http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

“If It Was Up To Me, I Would Pay Riders In Gold"

Risto Kalmre on Simple Session 17

31 Jan 2017

Simple Session Lead

Photos Vince Perraud

For nearly twenty years the small city of Tallinn in the Baltic regions of North Europe has played host to The Simple Session, a weekend that has become more a rite of passage for most riders than any other contest on the planet. Last year DIG openly spoke out against the judging process and we offered riders and industry people a chance to also speak out and voice their opinions on the contest format. An article that expressed various mixed opinions.

Now in its 17th year, we talk to Simple Session organizer Risto Kalmre about how the contest has evolved, the new format, and the process that goes into choosing the judges. We also discuss dealing with those recent personal and 'unwarranted' attacks online.

Simple Session 16 Bmx Vince Perraud Db5 A8435

Hey Risto, Can you explain the reason for the change in this year’s format?

There was some behind the scenes talk going on about if we should change it and I was also thinking about changing it for this year too. So we’ll give it a go this year. Do things a little differently. It's just a bit fairer to the street riders I think. It was like comparing apples with oranges before, which always made it hard. In the same time I know a lot of people love the idea that Simple Session is all about ‘riding everything’, about unique courses and bringing the whole BMX community back together under one roof. 

I guess it was a bit old school but it was unique in today’s world and a nice idea. But since we’re still using one big and one-off course with park and street sections (and gray areas for both disciplines) and that the jam groups run after each other then I think it still has the same great atmosphere this year. So everyone can ride together, but they will be scored separately. This should be a great way to keep the vibe of the event while making it a little fairer. It’s hard to judge when you have to compare riders like Nick Bruce against riders like Simone Barraco. Qualifiers jam format will remain the same with one score given out to each rider. We’re changing up the finals format a bit, so it’s more transparent and easier to follow. The riders there will be scored for every run in their jam session. Three runs, two best count. The exact format will be on our website later today. 

The buses of Simple Session, nearly as famous as the contest itself.

Brian Kachinsky is the least judgemental guy we know yet when it comes to judging a contest he's actually very good at it.

"It’s hard to judge when you have to compare riders like Nick Bruce against riders like Simone Barraco"

Sounds interesting, so what process goes into choosing the judges each year?

We select judges who are active pro riders or veterans who stay very updated on what’s new and who follow the scene. We like to have judges with both street and ramp background and also from different nationalities. Judges who judge contests actively and do consistent good work is important for us. Judging is a hard job, especially at Simple Session with so many riders and styles. So of course there’s always some debate there. But I’m confident this year’s jury will do an awesome job again. Judges this year are Hank, Markus Wilke, Brian Kachinsky, Antti Huotari, Toms Silins and Bart de Jong.

Simple Session 16 Bmx Vince Perraud Db5 A8666

Every year SS is a huge party (every night), how do you cope with it all?

Yeah, it’s a crazy rollercoaster week for sure. Depending on the year, I sometimes only get to go out on Sunday’s after party when the main event is over. I’m just too busy running the show to go out. Sometimes the machine works smoothly though and then I can go out other days too. Let’s see this year, I enjoy working hard for our collective cause and partying with everyone (if I can find the time).

You've gotten a lot of online flack from ex presenter Catfish about the purse? Want to say anything?

First and foremost – anyone can become an object of random hate online, conspiracy theories and twisted “truths”, that’s just the world we live in. Secondly, we trust all the good people who have been supporting us for all these years to think with their own mind and not let a bit of cyber bullying spoil their mood. 

Simple Session 16 Bmx Vince Perraud Db5 A8567

Okay, and the stuff about the purse?

We spend 1/4 of the whole events budget directly on the riders. The purse and hospitalities we provide. We also do skateboarding. The rest is being invested so the event could actually take place. The course, the arena rent, the coverage, some advertising and other zillion small things to make sure everything works. 

We’re not able to compete in prize money with some of the big comps in the States or Western Europe. But that’s quite a ridiculous comparison. Those are huge TV Company or city owned events. We make stuff look good, so some people start to think we’re dealing with enormous budgets. 

Our purse has never been a secret. The event is loved for other reasons. It’s the vibe that draws in so many people from all over. The coverage, the hospitality and the exposure we offer, the awesome parties, the whole celebration.

If it would be up to me, I would pay riders in gold and diamonds, but Estonia is still Europe's smallest country and economy with its 1.3 million people. Most of our sponsors are local representatives of these companies and even though the exposure is global, we still deal with local size. 

