The KnK Longboard Camp 2018 presented by KebbeK Skateboards has always been a gathering place for freeriders, but an added element of racing was bound to make its mark at the event. The Red Bull No Paws Down challenge is a highlight at the end of week one where racers are competing to win 1000 Euros. The only catch is, they can’t touch the ground with their hand for the full 18 hairpin course.
After a week of practicing on the Bear’s Guts track riders were ready. Last years champion & ROCKET Longboards Dominic Schenk felt that he had already achieved his life goal in winning the Red Bull No Paws Down and was happy to MC the race from the corner 8 with Joey Bidner, Brand manager for KebbeK Skateboards. He was sure that the winner would either be Dave Süess or Patrick L Lombardi.
However, there were wild cards in the mix as well. Oscar Rodriguez from Spain was very nimble but always on the edge while Ian Freire, Alternative Longboards rider Jan Izquierdo and Brandon DesJarlais all had a shot at winning. With Ian Freire making an early exit in the quarters and Oscar Rodriguez losing out in the semi-finals we were down to only Dave Süess, Patrick Lombardi, Brandon Desjarlais and Jan Izquierdo.
Brandon Desjarlais takes us through the finals: I got off the line quickly and was around 20 metres ahead by the first corner. Patrick was reeling me in and passed me right before the second corner. Between corner 3 and 4 I really started to gain on Patrick, but I messed up in corner 4 and by this point knew Patrick would win, he kept a confident lead on me and had grippier wheels. Jan was always behind me pressuring me, I had to play defence to fight for second place. Dave tried to make a move on Jan in corner 5 but washed out and put his puck down. At the end of the day it’s whether you ride grippy wheels and risk losing control or freeride wheels and be consistent. I ended the final with Jan just a metre behind me and Patrick cleanly out front.
The party place at KnK Longboard Camp gradually ramps up throughout the week to an apex of the KebbeK Wheel of Misfortune on Friday night. Joey Bidner and Maxwell Kaye were your terrible hosts, taping boards to riders and handing out beer bongs with exotic ingredients. A delighted crowd looked on as riders are rewarded for their valiant efforts. Brandon Fanthome ate a whole garlic covered in Tabasco sauce to win a board, describing it as one of the worst experiences of his life.
After such a hectic week of KnK Longboard Camp 2018 Week #1, the crew is taking a break before Week #2. Hay bales are being replaced and the bar is being re-stocked. Thank you to all the riders for joining us for KnK Longboard Camp Week #1 and if you are heading to Week #2 then get excited, it’s going to be awesome.
Photography: Duck Vader (Dasha)
KnK Longboard Camp 2018 is presented by KebbeK Skateboards and organised by Longboard Magazine with additional support from these fine companies:
Sickboardshop @ https://www.sickboards.nl
ROCKET Longboards @ http://rocketlongboards.ch
Bam Bam Skate @ https://www.bambamskate.com
Sk8bites @ https://www.sk8bites.it/en/
Fibretec Skateboards @ http://www.fibretec.ch
Original Skateboards @ https://originalskateboards.com
Alkemist Longboard @ https://alklongboard.com/en/
Remember Collective @ https://remembercollective.com
Alternative Longboards @ https://alternativelongboards.com
Olson&Hekmati @ http://olsonhekmati.de
Long Island @ http://longislandlongboards.com
Madrid Skateboards @ https://www.madridskateboards.com
Orangatang Wheels @ https://orangatangwheels.com
LUCA longboards @ http://www.lucalongboards.com
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