One of McLean Park's biggest crowds in years turned out for Nitro Circus. Photo / Paul Taylor
One of McLean Park's biggest crowds in years turned out for Nitro Circus. Photo / Paul Taylor
REVIEW:
My stomach probably flipped as many times as the fearless riders did as I watched them on their BMX or grunting FMX bikes as Nitro Circus flared into McLean Park in Napier on Sunday for the first time.
The crowd roared in excitement as brilliantly insane stuntmen and women took to their bikes, armchairs, skateboards, a mini Combi van and a stuffed sheep to a 55m ramp - more than 3m higher than Nitro Circus has ever used before.
FMX and stuntman Travis Pastrana once said "be careful what you wish for, because Nitro Circus will give you the opportunity to do it" and that was certainly the case for one young, passionate fan who found himself clinging on for dear life to the back of New Zealand's very own Jed Mildon.
The 32-year-old BMX rider flew down the Gigantic Ramp, flipping and successfully landing.
Although the young boy had a gleaming black helmet on, his adrenaline-filled body language said it all.
He hugged Mildon and zipped around the stadium as though electricity had filled his body - only receiving more applause from the awe-struck crowd.
Perhaps what was most inspiring was the story of Canadian FMX rider Bruce Cook, who in 2014 lost the use of his legs while attempting a World's First double front flip on a motorcycle.
During the attempt, Cook over-rotated, crashed, and tragically broke his back in the fall.
If anything, it made him even more determined to get back in his bike and continuously trained to get back on his bike and backflip - without the use of his legs.
He completed that goal and became the first paraplegic to backflip a motorcycle in 2015.
He effortlessly performed the same move for the Napier crowd.
Thousands attended Nitro Circus 'You got this' to watch both BMX and FMX riders perform at their best. Photo / Paul Taylor.
Another was motocross rider Vicki Golden, the only female FMX rider to take part in the show.
Growing up in a family of motorbike riders, Golden remained dauntless as she tackled the ramps with multiple others, clutching only the seat with her gloved hands as she flew through the air before making a smooth landing.
Nitro Circus even hosted a New Zealand vs Australia competition.
The team in yellow stood no chance after Mildon led a fiery haka - a symbolic moment of strength, given the events of the Christchurch terror attack on Friday.
It was clear that the adrenaline fuelled show acted as clear inspiration for young fans as I observed them - their eyes as big as saucers, watching the gallant performers zip through the air.
According to Mildon, the New Zealand extreme sports community is only growing and after yesterday, expect an influx of BMX bikes and maybe the odd armchair at local skate parks.
