So leading up to the Voodoo jam we featured a few interviews with a whole different bunch of characters in the AM class. Mark Kuhlmann was one of those guys, part of the infamous Team Pralex crew. Mark as you know won the AM contest making it count on the big day, it made sense to catch up with him and see how he was feeling not only about the AM class win, but turning Pro and only just missing the cut for the final!
So Mark, you won the Expert class Voodoo jam 2012! Firstly, congrats to you big man! Secondly how you feeling about that win?
I’m pretty speechless and really excited. Voodoo is the biggest contest in North America, and with all the hype that happened it just made it that much more intense. It was such an amazing weekend and I now understand why everyone was ecstatic when they announced it would return for this year. I really can’t wait to go back!
Turning pro often doesn’t seem a big deal anymore, but the Voodoo jam made that feeling come back that it means something to turn pro, so how did it feel to compete in the pro class and only just miss the cut?
Riding in Pro for the first time at Voodoo jam is something I will never forget. I rode in the same heat as Alex J, JF, and Dom, this is something I hadn’t ever imagined me doing before to be honest. These 3 guys are ridiculously good and it was pretty intimidating at first. After a few minutes it just felt like I was sharing the floor with friends, as it should be. I surprised myself and rode pretty good in Pro, I was super stoked to hit my links and will ever forget that feeling.
I don’t think people would normally get to experience riding in Pro in this way and I’m glad Scott and Terry did it. Most people make a decision and enter Pro at the next contest, but being nudged in from a win and having guys tell you to stay in that class is unbelievably cool. I have a lot of work to put in now!
Obviously as you won, you had good runs, what were you especially stoked on to hit?
I always used to struggle with landing the backpacker to xfoot hiker link and it feels good to be able to pull that off more consistently now. Even though it’s small, I only learned the brakeless steam whip to halfpacker recently and I get pumped when I get that one.
How crazy did Scott go on the mic?
Scott had to hold back a little in expert I think to be able to give 100% in Pro Finals where we went nuts. He definitely kept a good vibe going and was a great MC.
Any good Bourbon St party stories you would like to share?
We were there 3 nights in a row, but I’ll keep it PG ha. There were a ton of riders on Bourbon St on the Saturday after the contest. At one point most of them gathered in the middle of the street. Lots of photos were being taken, everyone smiling and having a good time, frozen drinks in everyone’s hand, and random breakdancing going on? The #pralex post-jam at Razzoo’s on Sunday was hilarious too. We were all running on very little sleep all weekend and we were extremely giddy from exhaustion.
Besides you winning the contest, what were the highlights of the weekend for you?
This was the first contest I’ve ever flown to which as neat. Having an impromptu photo shoot near the water with Alex and Prasheel on the pre-jam day with Fat Tony was super fun. Fat was extremely generous with his time, driving us around for dinner, showing Alex, Prasheel, Waldemar, Stephan, and myself the sites on Sunday, he’s a really rad guy who puts a lot of energy in Flatland and it shows. The pre-jam was a lot of fun. It was hard to get riding in, so Alex, Prasheel and myself made the most of the rain when that happened and sessioned since most people were under the tents.
Any final shoutouts Mark?
I have to thank my wife Stef. She’s beyond supportive and pushes me to do better all the time.
Next up on the list are the two best dudes I know, Alex and Prasheel. They are the two guys who got me back into flatland a few years ago after watching them in a livestream of Jomo I think. They were having so much fun in the sport and it showed me what I was missing. In 2010 when I was staying with them at the DK stop for the circuit, they asked Fat Tony to announce I was added to the team, and then I had the worst run ever and got last place in the expert class haha (back when they were in master class). We have the BEST time everywhere we go while all the while motivating and pushing each other to ride harder and not slack. People don’t really understand us all the time, but it just makes it that much more fun.
Finally I want to give a HUGE thanks to Scott and Terry and all their family/helpers. They worked so hard to make this event an absolute success and it showed in every aspect. All their hard work definitely paid off. I’d also like to thank the sponsors they got, they showed us a lot of support this past weekend: Red Bull, Dan’s Comp, Flatland Fuel, Freegun Underwear, Raising Cane’s, Deco, 430 Clothing, Diversion TV, Odyssey, Flatware, Fiksd Apparel, Neue Creative, Purple Monkey, and dannysirkinsuperfan.blogspot.com.
