RedBull

Red Bull Rock-N-Air Just outside of Denver is the Red Rock Amphitheater and the site for the 1st Annual Red Bull Rock-n-Air. Red Rock has been hosting bands since the 40’s. Some guy told me about a band that played there in the 60’s. I think they were called the Beatles or something like that. This was to be a huge event complete with a big air snowboard and ski jump for cash prizes. Pennywise, 311 and The Long Beach Dub Allstars were handling the music side of things. Core Village, a separate village set off to the side with various snow and skate companies and tons of Red Bull, was the location for the infamous Red Bull Vert Ramp. A plethora of skating talent was there. Pierre Luc Gagnon, Phil Hajal, Sergie Ventura, John Comber and of course the Great One, Tony Hawk. Representing the BMX crew were Kevin Robinson, recent X-Game Gold Medallist, Jamie Bestwick, and the Condor, Mat Hoffman. I got there the day before the event to scope it out. They had just started to blow snow on the big air jump. This sketchy monster of a jump was set up to run down through the grandstands and end up right next to the band’s stage. There was no room for error. I couldn't believe my eyes. This was the sickest jump I had ever seen. The next day I got up to the venue early only find that the snowboard and ski jump had partially collapsed overnight! Inspectors were called in to survey the damage. The whole event was threatened. It almost got cancelled. The inspector’s verdict was to remove the snow from the jump. The concert and skateboarding could go on but without the Big Air snow jump. Fortunately, the skate gods were shinning down on us on this day, and the Vert ramp was a go! This was the most insane skating and BMX riding I had ever seen live! Kevin Robinson pulled the biggest gnarliest flare I’ve ever witnessed. The Condor was pulling double tail whips over the 6-foot channel. Phil Hajal told me that he had the best run of his life, linking about 12 different tricks together. Just when I thought things couldn't get any burlier, Mr. Hawk decides to go for the 900. Tony had pulled the 900 off only 3 times before. Hopefully this was to be his 4th. On Hawk's third attempt he had the rotation but didn't stay on. I told this camera guy next to me “you better film this next attempt because he is going to pull it“. Sure enough, and true to form, Tony pulls off a 900. It was as clean as can be without even a hand touch to the ramp. After Tony did the 900 people went crazy screaming and jumping up and down. It was like they all won the lottery or something. All this excitement and the fun wasn’t over yet. After about an hour or so of moshing to Pennywise the day was complete, it was time to reflect back on what a great day it was. Unbelievable skating and riding combined with great tunes and just think the whole event almost got cancelled. Major props go out Mountain Sports and Red Bull and all the skaters and bikers for making one big successful event. I can’t wait till next year. Brad J