2010 Old School BMX Reunion Weekend -April 2 - 4

I'm happy to announce the dates for the 2010 Old School BMX Reunion are Friday, April 2 - Sunday, April 4 and will be hosted by Woodward West (map).

Must be 33 or older to attend. Anyone who attended the 2009 reunion will automatically receive an invite.

More details soon.

Follow this link to coverage of the 2009 OS BMX Reunion.

Pay it Forward - support the Athlete Recovery Fund

Check this out from the ARF...

Want to contribute to the Athlete Recovery Fund? Ball Park Franks has stepped up and agreed to donate $1 each time this video is viewed in it’s entirety, up to $100,000. So forward this video to your friends, family and everyone you know and you will help raise money for the Athlete Recovery Fund. Special thanks to Ball Park Franks, Alli, Alliance of Action Sports and TransWorld Media for help in making this happen.

X Games week

X Games week (really the past month) is a crazy one around the Swope household. I've been involved with X Games in one way or another for all 15 years. First as a BMX rider, then organizer, now TV announcer and my wife is the director of public relations for X Games. Combine this with our very active toddler, several friends in town for the event and the general mayhem that accompanies XG and it's non-stop for the Swopes to say the least.

I'm very appreciative of everything BMX and the X Games have helped me accomplish and allowed me to experience. The TV announce role is especially important to me because of how difficult, complex and important it is for BMX and the riders in the event. I hope I do BMX justice...our riders and BMX in general deserves all the recognition and appreciation we can garner from the biggest stage in BMX and action sports. To all the riders competing; kick ass, have fun and keep it rubber side down!!!

Worlds 2009

I'm headed to the IBMXFF World Championships today. It's truly one of the best events in Freestyle BMX year after year, great time with great people. As an added bonus the Haro legends are putting on demo this year...a can't miss!

American BMX Pros, support this event with your attendance. The BMX Worlds should be as heavily attended by the best riders in BMX as any of the big network events. It's our chance to show the world we can support ourselves, and through our own interpretation of a massive BMX event. The parties surrounding the Worlds are reason enough to make the trip!

American BMX media, you should heavily cover this event (every year) for the same reasons listed above.

BMX'ers everywhere, you need to go to the Worlds at least once, if not to compete then just for fun and support the event.

Check out some of my favorite photos from the 2005 Worlds in Prague on my flickr page.

Check out the Words live webcast on freecaster.tv

Shoots Brah!

Check out the latest project from good friend Big Eyeland and S&M Bikes.

International Old School BMX Reunion & Show

Steve Brothers, Alvin Mullins and the guys over at os-bmx.com are again organizing the International Old School BMX Reunion & Show.

I've heard 100+ entries for the old school BMX bike show. Dave Voelker and Dan Hubbard are bringing their ramp/show set-ups and several old school pros will be in attendance. I can't wait so see the Lord Voelker Super Finish on his own ramps! This event is a can't miss for OS BMX'ers if you are in the Southern CA area.

Video of last years event click here.

When: Saturday, June 6, 2009

Where: Peck Park, Arcadia California

Time: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

Mike Vincent benefit auction on ebay

Odyssey put together a Mike Vincent benefit auction on ebay. Help out a great guy with a much needed eye surgery.

Read about Mike here.

Auction items include several signed by Mat Hoffman and a new complete bike from Sunday/Odyssey.

OS BMX Reunion video

Dave Metty, director of Woodward's digital media program and Woodward Films, posted a nice piece he put together from the reunion, check it out here.

Thanks again to everyone who volunteered and attended. I've never received so many thank you notes and positive comments from any event I've been involved with. It's on next year for sure!

Remaining shirts and poster prints for sale

Hello everyone,

I have a few remaining t-shirts and several of the unsigned poster prints for sale on ebay. Click here for a link to my items. Proceeds from the sale of these items go towards the reunion event expenses.

The posters signed by everyone who attended (THANKS!) the reunion are being mounted now. The signed/mounted posters will be sold at a later date. 100% of the proceeds from the signed/mounted posters will go to BMX charities including Mike Vincent, Stephen Murray, Athlete Recovery Fund and Eddie Roman's son who was recently born with a birth defect.

OS BMX Reunion media

Great weekend for sure! Links to media from the event:

FatBMX

Mike Ardelean post on Defgrip

Matt Brady flickr slideshow

Michael Wikan flickr slideshow

Jared Souney

Defgrip

VitalBMX

Alvin Mullins photo gallery

Steve Blackey photo gallery

Dennis Dowling

Brian Tunney pre-event post on ESPN.com/action

Richard Bailey photo gallery

Aaron Foley photo gallery

ESPN video report

OS BMX reunion weekend info quick links

Woodward & event Rules and Regs., check in info click here

Event Schedule click here

Lodging is sold out but click here for hotels in Tehachapi

Woodward lodging check in info if you already have a confirmed reservation click here

List of confirmed attendees click here

See you this weekend, going to be great!

