Felix Parker – one foot pivot fakie. Ph: Jono Coote

Photos by Joel Peck unless stated

Day 1 here. Day 2 here. Day 3 here.

Saturday is the final day of competition, but I miss the session at Tivoli Gardens due to work commitments. I am annoyed with myself, as a double set/kinked handrail session at the oldest theme park in the known world sounds like an experience in itself. The sheer scope of the week, however, means that I accept missing one event with equanimity. I grab a six pack and head for Enghaveparken, meeting Felix and Sox for another session in the now-familiar park. The crew gradually turns up, promising a miniramp session, but I realise this will take time to materialise. Am I here to test the limits of my legs and liver, or to cover this goddamn Open? I exercise my willpower and decide to skate to Refshaeoen Island, even talking myself into not stopping at Christiania on the way.

Yoshi Tanenbaum ollies through the fallen

The island in itself is an experience – an old industrial area, seemingly semi-abandoned but for nautical art galleries and event spaces. The sun sets on the final session of the week, with the likes of Evan Smith, Ishod Wair and Carlos Ribeiro sessioning the recently built DIY track. Carlos takes the win due to a ridiculous level of consistency and bag of tricks, putting a full stop on proceedings with a switch flip, while Ben Devine is knocked out when a friendly throw ends up with his head making contact with stone.

Ishod Wair – backside nosegrind

Another fire is lit and, out here, we are almost guaranteed to be left free from the hand of the authorities. Unfortunately we are not free of a biting wind coming off the water, even when stood near the blaze, so after some smoking and beers we head out with a local who takes us a winding, long, but enjoyable route to skate back to Wonderland. Here we find the session in full swing with Dannie Carlsen, Dean Greensmith and a group of locals tearing the bowl to pieces. The crew are holed up in the far corner with beers and joints, so we join them and watch the carnage unfold.

Kevin Bradley – back tail

“Uninspired by the freak show, I see ghosts dance in the trail of my weed smoke”. A Jehst lyrics flits across my mind, almost subliminally. Not impressed by the world outside, rather than moan we have created our own, more positive freak show; the ghosts are spilling from the joint in my hand tonight and the session is going off. The spectators are shouting their heads off, beers are passed around and the level of skating in one of the most awkward, hard to skate bowls I have been to is impressive. It is the perfect close to the evening.

View from Refshalen Island. Ph: Jono Coote