I was trying to figure out where to begin and decided to start at the beginning so here we go. Upon arriving at Schlitterbahn we were told by one of the organizers that he couldn´t give us the spot that was promised. We began looking around the area , but the guy pretty much washed his hands of wanting to discuss it. Eric Evans, Will Redd and I spoke a bit and then I went to find the guy with an alternative section. He was still reluctant so I followed him all the way to his boss. That is when his boss gave us an even better and bigger section. Problem solved!

Riders started arriving more and more and with the help of Art Thomason, Dax Wolford, and my Jacquelyn Guerrero we began to set up sound system. Adam DiClaudio arrived with Marty Ferryman and he immediately jumped into action signing riders up and taking care of picking judges. Once set up, I started bumping the music until the organizers of another event planned for the night turned on their music drowning out our music and PA system totally. Again Adam stepped in and went to tell them to shut it down. That guy rocks! A local radio station wanted to do an interview so I called Adam who then called Ruben Rdog Castillo III. Ruben did the interview and then went back to riding like nothing.

After about 21 riders had signed up to ride, 2 in Vet, 8 in Novice, 7 in Expert and 4 in Pro, we were set to start. Novice began the competition. Riders were given a 1 minute run then another run that was 1minute 30 seconds. There were some really good things going on and local rider Max Muffinman Henson took the win with a cross footed surfer. He´s learning a lot from Eric Evans.

Next up we had Vet. I chose to sit this contest out and instead help out behind the scene. Paul Magallanez and Marty Ferryman were the only
2 riders and both brought it to the table. Paul has the really cool jib jab type stuff that I can relate to. I would like to go up against him soon. Marty came in like the tornado he is and was all over the place. Before he rode we had to let everyone on the sides know to move because Marty would possibly hit them. When the dust cleared Marty came out on top. In my opinion there was no loser. Both have different styles and were equally great.

After a short break the Experts warmed up. Bobby Burge asked me what kind of "Old school" music I had. This was a question that left me feeling warm and fuzzy. After giving him a list he was up first and I had Billy Jean by Michael Jackson blaring. It fed his soul because once he started he was on fire. He was on a mission and it showed. I did my best to find music to fit everyones style. Ed Jodie asked for hip hop/good beat music and brought his super smooth flow. The guy rules! Cesar Rangel had a mix of rap and metal and had some really awesome back wheel stuff. Michael Shao is so fast and spins like a top and was rewarded appropriately. He´s only be riding a short time and will go far. Randy Fulcher came out and did some really technical and original spaghetti legged links. Luis Palmas quietly came in and threw down his runs and then quietly watched the other riders. That guy is quiet but his riding screams awesome. Julio G. Cotto was a late entry and come out to represent his sponsor Kendama. It was good seeing how many riders from San Antonio were there representing their city. Paul Magallanez said they deserved an award for most riders and I think he is right. Hats of to the San Antonio crew. When all was said and done, SA rider Cesar Rangel took third, Michael Shao got second and the man with music as his fuel, Bobby Burge walked away with first. Michael and Bobby both got a pair of handlebars, Bobby took the London and Michael got the Reklamation.

Pro was next and the 4 riders were all riding really good so the #1 spot was up for all of them. Ruben Rdog Castillo III brought his own music and I will admit I had to tag it so I could download it later. Ruben rode quick and on his terms. He is always a favorite and landed 4th. Will Redd came out and kind of floated all over the floor with his smooth style. He came out in 3rd, but wasn´t done yet. Art Thomason, man I see him ride a lot considering we live so close, but he had an intensity in his runs and he was nailing everything. With the crowd growing and cheering for Art, he got second. Dax Wolford Dax Wolford DAX WOLFORD!!! He went out and shut it down. He can turbine anything and did just that. A crazy backwards facing cliffhanger turbines. A back wheel to front wheel to back wheel link. 1st place was well deserved. All 4 riders represented what it means to be a flatlander with skill and professionalism.

After another brief intermission we finished up with Best Trick. Adam DiClaudio changed it from one 1 minute run to 3 wves at 5 attempts. Art Thomason, Will Redd, Ed Jodie, Ruben Rdog Castillo III, Dax Wolford, Randy Fulcher, Cesar Rangel, and Adam DiClaudio, who took a break from announcing, were entered and ready to go. Will Redd landed a forward side glide while standing on the top tube on first attempt which put him in the running for the $100 first attempt purse. That is until Cesar Rangel pulled a really cool megaspin while slowly letting the bars spin. He was within inches of hitting a table but held on and landed it. They were the only 2 riders to land it on first attempt. When everyone had done their run Will Redd was announced as winner of best trick with his forward side glide. As he was walking away he was called back up as winner of first attempt also.

Pro

Expert

Novice

Vet

All said and done this was a great contest. Thanks go out to Schlitterbahn Padre Island, Eric Evans, Turnkey, Adam DiClaudio, Bobby Burge for announcing while Adam competed in best trick, and all the riders that supported and came to the contest. Because of you all, Schlitterbahn and the promoters want to do more with us there on a bigger setting. A special thank you goes out to Jacquelyn Guerrero for supporting me with the Texas Flatlanders Project. This venture is growing with every event and with God´s grace I hope to be announcing something big very soon.