The Battle at the Berrics stands as the premier competitive Game of S.K.A.T.E. in modern skateboarding history. Hosted by The Berrics, the private indoor skatepark founded by professional skateboarders Steve Berra and Eric Koston, the tournament pits elite street skaters against each other in flatground battles. Since its inception in 2008, the contest has evolved from a raw internet video series into a massive global showcase.
If you want the complete history of who took home the trophy, this breakdown covers every single champion across the main seasons, special editions, and spin-off brackets.
The Origins and Evolution of Battle at the Berrics
Before diving into the full champions archive, it helps to understand why this contest matters. Traditional street contests rely on judges scoring runs or single tricks over obstacles. The Battle at the Berrics strips away ramps, rails, and subjective judging. It uses the classic playground rules of a Game of S.K.A.T.E., where skaters must match flatground tricks letter-for-letter or risk elimination.
The format changed the culture of technical flatground skateboarding. Skaters who grew up perfecting flatground lines suddenly had a global stage to prove their consistency under pressure. Over the years, the tournament introduced fresh concepts, including team divisions, pro-versus-amateur formats, women's brackets, and international special editions.
Complete Battle at the Berrics Winners List
The main tournament series forms the backbone of the legacy. Winning a BATB title requires navigating rounds of high-pressure trick selection, switch-stance wizardry, and mental endurance.
The Early Era: 2008 to 2013
The first six seasons established the tournament as a powerhouse in online media, featuring legends who defined 2000s and 2010s street skating.
- Battle at the Berrics 1 (2008): Mike Mo Capaldi took the inaugural title, defeating Benny Fairfax in the final match, with Billy Marks rounding out third place.
- Battle at the Berrics 2 (2009): Chris Cole claimed the crown after a tense final against Paul Rodriguez, while Cory Kennedy secured third place.
- Battle at the Berrics 3 (2010): Paul Rodriguez bounced back to win the title in a legendary seven-minute final against PJ Ladd, judged by Tony Hawk. Shane O'Neill finished third.
- Battle at the Berrics 4 (2011): Morgan Smith brought the trophy north of the border, defeating PJ Ladd in the final with Davis Torgerson taking third.
- Battle at the Berrics 5 (2012): PJ Ladd finally secured his gold medal, overcoming Mike Mo Capaldi in the championship round, while Shane O'Neill placed third.
- Battle at the Berrics 6 (2013): PJ Ladd achieved back-to-back dominance, defeating Paul Rodriguez in the final match, with Shane O'Neill again taking third.
The Mid Era and Format Shifts: 2014 to 2018
As the contest matured, organizers began experimenting with unique brackets, pitting pros against amateurs and introducing international threats.
- Battle at the Berrics 7 (2014): Billed as a Pro vs. Joe format, Cody Cepeda pulled off a massive upset by defeating Luan Oliveira in the final without acquiring a single letter. Eric Koston took third.
- Battle at the Berrics 8 (2015): Sewa Kroetkov won the crown through a flawless performance, sealing his victory with a rare hardflip late frontside 180 over Shane O'Neill. Cody Cepeda placed third.
- Battle at the Berrics 9 (2016): Diego Najera clinched the championship on finals night, locking down the win with a clean switch frontside 360 kickflip against Micky Papa, while Youness Amrani took third.
- Battle at the Berrics X (2017): Chris Joslin won a hyper-competitive tenth installment, defeating Sewa Kroetkov with a switch frontside shove-it late flip. Shane O'Neill finished third.
- Battle at the Berrics 11 (2018): Luan Oliveira returned to the top tier, defeating Chris Joslin in the final battle to claim the championship ring. Sewa Kroetkov took third place.
The Modern Era: 2019 to Present
The later years brought special divisions, pandemic-era adjustments, and new international powerhouses.
- Women's Battle at the Berrics (2019): Monica Torres took first place in a groundbreaking women's division, defeating Alexis Sablone in the final, with Lacey Baker taking third.
- Battle At The Berrics Qualifiers / Special Editions (2020): Sierra Fellers won the BATQ division, defeating TJ Rogers in the final.
- Battle at the Berrics 12 (2021-2022): Jamie Griffin made a statement by winning the tournament after defeating Tyler Peterson in the finals, with Sewa Kroetkov taking third.
- Battle at the Berrics 13 (2023): Jamie Griffin repeated his success, winning for a second consecutive year—a feat not accomplished since PJ Ladd's early run. Nick Holt took second and Tyler Peterson took third.
- Battle at the Berrics Japan Special Edition (2025): Cody Cepeda took top honors in this international spin-off event, defeating PJ Ladd in the final.
Multi-Time Champions and Statistics
Only a handful of skaters managed to engrave their names on the trophy more than once. Looking at the roster reveals how difficult it is to stay consistent in a Game of S.K.A.T.E. against evolving generations of talent.
PJ Ladd and Jamie Griffin remain the only competitors to secure consecutive victories. Ladd dominated the early 2010s with wins in BATB 5 and BATB 6, while Griffin locked down the modern era with back-to-back titles in BATB 12 and BATB 13. Paul Rodriguez, Luan Oliveira, and Cody Cepeda also stand out as multi-finalists who consistently reached the deepest rounds of the competition across different eras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the very first Battle at the Berrics?
Mike Mo Capaldi won the inaugural tournament in 2008, defeating Benny Fairfax in the final match.
Who has won the most Battle at the Berrics titles?
PJ Ladd and Jamie Griffin share the record for most consecutive wins, with two titles each. Several other skaters like Paul Rodriguez and Cody Cepeda have multiple podium finishes.
Are non-professional skaters allowed to compete?
While the majority of seasons feature elite professional skateboarders, specific installments like BATB 7 utilized a Pro-vs-Amateur format where selected amateurs had a chance to battle top pros.
What happens if a skater lands a trick that the opponent cannot match?
In a standard Game of S.K.A.T.E., if the setter lands a clean trick, the challenger must match it on their turn. If they fail, they accumulate a letter. Spelling out S-K-A-T-E means elimination.
