Slalom skateboarding is pretty easy, really. Gravity does most of the work; all you really need is nerve.

There's some skill involved, too, but I wouldn't know about that. I haven't acquired any, beyond the basic ability to balance upright while making turns on a rolling board. Even as an absolute beginer, though, I had a blast bombing down Summer Street in Antrim this Sunday, competing in the "B" division GS race.
I hadn't meant to race. I'd brought my board and pads figuring I'd sneak some runs during warm-ups and between races. Stoke is contagious, though, and slalom racers are an enthusiastic and encouraging bunch.
So after a tentative trial run, I took a few more from the starting ramp, and convinced myself I could make it to the bottom in one piece. That's all that really matters to me. A nice clean, smooth run is its own reward, and if it's fast, so much the better.
There were just five of us racing in the "B" division, compared with over 60 racers taking it from the top of the hill. An extremely talented young lass from London won it; her dad competed in the "A" level.
I missed the hybrid events on Saturday, but Old Gold Jug organizer Brian Beihl said the racing that day drew a crowd of about 2,500 (not all at once, which is for the best). Turnout was a bit more sparse Sunday, despite the superior weather. The Antrim Chamber of Commerce and race organizers plan to keep running the race annually (this was the second), and hope to have it certified as a national event by the International Slalom Skateboard Association, Beihl said. It is an international event; Team Fullbag from Quebec was out in force and the race results suggest that the nerve implied by their risque logo (it looks a bit, but not quite, like an upside-down heart) was no empty boast.

I'll post a photo or two as soon as Julie Boulanger sends some along.

Miguel Marco posted the race results on the International Slalom Skateboard Association forum:

Saturday Dual Hybrid:

1- Louis Ricard (Fullbag)
2- Adam Schwippert (Roe)
3- Seb Leger (Fullbag)
4- Mig (Fullbag)

Sunday GS:

1- Adam Schwippert (Roe)
2- Seb Leger (Fullbag)
3- Mig (Fullbag)