A recession of sorts hit Prince Albert, but it carried no doom and gloom - in fact, some of it can be fast-paced and full of tricks.
The Re-Session BMX Tour stopped at the city's skate park Friday at the end of its Prairie tour.
Instead of a performance, the pro riders mingled with local riders and when they hit the jumps everyone stopped to watch.
"This is pro, pro level BMX. These guys are in the X Games. This isn't little kids, this is the big stuff," said Chad Levesque, an organizer of the event in Prince Albert.
The riders seem to defy gravity - spinning the handlebars and flipping upside down in midair.
Levesque, who works at Gene's Sports Excellence, said it was the store that attracted the attention of the tour presented by Kink Bike Co. and Ten Pack BMX.
"They just picked the best shops and they just came out here to rip and show support for the local scene," Levesque said. "It brings the kids together, it shows them what they can achieve with a bike. It's great for a local scene."
Levesque likens this group of BMX riders coming to Prince Albert as being on par with bringing the Stanley Cup here.
"We've never, ever had this calibre of riding in the province, ever," he said.
"Most of the big stuff ends up going to the major centres. Us small towns usually don't get stuff like this, so it's a pretty big deal."
Pro rider Chris Doyle, BMX's equivalent to the NHL's Sidney Crosby, is famous for his trick called a suicide double truck.
While he didn't show his signature move because there wasn't the space, he did enjoy hanging out with local riders.
"It's cool to hangout with the guys and show them that we are just guys," Doyle said.
The week after next Doyle will be competing in the X-Games in California.
According to Levesque the Canadian Legend in BMX is Jay Miron. Miron now retired, was on the tour and had many people lining up for his autograph.
"I would call this park one of the top three parks on this tour. I can't believe how good it is - really, really good ... People in Prince Albert are really lucky," said Miron.
Prince Albert resident Mitchell Anderson caught the eye of both Doyle and Miron, who said the 19-year-old Anderson could go far with the sport.
Anderson, who has been riding for five years, was happy to hear this.
"That's a huge compliment, for sure," he said.
ahill@paherald.sk.ca
Free lessons offered
The city is currently offering skateboard and BMX lessons for kids aged 6 to 13, every Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. The free lessons will continue until Aug. 12.
For more information on the lesson call 953-4852.
