Thursday, May 11, 2006

Bob's Hole Rodeo

The big event of Oregon for the year went down on the Clackamas this Saturday. With all of 12 pros in the men's class, it was pretty rockin'. The spectator turnout was also somewhat below average... probably all related to the fact that Bob's wasn't in for the competition. But we had it there anyways! Because we were determined to throw some big tricks whether there was a wave to do it on or not.

Anyhow, we ended up including all four waves (top hole, first wave, Bob's, and the curler) in the competition. You could use whatever combination of features you wanted during your ride. That was a pretty sweet way to do it, actually. It made for some good variety. The top hole was actually really sweet. It was just a bitch since it required a hike at that level. Bob's was super flushy, but the curler was pretty sweet for blunts and backstabs.

Once the World Class kids showed up the event got started. I ended up judging for juniors, experts and women. Brooke Winger took first in women's, Devon Barker (props Team JK) got second, and Christie Glissmeyer placed third. Then the World Class kids took over the judging for men's pro.

I had some sweet rides in the top hole in the first round of the comp and was able to float down to the curler for some blunts and stabs. To my surprise I ended up going into finals in first place! Sweet. I think that lit a fire under Andy Bedingfield and Karl Moser, though. Everyone started trying to huck themselves off the small features in finals. I had a couple solid rides and out-scored my prelims rides with loops, splits, ends, cleans, blunts and stabs. But Karl and Andy went for the unstickable helixes, clean blunts, and donkey flips. It was risky on their part, but they had nothing to lose. The judges counted the big moves, though. Karl took first, Andy was in second, and I took third.

Tao, Matsell, Bechtel, and some other good paddlers finished in there somewhere as well.

Anyhow, another weekend, another comp. It was good times, especially since I got to drink an awesome porter in Estacada while eating a delicious chicken burger at Fearless brewery.

Peace out.
-Dan

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