Outdoor Central Oregon January/February 2020 | Page 8

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NEWS|cont’d
SOPHIA “SO FAST” RODRIGUEZ
WINS BMX NATIONAL AGE GROUP
CHAMPIONSHIP
Rodriguez, a sixth grader from Bend
placed 1st place in Open class at the
BMX National Championships in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. The Grands took place both
Saturday and Sunday and after two days of
racing Sophia was victorious in her class.
Her victory also earned her a second place
in the Amateur girls standings right below
Canada’s Teigan Pascual. Overall, Sophia
earned her national age group champion-
ship victory. 2019 was a stellar outing for
her with USA BMX standings, second
place overall amateur girl in the nation,
National age group win, race of champions
win, Gold Cup win, and an Oregon State
win. Sophia’s sponsors include: Yess BMX,
The Hub Cyclery in Bend, High Desert
BMX, and Grandma Shirley.
Co sponsors include: Odi grips, Tioga Tires,
Box components and Fly racing.
PARK CITY WOODWARD GRAND
OPENING
Photos courtesy of Woodward
Woodward Park City’s Grand Opening was one for the history books! More than 2,500
people attended the opening and participated in a multitude of activities organizers had
lined up. Famous athletes, celebs like Sal Masekela, and shredders from all over the world
attended.
Woodward Park City donated all of Saturday’s proceeds to six local charities, including the
Youth Sports Alliance, Live Like Sam and the National Ability Center, Spy Hop, Utah Clean
Energy and Wasatch Adaptive. In all, Woodward donated more than $20,000 to these
worthy organizations.
The highlights of the day included appearances by numerous Olympic and professional
athletes like legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg, and
BMX biker Ryan Nyquist. The action-sports and snow resort, located on the hillside north
of Pinebrook is one of six Woodward locations owned by Park City-based POWDR. Out-
doors, the 126-acre campus features skiing and snowboard terrain as well tubing, while a
66,000-square-foot indoor facility offers a skate ramp, trampolines and other amenities.
Woodward Park City is a multi-million dollar commitment to youth world-wide as this
facility will see locals, tourists, and visitors from all corners of the globe. Guests can skate
both the outdoor concrete park as well as the indoor park, practice tricks on trampolines,
increase core strength in the parkour zone, hit the pump track, run sick mountain bike
lanes, watch pros destroy the Peace Park, and ride at Red’s Backyard a similar mini park
to Gold Medalists Red Gerard’s backyard setup in Colorado. Woodward also brought back
the tubing area that was there years ago.
There are many progression and learning areas for all ages and abilities. Gear will be
available for purchase in the retail shop, food will be sold to fuel up or re-fuel, and even a
digital media room where riders can produce their own films and photos with state-of-the-
art computers and software. Summer camp will never be boring again!
RIP JAEGER BAILEY 1993-2019
One of the rowdiest
and most fearless urban
snowboarders, Jaeger
Bailey, took his own life
in Mammoth Lakes, CA
on Christmas Day. While
many friends report
an ongoing battle with
depression, on camera
Bailey was charismatic,
creative and always
pushing the boundaries
with innovative and high
risk tricks; his long list
of NBDs (never been
done tricks) is a tribute
to his bold style and
intrepid nature. While
this was surprising and
sorrowful news during the holiday it is a reminder to talk about mental health with those
around you, especially during the holidays. Depression and suicidal thoughts can be more
damaging than any physical injury and are far too common these days, especially in ac-
tion sports. Rest in Peace Jaeger Bailey.