The inaugural Maloof Money Cup Championships in Kimberely South Africa are upon us as the top skaters from NY and DC Money Cups competing for almost $500k and the Maloof Championship title.

The street course where the contest will be hosted pays tribute to Kimberley's heritage, incorporating the famous Kimberley diamond into the course design. Designed by Joe Ciaglia of California Skateparks and Pro Skater and Vans Team Rider Geoff Rowley, the features for the course are based on skate spots from around the world.

16 top skaters have earned spots on the Maloof All Pro roster including NYC winner Greg Lutzka and DC winner Andrew Reynolds. Both have proved they have more than a legitimate shot to earn the title, but from what we've seen in the past Maloof Money Cup repeat winners are rare, and last we checked Chris Cole is not in the contest.

The world's best vert skaters will also be in South Africa battling it out for $75,000. The Maloofs specifically wanted the first ever global Maloof Money Cup to feature the best skateboarding has to offer, so they decided to do both vert and street. Along with the worlds best skaters will be a highly competitive amateur division. If your trying to captivate a global audience then what better way than turning the contest into a skate festival? The local community of Kimberely is in for one of the greatest skate weekends in skate contest history.

The skate park is situated near "The Big Hole," a former diamond mine that was once the world's largest and considered the largest hand-dug excavation on earth when it was finally closed in 1914. The Maloof Skate Park will remain behind after the contest and is the centerpiece for a new convention center and hotel complex that will position Kimberley as the action sports capital of South Africa.

Be sure to tune into the live webcast on the Maloof Money Cup Youtube page for the vert finals on Saturday Saturday, Oct. 1: 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT, 7 a.m. to 12 noon EDT and the main event featuring the world's best street skaters on Sunday, Oct. 2: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT, 9 a.m. to 12 noon EDT.

Check back tomorrow to GrindTV Skate as we breakdown the skaters with the best shot to win the title.

Maloof Money Cup Skateboarding World Championships -- Confirmed Riders

Louie Lopez
Curren Caples
Greg Lutzka
Manny Santiago
Ryan Decenzo
Collin Provost
Johnny Layton
Lizard King
Bobby Worrest
Eli Reed
Andrew Reynolds
Pete Eldridge
Nick Merlino
Ronnie Creager
Sierra Fellers
Jack Curtin
Tom Asta
Ishod Wair
Evan Smith
Matt Miller
Kurtis Colamonico
Garret Hill
Bryan Hansen
Andrew Cannon
Tommy Sandoval
Anthony Schultz
Alex Mizurov
Pierre Luc Gagnon
Bob Burnquist
Adam Taylor
Andy MacDonald
Jake Brown
Elliot Sloan
Sandro Dias
Pedro Barros
Marcelo Bastos