2011 Teva Mountain Games

Teva - It's pronounced "teh-vuh" not "tee-vuh", contrary to what I've believed to be true for as many years as I have recognized the brand... For that matter, as many years as my friends have as well***... Is it my fault for the mispronunciation, theirs?  For this I am certain... I have clearly stated the correct way to pronounce it now, and as a result, my debt to society owed for the years of mispronunciation has hereby been paid...  But, I digress...

What an AMAZING experience the Teva Mountain Games was!!!  I've been wanting to attend this event for the better part of 7 years but work has always hindered my ability... Obviously, that was not a concern this year...  Jody was nice enough to come on the trip with me to keep me company and offer a TREMENDOUS amount of help carrying and setting up gear!  Now I understand how essential having a good assistant is if you're ever to be successful as a good photogrpher... At least one that has about 150 lbs. of gear to lug around... Just shooting was tiring enough!

Jody and Me On The Road Again! 

Besides the fact that I am an avid fan of all the sports that are part of The Games (i.e. mountain biking, bouldering, running, BMX, kayaking, etc.) the event is unique in itself for one reason... The organizers allow amateurs to compete alongside the best in the world at their chosen sport...  Fortunately for me, that includes the "Mountain Click Photo Competition", which granted me the same access given to the media.  In my case, the "pros" were made up of freelance photographers from all over the world, guys from Rock and Ice Magazine, Outside, Dirt Rag, and the Austrailian version of National Geographic Adventure. 

The point of the contest was to take the best photo and submit it for the competition.  Winners were to recieve money, prizes and their photo would be published in Outside Magazine...

For me, however, that would not be the case... After arriving at the games, I quickly learned that I was out of my league concerning knowledge, skill and proper gear for shooting events and sports such as these... I did win in a way though...  After meeting the people I did and speaking with them, as well as taking the opportunity to closely monitor their every move, I received an education in action sports photography that cannot be heard in a classroom or read in a book.  As a result, I will return next year better equipped and with the knowledge and skill to compete with the pros.  The student becomes the teacher, young grasshopper...

Ok, maybe not quite, but it is still gonna' be WAY more AWESOME from now on!  Gnarly!

I included a few of the photos below, and although they are substandard relative to the guys and girls actually competing in the competition, I'm pretty proud of them... They aren't too bad for a rookie from West Texas...

You've got my word that I'm going to keep chasing this thing until I've got what it takes to teach some other hopeful newbie something that he can use to compete with me the following year...

enjoi,
-L


Mee shooting some of the BMX Slopestyle... (Photo: J. Rickwartz)



Women's bouldering comp.

  

Shooting the freestyle kayaking comp.  (Photo: J. Rickwartz)



Freestyle Kayaking!



Freestyle Kayaking!



Dual Slalom freestyle bikes!



Xavier Rudd was amazing, especially from the pit!  He was one of the two free concerts we got to see!  (The other was the Dirty Heads) 


***Since writing this post, I've spoken with a friend that met the founder of Teva... Contrary to what everyone else thinks, he says there is no official pronunciation... Hmmm?  Well, I'm always a fan of something new, so I'm going to stick with "teh-vuh".