August 3rd, 2011

2011 Ro Sham Throw Down
by Matias "Dibu" Ricci

Click to see more PHOTOS from the event.

The rules were simple, had to ride boots, kiteloops didn't count, had to perform kite low powered wakestyle moves only and you had to use all the features of the kite park. The ever changing conditions at the Sandbar made it a big challenge for the event to take place, but the SP crew managed to come up with a better location considering the developing situation. The place chosen was ''the Marina'', just downwind from the former spot known as ''the Spit''. For some it was the Ro Sham Melt Down, making reference of the high water level, due to the huge amount of snow still melting down from the mountains, providing almost no sandbar and little butter flat water to ride. For others the Ro Sham Let Down, referring to the weird behavior of the weather and wind, bringing rain and a late arrival of the summer to the Hood . But despite of all the joke names, the event ran everyday with a good vibe and ended being a great show for everybody.

With people coming form around the world, a Scoop Troop gathering was taking place, and what best excuse to do so, than to shred the new features the SP crew had been working on. The LF Dancefloor, the Slingshot kicker, the Best Handrail, and a renewed Airush Boom Box were the final result of many hours of hard work, the SP crew had been working for a few months back. This year they saw help from much more people than usual, seems like they were eager to be a part of this unique event and didn't mind getting their hands dirty. This made it a bit easier for them to focus on solving other issues rather than rushing to finish building features.
Everything was set so in the first 2 days they ran the qualifiers, from which the top 10 would make it into the main event, joining the invited riders. It was nice and sunny with a 10m weather wind blowing, perfect clean conditions. Following the qualifiers, everybody got a chance to go out for a free ride session, and it was chaos! Try to picture 30 to 40 people out trying to hit the park, where a 8 man heat was crowded enough already. People getting in line to hit the new features, and thanks to the great layout of them in the water, made it possible to chose different lines and still have some fun.

Late afternoon - after leaving the event some people would be hitting the famous Hood River skate park, were local kids and even old school rippers were still shredding and even lecturing most of us. Thursday night they held the first party, were they would be announcing the riders who would have made it into the event. Can't really recall what exactly went down, but I remember getting tons of beer and waking up with a hella headache. So you can say the party was off the hook!
Later on i found out that the ones who made it into the event were: Joe Ruscito, John Perry, Rich Sabo, Aaron Abel, Sean Reyngoudt, Jake Kelsick, Brandon Kerr, Hiro Okamoto, Matt Elsasser and Matt Cooper.

Friday morning, while waiting for the wind to kick in, Aussie Cam Prest took the wakeskate for a spin behind the winch. Took him several attempts to clear last year's 20 ft single pipe up rail, ''Big Black''; but with great technique he eventually did. Only to later on find himself looking at Billy Parker clearing it on his first wakeskate hit with ease!
Wind came along and it was the Girls time to show off, and they did! With a growing number of girl riders joining the event the mood was set to see if this girls could step aside of the ''bikini poser look next to the free car with custom graphics'' thing that people have been talking about lately. Leading the group was Bruna Kajiya, former world tour competitor, who recently came up with a new video were she was throwing down, smoking probably most of us reading here. She set the bar, and the girls had to step it up. The conditions were perfect, steady wind and the most exciting heat to watch; the girls were shredding. Bruna took 1st place, showing the proper way to throw down powered wake style moves, hitting all obstacles and clearing the best handrail with no hesitation. Following was Tiffany Schrader, who was rolling with the Florida crew, probably inspired by riding the cable all the time; this girl came out of nowhere hitting everything and making clear she meant business. Despite of all efforts of putting a good show, Lulu Vroman took 3rd, she was the first to hit the Best Handrail, and never lost courage at it. The wakeskate jam was meant to run after, but it was postponed hoping for better wind conditions which never came around.

Saturday the main event kicked off with 3 of the 4 semifinals, until the wind shut down leaving great expectation for the last day, Sunday.
Plenty action went down, riders were pressing and styling thru the LF Dancefloor which was looking like a favorite. Some heavy hitters also went down at the Slingshot kicker, but the attraction was the Best Handrail which was moved away providing a nice gap from the up ramp, this made things a bit more interesting to watch.
Sunday and the last day, started with rain and a late call for everybody, perfect to wear out that hangover from the closing party the night before. Stormy conditions with gusty winds were what the 4th heat riders had to deal with. Strong gusts came around and it was a lottery to chose the right kite size, but they made it work in the challenging wind. Last minute showing up, we saw Dylan Thompson getting ready to join the 4th heat riders. Despite of not making it into the finals some said ''for barely grabbing a kite lately, he still rips!'' Coming from an injury, and focusing his time in snowboarding, Dylan had no problem shredding the park and making it look easy. Guess that spending time on a board, no matter which one, is always good for your riding; all boardsports seem to be connected.

Making it into the final were: Alex Fox, Jake Kelsick, Brandon Schied, Andre Phillip, Aaron Hadlow, Sam Light, Jesse Richman, and Billy Parker. For the final the wind remained light but the riders were still able to perform, and they delivered. Billy Parker took the win showing the best all round riding, and making the most out of the changing conditions. After an outstanding performance at the recent Triple S event, BP came to the Hood to take the win this time. Familiar with podiums, Aaron Hadlow took second place, followed by Andre Phillip and Brandon Scheid in forth. Closing ceremony followed with some cash prize for the winners.
In the end, was a sick event, the SP crew always providing new features and a free permanent kite park for everybody to ride. Tons of familiar faces, and new comers also made their way to the Hood for one of the most progressive and growing kiteboarding competitions to date.
See you next year at the Ro Sham Throw Down 2012, if you can make it.

Thanks to Bryan Elkus and Lance Koudele for the great photos!