Barge Dirt Jumps in San Francisco Bay - NWD 10

Sep 3, 2009
by Jordan Holmes  
I just got off the phone with the guys over at Freeride Entertainment to get some insight on how the concept came up, and how it all came together to shoot bike riding on the ocean in San Francisco. Mark Twain, a great American author once said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco", so how did Freeride Entertainment think it was a good idea to shoot this setup in one of the most un-predictable climates in the world?

Here's some insight.Questions by Jordan @ Pinkbike.com
Words by Eric @ Freeride Entertainment

Views: 58,556    Faves: 1,726    Comments: 154

When did you guys come up with the initial concept to shoot riding on a barge, on the ocean?
John Cowan and Derek Westerlund have been talking about doing this for a while, actually since the Hell Track was in Proctor, British Columbia. We spent a fair amount of time by the Kootenay Lake, where a barge was parked for a long time. We had talked to the owners of the barge a couple of times about using it but the cost was always too high, and the couple times it could have worked they were disagreeing on us using it. So, we put the barge shot on the back burner, but did not forget about it.

photo

Recently Todd Barber from H5 Productions, the man behind the Rampage, moved down to San Francisco and still had the shot in his mind. He contacted us about it, and we told him we were still totally stoked on doing the shot. Todd has a history of getting stuff figured out in very tight time lines, so we had complete faith in him getting it setup. August 2nd Todd started getting things started for the shoot, and by the 27th of August the riders were practicing the jumps on the barge. Mega props to Todd for getting this figured out on such a tight time line.

Why the San Francisco Bay?
With Todd being there we knew he could get things going asap. He was sure he had the correct connections, and all his ducks in a row so we started thinking about it. There is actually a ton of landmarks in San Francisco that made for some awesome shots, but you will have to wait for the movie to see those.

photo

Who constructed the jumps on the boat? How long did it take?
John Cowan builds a ton of stuff for us. He's an extremely skilled rider and builder so we knew he could get it done. He started building the jumps on August 22nd, ending on the 27th, meaning it took him 5 days to get it all together. All the riders were pumped on the jumps, and they worked out perfect.

The barge measures 290 feet long, and is 60 feet wide. It took 1800 cubic yards of dirt, and the whole set up weighs approximately 2,300 tons.

When did you guys start shooting on the barge, and how long did it take to get the shots you wanted? How did you shoot the barge?
As I said practice started on the 27th of August. We came in to shoot the barge on the 28th and ending the shoot on the night of the Giants game, the 29th. To get the shots we wanted we had to get in the air, and on the water, so we brought out the helicopter and rented 2 tug boats, one with a 40ft high tower on it to shoot the larger barge, which was being towed by the other tug boat.

We used 1 tug boat to pull the barge around to the spots we wanted, 1 tug boat was used for shooting along with the helicopter for aerial shots. We also had a film crew on the shore in front of the AT&T Stadium to shoot some distant shots from the shore. Everyone involved knew the time frame we had, and the cost that was related to this, so we had to get it done as soon as possible.

photo

Who's backing the project?
This was all planned around being footage to be used in NWD 10, so obviously Red Bull played a large part in the project. This was the final stop for the Stumps, Clump and Jumps tour as well, so we had a bus full of awesome riders coming into the bay already so it worked out quite well.

Which riders' sections will we get to see this footage used in for NWD 10?
Everyone that was on the boat will get this footage used in their section, so Brandon Semenuk, Paul Basagoitia, Andreu Lacondeguy, John Cowan, and Luis Lacondeguy.

photo

Was the jumping on the last day organized with the Giants game at all? Did they announce it in the 7th inning stretch or anything?
Nothing was said to the people involved at the ball game or anything like that. On the 29th we simply went out to get some shots with the ball game going on, it was actually the only day we got bad weather. It was super windy and the fog was rolling in, so we went out to bang off some shots.

photo

It was not announced or anything, but we did sound the barge horn so I am sure some of the viewers in the stands got a free show. All the riders were pumped to shoot with the baseball game going on in the background. They were rocking Giants jerseys and stuff, so it was awesome to see them having so much fun with such bad weather.

