WORDS Marcus Bandy PHOTOS Jake Grove VIDEO David Ruano
We originally set out to simply rally the local downhill skateboarders here in So Cal for another chill, fun day of shredding asphalt and hangin’ with the homies on one of our local hills; but with all the devastating and vast destruction from all the recent hurricanes we were inspired to turn what was supposed to be just a small local community skate event—strictly for our local homies—into something much bigger and far reaching. After a few brainstorming sessions with our friend and local skater James Webster, we decided to make this event a hurricane relief effort, as well as a head-to-head relay race and an all-day slide jam.
“Hurricane Relief Hill Jam” (Video):
In order to raise the cash support for our hurricane relief effort at the Hurricane Relief Hill Jam we asked all attending riders and spectators to kick-down at least $10, with 100% of all donations going directly to relief efforts. We also guaranteed that Wheelbase Mag would be adding $300 to what was collected at the event. Ultimately, we were able to raise $700 dollars in total for hurricane relief, with $400 in cash coming directly from the local downhill skateboarders and their friends who attended the Hurricane Relief Hill Jam event.
Miles Webb and Devon Chambers, Talega jammin’ Photo: Grove.
We originally pondered a couple of solid ideas for where we might send the relief funds from our Hurricane Relief Hill Jam event, but in the end we decided that our friends in Puerto Rico needed the help the most, so we donated all of our relief funds directly to Rock Steady For Life’s gofundme campaign, which is a super amazing effort founded by Richard “Crazy Legs” Colón of the legendary Rock Steady Crew, and is committed to helping the people of Puerto Rico in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria—and beyond.
Show your support HERE.
Adrien Paynel toeside mobbin’ Photo: Grove.
As we all know, much of the island is still without electricity and running water, and major flooding has left people’s homes completely uninhabitable. The short- and long-term effects of this damage are unimaginable! With the help of Red Bull, Waves For Water and artists of the Puerto Rican diaspora—Puerto Rico Rob, DJ Enuff, DJ Tony Touch, DJ DP One, DJ G-Bo The Pro, Port Morris Distillery—Rock Steady for Life is raising funds to support on-the-ground efforts of get much-needed water filtration and purification systems to areas of the island that have been harder to get to. Funds also support the Boys & Girls Club of Isabela in their effort of providing shelter, food and necessities to people in need. We are extremely proud and humbled to support this badass cause.
James Webster getting the relay hype going. Lets raise some funds! Photo: Grove.
Frenchy out front, first leg of the race. Photo: Grove.
But what about the downhill relay race and slide jam action at the Hurricane Relief Hill Jam? Oh yeah! I forgot to tell ya ‘bout that! Well, our relay race was held early in the day and riders used Muir Skate skate tools as relay batons. James Webster was in charge of the race along with a few of the homies, three walkie talkies, a Sharpie, and a piece of cardboard. The race ran smooth, except for a few riders getting DQ’d for putting their batons in their back pockets during racing and ultimately dropping them either before making the hand off or loosing them before the finish line. Such shenanigans made for a couple questionable match ups one of which was me making it to the semi finals. Ha ha! Anywho, a couple of young-guns took the win and I think it’s safe to say we’ll be doing more relay races in the future. So much fun!
Jared Fallsalot with the baton handoff. Photo: Grove.
Broms and Bandy, going at it. Photo: Grove.
Cole Trotta, smelling up the hill. Photo: Grove.
As for the slide jam part of the Hurricane Relief Hill Jam, we decided to do a longest slide comp as well as a Chinese downhill race (basically, that’s a race where everyone goes at once; first one to the bottom wins.). Shit was super fun, long sides were oh so lengthy, our event cameraman David Ruano got taken out during that part, and the dude from Holsome Slide Pucks brought us all Pizza Hut to munch on.
Antonio Madariaga dusting off the old shred stick and getting steezy. Photo: Grove.
Nick Broms, loading the bunkers. Photo: Grove.
Adrien Paynel getting barreled, french style. Photo: Grove.
Cole Trotta saying down thane lines in the longest slide comp Photo: Grove.
Some times you triple backflip combo, other times you take out the camera crew. Photo: Grove.
Chinese Downhill gracing western civilization with its culture. Photo: Grove.
In the end, I believe that our Hurricane Relief Hill Jam event achieved it’s intended purpose by bringing the local community together to skate hills with friends and also raise funds for the much-needed hurricane relief efforts. I am truly humbled by the support we received from all who attended and helped us make this hill jam event happen. The local downhill skateboarding community should be proud, I know I am! Teamwork makes the dream work!
THANK YOU’S:
A huge thanks to April for making the trophies, to Kyle for making the art, to Jake and Dave for collecting the media you see here, to all those who attended and gave what they could, a big thanks to Scott of Muir skate for kicking down for the raffle, High-five to Holesome for the pizza. And a special thanks to James Webster and the homies for running the relay race and sweeping and just being a badass, stoke-provoker in general.