Today was the day of the world freestyle championships. Riders had travelled from around Angland, Japan, USA, Ireland, Czech republic, Syberia, France, Belgium, Switzerland and myself from Australia.
It wasnt just the rider which made this a true world class event, but the Track features were like no other i had ridden before. The main riding line consisted of a 25ft long snowboard style stepdown, after landing this travelling at mach 10, a quick speed check was required and it was on to the 30ft tabletop with a very steep lip. After riding out of this it was required to get down low and hold as much speed as possible before the next jump, a 40ft long step up jump where the landing was around 8ft higher then the 6ft high take off. Aswell as these features, there were rails, hips and a beasty 12ft drop off.
This set the platform to be the best competition of all time. Many of the expected 1500 spectators began to arrive at 1:00 in the afternoon ready to watch qualifications at 4pm followed by finals under lights at 9pm
By the time of the first qualification run, riders were all at the top and amped to ride. Many riders chose to try and throw down straight away, while others like myself were more conservative to make sure to get clean runs early on in the comp.
Unfortunately after the first 2 qual. runs the rain had arrived, so out came the covers for the jumps(just like in the cricket or tennis).
After and hour under covor, the rain had stopped and it was time for the 3rd and final qualification run. Towards the end of the 60 competitors the rain had joined us again. This time the rain was heavier, and didnt end for several hours forcing the organisers to take results from the qualification jumps.
In the end it was Renny Miles who places first, Pavel Pasha from syberia in 2nd and ben tweedie in 3rd. I ended up placing 11th which i was stoaked on. Riders were then able to relax and enjoy the free jagermeister(one of the event sponsors)
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
24hrs in Antworp, Belgium
Today i got invited to go with team Trampa to go and Visit Antworp, Home of World freestyle Champion Arno VDV. I was unsure weather to stay at Wanyi or travel for 3hrs to see another part of Belgium. I flipped a coin and was soon in the back of the pimpin black Mercedes vito van headed for Antworp.
We arrived in antworp and spent and hour chillin at arno's place in town. We then met up with his girlfriend and a few of her friends for lunch at a sweet cafe'/ The food was quality and very cheap aswell. We then headed in to On Love Boardshop(one of arno's sponsors) to collect some prizes for the comp on the weekend, as well as to check out all the sweet gear they sold. I'm sure i could of spent 1000euro in here but settled to spend 30 on a t-shirt.
Arno and friends were then kind enough to show us around Antworp, where myself and the english riders sore some amazing cathedrals, the river running through the city and some really unique street art.
After experiencng the cool vibe of the city we had changed our plans and decided to hit the town at night. By this time it was 5 in the afternoon so we headed to our first of many bars for the night. All the places we visted played some cool downtempo lounge or hip hop music and the atmosphere was great. At about 4 in the morning we went back to arno's, grabbed his spray cans and headed out to the streets to do some graffiti on some legal graffiti walls near by. As we were finishing our art pieces the sun was comming up and it was time for us to say goodbye to antworp and drive back to wanyi park.
It was definately a good thing the coin flip sent me to antworp.
We arrived in antworp and spent and hour chillin at arno's place in town. We then met up with his girlfriend and a few of her friends for lunch at a sweet cafe'/ The food was quality and very cheap aswell. We then headed in to On Love Boardshop(one of arno's sponsors) to collect some prizes for the comp on the weekend, as well as to check out all the sweet gear they sold. I'm sure i could of spent 1000euro in here but settled to spend 30 on a t-shirt.
Arno and friends were then kind enough to show us around Antworp, where myself and the english riders sore some amazing cathedrals, the river running through the city and some really unique street art.
After experiencng the cool vibe of the city we had changed our plans and decided to hit the town at night. By this time it was 5 in the afternoon so we headed to our first of many bars for the night. All the places we visted played some cool downtempo lounge or hip hop music and the atmosphere was great. At about 4 in the morning we went back to arno's, grabbed his spray cans and headed out to the streets to do some graffiti on some legal graffiti walls near by. As we were finishing our art pieces the sun was comming up and it was time for us to say goodbye to antworp and drive back to wanyi park.
It was definately a good thing the coin flip sent me to antworp.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Winterberg - Mountainboard Heaven
We all woke up at first light, normally i may get annoyed at waking up this early, however this morning was special... In front of me was one of the best mountainboard parks i have ever seen.
