by Adam Apsan
May 21, 2011- Woodbridge, NJ - It was advertised as the end of the world. but May 21 turned out to be a spectacular day in Woodbridge, New Jersey where Journey Backyard BBQ was presenting its famous extreme sports event. Hundreds of people waited at the gate for the opening and in minutes the entire venue was filled with thousand of visitors expecting to have a great time. And guess what? They did.
Some of the visitors ran straight to the stage where a local bands where playing, but most of them where waiting for the major ear candy treat, pop punk rockers, New Found Glory would be headlining a free show later on.
But most visitors had other interest; extreme sports, skateboarding and BMX. And what a lineup.
Skateboarders
Ronnie Faisst, A pioneering riders of the FMX sport, Ronnie has finishing in the top 10 of every competition he’s competed in since 2000. He was also part of Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom Huck Jam tour, multiple Vans Warped Tours, MTV’s Sports and Music Festival, the Dew Tour, Crusty Demons of Dirt World Tour and most recently the first of its kind Nuclear Cowboyz tour.
Corey Duffel is national known for his punk rock look and a fast paced skating style, skating big gaps, rails, stairs or anything that may be in his path. He is presently working on the new Foundation video coming out this year entitled “What the F?” He has also worked with Michael Davis' “Music Is Revolution Foundation,” raising money for music education in public schools.
Pierre-Luc Gagnon "PLG" is one of the most decorated vert skateboarders of all time. With 15 X-Games medals and multiple wins at the Dew Tour and Maloof Money Cup, PLG is one of the most prized vert skaeboarder in history. PLG will be starring in the reality TV show, X-Life on VH1.
Jack Sabback is one of the most talented of all skateboarders. Each of his moves is well thought out and known for its “quality.”
Jon Goemann is known as one of the best skaters to come out of North County San Diego.
Darryl Tocco is alocal from Lindenwold, NJ now residing in southern California, is one of the most respected BMX. Darryl is known for his technical barspin combos on street, but is also known to shred a ramp with the best of them. Darryl's signature frame from Kink Bikes was made avaialble to the public a few months ago and his fans have been buying the bike up at a frantic pace.
Devon Smillie is is only 18 yet he leads teh pack; whether it's a rail, ledge, quarterpipe, box jump, or anything else you could think of, he is capable of destroy anything in front of him.
Seth Klinger actually moved to Woodward Camp to concentrate on riding BMX full time. Seth competes in dirt and park . He's known for his stylish tricks - such as a huge 360 tabletop followed by a 360 superman seatgrab. Amazing!
Fred Gall is another New Jersey local IPATH roots rider is one of skateboarding’s best. His abilities from East Coast street spots, transition and raw terrain makes his one to watch. As one of the most known skateboarders in media, he was recently featured in Thrasher Skateboard Magazine.
Chad Bartie - is a native of Australian, Chad is an expert on all terrain shredding everything in his path. Once he sets his sights on the target; whether it’s a ledge, arail, skatepark or your backyard, he is in command. Chad recently fappeared on the Bones Wheels Video, and is presently working on the Osiris video.
Kenny Reed originally from upstate New York, now resides in Barcelona, Spain and travels the world for months on end, thrilling skateboarding fans as he speeds by. Perhaps this is how he got his name of “The Traveler.”
Taylor Bingaman is part of a new generation of skateboards that have both the tech street skills and transitional skills, his breed may be the future of kateboarding/ This summer he will take part of the X-Games and will also be featured in the new Osiris video.
Aaron "Jaws" Homoki is IPATH’s newest recruit . 19 years old and under 100 lbs., Jaws is already an Arizona legend. In Sweden he took 2nd place overall at the Bowlriders event. Aaron was featured in a “180 Leap Of Faith” sequence in the February 2009 issue of Transworld Skateboarding Magazine, and also on was featured on Fuel TV’s “Daily Habit.”
JT Aultz has been a pro for over 10 years and has taken part in many vidoes. His style that makes skateboarding seem effortless.
Steve Nesser is one of the most preeminent skater to come out of the Midwestern United States in decades. A Minneapolis native known for his smooth style and power to tackle big rails easily Steve, has been featured on the covers of Skateboarder Magazine in 2008, and Thrasher Magazine in 2007.
Steve Durante is another New Jersey native is one of the newest member of the Ipath tea
Jimmy Hill started riding at age four and at 21, is one of the newest member of the Metal Mulisha team. His career took off at the fAFMXA contest in 2010, where he walked away with a second place trophy and was asked to join the Metal Mulisha team.
Wes Agee has been performing daring jumps such as backflips before he was 18, Now he is cabaple of doing unbeleivable tricks, like Backflip Seat Grab Indys,No Handed Flips and Backflip Indys.
Derek Garland has mastered the 75-foot flip, and many other amazing moves. He recently came in 4th place in the Masters of Dirt 2008, 5th place in the X-Games Brasil, Best Trick 2008 in the Freestylemx.com Tour.
A day spent at Journey’s Backyard BBQ is like a day at the circus. Where else can you see motorcyclists flipping in the air and landing without any injury and skateboarders moving at such a speed that is seems impossible for mere mortals? Yet these athletes kept the momentum up from the opening of the gates to the end of the show. And what a day it was. Everyone at the event was pleased; a memorable day, one not easily forgotten.
Journey’s Backyard BBQ, just like the world, did not end this Saturday. In fact they have more events planned for the year. Their itinerary is as follows: Minneapolis, May 28, 2011 and Denver, on June 4, 2011.
You can find our more about Journey’s Backyard BBQ in their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JourneysBBQ
