NASS 2008 Review

June 16th, 2008

For those of you who don’s know about NASS (where have you been?!), here is a brief background. Created in 1998, (i think?) NASS – National Adventure Sports Show – was designed to be a festival that bought together all aspects of ‘extreme’ or alternative sports, which obviously includes Skate, BMX, Inline, and Moto X to name a few. With live music and huge camping potential, NASS was set to become a huge success.

It was just that. Boasting to be one of the most prestigious and mojor events in the country from Skate and BMX, NASS was building in reputation, size and content. However, the organisers started to come under fire and was described by many to be a ‘lawless’ event where the huge fires, riots and other general missuses overshadowed the amazing talent and oportunity that was on offer for the riders and exhibitioners alike.

So this year the event was just about salvaged by being taken on by Rip Curl Newquay Boardmasters organisers, Sports Vision, who basically vowed to turn the event back into what it should be. They started by hyping up security and allowing a heavy police presence. This did put an end to the chaos and the fires and riots were kept to a minimum. Combined with a great selection of live music and bars open till 3am meant that there were a lot of happy campers!

This years street course was a great set-up. Relentless did a really great job of creating a park that flowed with a great number of obstacles to challenge the BMXers and Skaters alike. Everything was MASSIVE! The skill of all the riders involved was pretty huge too. Marcus was entered into the qualifiers held on the Saturday and put in a ‘sterling’ run. He placed 25th out of 50+ riders, and given the what he had down, i don’t think it was a fair decision! He landed everything he set out for, including a huge BS melon, Nollie lazer on the big flat bank and a hardflip indy to fakie.. Unfortunately only the top 12 riders went through to the finals. He and I were still stoked anyways, well done mate! Props to Jack, friend of Keese who came 11th in qualifiers, making it into the finals.

In all honesty, our possy of 20+ was there for the festival as a whole. And we all had a really great time as always! This was despite some really messy individuals (no names mentioned!), the undercover feds busting two of our own (invasion of privacy? you decide..) AND the music levels on all the stages being far too low. All in all – Wicked – and we will be back next year, see you then!

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