To the left of me was a cafe/bar and going straight up from that was a T-bar lift system to the top of the hill. Comming off the lift(~without unstrapping) you could hit 3 largish jumps, snowboard rails still in position from winter, a mini Boarder X, wallride or Tree jib.
Due to the ski lift we all did hundreds of runs on the freestyle and snuck in a few beers in between runs.
The days highlights were D.C's nosepick stalls on the wallride and Tuai Lovejoys smooth as silk corked 540's. During the days riding at least 100 people hired out boards and were riding the beginer sections of the park with us. Due to this trip making up a large section of the 2009 BFC film, winterberg agreed to sponsor us free lift passes for the weekend which would have cost us around 150 euro each.
Thanks to the guys at ROCKON GERMANY check out www.rockon.de
BACKFLIP
Chairlift up!
To the left of me was a cafe/bar and going straight up from that was a T-bar lift system to the top of the hill. Comming off the lift(~without unstrapping) you could hit 3 largish jumps, snowboard rails still in position from winter, a mini Boarder X, wallride or Tree jib.
Due to the ski lift we all did hundreds of runs on the freestyle and snuck in a few beers in between runs.
The days highlights were D.C's nosepick stalls on the wallride and Tuai Lovejoys smooth as silk corked 540's. During the days riding at least 100 people hired out boards and were riding the beginer sections of the park with us. Due to this trip making up a large section of the 2009 BFC film, winterberg agreed to sponsor us free lift passes for the weekend which would have cost us around 150 euro each.
Thanks to the guys at ROCKON GERMANY check out www.rockon.de
BACKFLIP
Chairlift up!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Let the Road trip begin!
We were up early, around 6:45 ready to pack the cars and get going on our mission to be in winterberg, Germany by the end of the day.
We eventually set of in 3 cars crammed full of people and gear. Myself, James Sleigh and Jed Hornyold were in one car, Tuai Lovejoy, Steve Cownie and Matt Brind in another car and Dave Compton, Rhys Crilley, Jack Johnston(tour Filmer) and Sarah(tour photographer) in another.
After a ferry ride from Dover to Calais filled with duty-free goodness, we had reached France. It Wasn't until 1:00 that night that we arrived in Winterberg. We had travelled for about 15 hrs, through England, France, Belgium, Holand and Germany.
After trying to check out the track in the dark, we decided to call it a dayand instead of setting up our massive 16 man tent we settled for sleeping under the perfectly clear night sky.
We eventually set of in 3 cars crammed full of people and gear. Myself, James Sleigh and Jed Hornyold were in one car, Tuai Lovejoy, Steve Cownie and Matt Brind in another car and Dave Compton, Rhys Crilley, Jack Johnston(tour Filmer) and Sarah(tour photographer) in another.
After a ferry ride from Dover to Calais filled with duty-free goodness, we had reached France. It Wasn't until 1:00 that night that we arrived in Winterberg. We had travelled for about 15 hrs, through England, France, Belgium, Holand and Germany.
After trying to check out the track in the dark, we decided to call it a dayand instead of setting up our massive 16 man tent we settled for sleeping under the perfectly clear night sky.
Friday, July 25, 2008
NEW CAR! Thursday 25th July
After a few hours sleep at the airport, i made it the days mission to but a car. i headed into london on the tube and went to a net cafe to do some research. After a few phone calls , i was on the bus to Cheltenham, where i would later buy my 1985 Nissan Sunny for £100.
Cheltenham is a very posh city, but actually one of my favorites in england due to its cleanliness, hot girls and general cool vibe to it.
After signing some paperwork and shaking hands i was off in my new ride. Driving through the English countryside on a nice sunny day was very pleasant. I rocked up at court Farm in my new ride and was greeted by the crew. Some didnt recognise me due to the car and my haircut. Later on i had quick ride and then slept under the stars.
Heres a photo
Cheltenham is a very posh city, but actually one of my favorites in england due to its cleanliness, hot girls and general cool vibe to it.
After signing some paperwork and shaking hands i was off in my new ride. Driving through the English countryside on a nice sunny day was very pleasant. I rocked up at court Farm in my new ride and was greeted by the crew. Some didnt recognise me due to the car and my haircut. Later on i had quick ride and then slept under the stars.
Heres a photo
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Wed 16th - Monday 21st July
Have been very slack with the blogs in Ireland. But am going to try and sum up the last week in 1 blog with 15mins of internet credit remaining.
