According to China *'s Xinhua News Agency, the 2007 Coca-Cola Shanghai * Showdown is scheduled to occur this Saturday, October 27th at the SMP Jiangwan Skatepark *, which according to the Guinness Book of World Records, holds the distinction of being the "World's Largest Skatepark". Planned to include a live concert and "grafitti show", the showdown will pit some of the world's best skateboard, BMX and half-pipe inline professionals against each other. Skateboarders from more than seven countries are expected, including Greg Lutzka *, Dayne Brummet * and Dennis McCoy, but no apparently no Chinese * athletes attained the "A-list" criteria to participate in the competition, though they will stage a pre-competition demonstration. Jonathan Wu, manager of the SMP Jiangwan Skatepark was quoted as saying "Skateboarding in Shanghai is growing faster than any other region in Asia *, and that has a lot to do with the SMP Skatepark and events like the Shanghai Showdown." He was also quoted saying "The great thing about skateboarding is that it will always progress and change as an industry, however, at its core it has always remained true to its roots."

Ireland *'s U.TV reports that after 4 years of local skateboarders and supporters campaigning and petitioning, the city of Limerick is scheduled to start building its first skatepark. The park will be built at Mount Kennett on Dock Road, and is scheduled to begin construction before Christmas of this year. It's slated to support up to 50 simultaneous skateboarders, with room for an additional 50 spectators. The park is scheduled to be open by summer 2008. As far as we at SkateboardDirectory.com are aware, no bawdy poem has been written about the subject yet, but if users email some to us, we'll pick the best one and publish it on SkateboardDirectory.com!

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