That was a great interview! Thanks for all you do Effraim. Mad crazy props to you Mark!
Thanks rad dad! Mark’s Pro run was awesome! Pralex guys def bring a good vibe to the flat scene. Perhaps the vodka helped huh Mark?
There is an interesting point right now, where I am presuming because Prasheel didn’t make the cut. Mark must be leading the AM Flat Circuit year end points, now as he rode Pro at Voodoo. Does he stay Am throughout rest of year, or does he just squash what points he has earned up until now and stay in the pro class (basically starting again in points). And also once you make into the pro class, do you just stay there, food for thought perhaps, with a ranking system. If you don’t make top 15 or something, would you go down to Am again? That way keeping people on their toes so to speak. KOG did this, seems to work.
I know this guy!
And E, Voodoo (unfortunately for Mark, but fortunately for me) was not part of the circuits (amflat or world). Despite my run not going to plan (the plan being a flawless run) and my non-qualifying result, I am still in the lead for the circuit 🙂
As for making the jump mid-season vs hanging back for the circuit’s sake, I guess that would fall on to the individual as to what they think would be best. After seeing such a strong pro-debut, I think it would be weird to see someone step back down to try to claim the top expert title. Had the expert winner not performed as well, however, I could see stepping back down being less shocking. But, as I said, it would be up to Mark as to where he wants to go from here.
And that is an interesting point about modeling our circuit after the KOG in regards to jumping/dropping. #foodforthought
awesome-tastic!
MArk, your a rad dude, you deserve it.
Congrats to Mark! I say why not stay in pro. I only see his riding going up,especially from the added pressure of being in the pro class :)! Texas Flatland Round up did the same thing one year I wonder if they will be doing it this year as voodoo took it up.
It’s a great question, and I personally wouldn’t be too worked up if Mark stayed pro or went back down to Expert to finish the season. I do agree with Prasheel though. Mark held his own among the pro class and it’s easy to see that level of competition pushing his riding.
I like the system of English soccer, sorry, football (as adopted by KOG). Promotion and relegation. It’s not an exact analogy I know, with so many different riders participating in each contest. But I wouldn’t mind seeing the top expert moved to pro the next season and the bottom pro relegated to expert.
Exactly what I’m saying Anthony. I think it would not only help the level and motivation of riders. But it also gives some meaning and prestige to the classes, promotion and relegation is definitely the way forward. It would upset some people of course, but then if they were good enough, they should shoot right back up right? People get upset at results all the time. If your competing in pro, and your not winning any money, theres no difference what so ever.
no Anthony it is soccer
It is created to encourage and also let the riders know where they stand and where they feel they can be in the entire layout of things.
Whatever decision Mark makes I support but I do think quite a few guys need to consider the move.
Of course the skill level needs to be there but being Pro Flatlander is a lot more as well. Leadership and pushing the sport. We all want to do our combo’s good and be our best when we ride in a contest. Having goals is a good thing and if you are an expert rider becoming a Pro level rider should be one of those goals. Accept the challenge and kick some a** the best you can.
Good luck guys and thanks for everything. I cant wait to ride and push myself this summer. Im totally motivated. Texas Toast OB comeback?
Awesome interview! It was definitely a glory story to see our boy Mark score well in the pro ranks. I can attest to how he looked when he was warming up with Alex, JF, and Dom. He totally knew he was swimming with the sharks – but about 5 minutes later he got the #eyeOfTheTiger and started dropping bombs. It was great to see his mental focus get razor sharp. That, my friends, is a pro.
I’m looking forward to hearing the summary of the religious debates about whether he should stick with the class from here on out or wrap up the year where he was in AMFLT. It’s a topic that I don’t think the community has covered (at least not recently).
Oh – and one more thing: the question is still open as to whether his win was related to him consulted the mythical metaGuru… http://dannysirkinsuperfan.blogspot.com/2012/06/dew-dew-jam-hype-mark-kuhlmannnn.html
I think every contest should use this system actually(where the winner of the expert is forced to ride pro), it would expose the sandbaggers haha. Mark’s got mad skill, look forward to seeing his progression no matter what class he rides.
