It was the tenth anniversary of the SoulBowl event in Huntington Beach and also this year some heavy hitters made it down to the beach. Where it normally takes a bit longer to get riders to go to the event venue, it was no punishment to make it down to the beach. The sun was out and there was plenty to do and to see. HB gets crazy when the US Open comes to town but we enjoyed every minute of it. With loads of people around it meant that the grandstands were full during the BMX contest. With local Grotbags on the Microphone it was going to be a good one. The first place check read $ 10.000,= USD so even though the vibe was pretty chill, there was something on the line. Next to the regular contest checks there were also two side events: The Annual Manual and a High Air comp. $ 1000 for first, $ 600 for second and $ 400 for third in these little competitions which were fun to watch. On top of that they had extra checks available ($ 750) for the best trick during the contest and also a Style award. There was plenty of money around it seemed like which is never a bad thing.

As it was a bowl contest, riders were not only judged on the tricks they brought to the table but the use of the bowl was extremely important too. This wasn't a vert contest, let's put it that way. Still "vert rider" Chad Kagy won but the top dawgs know how to ride everything and next to bringing the latest tricks to the ramp, they also cruised around the bowl like madman. If you only get to ride the bowl once a year it's hard to get used to it but Joe Rich did not seem to have a problem with that as he shredded that thing apart and made it look small. He won the Style Award. Ben Snowden also rocked that thing and finished third because he was going in both directions, used every corner of that bowl, had back to back tricks and did more tricks over the elbow than anybody else. Steve McCann struggled a bit in qualifying but managed to do better in the finals to finish 2nd. Austin Coleman is one to watch. With a bit of time, some guidance and support he could become a top 5 regular in the near future. He pulled a double downside tailwhip alley-oop style which was awesome (and won the Best Trick Check). He's got one-handed tailwhips down in both directions, no-handed flairs, the works.

Take a look at the full results and enjoy the photos. I'm off to the beach.

BdJ

Final Results:
1. Chad Kagy
2. Steve McCann
3. Ben Snowden
4. Joe Rich
5. Austin Coleman
6. Jay Eggleston
7. Jimmy Walker
8. Francisco Zurita
9. Koji Kraft
10. Tom Stober

High Air:
1. Steve McCann
2. Jay Eggleston
3. Chad Kagy

Annual Manual:
 1. Chad Kagy
2. Dave Voelker
3. Ben Snowden

Style Cat award:
Joe Rich

Hardest Trick award:
Austin Coleman, alleyoop downside double tailwhip air

2010/2/9 16:20:24 - Little Black Bike edit. By Ryan Lloyd
2010/2/9 14:00:00 - Chase Hawk Moto-Whipper How-to video. By Joe Rich
2010/2/9 13:15:22 - Simpel Session Behind The Scenes pictures.
2010/2/9 10:07:02 - Always chill, January 2010 edit. by Itamar Bavli
2010/2/9 9:30:00 - The ASA High School Tour expands to bring Anti-Tobacco message to 100 Schools via an Action Sports Experience in 2010
2010/2/9 8:09:32 - Simpel Session Finals video. By Robin Fenlon
2010/2/9 6:00:00 - Seeley on Duffs BMX PROgram.
2010/2/9 4:20:00 - Miles Rogoish on Osiris Pro video
2010/2/9 1:30:00 - FAT FAVs with Robert Tibbs
2010/2/8 16:20:00 - Simpel Session Best trick video by Robin Fenlon
2010/2/8 13:50:00 - 2010 Red Bull Fight with Flight. By Sulferblitz
2010/2/8 12:29:38 - BMX B-day boys this week
2010/2/8 11:10:00 - The Local Face Team video
2010/2/8 7:20:00 - Love BMX digital mag
2010/2/8 4:20:00 - "Get Laced" video. By Jon Peacy
2010/2/8 1:30:00 - FAT FAVORITE list with Kareem J Williams
2010/2/7 19:20:00 - Simpel Session results. Woowoo!
2010/2/7 10:00:00 - Simpel Session Best Trick and BMX Finals live on FATBMX this afternoon!
2010/2/7 6:40:00 - New Day Smith signature frame
2010/2/7 4:20:00 - Simpel Session practice video by Robin Fenlon
2010/2/7 1:30:00 - FAT FAVORITE list with Sean Yarroll
2010/2/7 1:00:00 - wethepeople videorama 2010 - Balazs Ivanfi (HU)
2010/2/7 0:10:00 - On FuelTV: Chase DeHart, Robbie Morales and musical guest Switchfoot - Wednesday 2.10.10
2010/2/7 0:00:00 - TWELVE - a new project of the mountain biker and BMXer Michal Prokop.
2010/2/6 22:59:46 - Qualifying results Simpel Session 2010.