decided to have a break for a year. Furthermore the Mellowpark planned to focus on the Highway 2 Hill and the German Open for 2008, which made sence to step back for a year too. In 2009 we were ready to hold another one in Berlin, but then all of the sudden Mellowpark was dealing with their location problems which made it impossible for us to plan the event and to make sure it can actually happen. And then time was too short to look into alternate venues. 
FATBMX: Not only did the event move to a new location, it moved to the other side of Europe! How did that come about? AZ: True! One of our goals is to work with existing parks and locations. We believe that an event format like rebeljam can support local scenes, bmx communities and make them grow and get stronger. There are tons of great contest formats in Europe and all of them have their lobby, but we wanted to do it a little different and create something with a little more sustainability. Support the local parks, support them to grow and to stay - that's one of our philosophies. There's not huge money involved, but that money should get spent wisely and if a park benefits from a contest in having new ramps, new dirt jumps or whatever, it´s just cool for the riders there and people who are visiting. We're lucky to work with European budgets, that gives us the freedom to work wherever in Europe. Over the past 2 years we had a pretty cool relationship to the guys in Portimao. They are really great people, with the heart in the right spot - they live bmx! The venue is right at the Algarve coast... the whole package made the decision easy.
FATBMX: How much harder is it to organise an event that is taking place 2500 kilometers away in a country where they do n
ot speak your language? AZ: What you mean, I speak fluently Portuguese, haha! Well, it's a challenge for sure and of course it's not as easy as it would be if it was in my country, but we live in the 21st century - a time with the interweb and emails. To be honest it's been really good so far. Valter (our man in Portimao / CBP) is an awesome guy and he supports us wherever he can. It´s necessary to have a trustful local person who takes care of some local business. Without him we would be screwed.
FATBMX: Who are building the new course over there? AZ: We are using some of the existing ramps too, but the biggest chunk will be brand new and built by the lead of Axel Jurgens. Axel is awesome, he built many stuff before at Woodward, Red Bull Bike Night, X Games, etc. He has some crazy ideas and together with his crew like Perico, McGyver, Javi and more he´ll built some great ramps.
All of them ride too which is really cool as I dont need to worry about if a ramp is better this way or that way. They do the dirt jumps too - just if you wondered, haha FATBMX: What disciplines will be at Rebel Jam 2010?
AZ: Park, Dirt and a Street Best Trick contest.
FATBMX: It's a pro only event now, why is that?
AZ: We just changed that for this year, it doesnt mean it will stay like this. First it´s a time thing - we are way more felxible with one cla
ss only. And then it´s also due to the fact that there won't be that many amateur riders traveling to Portimao anyway. There aren't that many local amateur riders that couldn't ride pro class and foreign am riders are struggling with the travel. Of course due to their age in majority too. FATBMX: The judging format is different than normal, it's about Style, Creativity and Hard Tricks to give some riders out there a chance to win something for once (haha). Has this turned out good at the previous events?
AZ: I think so yeah, at least the guys who win for once don't complain, haha! No but serious - Bmx has so many different riding styles. Most of the times it's really hard to compare an absolute trick machine to a style shredder. We would like to open up the branch of judging a little bit to appreciate and reward not only an overall impression of riding, but more the individual style of riding. It´s just fair for once to honor all type of riding styles.
FATBMX: What side events can people expect in Portugal? AZ: I know people are expecting a bus ride... but I´m afraid there won't be one. We tried hard, but there are no busses in Portimao, haha! Due to our options there won't be that many as in Berlin. But there will be some cool stuff like an bmx art show with custom designed Vans shoes. We would like to show also another side of bmx, a side people might not know. We're very stoked to have up to ten "artists" that will custom design a pair of Vans slip on´s that we will show during the event. People like Ron Bonner, Steve Crandall, Taj Mihelich, Michael De Wit, Klaus Dyba or the legendary Bob Haro are a few of them.
Of course there will be a riders party on Saturday night - presented by Monster. And we´re working on a special for Friday night - I´m not saying too much now but it´s a premiere! FATBMX: Is the Heavy Metal night going to happen?
AZ: Either we´re gonna rock out or dance our boodies off, haha!
FATBMX: Portugal seems far away for a lot of people but it's just a few hours by plane for most Europeans. Are there any special deals going on for flights, or cheap airlines that fly close to Portimao?
AZ: Unfortunately no special deals on flights, but there are a few good low cost airlines that fly directly to Faro. Check Ryanair, Easyjet, Germanwings and the usual flight booking websites. If you´re fast we have a special rate deal with our event hotel - check our website for more info. FATBMX: Portimao is a holiday resort. Are the apartments pretty cheap around the time of the rebeljam event?
AZ: Tons! you can find really nice deals for all kinds of housing categories. September is still pretty popular for Portimao as a holiday destination, so first come - first serve. But Hey, the beach is amazing so maybe you just need a sleeping bag. (or find a lady that likes to share)
FATBMX: What riders have announced they will be there for the event? AZ: Oh, I hate this - let's just say most of the European bad asses and some US bad asses too ;-) You know what I mean!
FATBMX: Any tips for people who want to make it over to the rebeljam?
AZ: Yes - bring sun lotion, boardshorts, some asperin's, good vibe, your friends... and a bike! that's it, that's all!
www.rebeljam.com
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.