2006 Bearclaw Invitational

After finishing second to Berrecloth only days earlier at Bike Magazine’s Monster Park, Cam McCaul topped the Claw in his own backyard, taking first in the inaugural Bearclaw Invitational slopestyle contest. Eric Porter finished third.

The event, held September 2 at Mount Washington on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, was organized by Berrecloth. After returning from Monster Park, he had only 8 days to design and build course.

“The course was epic,” Berrecloth said. “We ran into the best dirt ever right beside where we were building the dirt jumps.” The course was packed tight with stunts, and offered riders only one main line with a few variations. In addition to the dirt jumps, the course also featured step-ups, wall rides, hitching posts and two drops—one about 18 feet high, the other about 12 feet with a decent lip.

“Everything was back to back. It was really tight and if you screwed up, feet slipped off the pedals and you couldn’t pump between hits, you couldn’t finish the line. It was super tech the whole way down,” Berrecloth added.

The contest attracted freeriders from the surrounding area, including Ben Boyko, Ryder Kasprick, Brandon Semenuck and others. Jordie Lunn pulled a backflip 360; it was the first time that trick has been done in competition. Riders competed in a jam format, and could take up to five runs on the course.

Berrecloth, however, seemed disappointed that a few other riders didn’t show up. Noticeably absent were Paul Basagoitia, Cam Zink and Jamie Goldman. “My buddies stiffed me,” he joked.

Still, early reports claimed as many as 3,000 spectators lined the course. Most of the parking lots were full and traffic heading into the resort lined up bumper to bumper. Fans in attendance were treated to blue skies and temperatures hovering about 85 degrees.

“The course was all time, the dirt was the best dirt to date at a slopestyle contest, everyone was having a good time, the beer gardens were pumping, and there was a super bro-down, friendly vibe. That’s why I liked it,” Berrecloth said, adding that he wants to hold the contest again next year.