Photos by Johann Albert

On Sunday, February 10, in the Nicoya sports center, there was a battle of maneuvers and tricks by bikers, during the fourth edition of the BMX WAR JAM, which included the participation of 24 riders in the street category and 10 in flatland.

In this edition, two French guests attended, Alain Massabova and Nicolas Bautista, who formed a part of the judges in the two categories.

The organizers set up awnings to protect from the radiant sun, the nearly 500 people who came to watch the acrobatics of the youth dedicated to practicing this extreme sport.

The winner in the street competition was the Cartagoan Kenneth Tencio, who did tricks like flairs, backflips, tailwhips, and barspins, among others, while in the flatland category, the winner was Jonathan Venegas of Heredia, who impressed with his balance on both the rear and front wheels, he executed tricks like cliffhanger, plastic man, and whiplash, among others.

Prizes were awarded to the first three places in each category; the winner of the highest  "bunnyhop", Carlos Sotelo, and the longest "peg wheelie", Alonso Rodriguez. All winners received prizes donated by sponsors such as bike accessories, DVDs, magazines, and shirts, and each participant was given a BMX WAR JAM 2013 keychain.

Luis Elias Benavides, general coordinator of the activity, was pleased with the event overall, but lamented the lack of support from sponsors.

"I feel that many more could have contributed to the realization of this event, which generated almost no funds to provide for the skate park project. As for public support, this year many more people attended than in previous years because this time we have more canopies to protect people from the sun, but I think next year we’ll need more tents," said Benavides.

Benavides thanked those who ventured to contribute.

This event was intended not only to increase awareness of the sport but also to raise money for the construction of the Skate park, which together, with the Municipality of Nicoya and the Institute for Social Assistance Project, aim to start construction this year in the city of Nicoya, on the south side of the cemetery.