A HEAD ABOVE THE REST: Ommar Estrada propels his bike above the crowd and makes his way across the page.

If fun, family, and freeness are not things you like, then the Mountain Dew Stunt Festival 2007 was not for you. And if you have a weak heart, that makes it even worse, as the international Pro Impact Stunt Team put on a no holds barred stunt show for the crowd, leaving many with their mouths agape.

The Mountain Dew Stunt Festival definately did not dissapoint the thousands of people who turned up at the spacious Jamalco Sports Club in Halse Hall, Clarendon yesterday. And oh, they got their money's worth - and then some.

Billy from Pro-Impact thrills the audience with this show of skill on his BMX bike. (Photos: Lionel Rookwood)

The BMX bicylces flipped and flew, and the skateboards whirled and twirled, and an animated MC kept the vibe alive, as well as the patrons full of Dr Luscious pastries - in between stunt displays and performers.

Jeff Ferris (whose uncle invented the Ferris wheel), owner of the Pro-Impact stunt team told TEENage that "this year is the best year ever for us".

The team, has been performing at the event since its inception four years ago and spent two 12-hour days preparing the ramps, and practising the tantalisng tricks they performed yesterday. This year, the team boasted a new addition, a female inline skater called Katie.

Katie, the newest member of the Pro-Impact Stunt Team grabs some serious air attempting this trick.

"Katie's from Los Angeles. She's actually 23. but she just look like 10. She's been skating seven years now, in college. She competed in the X-games, and was actually the first girl to do a '900' in competition," said Ferris.

Ferris, who is also an actor, told TEENage that Pro Impact has been around since 1986 and "is one of the longest running bmx and skateboard stunt shows". He also said that Pro Impact is planning to tour the Caribbean.

"We're actually planning a whole tour of the Caribbean for next year. We had Grenada booked for this year, but because of the Cricket tournament we got no flights from Jamaica to Grenada."

Benji 'Joe Dirt' Galloway shows off his skills on his skateboard, as he took to the ramps at the fourth annual Mountain Dew Stunt Festival yesterday.

"For the last show, it doesn't matter. we're going big. We're on a plane to go home tomorrow, so if we get hurt, pshhh. No big deal. It's all what its about. That's kinda how you learn."
Clarendon based flat riding stunt team Mad House were also at the event. Tushaine Campbell, one of the members of the team, told TEENage that the local outfit has been perfoming at the event for four years as well. The team is comprised of members from Lionel Town, May Pen, and Hayes, and boasts a 13 year old rider. Campbell lamented that the team is experiencing hard times.

Krash Test Dummies, the premeir local stunt team has been performing at the festival for three years. CEO Richard Lecky told TEENage that while the team is plagued with injuries, they "are here to perform, and that's what we're going to do".
Following up on an interview with Lecky last year, the Red Bull-sponsored stunt rider said that the sponsorship he got "worked out well".

"I went to Pennsylvania, and was working on some tricks. The trip wasn't what I expected it to be, because in the first week in the workshop I cracked my ankle, and injured my wrist, but it was still an enriching experience," Lecky commented.

The team comprises of in line skaters, two skateboaraders and six BMX riders.

The curtains came down on another energetic, packed, enthralling Mountain Dew Stunt Festival, and the verdict? It was FUN!

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