Tampa Bay Labor Day Flat Jam

Press Release: Jay Marley.
Photos:Matt Coplon.

The 2nd Annual Tampa Bay Labor Day FlatJam went down on Monday September 7th of 2015. Close to 50 Flatlanders and their friends from all over Florida converged in the Sunderman Roller Hockey Complex located in coastal town of Palm Harbor. The event started at Noon and went until 8pm, with 4 DJs in rotation and a Food Truck providing some delicious Jamaican Jerk cuisine. There was even a street rail and a little plywood box for the Street riders who showed up, fun for everyone!

Bob Walter out of Orlando, mid back wheel flip.

Bob Walter of Orlando kicked things off last year with organizing the first gathering, this year Jay Marley of Tampa decided to take the reins and got some sponsors to provide free giveaways and promotional assistance from Profile Racing, Deco BMX, Red Bull, Flatland Fuel, Master Blaster Planet, Mr. Bikes n’ Boards and free tire tubes & bottled water provided by The Path Bike Shop & Record Store.

With the overwhelming positive response from all in attendance, there are already plans for Jams in October and December, instead of waiting a whole year to get everyone together again. Dedicated veterans drove from as far north as Gainesville, the east coast of Melbourne, and the dirty south of Broward County and Miami. Seasoned vets Kirk Bailey and Marcos Paolo de Jesus were in attendance and riding in top form, even Lakeland’s own Tyler Gilliard of Autumn Bikes who currently competes in the pros impressed the crowd with his speed and originality.

Justin Falco, rolling smooth across the court.

“I’ve been hearing ‘flatland is dead’ off and on for more than 20 years, but after this weekend’s event, I know that so long as there are creative individuals, young and old, who ride their bikes with a passion, the art of Flatland will never die” said event organizer Jay Marley, who actually considers himself a “Freestyler, not a Flatlander”.

Damian Bacci, fudgepacker.