December 9th, on my calender every year, the intrikat jam in Long beach, California. At the infamous Wilson basketball courts that have featured on many a intrikat video section… The third year for the jam, and it keeps growing, awesome turnout of pro/am riders every year, some people get to brush off the winter cobwebs and others get to ride as they normally do (cali guys). The jam is always much more than just a days riding to me, it’s a ten day experience of the Californian lifestyle, for the second year running I rode at the Olympic pool spot almost everyday with
Cory Fester, Canadian shredder from Edmonton, and
Chad Johnston/
Kip Williamson when they weren’t busy editing and all that good stuff. If you haven’t made the trip out to the jam I would recommend it, it’s the highlight of my year, laidback jam, someone brings a ghetto blaster, this year it was Kip who hooked it all up, and people ride and hang out, the choice is yours.
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Ride US and Bmx Plus were both covering the event,, the turnout was maybe around 60 riders, ranging from
Pete B, Chad Johnston, Cory Fester, Myself, Ryan Sanchez, Kip Williamson, Bobby Carter, Alex Caps, Jesse Puente, Sean McKinney, Day Smith, Ed Nussbaum (rolled his ankle that day),
Pat Anderson, Henry and the whole San Diego crew,
Mutt, and many others.
Highlights from my day were: -
Pete Brandt consistently nailing combo after combo, riding all day and still playing 25 min drum n’bass set at the after party, the guy has energy.
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Cory Festers impossible backwards halfpacker combos, wait for the “here comes the sun” video due out in the new year, crazy shit!
- I pulled my first no handed karl turbine,
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Chad Johnston’s x footed doom truck on the pedal (half death truck position)
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Chris Day was selling his Flat clothing line and busting hitchhikers in the corner of the courts, good to see him still riding after all these years.
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Day Smith's powerful riding, no footed elbow glides turbines, nothing hang fives, and a crazy halfpacker jump to pedal steam holding back peg, Day is one of the all time greats!
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Robbie Morales and the crew from S&M were in attendance, checking out the flat scene for the whole day.
- There were a lot of really good kids riding there, that stoked me the most, good to see new blood with new ideas.
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Jesse Puente showed up late, maybe only got to ride for an hour, riding with him with awesome time. Like Pete, he has this crazy energy, inspiring!
Long live the intrikat jam, the after party with
Pete B’s demo trailer and dj set, finished off another great riding holiday for me and I’m sure everyone there. Thanks to
Chad and
Amy for being great hosts and keeping flatland real, jams are the way forward.
Ride like you mean it.
Effraim Catlow
Pics provided by intrikat