Tuesday night i was unable to get any accomidation in london so i slept at heathrow airport.. i figured i wouldnt get andy sleep, but at least i wouldnt get stabbed. On the wednesday i caught the plane to Dublin before lunch and arrived at my hostel right in the city about 4 in the arvo. I was absolutely buggered so i slept for a few hours and then went out the some pubs in the temple district with some other people from the hostel. The craic was 90 with live bands and the guiness on tap was at least 40 times better then at home.
Thursday i caught the bus up to Newry in northern Ireland and was met at the bus station by Lee, wife of Gary Parr(owner of the surfin dirt mountainboard center). We went up the track for a bit of a look and then he took me to my accomidation which was a hostel right at the base of the infamous morne mountains. The views here were spectacular.
Friday i went down to the track to do a Clinic/tutorial with some of the local riders. Everything was informal and the idea was to give them tips on how to land new tricks. This was very rewarding with nearly everyone landing somthing new. That night more mountainboarders arrived for the competition the next. Everybody was staying in the same place so we just sat out in the field and had a few beers before going to bed.
Saturday was the Boarder X of the Irish open. In the end i managed to get 3rd place. The weather was misty rain at the start of the day so the track was quite slow. By the end of qualifications the sun was out and the track was drying up. Turns out despite falling off in qualifications i had made the semi finals. In the semi final the race was very tight with all riders no further then a foot apart after the first 2 corners. I slipt back into 3rd place and was lucky enough there was a pile up in front of me and i crossed the line making it through to the finals where i ended up placing 3rd in an equally close race.
Sunday was the Freestyle Jam and the big Air. The freestyle jam was an hour long session on the track where riders could bust out the sickest lines they could. i pulled off a few backflips, massive 3's and 5's and boardslid the rainbow rail to take 1st place. In the big air i wasnt so lucky. On my 2nd jump i dropped in and got some speed wobble sending me off the jump crooked, i was planning on doing a backflip nosegrab, so i was committed to the trick, i new as soon as i left the lip it wasnt sop good, but i had to continue trying the flip so i didnt land on my head. i ended up landing far to the right of the takeoff then bouncing off the landing ramp ontop some rocks beside it. i cut the end off my thumb and it is quite bruised. i continued to ride and took 2nd place in the big air.
Monday. Now i am back in dublin at a hostel. I'm not sure how my thumb will effect me, but i am struggling to write, get my wallet out my pocket and carry my board bag. hopefully it heals up soon. I guess whatever doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
Tuesday night i was unable to get any accomidation in london so i slept at heathrow airport.. i figured i wouldnt get andy sleep, but at least i wouldnt get stabbed. On the wednesday i caught the plane to Dublin before lunch and arrived at my hostel right in the city about 4 in the arvo. I was absolutely buggered so i slept for a few hours and then went out the some pubs in the temple district with some other people from the hostel. The craic was 90 with live bands and the guiness on tap was at least 40 times better then at home.
Thursday i caught the bus up to Newry in northern Ireland and was met at the bus station by Lee, wife of Gary Parr(owner of the surfin dirt mountainboard center). We went up the track for a bit of a look and then he took me to my accomidation which was a hostel right at the base of the infamous morne mountains. The views here were spectacular.
Friday i went down to the track to do a Clinic/tutorial with some of the local riders. Everything was informal and the idea was to give them tips on how to land new tricks. This was very rewarding with nearly everyone landing somthing new. That night more mountainboarders arrived for the competition the next. Everybody was staying in the same place so we just sat out in the field and had a few beers before going to bed.
Saturday was the Boarder X of the Irish open. In the end i managed to get 3rd place. The weather was misty rain at the start of the day so the track was quite slow. By the end of qualifications the sun was out and the track was drying up. Turns out despite falling off in qualifications i had made the semi finals. In the semi final the race was very tight with all riders no further then a foot apart after the first 2 corners. I slipt back into 3rd place and was lucky enough there was a pile up in front of me and i crossed the line making it through to the finals where i ended up placing 3rd in an equally close race.
Sunday was the Freestyle Jam and the big Air. The freestyle jam was an hour long session on the track where riders could bust out the sickest lines they could. i pulled off a few backflips, massive 3's and 5's and boardslid the rainbow rail to take 1st place. In the big air i wasnt so lucky. On my 2nd jump i dropped in and got some speed wobble sending me off the jump crooked, i was planning on doing a backflip nosegrab, so i was committed to the trick, i new as soon as i left the lip it wasnt sop good, but i had to continue trying the flip so i didnt land on my head. i ended up landing far to the right of the takeoff then bouncing off the landing ramp ontop some rocks beside it. i cut the end off my thumb and it is quite bruised. i continued to ride and took 2nd place in the big air.
