We are excited to announce the creation of a new award to be handed out at the World Freestyle Round-Up. “The Spirit of the Round-Up Award” will be presented to a different skater each year by Bert Mathieson and the New Hampshire Natural Health Clinic. Bert who is also an accomplished freestyle skater had this to say about the award he will be presenting.
The first time I came to the World Freestyle Round-Up was back in 2013. For me, it was instrumental in breaking a very long silence in the sport/art that I love so much. I was very encouraged to see that freestyle skateboarding was still very much alive and pleasantly surprised to meet a group of people who were working hard to see it prosper.
One of the things I sensed about the Round-Up when I first arrived was that it was more than just your average skateboard contest. I felt like I was at a family reunion, with cousins, aunts, and uncles from around the globe all coming together to celebrate freestyle. The spirit of joy that I found there was infectious.
That spirt was amplified by a few skaters who made it their business to encourage the other contestants and to bring out the best in everyone. They were really fun to be around “lighting up the place” by encouraging others and lifting their spirits.
Their demeanor reminded me of a passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 that says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Which brings to mind a quote I once heard. “Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water – it will make ripples throughout the entire pond.”
It is my desire to help promote this spirit of encouragement and mentorship by developing the “Spirit of the Round-Up Award.” Each year a $200 Cash Award along with a memorable plaque will be presented to the skater who’s exemplary actions best represents the Spirit of the World Freestyle Round-Up. I hope that this award will make it a little easier for the recipient to recover the costs of traveling to the Round-Up and will encourage the encouragers!
Sincerely, Bert Mathieson, ND, MA, RD, CDE
Past recipients of this award include: 2018 Ricky Rodriguez, USA – 2019 Josh Dunstone, Australia – 2020 Denham Hill, United Kingdom – 2020 Matt McGeachan, “Memorial Award,” Canada – 2021 Erik Fallat, Canada