Mother’s Day weekend was a beautiful weekend to spend time out in Downtown Detroit. Detroit was buzzing with so many Detroiters and visitors walking around in the city and enjoying all the downtown area had to offer. I haven’t seen such excitement in the city in so many months.

The previous winter was cold, snowy, and just plain uncomfortable to be out in the city. I had been longing for Spring to finally arrive in Detroit so I was very happy to see the city come alive this past weekend.

Part of the excitement of the weekend was the Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 street skateboarding competition held at Hart Plaza. Last year, I attended the event with my teens and we had a good time, but the weather was a bit chilly.

Not this past Saturday, though. The weather was absolutely perfect to catch the Red Bull Hart Lines competition as it was sunny and warm out. There were a few sprinkles of rain off and on, but the light rain didn’t keep us or other skateboarding fans away from the street skateboarding event!

Beautiful view of the GM building in Downtown Detroit.
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 in Detroit, Michigan (5/13/17). Photo credit: J. Hamra, Good Life Detroit

2017 Marked Third Year of Red Bull Hart Lines Skateboarding Competition

Saturday, May 13, 2017, marked the third year for the Red Bull Hart Lines skate competition. Ryan Sheckler, the professional skateboarder, headlined the competition. The sporting event was held at Hart Plaza located on East Jefferson Avenue, right on the beautiful Detroit River Front.

This year, Red Bull Hart Lines featured “an international line-up of dynamic skaters for the event.” Along with Sheckler, “contest visionary, top-rated Brazilians Kelvin Hoefler, Felipe Gustavo & Leticia Bufoni, and reigning 2016 Red Bull Hart Lines Champion, Nyjah Huston” also competed in the skateboarding competition (Red Bull Hart Lines).

Manny Santiago Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
Manny Santiago (US) competed in the Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 in Detroit (5/13/17). Photo credit: J. Hamra, Good Life Detroit

Leticia Bufoni – Only Female Skateboarder Competed in Red Bull Hart Lines 2017

Leticia Bufoni was the only female pro skater at the Red Bull skate competition. I saw many young girls, including my own 15-year-old daughter, excited to see a female professional skateboarder competing. One young lady patiently stood in line at the practice session, waiting to ask Bufoni to autograph her skateboard. When she finally caught Bufoni’s attention, she gave a big smile and proudly showed her mother Bufoni’s autograph on her skateboard.

Leticia Bufoni Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
Leticia Bufoni (BRA) signs autographs at the Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 in Detroit (5/13/17). Photo credit: J. Hamra, Good Life Detroit
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
Leticia Bufoni was the only female athlete to compete in Red Bull Hart Lines in Detroit (5/13/17). Photo credit: Good Life Detroit

Full List of Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 Competitors

Alec Majerus (US)

Aurelien Giraud (FRA)

Axel Cruysberghs (BEL)

Boo Johnson (US)

Chase Webb (US)

Chaz Ortiz (US)

David Bachinsky (US)

David Loy (US)

David Reyes (US)

Felipe Gustavo (BRA)

Greg Lutzka (US)

Jack Fardell (AUS)

Kelvin Hoefler (BRA)

Leticia Bufoni (BRA)

Manny Santiago (US)

Nyjah Huston (US)

Paul Hart (US)

Ryan Decenzo (CANADA)

Ryan Sheckler (US)

TJ Rogers (CAN)

Tommy Fynn (AUS)

Torey Pudwill (US)

Trevor Colden (US)

Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
Ryan Sheckler signs autographs for fans at the Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 in Detroit (5/13/17). Photo credit: J. Hamra, Good Life Detroit

Nyjah Huston Wins Back-to-Back Titles at Red Bull Hart Lines 2017

Defending his 2016 champion title, Nyjah Huston won the 2017 Red Bull Hart Lines competition again! Runners-up of the competition were Alec Majerus and Kelvin Hefler.

“Huston’s performance was typified by opening his first run with an epic gap kickflip frontside boardslide then, later in the afternoon, closing out his final run with a perfect backside flip over the gap followed by a fakie kickflip into the bank.

‘The competition is always super gnarly and this course isn’t easy to skate. That’s the reason I like this competition, it’s super diverse. Consistency is the key. Being able to put down a solid first run so you can try something harder on your second run,’ said a breathless Huston after sealing the deal on his final run with a gap to noseblunt.” —Red Bull Hart Lines

Nyjah Huston Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
L-R Kelvin Hoefler Nyjah Huston Alec Majerus on the podium at Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 in Detroit, Michigan (5/13/17). (Photo courtesy Red Bull, Photographer Peter Morning)
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
Results of the Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 Finals
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
Nyjah Huston during Red Bull Hart Lines in Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI on May 13, 2017. (Photo courtesy Red Bull, Photographer P. Ryan)
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 (Photo credit: J. Hamra, Good Life Detroit)

Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 – Family-friendly and Fun for All

I loved the location of the event because it featured beautiful scenery of Downtown Detroit and the Detroit River. Visitors were able to walk freely throughout Hart Plaza and enjoy watching the athletes perform and also take a nice walk along the Detroit River Front. Food trucks were also available, as well as a Red Bull drink station.

Another feature I loved about Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 is the sporting event is a very family-friendly atmosphere. As I mentioned earlier, last year I took my two teenagers to the event, but you can also bring small children to the event. There is enough wide-open space at Hart Plaza for children to walk around and enjoy the skateboarding competition. I saw many parents pushing strollers and walking with their children.

Good Life Detroit Blog
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 was a sporting event welcoming everyone, including families! (Photo by J. Hamra, Good Life Detroit)

Young boys and girls, as well as adults, lined up during the practice session to get autographs from the professional skateboarders. The athletes were very friendly to their fans and willing to sign autographs and chat with them for a bit.  Overall, we enjoyed the Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 skateboarding competition. We hope Red Bull will host their skateboarding competition in Detroit again next year!

Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
A skateboarding fan shows off his skateboard autographed by his favorite skateboarders. (Photo credit: J. Hamra, Good Life Detroit)
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017
Red Bull Hart Lines 2017 (Photo credit: J. Hamra, Good Life Detroit)

A very special thank you to Red Bull for inviting Good Life Detroit to Red Bull Hart Lines 2017!

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].