300 Skateboarders Tear Through the Upper West Side

By Matthew Huisman
About 300 skateboarders were cheered and scorned at by pedestrians and drivers during the 9th annual Broadway Bomb longboard race. The unsanctioned race began on Saturday at 116th Street on the Upper West Side and traveled about 8.5 miles down Broadway to Bowling Green. Skaters rolled through red lights and between cars during what is dubbed the most dangerous longboard race.

“I’ve been skating in traffic since I was a kid,” said event organizer Ian Nichols. “I love it and obviously a lot of other people love it.” During the first race in 2000, 14 skateboarders showed up to bomb Broadway. “It’s almost all downhill and also it’s just the perfect street to go down,” Nichols said.

One would have to imagine that Andy Kessler, the famous Upper West Side skater who died earlier this year, would have enjoyed this event.

As if the length of the course wasn’t daunting enough, skaters had to dodge drivers and pedestrians. The pack was thick for about the first 20 blocks. After that smaller, more spread out groups established themselves. The race took skaters around Columbus Circle, through Times Square and past the flatiron building. One rider was struck by a car while racing through a red light. His board and his body remained intact. Others weren’t so fortunate.

“The board just got in front of me and a Fed-Ex truck just snapped the rear,” skater Nick Nick said holding up a bandaged board. “Some guy yelled out I got duct tape. So I wrap that shit up, continue the race man.”

For some racers, finishing isn’t the challenge, winning is.

“If you’re not from New York, you’re not gonna win,” said winner Mark Schaperow. “You gotta know the city. You gotta know the traffic.”

The 22-year-old tattoo artist and Florida native has been living in New York City for the past two years. He finished with a time of 26 minutes. Schaperow said he rides his board constantly whether it’s to work, running errands or dates with his girlfriend, his board is with him.

“You can have the strongest legs in the world,” Schaperow said, “but if you don’t have the heart, you’re not gonna win.”

Skaters reported mixed reactions by the police. Some accounts have officers stopping traffic to allow skaters to pass through intersections. Other officers are said to have threatened to arrest riders.

Jeff who lives on 54th Street in Manhattan said he accidentally hit an old woman when she stepped into a crosswalk. He said he was immediately approached by three of New York’s finest, including one undercover officer.

“He grabbed me by the arms and starts roughing me up,” Jeff said. “Then he started seeing more skaters and he’s like how many are there? And I said hundreds.”

After the race, boarders rolled to East River Park to enjoy burgers and beer. Some skaters performed tricks and traded stories of the day’s account. Nichols handed out prize money and skateboard equipment to the top finishers.

“As I always tell everybody,” Nichols said, “I’m the only one stupid enough to organize an illegal skateboard race.” (photos by Connor Boals)

Connor Boals contributed reporting to this story.

Check out a video of the Broadway Bomb below: