McGazzaLand back in prime shape

Dan Shallcrass says dirt jumps are a lot like living and growing things, continuously evolving.

Keeping McGazza Land in top riding condition isn't a set-and-forget process but one where you are constantly tinkering away and making improvements on the jumps.

"We're just refining them, we're not reinventing the wheel," says Dan.

"Every time we do it, they get a little bit better."

This year's annual spruce up, funded by the Tasman District Council, saw 20 truckloads of dirt delivered to reshape and refine the jumps by digger and by hand so people can get some practice in for the upcoming Skatepark Series for 2024.

With Motueka kicking it off on 10 February, Pip Taylor will return to McGazza Land to defend her People's Choice award on 24 February before the show moves to Richmond Skatepark on 9 March. Nelson Skatepark hosts the series' finals, with over $500 on the line donated by Matt Black Smith and other supporters.

An airbag will also be set up at the Motueka and Nelson stops, with Dan saying their biggest problem moving forward is having too many people wanting to compete.

"We really want lots of people to come and watch. There's food, there's entertainment, it's a festival atmosphere."

As for McGazza Land, Dan has been with the project since the start and has no plans of slowing down.

He's always on the hunt for anything, from donated labour and high-quality dirt to support in growing and improving the space.

One day, he imagines that a skatepark will be built on the top section of the land, but that would take significant additional support.

"For me, this is a playground not a memorial.

"I imagine Kelly would look down and think, 'That's so cool, I wish I had that living in Wakefield'.

"But this is never finished. There's always the next thing here."