Way to go Beefy! Really stoked to see him pull together for a better Pro run than the run that won him expert. Nerves of steel!
#clydesdalesrule
Well played my friend!! You totally killed it!! You have inspired me to up my game. See ya at the next one!!
I’m really enjoying this “debate” 🙂
I do feel that if we were to go the way of the KOG, we would need a standard judging/contest system in place to make all the participating contests a level playing field. Once we get into the scenario of a series/league style of sending people up and down, that comes with a certain responsibility that the contests/circuit would need to take on and manage appropriately.
Thats not gonna happen. No one is going to be able to manage something like that. Basically its a feel thing. Ask riders that you trust their opinions and then make a decision.
Winning Am at Voodoo Jam is by no means a direct message to turn pro. Its a tool for the winner and other Am’s to judge and understand where they are in the whole picture.
Personally I think there is about 3 to 4 riders that can ride in pro right now based on what our standards are as Pro’s at the moment. Yes there are some pro’s who get to ride more and get paid to ride but they are the minority actually, the majority of Pro level riders work for a living and get in practice when they can.
Just my thoughts and I am entering Pro at Texas Toast based on the above.. I asked a few Pro level riders that I session with and they told me I have the combo’s to do it. So I made a decision and I am going to focus on this goal. It will be tuff for me but Im up for the challenge. To be honest I don’t care where I place I just wanna pull my combo’s for myself and the other riders.
Are you saying promotion and relegation cant happen Scott? Cause promotion just happened at Voodoo! And i think its one of the best developements in a long time, it meant something! I kind thought thats where you were going with it. Relegation in flatland isn’t really a negative as I said before, theres no money if you weren’t or never made the final cut. Mark Kuhlmann earned it and now from the feeling I am getting he’s turning pro. Which is awesome, cause he made it “legit”.
Theres something good and bad at same time, when you can just show up and turn pro if you want to. These contests I thought were going towards a ranking system (which is a middle ground to this “good and bad”, but its somewhat thrown away if you can just turn pro if you want to…
Congrats again Mark !! sick to see the footage !! awesome Run in pro. I ride Novice … After a near flawless run in TO (2nd place, Fox 3rd) and a flawless run in JOMO (3rd, fox 2nd) Fox and I are tied for 1st on the circuit. Fox and I have had some sick sessions together and riding at contests with each other is fun and motivating. Although I feel Fox and I could hold our own in Expert (meaning landing all my tricks and being stoked on a middle of the pack placing) I look forward to competing with Fox, kinda like how Pralex is all in the same pack right now. But as Scott has said it’s important to set goals. I would love to win a Novice class contest before moving up, but win or lose at rounds 3 and 4 Im moving up next year.
I think its safe to say all the AMs have your back and we are stoked to see you in the Pro class when you feel the time is right.
I had my mind made up before I left the hall on Saturday, I’ll see you at Texas Scott! Hopefully we can be in the same heat 🙂 Thanks for showing me this opportunity, it really does mean something.
No E I’m saying there will be no one to regulate this at the moment. Promotion of it is what I did and explained above. But for a regulating body I just don’t see that happening right now. I explained above what decision a rider needs to go through on their own when it comes to making that move.
Mark im stoked bro, let’s do this!
listen to me “mark”. don’t let this go to your head. and dont get your head in the clouds.
bottom line: you’re not that good.
No need to use quotation marks, it is my real name therapy.
once again therapy your a douche,
If your gonna comment on something let us know who you really are you troll.
Mark, With success comes internet haters bro. Welcome to the crew!
Sip it slow “Therapy”. Hahaha
if i had therapy’s email address i would play hilarious pranks and much lulz would be had!
Nice run Mark. Represent Canada player…
Marks pro run was better than the footage I saw of Alex’s winning fise run … Let that ego grow
Pralex could turn pro. It force them to be consistent hehe, they all have the tricks. it will happen very soon(within a year or two) either way i bet. It’s cool to see my “big brothers” progress to this level :)!
cmon man. what are u guys smoking? did u watch the same video as me?
why dont u improve your riding and tricks instead of focusing on hollow titles like am and pro?
and yes it is hollow.
i don’t give a f*** if i’m hollow
I didnt watch the same video, I saw it in person.#foodforthought 🙂