What was it like dealing with the people who owned the boats, and ran the ship yards? Was it hard to get things figured out during bad weather?
Not at all, we were all surprised. Hanging out with the shoremen was unreal actually. They were all super nice people, and really chill about the whole idea. They went as far as to weld things to the boats to help with shots, and even arranged a police escort to the bay over by the AT&T Stadium. They all kind of saw it as a free show, so I guess they were inclined to help a certain amount as they got to see some unique stuff that day.

Wow, we're all pumped on the little video clip that you are releasing so far and now we're really looking forward to Vegas!

Posted In:
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Member since Mar 20, 2000
624 articles

116 Comments
  • 16 0
 They should have set up some hips from the shore that could lead to the barge, that would have been epic and very Tony Hawk video game-ish.
  • 18 3
 looks sweet!
  • 20 0
 A pretty epic thing to do. NWD10 is shaping up to be dam good.
  • 12 59
flag artifact (Sep 3, 2009 at 13:58) (Below Threshold)
 "if your going to san fransico, make sure to wear a flower in your hair"
  • 5 0
 I have never seen anything like it!!!! I think that most can say the same.
  • 13 7
 I've been wanting to do that for a couple years as well... I live by the river and see barges full of dirt passing all the time. One day it just clicked that I should rent a barge and do it... I don't have thousands of dollars to blow on something like that though. I'm so stoked for NWD10
  • 4 0
 that.is ridiculously awesome
  • 5 1
 hahahaha that is soooo pimp!!!!!
  • 3 1
 haha okay now they are just showing off, what is it not enough that they can already do that on land? Apparently not. NWD 10 is going to be Awesome
  • 2 1
 thats legit as fuck
  • 3 0
 I was watching the Giants game the other day and they were trying to figure out what it was for lol and so was i
  • 4 0
 they should have kept this a secret till the movie came out. it would have made the movie a lot better imo
  • 4 1
 If they are telling us about THIS... then what they don't tell us will most likely be ever more amazing. Wink
  • 2 0
 well thats vod tomorrow
  • 1 0
 its called marketing guys lol
  • 5 20
flag artifact (Sep 3, 2009 at 20:02) (Below Threshold)
 why the hell did i get negative propped?
  • 1 0
 i think thats one of the coolest things i've ever seen lol
  • 1 1
 For a while i thought the collective were going to run away with all their wire shots and fancy sequences, but NWD definatley raised their game recently, looks like the new one is shaping up really good.
  • 2 0
 ILL IDEAS GUYS!
  • 1 0
 They showed the barge at number 8 on Sportcenter's top ten plays the next morning. Should of been 1 but whatever, So Sick!
  • 3 1
 THEY'RE ON A BOAT!!
  • 2 0
 MuthaF*@ka
  • 1 1
 NWD 10 is gunna b sick those are sum pimpn angles and shots. Alcatraz in the backround id staight up nutty! There goes some more bikers repping the bay
  • 10 0
 I gotta get me one of those!
  • 12 3
 FUCK THAT SICK
  • 9 4
 kinda spoils the suprise for me
  • 2 13
flag rider280 (Sep 3, 2009 at 14:09) (Below Threshold)
 ya
  • 3 3
 agreed
  • 4 0
 probably one of the coolest things ive seen
  • 7 0
 so stoked to see it
  • 5 0
 holy shit! i saw a huge barge with dirt piles while driving through san fran, i saw this shit!
  • 5 0
 Wow, such an awesome thing for Mountain Biking! Good job guys and i cant wait to see this movie!
  • 6 1
 I thought I noticed some weird barges in the bay while I was driving across the GG bridge a while back.
  • 4 0
 Love the heli shots where the angle makes the background go by fast but the rider is still regular. The pan to rider to pan past shot was epic. Yeah boys!
  • 4 0
 that's SIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK !! the idea is really original !!! the editing is nice too!! it gonna be siiiick!!
  • 5 0
 they showed it on tv during the game
  • 4 0
