Randall Harris

The first annual Bullhead City Riverfest kicked off earlier this month. A jam-packed lineup of wakeboarding, wakeskating, skateboarding and bmx contests filled the schedule along with plenty of live bands and vendors to keep everyone entertained. Despite its obscurity and small town atmosphere, Bullhead City is just a few hours drive from Phoenix, So Cal and Las Vegas (not to mention only minutes from the Laughlin, Nevada strip...penny slots anyone?), making it an ideal meeting spot.

AJ Racinelli

Large prizes and charitable spirits enticed pro riders from all over the country including Randall Harris, Ricky Gonzalez, Jeff Weatherall, Jacob Valdez, AJ Racinelli and just about our entire Arizona crew including Jimmy Wolf, Ben Christensen, Matt Coldren, Derek Borum, Tyler Nichols and more. Proceeds from the event went towards the local Boys and Girls Club and to put lights up at the Bullhead City skate park.

Saturday morning brought the first wave of unfortunate surprises when the fluctuating water levels caused a late start for the amateur contests and practice runs. In the evening, due to some technical difficulties, the winch rail jam fell through and fellow photographer, Brandon Hesterman, and I shed a tear while we watched a beautiful sunset backdrop lay to waste.

Jeff Weatherall

Sunday, as the water levels rose, so did the riders' anticipation to get out and ride. Jacob Valdez set the pace, fighting through the ferocious current (which we clocked at 10 mph) and standing up his qualifying run. Crowds gathered to watch as riders began adjusting to the difficult conditions and the tricks starting flowing. Jeff Weatherall beat out Jacob in the finals, to take home a new set of rims.

As the event wound down, a few riders took a rail set behind the jet ski before the long drive home. With a few logistical kinks to be worked out before next year's event, it is sure to grow even bigger and better and we look forward to going again.

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