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Twentynine Palms, California
Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
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Jef Groff, a stunt rider, rides a wheelie in circles during The Few, The Proud, The Xtreme show at Victory Field April 25.

Photo by Pfc. Michael T. Gams

Combat Center gets a taste of the Xtreme

25 Apr 2009 | Pfc. Michael T. Gams Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

Engines roared, tires burned and fans cheered April 25 at the Combat Center’s Victory Field during the second annual The Few, The Proud, The Xtreme show, which featured a variety of extreme two-wheeled stunt riders.

The six-hour show, hosted by Marine Corps Community Services, showcased the talents of freestyle streetbike performers, motocross and BMX riders from across the country.

The stunt riders initially came to the Combat Center to do a safety demonstration but upon realizing how much people enjoyed watching them, they were invited back to do an all-out stunt show featuring wheelies, handstands and burnouts, said Jef Groff, a stunt bike rider that performed Saturday.

Hopefully, the people who watch the show realize that they can’t just hop on a street bike and do the stuff they see at stunt shows, he added. It takes a lot of practice and a lot of talent.

“We love coming out here and performing,” said Dan Hubbard, a BMX rider who has been riding for more than 33 years. “Not only are we out here doing what we love, we get to do it in front of a crowd that we truly respect and admire, and they totally dig it.”

Hubbard coordinates stunt shows for his company, Creative Sports Inc, and said it was his first time coming to a military installation, but hopefully not his last.

He said the best part of the day for him was being able to share something he loves doing with the men and women that make his lifestyle possible.

“These people we’re out here performing for, give their lives to protect the freedoms we take for granted so much,” he said. “It just sheds a whole new light on things to be out here giving back to them.”

The more than 1,000 base personnel and members of the community who attended Saturday’s festivities left with smiles on their faces.

“This stuff is awesome,” said Lance Cpl. John A. Gauss, a rifleman with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. “I can’t believe some of the stuff they were doing out there—it was crazy.”

Gauss said having the riders travel all the way out to the middle of the desert shows that the Marines and sailors at the Combat Center aren’t forgotten, and it is nice to know people appreciate what Marines do.

The riders belong to multiple teams and information can be found on their individual Web sites at www.jefgroff.com, www.edub32.com, www.stuntteams.com and www.alexstunts.com.


Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms