July, 2007

 July 24-30, 2007 - The annual Bank of the West Beach Games held at Huntington Beach Pier returned in its 4th year.  California's Bank of the West Beach Games is an extreme sports festival featuring Surfing, Skateboarding, BMX, and Free Style Moto-cross (FMX).  Skateboarders and BMX riders compete in the Bank of the West Soul Bowl, pictured on the left.  The Soul Bowl and FMX course is built a short distance from the ocean where the Honda U.S. Open surfing competition is held .  Surfing, Skating/BMX, and FMX competitions are held simultaneously throughout the six day event keeping every moment filled with extreme action.  All this action was a good reason to escape the East Coast heat and get in on some West Coast fun.

            
    
                                         
      
          

              

     During our week in California we got to stay with our good friends Elaina and Jerry.  Elena and Jerry have a very nice backyard with a super fun mini ramp. 

     
    
                                        

Elena and Jerry took us to a very fun place in California we had not been to before.

        
          
   

Last stop, Clairmont skate park.  The Pool and the Vert Ramp at the Clairmont skatepark are about as good as anyone could hope for.  We got there around two o'clock and had the whole park to ourselves.  Elaina brought along her friend Corey. Turns out that he is also a photographer.  He took some really nice pictures shown below. 

    
                                
              

   
     The picture above and the one below-left were both taken by Corey.  The one below on the right is the exact same shot taken by NagChaumpa.  The difference speaks for itself.  Bottom Line: Corey knows what he's doing.  Just look at how the butt is centered perfectly on the bowl below. Only a professional can capture that right?
 

     The Clairmont Vert Ramp was recently redone.  Turns out they got the new Ramp from the previous years X-Games.  Its got extensions, 30 degree turn, gap, and a Love Seat.  What more could you ask for?

   
   

     Time now to talk about how good of a photographer Corey is again.  Same deal below.  The one left is by Corey, one on the right is by NagChaumpa.  Big thanks to Corey for allowing us to post his shots on here.