By Michael Dorausch, D.C.
Venice Beach California, June 23 & 24 – This past weekend, some of the world’s best BMX bike riders, mountainboard riders, inline skaters, and scooter riders came out to compete in Round 1 of the Panasonic Shockwave Core Tour. The event was covered by major news media, including FOX Sports, ABC, and NBC. Chances are you’ll get to see some footage from the event televised this summer. Thousands gathered in the land of sunshine, tattoos and body piercings for a day of blaring hip-hop music, “big dirt” thrills, and lots and lots of excitement.
It was a busy weekend for this chiropractor as I was on location for the West coast start of this tour. Dozens of riders received adjustments throughout the weekend, and what a weekend it was. The individuals in these events are expressing life to its fullest. My job was to keep them clear so they could perform at their best. Their bodies may take a heavy beating but as one rider said, it’s not about the pain, it’s about the experience. (and the cash)
Many riders were adjusted before they went on the course and again when they came off the course. EMT’s on the scene commented that they were amazed with how few injuries were occurring throughout the weekend. While the EMT’s were located at the end of the big dirt course (presumably the most likely place for serious injury), chiropractic care was provided inside the riders tent. (definitely a place rocking with high energy thrill seekers)
What interest do tattooed, body pierced, twenty something-year-olds have in chiropractic care? Lots! The art of chiropractic, the philosophy of chiropractic, and the importance of chiropractic, was discussed all weekend in a way that this young generation could easily relate to.
Over and over again I listened to riders talk about their gear and how a BMX rider could sit on his bike and just “feel” if it needed to be adjusted. The same went for mountainboard riders as well as the other riders. Explaining the role of the nervous system and innate intelligence was not only easy, there was a good understanding expressed by even some of the youngest riders. The term we used was “dialed in” as that is what they referred to the feeling they had when their board or bike was at its optimum. Nobody wants to come down the big kicker (a masonite covered 50+ foot ramp) with their gear working less than its best. Having one’s body in optimal shape just made so much sense.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have my regular photo gear to capture images from this incredible weekend but I did grab some shots so that you could see a few of the things these riders are capable of doing. You may notice the palm trees in the background. To put these photos in perspective, in most I am standing at least 4 feet off the ground and the riders are least another 8 to 10 feet above me.
I’ll have an update on this article before the finals roll into Santa Monica in September. It was such a thrill to hang out with these guys and girls, they have an inspirational passion for life. Many thanks to everyone involved for such an exhilarating experience.
planetc1.com-news @ 12:11 pm | Article ID: 993496287
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