ESPN Action Sports-Brian Tunny Blog

Brian Tunny asked me to do an interview about the Old School Reunion for his blog on ESPN/actionsports.com Read it here... thanks for the kind words Brian!

Woodward Rules and Regulations

Woodward's rules are pretty simple, but no exceptions, period, so don't even think of asking.

1) EVERYONE needs to check in at the Woodward West Lodge front desk to sign Woodward's waivers. Everyone includes kids, spouses, girlfriends etc. even if they are not riding/skating. After you check in and sign the required paperwork you will receive a wristband. No wristband, no access to camp, no riding, no exceptions. If you are caught riding without a wristband you will be asked to leave.

2) No guests unless you/they have received an invite confirmation from me. This is a private event and not open to the public. The event is at capacity and I can't add any additional guests or send additional invites, unless it's Mike Buff or Brian Deam. I apologize to anyone who waited until the last min.

3) No minors unless accompanied by a parent. You CAN NOT bring your nephew, niece, kids friends or neighbors kids. This is a tough one, and apologize in advance if this situation occurs, minors will not be allowed at camp without their parent.

4) Helmet, elbow and knee pads required, and will not be supplied so bring your own.

No on-site medical will be provided, this is just like any other backyard session...except its Woodward with a bunch of old dudes who will be taking a lot of Advil on Monday.

If myself or Woodward staff (and hopefully I can count on some of you) catch anyone breaking the rules, they will be asked to leave. Sorry for the strict enforcement but please respect Woodward rules and polices or we may not be allowed back. Thanks for your corporation and understanding.

Woodward Meal Form

Woodward was kind enough to come up with a great option for meals during the event. Please contact me to receive the Woodward Meals Reservation Form.

From the Woodward meal reservation form: "Meals are available for Old School BMX Reunion guests through reservation only. Only advanced purchase is available. ABSOLUTE RESERVATION DEADLINE IS MONDAY, MARCH 16 AT 10:00AM pacific time. On-site meal purchases are NOT available. No charge for guests ages 3 and younger when eating with a paid meal-package guest. NO REFUNDS. Meal tickets will be distributed upon arrival; not responsible for lost or stolen meal tickets. No other food service will be available on property for this event".

If you don't order Woodward meals your food choices are limited to Stallion Springs (1 min. drive/2 choices) or Tehachapi (25-30 min. drive/several choices.).

Pre-order your OS BMX Reunion shirts

UPDATE 3/18/09: I have stopped taking pre-orders. I will have some shirts available at the event, but will likely sell out so come by the booth (located in the hanger) early to buy one/pick up your pre-order. I will be taking back-orders at the event to be shipped in a few weeks. Thanks for the support!

Shirts are for sale to help pay for the party on Saturday night. Do me a favor and pre-order a shirt(s). The more pre-orders I receive, the more "PARTY" I can provide.

Two styles available: $20 each, cash only when you pick them up at the event.

Printed on American Apparel shirts, black only.

Sizes: XL, LG, Med, SM and Girls Med.

Big thanks to Big Island for the "Been Riding Longer than You've been Alive Kid" design and Matt Brady and Renee Lawer at eyerus for the "Trickstar" design.

OS BMX Reunion confirmed attendees

Several people have asked if Mat is coming. Mat is trying to make it and is looking into travel options to bring the entire Hoffman family. If you have his email send him a note and pressure the Condor to get to the event.

Due to the number of attendees I've stopped updating the list unless it's a recognizable name. If you received an email confirmation from me you are good to go even if your name isn't listed below.

Mike Dominguez & son

Brian Blyther

Dave Voelker

Eddie Fiola

Pete Kearney (can't make it after all)

