About two weeks back, word about Chad Kerley’s Vitaminwater Pro Invitational at The Bakery started popping up online. Some of the riders invited were firing out tweets of their invitations and talking about how stoked they are for the contest going down on May 12th in Chicago. There really hasn’t been much detail let out about what was going on, so I figured I’d get ahold of Chad and see if he could maybe give us some answers about what to expect from the contest. All I know, is this sounds like it’ll be one of the best events of the summer. Let’s see what he had to say…
All right, so I guess we should start this out at the beginning. Who approached who to do this Vitaminwater Invitational? I can’t imagine there was much hesitation on making the decision…
It was always something I’d dreamed of doing, and being that Vitaminwater was open for any ideas I had, I proposed the concept and they were down to do it.
How long has doing this contest been in the works for? I can imagine getting the $20,000 lined up for cash prize had to take a couple days.
It’s been in the works since late 2011, around the time I signed with them. The contest was a big reason for why I signed with Vitaminwater because I proposed the idea to them at the start and they were really open to doing an invitational contest. It’s amazing how committed to the contest they have been from the start, especially the $20,000 prize purse they came through with.
Going into this, did you know you wanted to run this at The Bakery? Were there any other locations you thought about doing it at? What made you want to hold inside The Bakery?
I instantly thought of The Bakery because I wanted it to be a street contest, and The Bakery has all the obstacles any rider could ever want. Also, I thought it’d be cool to have it there since there hasn’t been a contest there before. Luckily, my manager also represents both Kachinsky and The Bakery so we were able to make it happen pretty easily. It’s overall just easier to have it at an established place rather than trying to create my own which would’ve cost a ton of money. The main goal was to have a legit street contest, and The Bakery is a perfect fit for that.
The rider list is unbelievably stacked and if I remember right almost all of the guys have spent some time at The Bakery. What were some of the things you were considering while picking the riders for the contest?
I was considering all of my good friends, and also people that don’t necassarily ride contests all the time. For example, Christian Rigal, Connor Lodes, Mike Jonas, Rob Wise, Nigel Sylvester, Devon Smillie, and Shawn McIntosh aren’t riders that would usually ride contests but are amazing riders who put out the dopest videos so I wanted to have them ride it.
Were there any riders you wanted to invite but things didn’t line up for? Kind of surprised to not see Garrett Reynolds or Tony Neyer on the list. Will there be more riders added?
Yeah, I definitely would’ve liked to have every rider come through to ride it. But, with the space The Bakery has I couldn’t necassarily have it be the biggest contest or anything. Also, I wanted it to be exclusive. I gave Garrett an invite, he might roll through but he could be busy with other plans during that time. And there’s definitely more riders than what is on the flyer, including Dakota Roche, Shawn McIntosh, Simone Barraco, Joris Coulomb, Tony Malouf and possibly a few more who are checking their schedules. In the end though, I wanted to make sure to keep the list tight.
I know The Bakery have added some small bits and pieces to the place since it’s opened. Will you guys be building any new setups for the contest? Any hints at what you have cooking?
The contest will consist of four different obstacles/sections for the riders to ride. Three of the sections will be what is already at The Bakery, and the fourth will be a surprise obstacle that will be revealed at the start of the fourth section broadcast. Nobody will have seen it or ridden it until the heats start. The first three sections will have prize money for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place but for the fourth obstacle it will be winner takes all.
I’d imagine the contest will be closed to just the riders and some of the media guys. What can people expect from Ride BMX’s live feed? Simple Session style?
Yeah due to the space, not everyone can spectate. So, it will be limited to the riders and media. But, there will be a live webcast on the Ride BMX website which will be ridebmx.com/CKI. Vitaminwater is also working on hosting a local viewing party somewhere in Chicago. More details on that soon.
What kind of a format is the contest going to be? Just a chill jam session with riders voting or will there be some sort judges?
It will be in a best trick type format. Since it will be split up into four different obstacles, riders will be in a jam format for each obstacle. After each obstacle riders will fill out a ballot with who they think should get top three for that particular obstacle. So, at the end there will be a top three for each of the three obstacles. The fourth hidden obstacle will be a winner take all. So, a rider has a chance to win multiple times. In the end, riders will also vote for the guy they think rode hardest all day and there will be a cash prize associated with that as all. All in all, there will be 11 cash prizes and trophies given out. I will be riding in the contest to ride with the homies, but my riding won’t be judged. I thought it would be weird if I won money at my own contest, so I’ll be there to watch all the crazy tricks go down and for moral support haha.
Will you and the guys be doing anything prior to the contest like meet and greets or autograph signings anywhere?
I will be in Chicago a few days prior of the contest and will be cruising around with Vitaminwater to different skateparks to promote the contest and hang out with riders. I may have a few surprise giveaways at each stop as well. More on that soon.
I can’t imagine this won’t have a killer after party. Will that be open to the public to come party with all the dudes? Any idea of where it will be at yet?
Yeah, there will definitely be an after party, and we’re not set on a location yet but I know we’re currently trying to get something going at The Hard Rock Hotel where everyone will be staying.
Even though the contest is a month away; how hyped are you getting? Seems like a lot of people are stoked about this.
I’m so hyped on it! I never thought I’d be able to have my own contest. I’m really honored I get this opportunity. A lot of people are excited for it, I can’t wait!
Speaking of Vitaminwater, how have things been going with them? Do you have any trips, videos or anything lined up? I heard there will be a Chad X Kobe split edit?
As of now we’re just focusing on creating the sickest contest in BMX. But, a split edit with Kobe would be dope! Haha
Is there anything I missed you want to say?
I’d just like to send out a huge thanks to Vitaminwater for being so down for this contest, and Ride BMX for all the help and support. Stay tuned!
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