They should just make the prize money smaller. Small enough that the contest rats won't care enough to go.
Add to the prize a keg with the brand of their choosing. If the rider is straight edge, let him/her have a keg of MacDonald's orange drink if they want. It will be better than a cheque.
Now, from lowering that cheque, they could throw in bonus prize money. Ones pro's don't know about until after. Legit ones too.
- Most legit tricks to risk in a run.
- Biggest hammer in a run.
- Techest trick in a run.
- Best line.
- Sickest tattoo.
- Widest board.
- Fastest Abec.
- etc.
The idea is that Tampa was never a "contest" but an annual party for skateboarding. It could still be a contest, but the motives need to be changed.