Dennis McCoy

Ron Wilkerson

Bob Morales

Martin Aparijo

Edu "The Spanish Fly" Terreros

Kevin Robinson

Mike "Big Island" Castillo

Leigh Ramsdell

Mike Escamilla

Rick Thorne

Joey Garcia

Brad Blanchard & son

Stephan Prantl

Hugo Gonzalez

Keith Mulligan

Shad Johnson

Jim Bauer

Sharon Walsh

Greyboy

Mike Ardelean

Maurice Meyer

Bart De Jong

Andy Zeiss

John Povah

Simon Tabron

Zack Shaw

Dave "Casper" Mavro

Jim Cielencki

Glenn Milligan

Ed Koenning

Marty Schlesinger

Dave Nourie & son

Sean Methven

Chris Potts

Bob Haro

Windy Osborn & sons

Jared Souney

Michael De Wit

Marc Mckee

Matt Bass

Sam Pederson

Lee Reynolds & daughter

Jason Shaimas

George Smoot

Todd Seligman

Gary Lee Clark

Kim Boyle

Jay Eggleston

Michael Golden

Keith Treanor

Todd Anderson (see may '87 cover)

Andy Shohara & son

Tony Murrary & son (see april '85 cover)

Xavier Mendez

Wyland Mendez

Josh Klavir

Bill Bryant & son

Andy Jenkins & son

Junior Torres

Cesar Torres

Mike Krnaich & family (see Nov. '06)

Gary Laurent

Vince Torres

Mike Davis

Michelangelo Davis

Oscar Gonzalez

Chaz Gonzalez

Dan Robertson

Ricardo Alverez aka Big Brown

Dan Robertson

Marlo Ibon

Aaron Folley

Brett Downs

Dennis Dowling

Duncan Davidson

Damian and Mrs. Schinella

Jake Duarte

Gido & Monika Hinz

Albert Ocampo

Ben Ward

John Bristol

Aaron Huff

Kris Gack

Mike Tokumoto

Alain Massabova

Dimitri Coste

Dr. Wade Nelson

Cory Bolton (this might pressure the highway man to make the short drive from Vegas)

Gale Webb

Jeff Cotter

Derek Oriee

and more....

***NOTE*** THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL 32 AND OLDER BMX RIDERS (and their immediate family), BUT IT IS AN INVITATION ONLY EVENT. YOU NEED TO BE ON THE INVITE/ATTENDEE LIST EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT STAYING OVERNIGHT. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RIDE OR ATTEND UNLESS YOU ARE ON THE INVITE/ATTENDEE LIST. CONTACT ME IF YOU WANT TO BE INVITED TO THE EVENT.

Thanks for understanding,

Steve

OS BMX reunion weekend lodging info

UPDATE 3/2/09: Woodward West lodging is sold out, click here for lodging options in Tehachapi

1) *SOLD OUT * Hilltop building: Hilltop is typically used for staff housing. Each room holds up to four people (2 beds). Rate is $20 per person, per night. Email me (steve.swope@mac.com) for reservations.

2) *SOLD OUT* The Lodge: Traditional hotel style, larger rooms. Each room holds up to four people (2 beds). Rate is $90 per night. Call the Lodge for reservations: 661-822-5581.

LODGE FRONT DESK HOURS

Monday: 9am-2pm

Tuesday: 9am-2pm

Friday: 9am-5pm

Saturday: 9am-5pm

Sunday: 9am-2pm

Additional details: Lodge at Woodward West

Please remember, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.

No RV/Motorhome parking available at Woodward:

Campgrounds 6-10 miles away, no information on the quality:

Indian hill Ranch Campground: 661-822-6613

Mountain Valley RV Park: 661-822-1213

3) Several hotels/motels in Tehachapi, CA which is approximately a 25 min. drive from camp. See Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce web site for details.

Old School BMX Reunion Weekend - March 20-22 Schedule

Old School BMX Reunion weekend:

Dates: Friday, March 20, late afternoon - Sunday, March 22, 1:00pm.

Daily Schedule UPDATED 3/11/09:

Friday: Arrival & check-in after 2:00pm, afternoon and evening riding session. Woodward West Lodge Lounge bar will open around 8:30pm. No food at the Lodge Lounge but there are a few decent places to eat in Stallion Springs. My plan is to eat at the Italian place called Papa's around 5:30, ride until 8:30 and then head to the Lodge Lounge.

Hanger is open until 11:00pm

Saturday: All day session, all riding areas of camp will be open from 9:00am-dusk, the Hanger will be open until 11:00pm.

Party Saturday night at the Lodge Lounge - Woodward West doors open at 9:45pm-1:00am

Sunday: Check out of Rooms by 11:00am Riding areas open from 9:00am-1:00pm, event ends 1:00.

Where: Woodward West, (map)

Who: Riders must be 32+ years of age, attending riders kids*, spouse, girlfriends, lady friends are welcome and exempt from the 32+ age requirement. BMX is already too much of a dude-fest.

*All minors must be accompanied by be their legal guardian, no friends of your kids or neighbors kids unless their parent(s) attend also.

Click here for housing options

Hope to see you there!

-Steve