Red Bull Origin, a challenge-based street competition celebrating the cities, spots and communities that shaped skating, brought generations of skateboarders to New York City’s iconic Brooklyn Banks. Jake Wooten and Niko Sugimoto claimed Best Overall honors following a full day of skate sessions that highlighted the landmark’s lasting influence.
The free, single-day event featured pioneers, icons and rising stars on the same brick banks that helped shape modern street skateboarding. A steady crowd packed the historic space beneath the Brooklyn Bridge as skateboarders competed across three competition zones, opening at the 10 Stair, moving to a recreated subway car and culminating at the 13 Stair.
For Wooten, the win capped his first trip to New York City and skating debut at one of the most influential spots in street skateboarding. “To win at such a historic location, with the legacy of some of the greatest skaters to ever do it, is pretty crazy,” said Wooten. “My mentality was just to have fun and make the most of every moment. I tried some things outside my comfort zone to get everybody fired up, and it thankfully worked out in my favor today.”
Niko Sugimoto also made the most of her first visit to New York City, taking home the women’s Best Overall title along with the 13 Stair win. “This was my first time in New York and my first time skating the Banks, so everything was new to me,” said Sugimoto. “The spots were honestly pretty scary, but I just tried to commit and stick to the tricks I felt confident in.”
Beyond the competition, Red Bull Origin celebrated the Brooklyn Banks’ longstanding role as one of skateboarding’s most influential proving grounds and gathering places. For more than four decades, generations of New York City skateboarders have turned its brick banks and surrounding architecture into some of the most recognizable terrain in skateboarding. That history was on display throughout the day, with New York pioneers, established pros and rising talent all skating together.
“There are so many key moments that have happened at the Brooklyn Banks, from the ESA contests in the ’80s, to the contests in the ’90s, to Back to the Banks, and then all of a sudden it was shuttered,” said NYC skateboarding legend and longtime Brooklyn Banks fixture Jeff Pang. “There have been significant events here since the Banks reopened, but to see the group of skaters here today, from the new generation making an impact on skateboarding to the legends who skated the Banks back in the day, all come together is something that hasn’t happened yet. To me, this is another notable moment in the history of the Banks.”
That history is also tied to the years of work that helped preserve and reopen the Brooklyn Banks. Red Bull Origin was held in partnership with The Skatepark Project, Gotham Park and the Harold Hunter Foundation, organizations that worked with city officials to reopen the site and restore an important piece of skate history.
“Red Bull has been supporting skateboarding in New York City for as long as I can remember, so to see them come in and put on an event of this caliber means a lot,” said General Manager, XC New York and longtime Brooklyn Banks advocate Steve Rodriguez. “For the New York skate scene, it shows support for what’s happening here, the return of the Brooklyn Banks and the start of a new era for the spot.”
“It means so much to see the Brooklyn Banks back and full of life again,” said NYC skateboarding pioneer Jaime Reyes. “This spot has such an important place in skateboarding, and to see the next generation skating here at such a high level is really special.”
Results:
10 Stair:
Men: 1st Antonio Durao, 2nd Jake Wooten, 3rd Frankie Spears
Women: 1st Sofie Valle Mork, 2nd Niko Sugimoto, 3rd Celina Meehan
Subway Car:
Men: 1st Jake Wooten, 2nd Jake Ilardi, 3rd Demarcus James
Women: 1st Daniela Terol, 2nd Taylor Burnett, 3rd Celina Meehan
13-stair:
Men: 1st Treveon Wade, Lucas Aquino, Koston Eaton
Women: Niko Sugimoto, Kylie Frank, Shiloh Catori
Mens MVP: Jake Wooten
Womens MVP: Niko Sugimoto
