MBUK Shore Showdown 29th June 2008

Published on July 1, 2008

The Jams at Esher Shore have been a highlight in the UK freeride calendar for some time now. The small compact spot makes a perfect venue for such an event, and the guys at Esher have been working hard on the new slopestyle course for some time. Watch the vid and read the article.

The event had a big turn out. The 100 plus riders and many spectators were greeted by sunny weather. All this meant that the new slopestyle park was running super smooth! Sadly no pro riders turned up, athough the riding standard from the local riders was amazing. The PA system provided some fantastic music throughout the day, along with MC Allen’s commentary and extremely dodgy Lycra outfit which provided many laughs.

The showdown marked the opening of the new slopestyle park (completed the night before), which has two different lines whith an expert and an intermediate line, meaning riders of any skill could ride them, though loads of riders tried to show us their skills by trying some crazy transfers between lines.

Throughout the day riders went away with loads of free prizes provided by Freeborn, Dakine, DMR, Specialized, Spy and Esher Shore. Free stuff was awarded for the best crashes, crazy lines and big tricks, meaning loads of riders got prizes in keeping with the Jam vibe.

The Jam started off really chilled with riders switching between the Slopestyle and Shore Parks. But later in the afternoon bigger prizes were given out as the Jam heated up. The first comp took place in the Shore park where Tim Peckham busted out his superman’s and huge indian airs therefore taking away a pair of Spy glasses and Dakine backpack. Rob Webb also took away a Dakine backpack after his 360 off the small Stuntgod drop.

The second comp took part in the Slopestyle park. First riders rode the intermediate line throwing down tricks including suicides and tables. Then things moved onto the expert line where it turned into a battle between Rob Webb And Tim Peckham.

Both riders were pulling huge tricks like dumped 360’s, superman seat grabs and backflips. After a heated comp Rob Webb walked away with the last pair of Spy glasses after a huge 720, receiving a massive reaction from the crowd.

Everyone I spoke to said they enjoyed the Esher Jam. It was a wicked day out for both riders and spectators. Huge thanks goes to Rob Cole and the other builders, who got the slopestyle park finished just in time, while maintaining all the trails in the shore park. Overall it was a hugely successful event which many enjoyed and the riding standard was top notch !