Ride baby ride

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by Melissa Proietti

Montreal skaters and skateboarding fans alike will be lining up this Sunday, May 20, to see the first demo featuring big-name pro skaters to come to Montreal in over a year. "We are expecting a lot of people to come because of the big names and the big arena," says Underworld skate-shop manager Jason "OJay" Pelletier. The Etnies demo, being held at the St-Louis Arena near Laurier metro, is the eastern-most stop on the North American tour that started in Vancouver.

Former Montrealer and Etnies-sponsored pro skater Alex Gavin will be among the big names turning out, along with another local talent, amateur skater Marc April. "I've been sponsored by Etnies for four months now," says April. "I'm very excited for the demo but there's also a lot of pressure."

The event will be the first big demo to stop in Montreal since the Zero demo which happened about a year ago. It will showcase the mad skills of riders like Chris Lambert, Fabrizio Santos and Carlos De Andrade. The pros are expected to take to the ramps at 3 p.m.

A competition starting at 10 a.m. will be held for any local skaters eager to show off their talents. Sign-up at the arena (5635 Ste-Dominique) is mandatory along with a $25 fee. And before the pros are let loose on the KC Projects and Spin street-course they will be signing your stuff at Underworld (289 Ste-Catherine E.) from 12 p.m.-1 p.m.