I’m not really sure when the first Shadow Conspiracy coffin happened. I remember about a year or two ago they started popping up at a bunch of different events that Shadow was sponsoring. In that time, this unique ledge has popped up in countries all over the world and I think it has crossed everyones mind that they would have a good time riding it in some way.
Then a month or so ago, I was talking to Ronnie Bonner about the annual BV Jam that I’ve been throwing the past few years. Shadow was sponsoring it, and if you have ever met Ronnie, he’s always got some good ideas to step things up a notch or two to really make something that much better.
We started talking about the coffins and how Shadow has been getting a bunch of requests from people for the instructions and dimensions of how to build one. I tossed out that I wanted to get one made for the jam. When I said that, Ronnie said they were working on putting together some sort of instructions for it, but only had some rough plans to work with at the time.
Over the years, I’ve become pretty good at figuring out how to make things work with minimal resources. It’s kind of something I think you develop over time as a BMX rider. I usually get pretty overwhelmed when everything is already figured out and everything is supplied. It kind of takes the fun out of it and makes it easier to screw up.
I had Ronnie send through these rough plans and got to work with Adam and Blake Waters from Bluff Valley to take this idea from rough plans and wood to a good time. I documented the creation from start to finish with some photos from Instagram (@KurtHohberger), emails and what not. I figured I’d give you guys a look at the process to make this happen from start to finish. Let’s take a peek.
BV Jam 2013 – Pro & Expert Video
This past weekend was the annual BV Jam at the Bluff Valley Over the Top Skatepark that we threw. This was the 3rd year and the biggest one yet. We had riders turn out from all over the Midwest from Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri with what I’d estimate to be about $10,000 in product to give away and $800 in cash for top 3 in the pro class.
We had Blake Waters from Liquid Ice Production behind the lens filming all of the riding that was going down. Above we have the first of two videos from the day which features the riding that went down in the Pro and Expert classes for the contest. Expect a full photogallery and a video from the jams and and product toss to drop here soon as well! Below are the results from the day as well!
2013 BV Jam Flyer
*Updated Flyer! January 23rd*
It’s happening again! I’m stoked to announce that we’ll be doing the 3rd Annual BV Jam at the Bluff Valley Campground Over the Top Skatepark in Zumbro Falls, Minnesota on Saturday, January 26th! We’ve already got a stacked group of sponsors for the event and we’ll hopefully be able to add a few more to that list before the jam to make sure everyone is getting hooked up for coming out.
We’ll be doing a beginner and intermediate contest earlier in the day and then an expert contest and a pro contest later in the day. We’re also doing a bunch of mini jams like the Fit Bike Co. Tom Dugan Biggest Air impersonation over the box jump, S&M Bikes Longest Skidmark contest and we’re going to be building one of The Shadow Conspiracy coffin ledge. There will also be a rail jam, foot down, best trick and really any other random ideas we come up with to give us an excuse to hook some riders up with free product.
If you made it out last year, you know the massive building where the skatepark is was packed and we’re hoping to have even more people show up this year for the good times.
Feel free to leave any questions in the comments and I’ll fill you in!
IF YOU NEED TO FILL OUT A WAIVER — CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ONE!
Check out this PHOTOGALLERY or these RANDOM PHOTOS or this video from the PRO / EXPERT CLASS and the RAIL JAM and BEST TRICK from last year! It’s going to be even better this year!