 thats sick. my moms work is the ones who own the barge and put them out to the bay and stuff.
  • 3 0
 Woah, that's frickin' insane :O such a good idea there, must be amazing the ride the jumps on a barge as well. Mega probs to Mr Cowan Wink
  • 4 0
 holy hell that is the coolest idea ever
  • 4 0
 should be vod
  • 4 1
 The new party boat!
lol
  • 3 0
 thats where i live! hell ya!
  • 3 0
 They showed a little clip on ESPN's sportscenter a few days ago
  • 1 0
 does anyone know what song would be perfect for this segment(if somewhat inappropriate)? ill give you a hint: andy samberg is in it
  • 3 0
 the 10th NWD will be the best,cain't wait
  • 2 1
 wow, the uplifted energy of a baseball field worth of fans, watching you do a healthy 3 out over the aqua must be one of the best feelings in the world. SHRED IT DUDES!
  • 3 0
 Thats sweet
  • 3 0
 cant wait to see it
  • 2 1
 OMG I cannot believe how unfuckingbelieveably sick that was. cant wait for the finale of NWD!!!!
  • 2 0
 This is the sickest video I ever seen!!!!!
  • 3 0
 coolest thing ever
  • 2 0
 I can't wait to see this at interbike! its going to be ridiculous.
  • 1 0
 uggh i went to alcatraz over the summer i wish they were there when i went Blank Stare
  • 1 0
 If they can show us this it makes you wonder what suprises they will have in the movie that can top this
  • 2 0
 Man, that looks soo sick!
  • 1 0
 well now they can almost say they've biked everywhere in the world....and even the waters Razz
  • 1 0
 man that takes talent to do that man u need serious judgent calling skills lol
  • 1 0
 ^^^ wow bucko calm the f*ck down!!^^^^^
thats one of the coolest ideas!! im som pumped for NWD 10 its rediculus!!
  • 1 0
 OMG!!!! SICKEST SHIT EVER!!!!! How can anything compare to those backdrops!!! Redbull is awesome!!!
  • 3 1
 original
  • 2 1
 thats awesome and original
  • 2 0
 UNREAL!!!!
  • 4 2
 I like Tuna
  • 2 1
 buying the dvd and showing my kids. im 15. i have no kids yet.
  • 1 0
 f***ing semenuk...lol lucky kid
  • 1 0
 omg i cant wait for this movie any longer
  • 2 1
 It's stuff like this that keep the sport progressing to new levels!
  • 1 0
 no way! that is the sickest idea. way sweet.
  • 2 1
 NWD 11...dirt jumping on the moon!
  • 3 0
 Maybe NWD 35... but during my life time for sure xD
  • 1 0
 sorry to kill your dreams, but i'm pretty sure in a darren berrecloth interview about nwd10 he said it would be the last in the NWD series.
  • 1 0
 I hope they rode pacifica while in the bay
  • 1 0
 does ne1 know the release date for the dvd?
  • 1 0
 i don't think it can get anymore epic than that..
  • 2 0
 buy a big plane Razz
  • 1 0
 such a cool idea. i like the song too.
  • 2 0
 i did not expect that
  • 2 0
 inovation right there,.
  • 2 0
 now that is amazing!
  • 2 0
 wow thats amazing
  • 2 0
 so epic
  • 2 0
 thats sweet
  • 2 0
 i'm gonna find it.
  • 1 0
 i dont know why, but that is the coolest fucking thing ever!!!!! haha
  • 1 0
 fuck yeh thats ndw 10 is going to be awesome
  • 1 0
 insanest crud EVER for a DJ setup
  • 1 0
 That was absolutely amazing...best idea for DJ ever...I'm still stunned.
  • 1 0
 coolest thing i have ever seen. Hands down
  • 1 0
 And for NWD 11 there ar plans for a moon jump! Razz
  • 1 0
 this is the last NWD
  • 1 0
 The last New World Disorder, But this is Next World Disorder. HAHA
  • 1 0
 yeah, they're still going to make movies after it though. thank god
  • 1 0
 when are they going into space?
  • 1 0
 if you would give me this boat i would dig an ocean with my hands
  • 2 1
 trop cool
  • 1 0
 purely epic
  • 1 1
 nnniiiiiiiiiiiiiceeeee. just a preview of what is yet to come.
  • 1 0
 THAT WAS SO DOPE!
  • 1 0
 anyone know the song ??
  • 1 0
 Mad
  • 3 3
 unreal! I really have no words for that...
  • 8 1
 you just had oneWink
  • 3 2
 oh my god
  • 2 1
 that is epic.
  • 1 0
 finally new ideas!!!
  • 1 0
 That is totally mental !
  • 1 0
 wow thats is so pimpin
  • 1 2
 giants blow go phillies!
  • 1 4
 nice iike fish toooooooooo
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