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Center of Gravity - Kelowna BC
by cgroves
Posted: Aug 6, 2009
Last weekend in Kelowna C.O.G. took place. Many of us have been waiting all year for this event. Center of Gravity is a multi sport event that includes wakeboarding, volleyball, basketball and biking.
The main attraction is usually the volleyball but this year, the dirt jump demos brought in the biggest crowd and the loudest cheers!
The main attraction is usually the volleyball but this year, the dirt jump demos brought in the biggest crowd and the loudest cheers!
The dirt jump event is called “Flirting with Dirt”. It is an invitational demo/contest that features a six pack of jumps. This year the quality of riders was phenomenal, riders included, Dustin Greenall, Justin Wyper, James Doerfling, Garrett Beuhler, Steve Romaniuk, Mike Kinrade, Benton Leong, Andrew Dornian, Scott Milton, Noah Brousseau and Brandon Hayward.
The dirt jumping events took place on Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend. Each day there were two main events at the jumps. One being a jumping demo where we just showed the crowd what we could do and just have fun with it and make them cheer. And the second event of each day was a mini competition.
The first competition of this years Flirting with Dirt was the Best Trick. Tons of crazy tricks were thrown down. Just like last year the winner of the best trick with a super sick Indian air was James Doerfling.
The second day of competition was the Kelowna Cycle Best Line contest. I had won this contest last year and was looking to reclaim ownership again this year. I really like this kind of contest because it shows how creative and consistent the riders can be. My first run consisted of a tailwhip off the first jump, 360 x-up on the second and a perfect 360 tailwhip on the last, somehow I managed to taco my rear wheel off of the lip and still landed and skidded away. I new my run was good enough to hold but I had to find a wheel and take my second run. I ended up stealing my friend Aeron’s wheel and was ready for my second run. My second run consisted of a superman off the first jump, 360 over the second, and a tuck no hander to tailwhip over the last.
When I got back up to the top of the roll in I was told to take a victory lap by Steve Romaniuk. I was super stoked. I also won the overall contest for best riding over the entire weekend. I was given a 2009 Kona Stuff, $200 in beer tickets, and $100 in schwag. As some of you know I ride for Transition bikes and having a Kona on my hands wasn’t going to cut it. Instead of keeping and selling the bike I took a roll by the crowd and found a young boy to give the bike to. Him and his parents were blown away, as well as the crowd...felt pretty good to pass along the bike I'd won to a grom.
The weekend was a blast! I would like to give a huge shout out to Steve Romaniuk for not only inviting me into the event but for making Center of Gravity what it is today. Thanks ROMO!
-Casey Groves
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The dirt jumping events took place on Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend. Each day there were two main events at the jumps. One being a jumping demo where we just showed the crowd what we could do and just have fun with it and make them cheer. And the second event of each day was a mini competition.
Dustin and Casey Training
The first competition of this years Flirting with Dirt was the Best Trick. Tons of crazy tricks were thrown down. Just like last year the winner of the best trick with a super sick Indian air was James Doerfling.
Best Trick
James taking a victory stroll
The second day of competition was the Kelowna Cycle Best Line contest. I had won this contest last year and was looking to reclaim ownership again this year. I really like this kind of contest because it shows how creative and consistent the riders can be. My first run consisted of a tailwhip off the first jump, 360 x-up on the second and a perfect 360 tailwhip on the last, somehow I managed to taco my rear wheel off of the lip and still landed and skidded away. I new my run was good enough to hold but I had to find a wheel and take my second run. I ended up stealing my friend Aeron’s wheel and was ready for my second run. My second run consisted of a superman off the first jump, 360 over the second, and a tuck no hander to tailwhip over the last.
Casey - Tailwhip
Casey - 360 Xup
Dustin - Super Whip
When I got back up to the top of the roll in I was told to take a victory lap by Steve Romaniuk. I was super stoked. I also won the overall contest for best riding over the entire weekend. I was given a 2009 Kona Stuff, $200 in beer tickets, and $100 in schwag. As some of you know I ride for Transition bikes and having a Kona on my hands wasn’t going to cut it. Instead of keeping and selling the bike I took a roll by the crowd and found a young boy to give the bike to. Him and his parents were blown away, as well as the crowd...felt pretty good to pass along the bike I'd won to a grom.
Happy kid with his new bike
The weekend was a blast! I would like to give a huge shout out to Steve Romaniuk for not only inviting me into the event but for making Center of Gravity what it is today. Thanks ROMO!
-Casey Groves
-------------
Pinkbike.com
TransitionBikesCo
Sombrio
TSG Protection
StraitlineComponents
SRAM
GEAX
Sign Design
MTBco
Cyclepath
29 Comments
- + 15
evilrydr
(Aug 11, 2009 at 0:17)
might get neg propped for this but, a Kona Stuff for a first place prize with big name riders? Really? That's a joke, but great spirit in giving the bike away to a lucky fan!
yea, that is a great event and it is relly nice that he gave the bike away to the kid, and your right tho its not relly a great 1st prize.
Yea he wasn't given a stuff he was given a shred. Look at it. You don't need to quote him, I obviosly read it
yeah, take a look at the decals on the down tube, same as the kona shred http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/kona-shred09-zoom.jpg
See? Im not a retard!
Now why was I given all the negative props?
Also to add: THERE IS NO 2009 KONA STUFF
Now why was I given all the negative props?
Also to add: THERE IS NO 2009 KONA STUFF
[Reply]
you guys this was mainly a jam. A chance to show what mtbing has turned into. they gave a small prize to first place so that the riders would have enough insentive to through down as much as they could. a 800$ bike is a good prize for doing a few tricks on your bike dont you think?
Pretty sweet prize for 1st if ya ask me, Kona Stuff(which IS pointless when your spono'd by Transition) $200 in beer tickets ( thats a lot of beers) and $100 in Schwag........ not that bad especially for a basically unsponsored event.
[Reply]
Hey that is cool that you gave your new bike away to a lucky kid. I am sure that he really appreciated it, you are a cool dude in my books.
[Reply]
oh well Great weekend though!
was that for runner-up? i would've read the prize list first before entering if that was the case ;-)
It was awesome, especially the lake jump. I only made out for Saturday, but I'm sure Sunday was just as cool.
Some more pics HERE.
Some more pics HERE.
I made it out on Saturday and the all the guys did a great job: organizing, building and throwing down huge! Even the tunes were mint. Looking forward to next year.
Casey, you deserve everything your great riding, writing and grom inspiring is going to get you. Keep up the good work...
Casey, you deserve everything your great riding, writing and grom inspiring is going to get you. Keep up the good work...
[Reply]
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