It sounded like a good idea at the time, throwing a jam, and guess what, it turned out better than expected for the Zonder Pardon crew. Getting off your asses doing stuff is what we can support. There's nothing wrong with getting the community together for a good time but they don't show up at the same time all of a sudden. Action needs to be taken, preparations need to be made, things need to be organised. Ideas can pop up, but they need to materialize and often it's easier said than done. But oh boy, did the community show up and did the ZP BMX jam turn out good.
Area51 was chosen. A smart choice as organizing an outdoor event in The Netherlands in December isn't the smartest thing to do. A very long low rail was welded, poles were made for the high air comp on the quarter and out of the bank, the spine was still there from previous week's Dutch Champs, a kicker was made for the long distance jump and a rail with a raised end was put together for a session as well. Anyway, it wasn't going to be a regular Area 51 riding session. Riders from France, Germany, Belgium and the Dutch (street) scene rolled in for the evening jam. The Park section was turned into a stage for the bands and DJs and the bar was open!
For whatever reason the lights went out during most of the night, even during the sessions, but the riding went off regardless. Photo-wise it became difficult at this point shooting without a flash. Even the ISO button couldn't solve the issue, but we already had taken some during the warm-up when the lights were
still on and the bar was open.... so no complaints really. Paul Thoelen (GER) was the winner of the high air comp as he jumped the bar at around 1,95m. Tom van den Bogaard blasted one air on the quarter and cleared that high-air pole. Jari Roggeveen jumped furthest off that little kicker. The distance must have been around 7 meters.There's an epic photo online somewhere taken by @palindroomvrouw that you should look up, it sums up the jam pretty well. Drink tickets, ZP merch and Area51 entry tickets went to the riders that deserved it most. Paul's Boutique BMX supplied prices too. Not blue this time.
As the evening came to an end, the bar was closing, and the last train home was leaving soon, we packed up and left the place behind. Not having to clean up, having to deal with tear-down and fix problems, it felt like an escape from the scene. It was left to the ZP BMX crew to deal with it. It comes with organizing events. There's more happening behind the scenes than most people realize. But it's all good. Especially when it works out well. And it did. ZP Jam number 2 will happen in the future. In what form or shape we'll have to wait and see but make sure you're not missing out. BMX = good times. Thanks boys!
BdJ
still on and the bar was open.... so no complaints really. Paul Thoelen (GER) was the winner of the high air comp as he jumped the bar at around 1,95m. Tom van den Bogaard blasted one air on the quarter and cleared that high-air pole. Jari Roggeveen jumped furthest off that little kicker. The distance must have been around 7 meters.There's an epic photo online somewhere taken by @palindroomvrouw that you should look up, it sums up the jam pretty well. 
Drink tickets, ZP merch and Area51 entry tickets went to the riders that deserved it most. Paul's Boutique BMX supplied prices too. Not blue this time.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.