Outdoor Central Oregon Issue 13 | The Photo Issue Vol. 2 | Page 6

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2019 PHOTO ISSUE
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NEWS|
SOPHIA RODRIGUEZ HITS JACKPOT TY LOVE SECOND AT JR DISC GOLF
AT LAS VEGAS BMX NATIONAL
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sophia Rodriguez, a middle schooler from Bend, hit the jackpot at the Las Vegas National
Short Track Nationals. BMX bikers from all over the US raced a 700-foot long track in
a week long race series that made for some quick racing. Sophia pulled off a double-
double. Winning her class and
open class, also taking down
the current world champ two
times in the main event. Over-
all, Sophia had five main event
wins and one second place.
Sophia wants to thank all of
her supporters, fans, family,
and sponsors (Yess BMX, Box
Components, ODI Racing, Fly
Racing, Tioga Tires, and The
Hub Cyclery) for making this
all possible.
Ty Love of Bend tied for 2nd place
in the Jr 15 and under division at the
Jr Disc Golf World Championships
in Emporia, Kansas. Ty is currently
unsponsored and was competing
against many sponsored players. He’s
only been playing for 4ish years. Ty
got involved with Disc Golf when he
learned about it at his school. Ty prac-
tices on his home course in Powell
Butte, and on other courses around
Central Oregon (Bend, Redmond,
Sisters, Terrebonne all have courses
he plays). Disc Golf is an individual
sport and Ty is part of the Central
Oregon Disc Golf Club and competes
regularly against people of all ages.
BIG MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES
LAUNCHES ADVENTURE TENT
TRAILER RENTALS
CIRCUIT BOULDERING IS UNDER
CONSTRUCTION, PLANNED OPENING
LATE NOVEMBER
The Circuit’s new gym in Bend is located right off of Highway 97 and Empire Blvd, mak-
ing it easy to access. Construction is full on at the 20,000 square foot space. At the new
bouldering facility they are creating the gym of your dreams. This will be the largest of the
four Circuit gyms in Oregon and is only located 15 minutes from Redmond. Stay tuned for
more updates and info about their grand opening.
Ty Love seen third from left
JAKE BLAUVELT TAKES 8 TH ANNUAL
RAT RACE AT MT HOOD
Banked slalom snowboard racing returned to Mt. Hood on July 8th in the form of the 8th
Annual Drink Water Rat Race. Debatably the most hectic of all banked slalom snowboard
events, this year’s course held true to its mantra of “mind the whoops” featuring two BMX
style gaps right out of the start gate followed by a host of more gaps, tight 180+ degree
turns, a fin style jump-turn and the holy grail of whoops to navigate before being able to
cross the finish line. Weather was less typical of summer on the Palmer Glacier with wind
blowing clouds in and out of the course all day and temperatures kept the berms from
softening up, creating a fast and crusty race course. Despite the danger, this Rat Race
was the first one with zero broken bones. We are not sure if race organizers Bryan and
Stephen Fox and Austin Smith were happy or upset at this fact.
SMITH ROCK COULD EXPAND 38
ACRES TO INCLUDE “AROUND THE
WORLD”
The Oregon Parks and Recreation is considering a $285,000 purchase of 38 undevel-
oped acres to expand Smith Rock State Park. The parcel abuts the southeast boundary
of the park, a popular climbing area known as “around the world”. The project would also
protect another 1,000-foot section of the Crooked River. Hikers, climbers and kayakers
can access the property on foot but there are no vehicle roads.
13 TH ANNUAL KITEBOARDING FOR
CANCER PART KITE FESTIVAL,
PART CHAOS, ALL FUN
The 13th annual KB4C took place July 12-14 and benefited Project Koru, a non-profit
that empowers young adults with cancer. The programs find healing and life renewal
through outdoor adventures and community. The organization and programming was
founded from Kiteboard 4 Cancer funding. Big things have happened over the last 13
years of the event and have benefited many. KB4C has raised over one million for Pacific
Northwest cancer programs, sent over 200 youth survivors through Camp Koru young
survivorship programs, and became North America’s largest kiteboarding event just to
name a few. Many, many thanks to the organizers, volunteers, competitors, sponsors,
manufacturers of kite gear, and kiters from all over the country for attending.
