What seperates Amateurs from Pros
08-18-2009, 09:21 PM
#81
***tastic
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Age: 43
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Re: What seperates Amateurs from Pros
i think pro competitor and pro show rider can be two different things ..
if you get paid on a regular basis to do shows then you are a pro show rider and for the sake of this thread and joels question if you have ever qualified at an event like stuntwars or xdl then you are a pro comp rider and shouldnt enter amateur
if you get paid on a regular basis to do shows then you are a pro show rider and for the sake of this thread and joels question if you have ever qualified at an event like stuntwars or xdl then you are a pro comp rider and shouldnt enter amateur
08-18-2009, 11:19 PM
#84
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 2,501
Re: What seperates Amateurs from Pros
It is open to everyone. If you have no chance to make it and/or you're a safety issue then a rider gets asked to wait and come back to the next one. We've had some wild cards this year from all over. They've all done well.
08-19-2009, 01:40 AM
#86
also known as OMR
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Re: What seperates Amateurs from Pros
08-19-2009, 07:02 AM
#87
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08-19-2009, 07:17 AM
#88
KILLIN BIKES
Join Date: Jul 2008
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08-19-2009, 07:23 AM
#90
also known as OMR
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Re: What seperates Amateurs from Pros
ok so heres my next question , when do you qualify for an xdl event ?
sorry for being stupid but i really thought it was invite only
sorry for being stupid but i really thought it was invite only
08-19-2009, 07:47 AM
#92
also known as OMR
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08-19-2009, 08:12 AM
#94
J Blox
Join Date: Sep 2004
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08-19-2009, 10:04 AM
#95
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Re: What seperates Amateurs from Pros
qualifiers are usually the day before an event, and are sometimes more exciting than the event itself. at least if you're looking for new talent, the qualifiers are where it's at.
If you're thinking about becoming an exhibition rider, I really think if you can't qualify to compete professionally, you probably shouldn't call yourself a pro. exhibition rider. There are a lot of talented amateurs out there, and the ones who practice a lot tend to show substantial improvement every couple of months for about two years, then seem to table off on the massive leaps in control and technical handling, and begin to start developing serious finesse. After that point is a good time to present those skills to the public.
Try not to be impatient, a bunch of underqualified riders seeking endorsements and doing shows are a liability for the whole sport.
develop your skills first, then sell them. not saying you have to be a top placing pro, but if you're not safe or skilled enough to ride with them in a professionally controlled environment, how are you qualified to safely execute tricks before a crowd of people in an often less physically controlled environment?
When the judge pool and overall safety protocol criteria gets firmed up, there may be a reason for someone to offer exhibition pro credentials at an event like XDL. I don't know what it should cost to credential a pro, but the judges and hosts should be compensated for their time in a perfect world.
Just a bunch of opinions, if you don't like them, you can try unreading them. let me know how it works.
If you're thinking about becoming an exhibition rider, I really think if you can't qualify to compete professionally, you probably shouldn't call yourself a pro. exhibition rider. There are a lot of talented amateurs out there, and the ones who practice a lot tend to show substantial improvement every couple of months for about two years, then seem to table off on the massive leaps in control and technical handling, and begin to start developing serious finesse. After that point is a good time to present those skills to the public.
Try not to be impatient, a bunch of underqualified riders seeking endorsements and doing shows are a liability for the whole sport.
develop your skills first, then sell them. not saying you have to be a top placing pro, but if you're not safe or skilled enough to ride with them in a professionally controlled environment, how are you qualified to safely execute tricks before a crowd of people in an often less physically controlled environment?
When the judge pool and overall safety protocol criteria gets firmed up, there may be a reason for someone to offer exhibition pro credentials at an event like XDL. I don't know what it should cost to credential a pro, but the judges and hosts should be compensated for their time in a perfect world.
Just a bunch of opinions, if you don't like them, you can try unreading them. let me know how it works.
08-19-2009, 10:47 AM
#97
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: FL
Posts: 249
Re: What seperates Amateurs from Pros
I'm kinda in the same boat...I can blow the pants off of some of the "pros" I've seen ride at XDL and SW circle combo wise, but I can't drift to save my life. I just haven't been out there practicing it, but when I get it maybe I'll try a pro event. Until then, I'll see the other 10,000 of you in amateur....lol...I think it's really more about how you structure your run and whether or not you can perform it consistently and not stink up an event.
Last edited by Huge Matt; 08-19-2009 at 10:55 AM.
08-19-2009, 10:58 AM
#98
J Blox
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Mobile, Abalama
Age: 39
Posts: 5,641
Re: What seperates Amateurs from Pros
Good example is a buddy of mine can destroy all kinds of circle O's and some other pretty fancy tricks but there are quite a few things he doesn't practice and didnt plan a run..he placed in the 50s at stuntwars..
08-19-2009, 12:27 PM
#100
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Re: What seperates Amateurs from Pros
High Styles, you're right the direction I'm indicating isn't really in everyone's best interests, or even do-able right now. but it's in the right direction. I was trying to be general and not speak in absolutes.
there has to be some oversight, or eventually a guy who has power wheelies on lock is going to book a show and kill someone the media cares about.
there are a lot of factors, but hopefully the questions can be addressed and pro cards can start being officially handed out to those riders with the proven skill and dedication not to crash in a way that will endanger anyone else.
that's what I hope for anyhow.
there has to be some oversight, or eventually a guy who has power wheelies on lock is going to book a show and kill someone the media cares about.
there are a lot of factors, but hopefully the questions can be addressed and pro cards can start being officially handed out to those riders with the proven skill and dedication not to crash in a way that will endanger anyone else.
that's what I hope for anyhow.