Monday. Now i am back in dublin at a hostel. I'm not sure how my thumb will effect me, but i am struggling to write, get my wallet out my pocket and carry my board bag. hopefully it heals up soon. I guess whatever doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday the 15th
The last few days i have been chillin with Mike Payne up in Talford. WE have done a fair bit of riding at some sweet freeride locations and skateparks. At one of the skateparks the kids had seen Johnny Kapahal, and they were stoaked to be riding with me and Mike.
Earlier Today i did something way out of Character... Hair modelling. A Friend of Mikes mum needed some peoples hair to cut, and my hair was gettin way long, so myself and mike both volunteered as a bit of a joke. Apparently the hairdresser is renowned as one of the best hairdressers in UK, so i scored a free haircut worth £150.
I am now currrently on the train back to london. The trains here are way overpriced so when i get back from Ireland i hope to buy a cheap car.
Earlier Today i did something way out of Character... Hair modelling. A Friend of Mikes mum needed some peoples hair to cut, and my hair was gettin way long, so myself and mike both volunteered as a bit of a joke. Apparently the hairdresser is renowned as one of the best hairdressers in UK, so i scored a free haircut worth £150.
I am now currrently on the train back to london. The trains here are way overpriced so when i get back from Ireland i hope to buy a cheap car.
Thursday 12th July
Well i've been away for exactly 1 month now and am still having a great time, although missing some aspects of Australia.
Yesterday was another great day, myself, alex and teo went back to double waters to finish off some filming. We then went and met up with some crew at Tom Kirkmans house and had a session in his backyard.
Tom is unfortunately not riding at the moment as he is recovering from ankle surgery, but myself, joel trilivin and Mick Kirkman were throwin down flips and spins off the 4ft kickers to dirt landings. I also landed a few of my first FS Boardslides on one of the smaller ledges there.
Today i am catching the train up to worcester to session Out to Grass this afternoon and then hit the town tonight to celebrate Niki Forecasts birthday, Should be good.
Yesterday was another great day, myself, alex and teo went back to double waters to finish off some filming. We then went and met up with some crew at Tom Kirkmans house and had a session in his backyard.
Tom is unfortunately not riding at the moment as he is recovering from ankle surgery, but myself, joel trilivin and Mick Kirkman were throwin down flips and spins off the 4ft kickers to dirt landings. I also landed a few of my first FS Boardslides on one of the smaller ledges there.
Today i am catching the train up to worcester to session Out to Grass this afternoon and then hit the town tonight to celebrate Niki Forecasts birthday, Should be good.
Thursday 10th June
Today the weather was dry, so myself and alex headed for a place called double waters for some riding and filming. The place is part of dartmoor national park, and has great riding with grass tracks through fields covored in bracken. There are also loads of wild horses and sheep around which you have to look out for.
We did some wicked freeriding and got loads of good footage, and then headed into the village for some cornish pasties(they are sooo good, i've had like 5 this week).
At 5:00 we left for Ivy leaf again for the team training night. There were about 12 of us riding and i threw down some more backflips and learnt boardslides to 270 out on one of the rails. It was another great days riding and tomorrow should be just as good, sessioning Tom Kirkman's(3 times world champ) backyard.
We did some wicked freeriding and got loads of good footage, and then headed into the village for some cornish pasties(they are sooo good, i've had like 5 this week).
At 5:00 we left for Ivy leaf again for the team training night. There were about 12 of us riding and i threw down some more backflips and learnt boardslides to 270 out on one of the rails. It was another great days riding and tomorrow should be just as good, sessioning Tom Kirkman's(3 times world champ) backyard.
Tuesday 8th July
Today i travelled 1 hr by car through the english countryside to get to Ivy Leaf Mountainboard center. As it was a week day Boz and I were the only ones riding, so we had the foam pit and dirt jumps to ourselves.
After trying some stuff in the foam pit, i thought i may aswell throw down some backflips on the irt. All attempts were landed clean so i was stoaked on the days effort.
We went back for dinner and i have just been down at the local pub having a few pints to celebrate the backflips.
After trying some stuff in the foam pit, i thought i may aswell throw down some backflips on the irt. All attempts were landed clean so i was stoaked on the days effort.
We went back for dinner and i have just been down at the local pub having a few pints to celebrate the backflips.
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