In late February, Freestyle now squad member Shaun Jarvis was touring around the lower parts of the east coast of Australia hitting up Launceston, Melbourne and Canberra. He sent in this account of his trip, read and enjoy.
So late Thursday night I’m at Perth airport ready to head to Launceston to hit up the first round of the Newcircle DownUnderGround. Never been to Tazzy before so I was heaps excited. The DownUnderGround contest was set to take place in Bridport about 80kms north of Launceston. Matt Wootton and Chris Letchford had been working hard on getting the contest area set up. The best part about going to the contest was to see friends that I had not seen since the last DownUnderGround contest in Brisbane. The red eye flight over was really bad and no sleep thanks to a massive leg cramp, I hate the red eye flights. I got picked up by Matt Wootton at the airport Friday morning and then it was basically a whole day of people arriving and pick ups. We did have a bit of a ride in the arvo but lack of sleep clouds your judgement so I was just cruising. I did an interview for the ABC about the bmx for floods nationwide jam which was kinda fun.
Shaun at the Newcircle Downunderground contest in Bridport Tasmania
Saturday morning and it was contest day. The comp was not on till later in the arvo so we all cruised up to Bridport for lunch. On the way I saw one of the best skateparks I’ve ever seen, a park bench and a skinny spine ramp, priceless. Upon arriving at the location we were all welcomed to an awesome flatland riding surface, the Tazzy boys out did themselves on this one. Come contest time the whole of Bridport must have come out to watch, the hall was packed. It took me a while to get the groove as I had not really been riding much leading up the contest as bmx for floods had kept me well busy. I rode good in my first run and was stoked with but my second was a shocker, must have been thinking about the run too much and ended up chocking. I was shocked to qualify in 2nd place. Going into the battles I was up against Masaki Okabayashi from Japan. Again nothing was working so I ended up taking the 3rd. Still I was glad to place. Saturday night was spent at the backpackers in Bridport which was booked out just for the riders, was good times had by many.
Left to right – Leigh Waddingham, Shauns Bike, Chris letchford, Shane Badman and Matt Wootton
Sunday morning and it was an early start to head back to Launceston for the bmx for floods jam. The back of Chris’s Hilux was packed with bikes, BBQ and gear. With Chris driving and Paul Chamberlain and Ben Moran in the back seat the drive back was full of conversation and bumpy Tasmanian roads. Upon arriving at Launceston skatepark Ben asked where his bag was and it was determined after much denial that it had indeed fell out of the back along the way. Major bummer. Chris thought it would be a good idea to report it to the police, just in case. The bmx for floods jam went off large, there was no PA system present so I had to use a large traffic cone to get the crowd amped to donate and get into the auction. I was stoked that Launceston raise nearly $1700 and that all the locations around Australia went off with no weather problems.
Left – Shaun getting the crowd amped at the bmx for floods jam. Right – Welcome home??
Monday morning and Chris received a call from the police, Bens bag had been handed in all intact, only in Tasmania. In the arvo Ben and myself took Chris’s Hilux to drop Paul off at the airport and then drove to Perth, Tasmania. Could not pass up the opportunity to see Perth, nice old town, not much different to Perth in Western Australia. That night Chris, Ben and I went for a bush walk up the Tamar River in to the Basin through the Zig Zag reserve, super stoked as I got to see my first wild possum, such a surreal experience. That night me and Ben stayed upstairs at High Roller bmx, thanks Brad.
Tuesday was travel to Melbourne day. Arriving at airport then bus and tram and walk to Anchor bmx. Bike put together and off for a ride with Paul Chamberlain to explore Melbourne. After about 8 hours, 35km and with a 20kg back pack I arrived at Chris Pollack’s place to stay. The ride was great, I got to ride City Park, Flemington Banks, Fitzroy bowls and race some school kid on a ten speed. I kept up with him well until we hit the cycle path. The only downfall was by the time we got to Flemington Banks I was knackers to really ride but excited to finally ride the famous spot.
Left – City park. Right – Flemmington Banks
The next day was another mad long riding day about 20kms. Taking in breakfast at Lentil as Anything, riding Clifton Hill street park, Imax flatland location and back to City Park. Meet up Chris Pollack at his studio that night and cruised back to his place for my last night in Melbourne.
Thursday and off to Canberra for the Bmx Games. Waited at airport for Dylan Schmidt to arrive and then Taxi to hotel. Got set and then off to shops to get supplies. Found out that my knees were hurting really bad, dam long rides in Melbourne must have taken their toll. That night I cooked an awesome meal.
Friday headed out to the bmx games comp site. The dirt jumps were just totally amazing. The crew from Backbone bmx had done an awesome job getting them rolling. The park course was super big. I got to ride it for a bit but was just too crowed to really get any benefit from riding so I hit a cool flatland session, was happy to be alone with my bike.
Left – Clifton Hill plaza park. Right – Flatland at the Bmx Games, more like bumpy land
Saturday was comp day for dirt and flatland. The dirt comp was just straight balls out all the way, glad to experience it. The flatland comp was a bit of a let down though. The surface that was presented was slippery and extremely bumpy and sloping. After tapeing up the joint panels and mopping the floor with cola the comp was on. Unfortunately there were not many in the comp but I was happy to get equal third and to win my entry fee back.
Dylan Schmidt was set to compete on Sunday as it was the park competition. it was so good to see Dylan qualify first and when his final run was done I was not sure if the win would be his, I thought at least top 4. After everything was announced it was Dylan who took out the 1st place in the amateur park competition, without even a flip or flair done. Style, flow and tech I think is what done it for Dylan. I was so amped for him. To see him as an 8 year old, grow up, and get the win, it’s awesome. The mandatory sticker/product toss went down thanks to the Backbone bmx crew. I got into the mix and shoved them little kids out of the way as you do. In a product toss there are no rules. I was bummed and happy all at once,as while in the scrum to get product I lost my video camera but then as luck would have it a dude had found it and gave it back, so as a reward I gave him the backbone shirt that I had so eagerly snatched. Win some, loose some.
Squad Member Shaun Jarvis is in this photo. If you can find him we will send you a prize for using your great eye sight. Sticker/product toss – photo thanks to backbome bmx
Monday I set out for a bit of a ride to explore Canberra. Just riding around the suburbs I think is a great way to get the feel of a city. Some cool sights and some cool spots. Keen to head back to Canberra soon.
So Tuesday it was head home. The smile on my face as I landed at Perth airport was large. After 12 days of travel I was happy to be home.
I would like to say thanks to Matt Wootton, Chris Letchford, Paul Chamberlain, Chris Pollack, Dylan Schmidt, Simon and Dre from The Sanction and anyone else who I bumped elbows with.
