. Well deserved first place after skating non stop all day for the small island (Mallorca) boy Mr. Mateu, even if it was a close call with the british boy Alex Hallford. Thanks to the North, the guys drying the bowl and Volcom for making it happening.

Words + photos by Jo Hempel

Alex Hallford lofts over the hip from the deep end into the shallows. Photo: Jo Hempel

Alex Hallford lofts over the hip from the deep end into the shallows. Photo: Jo Hempel

Tim Bijsterveld. Andrecht plant. Photo: Jo Hempel

Tim Bijsterveld. Andrecht. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Frontside invert. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Frontside invert. Photo: Jo Hempel

Costa Rican fish of the stale variety. Photo: Jo Hempel

Dominican Republican dude with a healthy stale fish. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jürgen Horrwarth. Frontside ollie transfer from the flat bank into the shallow end transition. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jürgen Horrwarth. Frontside alley oop from the shallow end to the flat bank. Photo: Jo Hempel

Alex Hallford 360 nosegrab over the volcano. Photo: Jo Hempel

Alex Hallford 360 nosegrab over the volcano. Photo: Jo Hempel

Alex Hallford. Frontside ollie over the hip from the shallow end to the deep. Photo: Jo Hempel

Alex Hallford. Frontside ollie over the hip from the shallow end to the deep. Photo: Jo Hempel

Lenni Janssen. Varial tailgrab off the flat bank. Photo: Jo Hempel

Lenni Janssen. Varial tailgrab off the flat bank. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Backside air. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Backside air. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Backside invert looking down 12 feet into the drain. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Backside invert looking down 12 feet into the drain. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Stalefish through the corner. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Stalefish through the corner. Photo: Jo Hempel

Lenni Janssen. Boneless off the flat bank. Photo: Jo Hempel

Lenni Janssen. Boneless off the flat bank. Photo: Jo Hempel

Tim Rebensdorf. Backside ollie on the flat bank. Photo: Jo Hempel

Tim Rebensdorf. Backside ollie on the flat bank. Photo: Jo Hempel

Alex Hallford. Crail to fakie in the deepend. Photo: Jo Hempel

Alex Hallford. Crail to fakie in the deepend. Photo: Jo Hempel

Lenni Janssen. Kickflip melon or sketchy backside ollie melon grab. Photo: Jo Hempel

Lenni Janssen. Kickflip melon or sketchy backside ollie melon grab in the deepend. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Massive backside 360 transfer from the 12 foot deepend into the bank of the street course. Photo: Jo Hempel

Jaime Mateu. Massive backside melon 360 transfer from the 12 foot deep-end into the bank of the street course… for the win. Photo: Jo Hempel

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For more of Jo’s skateboarding photos check out johempel.com