Ham and Steeze Jump Jam - It's a wrap like saran!

Oct 25, 2009

After months of talking, weeks of planning, days of prepping, and hours of digging it has come, and gone. The first 'Ham and Steeze Jump Jam' at the world famous Aptos Post Office Jumps was a total success. Over 30 riders attended the event, many spectators were out to enjoy the festivities, and Black Sabbath played all day. Oh, and of course tons of prizing and shwag was given out!
Video of the Comp inside

davinpena.pinkbike.com
With many pros, and "could be pros" in the Santa Cruz County it was bound to be a jam filled with epic style, awesome prizing, and a generally great atmosphere. The weather could not have been any better, being fogged in for the first half of the day then heating back up in the afternoon. The dirt was dry, the berms were buffed, and the riders were ready to throw down. The fence was littered with local moms, dads, and spectators in general to watch the event to see what the hometown heroes could throw down. I can say one thing for sure, the locals here in Aptos are one of a kind!



So if you understand what style is, and how its affected the dirt jumping scene in Aptos you would be pumped. But it's not only the style on the bike, but the locals' style, and personalities that make it that much better. Santa Cruz always struck me as the place to be if I wanted to surf, or chill on the beach. It's California, what more could you ask for?! But the locals add so much more to the area.


The Post Office Jumps are one of a couple jump spots I have seen where all the locals dig. They all wear helmets, and clean up garbage. They have running water on site, but don't abuse the right. Its such a unique and well controlled scene. It amazes me. Everyone is down to help in anyway possible and understand that the more man power there is, the faster and smoother things go.

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Video made in conjunction with Theo Dilworth @ All Out Productions

The Jam went awesome. The format of it was jump format, but with categories for riders. There was a 14 and under category, a 14-18 category, a Open category for people over 18 but not pro, and a Pro open category. Tons of prizing was given out, so here is a breakdown of the winners, and prizing!

14 and under

Podium

1st Juan Williamson - Aptos - Straightline special engraved bar ends for winner
2nd Connor Gallart- La Selva Beach
3rd Jared Audisio- Aptos
-other prizing giving out in this category
Republik jerseys, Deity bars and shirts, Specialized shirts, stickers


14-18

Podium

1st David Shchimmel - Mt Hermon - 2011 Specialized P3 frame, Straightline stem
2nd Max Kauerd- Felton- Banshee AMP
3rd Vince Fernandez- Livermore
4th Ray George- Santa Cruz
5th Kevin Saylor- Felton
-other prizing givin out in this category
Republik pants and jerseys, Deity bars and shirts, Fox hats, Specialized shirts, stickers


Open

Christian Wright - Stoked on life

1st Christian Wright - Auburn - 831 Fox dirt jump fork, set to be released in mid November, Straightline special engraved pedal for winner
2nd Jeffery Hereertson
3rd Todd Layfiel- Ridgecrest
4th Sergiro Acosta- San Rafeal
5th Shelby Paget- Cupertino
-other prizing giving away in this category
Republik pants and jerseys, Deity bars and shirts, Fox hats, Specialized shirts, stickers


Pro Open

Most STEEZE Winner Ryan Howard doing it big

Photo by: davinpena.pinkbike.com
Overall best rider- Cam McCaul
Best trick- Greg Watts
Most STEEZE- Ryan Howard

Un Labeled Photos by: J-peters.pinkbike.com

Lots of local talent was out riding, but there was also a ton of local photographers. As Justin Brantley, local photographer was running the show at the jam, other photographers took it as an opportunity. I have been seeing more and more photos show up on the site, but here are a couple of bangers i have found so far.

shrednasty.pinkbike.com
shrednasty.pinkbike.com
Videosontap.pinkbike.com
I've captured some unique footage while here in California, so keep it locked at Pinkbike for some cool videos coming soon! Big thanks and shout out to all the sponsors that made this event possible, it would not be around without you guys, and girls.

BIG Shout out to Elayna Cadwell at Fox Racing Shox for the 831 fork. She informed us during our factory tour (sweet!) that we we're getting one of two working 831 forks at the moment, so mega props to them for that! Props to Specialized Bicycles for donating a bunch of pedals, and some super cool 2011 painted 2009 P Series frames. Shout out to Jesse Nickell SR at Barry Swenson Builders for all his help, and support during the event. You were a huge help! Thanks to Straitline Components and Deity for their contributions with hard, and soft goods including some custom engraved pedals, bar end caps, and two dirt jump designed handle bars. Thanks to Bicycle Trip for their support with gloves, helmets, and the insurance! That was a big push in making this happen and you guys hooked it up. Thanks for XFusion and Republik for hooking it up with extra soft goods. I can vouch that whoever got those clothes are going to love em!

So as I depart I leave you with this photo. The one guy that did the most work into this event, Justin Brantley, didn't get a chance to shoot photos during the event. At the end of the day Cam McCaul was still session'ing the jumps and Justin had finally packed up all the gear, cleaned up the garbage, and generally wound down. He grabbed his camera, setup his flashes, and blasted off this epic shot of Cam doing a backflip superman on the trick booter. Congrats on the shot JB!


Cheers from Aptos! Laters.
Jordan