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The Full Rem write-up & more ace pix! So, the Battle of Bugs 2009 on Saturday 29th August; what a great event!
Rem rocked up at lunchtime after being at our man Daz’s wedding the day before: Bugs Boarding was looking mighty- mown grass, jumps groomed, burger van in place, although the good ol’ British weather was hinting at a repeat of last years rain-fest… It held off though and the sun even came out to play, as did a shedload of riding talent, and a reasonable amount of spectators.
The event itself had already started, and the prelims were already showing off some serious tricks, for example Ollie Morrison stomping 5’s ( till he hurt hisself ) he also threw down a massive corked 7 in the qual'ies. Renny Myles’ puttin in stylish Backflips as well his trade mark float-yer-boat 3's and going massive out of the 1/4, well above the top bar. Other riders ripping the triple set of giant dirt kickers finishing at the quarter included Joe Dixon showing 7's can be as easy as 5's when have got them locked. Gary Crowhurst, The BFC crew, Tom Kirkman and so many more. The masters’ were looking good too, with Mr.French-Mountainboarding Diego Anderson going huge, Tuai Lovejoy & Ben Rye looking coool in the u-18’s, Mick Kirkman dropping everything in sight in the u-14’s, and Rebecca Frost was looking confident as the only entry in the ladies category! Steve Birkbeck was on the obligatory mic duty, and he sounded as impressed as the rest of us with the skillz on display. The Jam session format worked well and as qualifications were scored, the top 15 waited for the daddy of big air comps to start…
Other faces around the site kept everyone motivated, with lots of smiling and laughs. AJ & the MBS Europe/Bugs crew had worked hard to ensure everyone was well catered for, and the buzz around the centre was great. Long time scenesters like Pete Tatham, Simon Little, Ted Trampa and ex-ATBmag photography supremo Paul Taylor helped build the atmosphere, as well as the fact Tom K has been out of the comp scene for a year meant it had turned into something a little bit special…
As the build-up to the final got underway it was clear the riders were having fun with it. Sam Nicholas, James Sleigh & Kynan Goggin were ripping it, but Tom Read and Kirkman were by now wowing with every run. Front & Back side 3’s, 5’s even 7’s, flips and uber-stylish grabbage meant that the spectators were getting a great show. The odd boardslide and north-shore acid drop kept it lively, while Joe Dixon added to the excitement with a double-backflip attempt, and the last riders stepped up the game. Even the quarter was subject to serious action with rotations, flips, stalls on the coping- rocknrolls, disasters, handplants and I’m sure I saw a rodeo in there somewhere… As So Soild kept the music pumping and Steve B hyped everyone up, we surprisingly came to the last runs… Time’s fun when you’re flying (or something)…
The very last hit consisted of a radmungous 2 man train, the 2 Toms, showing how effortlessly it should be done. Big applause. Sickness on toast J The results & prize giving followed soon after, and there was much grinning & applause. Ladies & Gentlemen, the results: Under 14s
For the full rankings and Jam session qualification scores (accumulated points), check dis:
Celebrations got underway and carried on into the wee hours around the campfire and Pyramid tent. We won’t mention the crazy drunken fools playing with fire or the bum-slide championships held on the quarter, but will mention the fact when everyone surfaced the next day half-a-dozen boards that had been left outside tents had gone, so if you hear of any chavs trying to sell you some boards around Gloucester, get in touch with Bugs. Later on Sunday, some mellower riding took place and an informal slalom comp went on. Everyone had a real blast and it was truly a great event. Due to the late announcement of the comp, it was a shame there were not more international riders, and there should have been more spectators to really pump up the riders, but that’s just a moot point. Everyone who was there had a feckin great one. Well done to everyone who dropped in, congratulations once more to the winners, and thanks to Bugs Boarding for putting on THE event of the season. Here is a splendid selection of shots from Nick Kennard! Check out Theo Ackworth's blinding WFC's gallery in the exhibition section on Rem, and watch a sick vid of the Kirkman action and another write-up from Mick on ATC productions here Till next year! Cheers!
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