040BMX Memorial jam. Celebrating rebeljam the year after. By BdJ

Dec 10, 2012

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 3094 times

The 040BMX PARK, where pegs are allowed, got a big boost after the rebeljam left their wood exactly a year ago. The place was turned into something good which has helped many riders keep their motivation. It's a warm place to ride where you can take your tricks from the mind to the foampit to the resi and land them on the box as the final step. Progression has been made by many riders in Eindhoven and on 8 December it was time for a jam with some cash prizes.

After a few hours warm up, the jam started with the rail contest. One of the rebeljam rails was screwed into the wooden slope for all to use in the rail contest. It was clear that not many riders ride pegs at the park because not a lot of riders lined up for the rail. But 100 Euros were going out to the winner. After many boost to rail bonk attempts Emile Bouwman got the job done but he wasn't the only one hitting the rail. Ermiyas van Diemen didn't ride much, but he sure took care of business. Over toothpick grinds were his and the c

rankslide was nearly there. The participating riders got together after the 15 minute jam session to decide among themselves who the winner was. Emile and Ermiyas decided to split the money and were happy with €50,= each.

Next up was the under 14 class. A 20 minute session followed for these riders and the entire park was used except for the foam pit. Jocki de Groot

showed talent jumping the spine, doing no-handers on the step-up and 360 and barspin fly-out jumps. The kid is 9 years old and represents Maarssenbroek, a Dutch town with some big BMX freestyle history. Michael van Gelder was getting his energy together to jump the spine-step-up gap but after 6 attempts he decided not to go for it. Next time for sure. Clear winner of the 14- class was Paul Tholen from Germany. The kid's got talent like it's not even funny. Keep an eye out for him. He'll get far. € 100 Euros pocket money for Paul for his win, and goodies for everyone else in this class from all the sponsors.

Next up was the 14+ class. It wasn't all too crowded during the comp but that didn't mean the vibe wasn't good. People encouraged others to do tricks they'd been working on. The atmophere was chill, but the progression for each rider was in the air. 040BMX is a perfect spot for that.

Styler Sem Schonewille was all over the place and the same goes for Dimitris Araouzos. Channon Balorian brought the tricks and Shanice keeps pushing it. Gwen Geyskens and Kenneth Tancre came over from Belgium and a bunch of riders from Germany made the trip as well. Tom Selbeck surprised a few with his double whips, cannonballs and superman seatgrabs. Steven Goertemoeller's night ended before he wanted it to end when he crashed on the step-down and didn't make it into the foam pit. The landing there would have been softer. Stuart Gibson didn't ride on the course much but he was there as was Leroy Kleppe. Whenever Tom van den Boogaard dropped in the eyes were on him. He's got the place down and gets better by the week. In the end the riders decided that Kenneth Tancre got the 100 Euros for sessioning the hardest in the park.

Pim van den Bos was on the mic all evening and his favourite jam was about to start, the resi ramp session. One trick, 100 Euros. It's all about progression here. Flip-whips, double whips, whips to superman seatgrabs, front flips, the riders went wild. During the last few minutes of the session Tom van den Boogaard landed the trick that he wanted to do that evening. After a few attempts he pulled a 360 double downside whip on the resi for his big check, a tray of Monster Rehab and the 100 Euros cash.

Some playes some pool, some rode more, some worked the pinball machine, others hung out at the bar. Getting together to ride for fun and do tricks for the first time is what it's all about. A lot of people went home stoked after the comp, which felt more like a session but then with cash and prizes for the riders who did well. It's been one year since the rebeljam but if there will be a second year Memorial jam at the same spot next year

remains to be seen. Plans for the building to be destroyed some time at the end of next year are in the works but it will be open at least till July of 2013. With the cold and wet weather going on this winter you should all treat yourself to a visit to the 040BMX park. There might not be any checks up for grabs but the sessions will be fun nonetheless.

BdJ