FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

Over the years I have been to California quite a bunch of times. I love it there. The HSA gave me an opportunity to come back out and I grabbed that chance with both hands. During the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach we wandered around taking some photos left and right. Yes, with all those people around you will run into some freaks left and right but that's the same at home when you go to any festival. The plusses about HB are the sunshine, the waves, happy people and the convenience of having food and fun places

Skateboard Legends Jam In the late eighties when BMX freestyle wasn't all that big I used to skate quite a bit. I forgot how much until I started re-reading the early FAT-'zines which have a good percentage of skateboarding in it. Next to the BMX mags I read Thrasher, watched the Bones Brigade videos, went to contests and enjoyed some demos. The bigtime skaters had their own decks

Waking up at 6:30am on the Friday morning was not nice and I really wasn't feeling the drive down to Newton Abbot to see the Empire Of Dirt. After a rough start and about 4 hours driving we managed to get to our campsite and made our tent for the night. We then proceeded to drive down the thin little country lanes following the signs to the event getting really excited. As soon as we parked up and looked down at the course from the hill we all immediately woke up and wanted to see the pro riders shred this course. Indeed they did 

A couple of times a day the engines of the dirt bikes got started at the Soulbowl for a freestyle motocross show. One of the young riders (18) was using a 250f four-stroke bike. First time I saw that happening in an FMX show. The riders were good and the shows were actually great. The big crowd and the plenty of girls in bikinis made sure the riders were giving it their all. 

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.

Swedish BMX-brand odenbikes have new line of 2009 products out:
-The Hugin II frame (4.8lbs)
-The 8.6'' B-bars (25oz)
-The Medskox sprocket (2.5oz)
-The Medskox stem (8.6oz)
We are especially liking the "8.6" bars, or at least the name!

We've been hanging out at the beach for the last few days. Now that's not really very interesting to report about in a normal case but when the Soul Bowl is built up on the sand and a whole lot of pros are invited to shred on the ramp, it's a different story. Add a "BMX Legends" jam and you've got yourself an event that you did not want to miss. The whole BMX contest a part of the US Open of Surfing festival and it's held right down in Huntington Beach. It turns the town upside down with tons of people on the streets and people on the road showing off their exclusive cars and motorcycles. It's almost like a circus but an ultimate weekend if you just want to watch people.

The BMX Legends jam turned out pretty good but could have been better if Mike Dominguez had not been injured, Tony Murray would have shown up in time to ride the bowl and if Eddie Fiola would have stepped on the bike. The riders who put on a hell of a show were Xavier Mendez, Dave Voelker, Brian Blyther and Ron Wilkerson. It went from good to better and the grand finale was insane.