The entire area was filled with dichotomies, both savage and beautiful in the same breath at every turn. One paradoxical image was found in a shanty town bar, complete with the requisite 6 foot high stacks of speakers out front, which were blaring Kenny Rogers, who was singing, “You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em…” Billy and I stared blankly as scene after scene rolled by the never ending view form the windows of the van. We made our way out of town for a brief lunch and photo opportunity at the beach in Port Royal, an area made famous for the exploits of Captain Henry Morgan, the run runner and pirate of the days of yore. We witnessed Teddy feast on fish faces and suck out the eyeballs, as we enjoyed the mellow times under the Jamaican sun.

All fun aside, we once again made our way to the airport only to be thwarted again at the dreaded baggage claim area. The time was running out, and both Billy and I sensed it. After a brief respite at the hotel, we made what would prove to be our final (whether it worked out or not) trip to the airport for baggage retrieval. Yet, this time, we were not to be denied, no matter how indifferent the ground crew would be, we doggedly stood our ground and located (finally!) all our bags and of course, Billy’s bike. We made it through customs, which in itself was no small task, and ultimately made it back to the hotel to meet up with the rest of the team. Jeff, Benji and Ommar had finalized the set up and now, with all the pieces in place, all that was left to do was to deliver on the reason we came after all, to perform high flying action packed shows for the Jamaican people.

Driving. Yeah, I’m back in the van as we drove to the demo site for the shows, but this time, the team was intact and complete with all our gear and personnel. We were ready to bring our shows to the throngs promising to attend, as well as the countless multitudes who would be tuning in to the live broadcast throughout the Caribbean. As we pulled up to the demo site after the one hour ride from Kingston to Clarendon, the area was buzzing with excitement as the crowds were starting to build and fill in the area. We were actually part of an entire day with the Mountain Dew Stunt Festival that included our demos, a BMX contest, music, comedians and other outstanding entertainers, as well as food and fun for all.

Driving. Yeah, I’m back in the van as we drove to the demo site for the shows, but this time, the team was intact and complete with all our gear and personnel. We were ready to bring our shows to the throngs promising to attend, as well as the countless multitudes who would be tuning in to the live broadcast throughout the Caribbean. As we pulled up to the demo site after the one hour ride from Kingston to Clarendon, the area was buzzing with excitement as the crowds were starting to build and fill in the area. We were actually part of an entire day with the Mountain Dew Stunt Festival that included our demos, a BMX contest, music, comedians and other outstanding entertainers, as well as food and fun for all.

We all prepared our equipment and set out to warm up on the demo course. Seemingly quickly, the call came to go on (who ever knows the exact time of anything in Jamaica?), and the shows began with intensity and flow. Ommar blew away the crowd with Jump box clearing tail whips and no footed backflips as well as 360s over the spine and much more. Benji tore the course up with 360 airs over the spine, kickflip indies and the show stopping rail slide acoross a soccer goal placed atop of the jump box. He ripped it up all day. Billy flowed on the flatland, throwing combination after combination of links, as well as showing his mastery on the microphone too. Jeff threw down Ho-Ho plants, Sal flips and frontside 360 airs over the jump box., and kept the energy high with his active announcing. I threw in some ramp action as well as flatland sections featuring 360 spins, shuvit variations and handstand fingerflips along with providing play by play commentary on the action too. We steamrolled through the day, kicking butt and taking names, letting it all hang our much to the delight of the huge crowds which circled the entire demo area, hooting and hollering at our every turn and move.

We also helped out as judges and announcers for the first BMX contest ever in Jamaica, as riders mixed in flatland and ramp skills. The athletes showed that the local talent was being cultivated and growing in the right direction. After the 3 shows and the contest, we gave away all our equipment to the various locals, plus a lot of extra gear we had brought for that specific purpose. We all see ourselves as ambassadors of our collective sports, but also as contributors to new opportunities for the youth of Jamaica, and if some equipment can help out, we were all willing to contribute to this great need. After that, we enjoyed the comedy of Sammy Question and all the great Jamaican entertainers as the smells, sights and sounds of the party raged on all around us once again.

Driving. Yeah, I’m back in the van before dawn heading back to the airport, but this time, I was making my way homeward. Billy is with me, while Jeff, Benji and Ommar headed out later. As Billy and I boarded the plane for Miami, we did bid a fond farewell to our “bredren” in Jamaica, and wondered where next this crazy road of demos with Pro Impact Stunt Team will take us next.

Peace, Dr. Skateboard