Big Mountain Adventures is now renting rugged, spacious, travel trailer tent campers in
Bend for just $99 a day! The package features Manley Outback Adventure Trailers and
Rooftop Tents from Bend-based Freespirit Recreation, the travel trailer tent campers can
be decked out with everything you’ll need for your next exciting Oregon camping adven-
ture. Add in a gourmet kitchen, chairs, coolers, tactical hammocks for two, solar lighting,
deck of cards and you’ll be all set for music festivals, hot springs, the Oregon coast and
glamping adventures of every kind!
The rugged Freespirit Recreation adventure tent trailers are backcountry built for glamp-
ing adventures of every kind. Spend mornings on the Oregon coast with freshly brewed
camp coffee and gray whales playing in the surf, or marvel at our Milky Way at night in the
Alvord Desert while you cook in your gourmet tent camper kitchen. Oregon is a destina-
tion of incredible landscapes and moments on the road that will leave you with travel
trailer camping vacation memories to last a lifetime. bigmountainadv.com
TACTICS OPENS NEW STORE IN
PORTLAND
Tactics board shop opened its third store this July in the heart of Downtown Portland’s
Pearl District. Tactics Portland joins the original shop in Eugene and their second shop in
Bend. It is located at the corner of 9th and Davis. Tactics stocks gear for skateboarding
and snowboarding, as well as a large selection of skate shoes, clothing, and accessories.
The staff can help tune up your existing skateboard or build a new one with parts you
choose. Snowboard services include hot wax, edging, and custom boot fitting. New to
snowboarding or skateboarding? Their staff will help you get the right gear.
SEAN FITZSIMONS IS ELEVATED TO
US SNOWBOARDING PRO B
SLOPESTYLE TEAM
Sean Fitzsimos, 19, is a Hood River local that has moved up a notch from Rookie Team to
Pro B Slopestyle Team with US Snowboarding. This means a greater level of funding in
order to train and travel to worldwide competitions. Sean was awarded this elevated posi-
tion based on his progressive performances over last season that included FIS World Cup
Slopestyles and other professional competitions. This fall and winter Sean will be based in
Utah and will take college classes and be close to the base of US Snowboarding opera-
tions in Park City. You can follow Sean as he travels and competes throughout the season
on instagram: @seanfitzsimons
BEND RIDERS SHINE AT US CYCLING
MTN BIKE NATIONALS
Tactics Portland stocks a selected assortment pulled from the thousands of products
you’ll find on Tactics.com. The new store in Portland will enhance one of America’s most
vibrant skate scenes.
Bend local Curtis “Curt-Dog” Ciszek minding whoops and ripping the turns.
Awards took place in the Timberline Hiker’s Lot and lasted way longer than you’d expect
for only having 3 divisions. Bryan, Stephen, and Austin like to award top 11 places for
each division to extend the length of the awards ceremony. Danny Kern (who supposedly
will not be allowed to race open division anymore) took first for his division while Isabella
Gomez placed second for Women’s. Snowboard legend Jake Blauvelt established his
dominance by taking first place in the pro division, upsetting Bend local Jared Elston, who
found his place in 2nd after claiming he would win all year. Better luck next year Jared! The 2019 US Cycling Mountain Bike Nationals took place in Winter Park, Colorado in late
July. As usual, BEA racers made a good showing with Summit HS Freshman, Ian Brown,
taking the National Championship title in 13-14 XC JR Mens as well as first in Short
Track 11-14 JR Mens. Caiden Hartrich was 59th XC 15-16 JR MEN. Elijah Krause was
having a great Enduro and was running around tenth after 4 stages and crashed out on
stage 5 of 8. Elijah, a too shaken up and was unable to continue.
This year’s Rat Race raised over $40,000 for water.org who help with clean water proj-
ects all over the world. They have raised well over $200,000 since the very first race. For
more about the race and full list of results, visit www.wedrinkwater.com. Other Bend Riders traveled to high altitude of Winter Park to race and came home with
some great results. Ryder Uetrecht 22nd XC 17-18 JR MEN, 18th STXC, 1st XC Team
Relay Darragh Hildreth 11th XC PRO Women, 17th STXC PRO WOMEN, Shane John-
son 50th XC PRO MEN, Emma Maaranen 17th XC, 23 STXC PRO WOMEN
P: Richard Hallman