July 4th – Freedom Frenzy WRITEUP

Thanks to Sam Bittner, AWT organizer, we had an amazing event on the 4th of July, Independence Day. It was great to see, that with such short notice, we were able to get so many people to join the event. With over 30 competitors, and a good wind forecast, the event was on! By 10am on the 4th, the parking lot at the world famous Hatchery was packed. The event was to have an “Old School/Gorge Style” division, a Super Frenzy division, as well as a womens and a juniors division.

In the “Old School/Gorge Style” division, no sliding moves were allowed. With a good amount of wind, but not very many ramps, everyone had to get really creative as to which tricks they were going to throw in the 8 minute heat. With the conditions being a little less than ideal for huge airs, the new school freestylers were stealing the show, pulling out every old school move in the book. The heats were littered with big air jibes, forwards, back loops, shuvits, wyamaroos, laydown duck jibes, one footed airs, long body drags, the list goes on an on. I was able to take 3rd place in front of my brother Whit Poor, with Rob Warwick in second and Bryan Metcalf-Perez in 1st. There were lots of laughs on the water during these heats, including a nice ride on the front of Bryans board for some extra crowd points!

The Super Frenzy was a totally different ball game. With any and every move allowed in this division, as well as the wind and ramps improving, the crowd was guaranteed an amazing show! I was able to get out on my JP-Australia Freestyle Pro 90 and my Neil Pryde Wizard 4.2. The finals came down to all of the top US pros. Wyatt Miller, Rob Warwick, Bryan Metcalf-Perez, and myself had to go head to head in a 10 minute, winner takes all, final heat. With kono’s, burner’s, air funnel’s, shuvit-spock’s, culo’s, and everything in between being thrown down, the judges had their work cut out for them. In the end, Rob Warwick sailed an amazing heat, keeping his hair dry the whole time, while stomping some of the most difficult moves in the book. I was able to come a close second, with Wyatt Miller in 3rd and Bryan Metcalf-Perez rounding out the 4th position.

With another great event in the books, Sam Bittner has done it once again! I want to say thanks to all the local businesses that helped out with sponsoring this event, as well as all the other competitors who made it an event to remember. Couldn’t have done it without ya. Can’t wait for next year! See you on the water!

Tyson Poor US-22