Soulful strut

Mike Sciacca

Following a string of bad luck, Brian Patch is riding on top, once

again, in the world of skateboarding.

Patch, of Westminster, enters his fifth Philips Key Ring Soul Bowl

looking to capture the Huntington Beach event after placing second

last year in the Young Guns of Skate competition.

The Philips Key Ring Soul Bowl offers competition involving the

world’s best skateboarders, inline skaters and bicycle stunt riders

all vying for a $50,000 prize purse.

Soul Bowl practices begin at 9 a.m. today and competition in

skateboarding and BMX continues through the weekend.

Patch will vie in the Young Guns of Skate competition at 10:30

a.m. Sunday.

Also in the skate competition is Orange County’s Don Peters, who

captured first place at last year’s Soul Bowl, Steve Alba of Upland,

who finished second to Peters last year and Cara-Beth Burnside,

another Orange County resident who has been called the “undisputed

best female vert skater in the world.”

Other invited but not-confirmed skate veterans include Tony Hawk

and Huntington Beach’s Omar Hassan, and bikers Dave Mirra and Kevin

Robinson.

Last summer, Patch became the overall Soul Bowl champion for 2002

after strong showings at Huntington Beach and the nation’s other two

Soul Bowl events held in Hermosa Beach and Virginia Beach, Va.

He competes in Huntington Beach after having participated in a

Soul Bowl event in London.

In addition, he has spent the past 10 days giving skateboard

performances at Disney’s California Adventures theme park.

“There’s that stigma of pressure but I don’t pay any attention to

it,” Patch said in reference to being the reigning overall Soul Bowl

champion. “I just don’t feel any pressure and I’m looking forward to

having a good time.

“I like being in Huntington and competing there. I know a lot of

people there and it’s great not to have to travel far for

competition.”

Patch’s expertise on a skateboard has allowed him the chance to

travel around the world for competitions in places such as the Czech

Republic, Australia, Germany and Austria.

“It’s one of the perks, and it’s a great one,” he said.

He began skateboarding at 12 and started competing professionally

in 1994.

The goofy-foot skateboarder is known for his versatility and

command of skateboard disciplines such as street, vert, vert doubles,

crossovers and best trick.

The Soul Bowl best trick competition will be held at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday.

“I love to do it all,” Patch said. “I’m always looking to skate

something different. I don’t want to limit myself to any one style.”

A slew of injuries he sustained nearly three years ago has failed

to derail Patch. He overcame a broken collarbone, a concussion and a

sprained ankle -- the latter sustained while attempting to break the

distance jumping world record. All three injuries happened within a

six-month period. He went on to capture third-place at the Super Jump

competition at Lake Havasu at 54-foot-5 1/2.

He later worked as a stunt double in the movie “The Grind.”

Patch won medals in the X Games four consecutive years between

1996-99 and medaled at the Vans Triple Crown in 1998.

Patch topped off his comeback by setting the Guinness Book of

World Records for distance jumping world record with a jump of 58

feet in 2002 in a hanger at the Van Nuys Airport, he said.

“It was a great feeling to hit that record,” he said. “I’m just

having fun with all of this. I’ve been doing this for a long time.

It’s my living and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”