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 High and Dry
A day long jam.
Review by Rich McCardle The weather was perfect for a dry slope competition; perhaps not for the windswept spectators but it was spot on for us "insane in the membrane, brush loving" Dendix boarders. The John Nike Chatham slope was littered with an impressive array of rails and kickers, the slope itself was impressively large and was accompanied two fast and functional draglifts. The turnout was also impressive as I was told there were over 50 entrants, which for a dry slope competition other than an AIM Series event was excellent. On arrival at 1pm I was told the format was a slope style jam session which picked out the 8 best riders in each category: ladies, junior men and senior men. The 8 of each would then go on to ride in a final jam session and then we would all compete in the Big Air at the end of the day. Everyone went up the top to get warmed up on what I considered as one of the best dry slopes, jumps and rails I've ever competed on. At the top there was a gas pipe then we had the main 4 or 5 foot kicker on to a nice steep landing followed by two smaller kickers then about 6 different rail types varying from a long box to the gnarliest kinked and S rails. The slope style jam was underway with some great riding from plenty of riders including local "ultraman" Chris Woods whose spins and jibs were solid and very very big. We also saw Bracknell local and "boy wonder" Sam Cullum utilising his switch 540's to raise a few eyebrows and hoots. The appearance of the dry slope "daddy" Duncan Carr, whose sheer style and extensively oversized "trick locker" humbled/inspired us all and with out a doubt gave the spectators something worth watching. Both James Murray and James Thorn were treating us to some of that lazy top of the range high-fidelity "Slope Style", Murray with his styled and big Stalefish's and Thorn with some awesome rail combos and spins. Laura Berry was going very well until she had to retire from the comp from a nasty crash of the main kicker. After a good hour or two the session stopped, top riders picked and off they went for another couple of hours by which time the weather was getting very gloomy and cold. The slope style did end up going on a bit and some of the riders looked knackerd to say the least. Then it was time for the Big Air and I was told you were just marked on how big your air actually was. I seemed like a good idea as know one seemed to have the energy to actually do anything other than go off the ramp at mach 4. The crowd moved up and gathered around the main kicker, what could have been a great Big Air turned rather boring and rushed due to the fact that nobody was bothering with anything technical to entertain the crowd and nobody seemed to be judging the event either. There was however a better atmosphere as several riders took off for orbit much to the crowds delight. In my opinion the day was marred by the lack of MCs, communication and the length and lack of structure of the Slope Style. Although I have to say locals were very friendly, the facilities, surroundings and views were great but the whole day could have been a little better organised to keep everyone entertained. Review by Mr Splodge The weather was perfect for a dry slope competition; perhaps not for the windswept spectators but it was spot on for us "insane in the membrane, brush loving" Dendix boarders. The John Nike Chatham slope was littered with an impressive array of rails and kickers, the slope itself was impressively large and was accompanied by two fast and functional draglifts. The turnout was also impressive as I was told there were over 50 entrants, which for a dry slope competition other than an AIM Series event was excellent. On arrival at 1pm I was told the format was a slope style jam session which picked out the 8 best riders in each category: ladies, junior men and senior men. The 8 of each would then go on to ride in a final jam session and then we would all compete in the Big Air at the end of the day. Everyone went up the top to get warmed up on what I considered as one of the best dry slopes, jumps and rails I've ever competed on. At the top there was a gas pipe then we had the main 4 or 5 foot kicker on to a nice steep landing followed by two smaller kickers then about 6 different rail types varying from a long box to the gnarliest kinked and S rails. The slope style jam was underway with some great riding from plenty of riders including local "ultraman" Chris Woods whose spins and jibs were solid and very very big. We also saw Bracknell local and "boy wonder" Sam Cullum utilising his switch 540's to raise a few eyebrows and hoots. The appearance of the dry slope "daddy" Duncan Carr, whose sheer style and extensively oversized "trick locker" humbled and/or inspired us all and with out a doubt gave the spectators something worth watching. Both James Murray and James Thorn were treating us to some of that lazy top of the range high-fidelity "Slope Style", Murray with his styled and big Stalefish's and Thorn with some awesome rail combos and spins. Laura Berry was going very well until she had to retire from the comp from a nasty crash of the main kicker. After a good hour or two the session stopped, top riders picked and off they went for another couple of hours by which time the weather was getting very gloomy and cold. The slope style did end up going on a bit and some of the riders looked knackerd to say the least. Then it was time for the Big Air and I was told you were just marked on how big your air actually was. I seemed like a good idea as know one seemed to have the energy to actually do anything other than go off the ramp at mach 4. The crowd moved up and gathered around the main kicker, what could have been a great Big Air turned rather boring and rushed due to the fact that nobody was bothering with anything technical to entertain the crowd and nobody seemed to be judging the event either. There was however a better atmosphere as several riders took off for orbit much to the crowds delight. In my opinion the day was marred by the lack of MCs, communication and the length and lack of structure of the Slope Style. Although I have to say locals were very friendly, the facilities, surroundings and views were great, but the whole day could have been a little better organised to keep everyone entertained. Alex Spence is one of the organisers. He says: I want to say thanks to all the guys and girls that turned up for High & Dry. The High and Dry event page can be administered by dunx (Dunx), stu (Stu Brass), spencer (Spencer Claridge) and office (Office). Page views: 7285 |
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