Some of the world’s top athletes will head to Mercury BayPark Tauranga as X-Air, New Zealand’s largest action sports event, rides back to the city on Anzac Day.

There will be 125 athletes catching big air during the event, including skaters, scooters, BMX riders, and big air competitors, organiser Brendon White said.

The athletes feature eight-time XGames gold medallist Ryan Williams, BMX world champion and Olympic gold medallist Logan Martin, and defending skateboarding champion Keefer Wilson.

Williams said he is excited to bring his unique tricks and looks forward to riding with local BMX legend Jed Mildon.

“To me I prefer the local scene so I can’t wait to head over.”

William’s repertoire features an array of stunts — backflips, tailwhips, and beyond — yet crafting airborne tricks is profoundly thoughtful.

“The process usually starts with just riding in my mind, using the simulation I have in my brain for over 20 years riding to figure out what is a new trick that could be possible,” he said.

Williams is looking forward to adding to X-Air’s legacy within the action sports community, following in the footsteps of Mike Spinner, who landed the first 1080 in 2007.

“The video is burned into my brain.”

Ryan Williams takes to the air.

X-Air attempted a comeback in 2022, and despite the event going well, it was too close to coming out of Covid and didn’t draw the crowd it should have, White said.

“It was too early,” he said.

Spectators will see the athletes flip, grind and more on a custom-built skatepark inside BayPark.

Initially conceived in Hamilton in 1999 by Mark Wright, X Air attracted international superstars such as skater Tony Hawk and BMX rider Dave Mirra.

The festival would outgrow its Hamilton roots and evolved into the music festival Homegrown in 2008.

 

 

 

 

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Ever since there has been a growing interest in extreme sports in New Zealand, and Tauranga has been a great place to bring it, White said.

“We feel this is going to put Bay Of Plenty long term on the map as the action sports capital of NZ.”

Tauranga City Council is excited to welcome X Air back to the city this Anzac weekend, venues and events manager Nelita Byrne said.

“With international competitors, Olympians, and X Games medallists expected to attend, it’s a major drawcard, and we’re excited to help re-establish it as a regular fixture in Tauranga’s event calendar,” Byrne said.