I love BMX and I give back to it by throwing awesome events and building awesome skateparks for people to shred on. When we started riding years ago then there was nothing like this here. We built it from scratch. I don’t actively ride any more because of past injuries but I still love BMX. That’s why I do these events.

So Simple Session really is something you’ve built from the ground up?

Yeah, Simple Session is exactly what it claims to be, a rider-to-rider event, and has always been. 

We’re going to have the best riders in the world here this week and we’re all going to have a blast.

Any shout outs?

Peace and love to all of our supporters and love to the BMX community. See you on the course or over the webcast!

Simple Session 16 Bmx Vince Perraud Db5 A8648

It's all laughs, it's all BMX.

Simple Session 17 Starts Feb 4th in Tallin, Estonia. Check out digbmx.com for the live stream.

Previous

20 BMX Riders You’ve Probably Met

From Stinky Pits to The Old Park Guy...

Next

Print Matters - 'Golden Hours 3'

On the road again with Brian Barnhart

Related Content

qualifying-simple-2015
Play Button

Simple Session 2015 - Qualifying Highlights

All the best from yesterday

19 Apr 2015
Simple Session 17 Trailer
Play Button

Simple Session 17 TRAILER

4-5th of February, 2017

9 Jan 2017
Devon-Smillie-Best-Simple-Session-2015
Play Button

Devon Smillie - Best Of Simple Session 2015

Crushing it for Fly Bikes in Estonia

29 Apr 2015
Simple Session 16 Bmx Vince Perraud Db5 A7940
Play Button

Simple Session 16 DIG Highlights

And Simple 17 Date Announced

18 Oct 2016
Screenshot 2016 04 30 01 06 14
Play Button

In The Cut - Simple Session 16 Day 1 - Practice

The standards have been set high

29 Apr 2016
Nate Wessel On Simple Session Courses
Play Button

Nate Wessel on Designing Simple Session Courses

The ins and outs of Simple Session's course design

21 Mar 2016
Ss17
Play Button

Simple Session 17 Course

Another epic creation

5 Jan 2017
Reed Stark Safari Simple Session 2016
Play Button

REED STARK SAFARI: Simple Session 2016

Wild in Estonia

13 Oct 2016
http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

Latest Content

KG drone shot

KEEPING IT LOCAL - 20 YEARS OF KELVINGROVE SKATEPARK

Happy Birthday to our local Glasgow park.

18 Sep 2024
Vv S39 Eft Cy Ahqdefault
Play Button

MEDIEVAL BMX?! - DIG LOCALS

Sir Ham Bam and The Last Crusade

17 Sep 2024
LAM4 Ra Sr okhqdefault
Play Button

Kanode Knows - Calvin Kosovich

Catching up with Kink multi-talented filmer/rider

17 Sep 2024
Zhy Vf U Tf7 Ehqdefault
Play Button

'REALITY IS A HOAX'

Twan Van Wijk, Sketchy Kevin, Kimo Van Hukst & More

16 Sep 2024
0k5t WR2j HH Ahqdefault
Play Button

F.Y.H.Y - PUSHER BMX MOUNTAIN TRIP - 2024

Can I get a "Hell Ya"

16 Sep 2024
Jop8 d I5 Im0hqdefault
Play Button

Once upon a time in Sydney...

Lewis Mills, Dakota Roche, Ty Morrow

14 Sep 2024
8k Dr Nfie Ik Yhqdefault
Play Button

Citywide - Kink BMX

Crushing the City Of Brotherly Love

13 Sep 2024
WZ s67uu I Pohqdefault
Play Button

HANDSOME | Sunday Bikes x SHREDD

Julian Arteaga, Brett Silva, Erik Elstran, and Jake Seeley in Seoul, South Korea.

13 Sep 2024
Alive thumb
Play Button

ALIVE - WELCOME OSOMATSU

In crust we trust

12 Sep 2024
Re0c P X Dxashqdefault
Play Button

Kanode Knows - Will Stroud

One of the good guys

12 Sep 2024
N AEO Ou0b3 Qchqdefault
Play Button

Alex Donnachie 'Still the Same' - BSD

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING!

10 Sep 2024
U Ky6h U Nv Xr Uhqdefault
Play Button

FINALS - BATTLE OF HASTINGS 2024

Sit back and enjoy all the best moments (there's a lot of them!)

9 Sep 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Osomatsu 4

SETUPS - Kazuei "Osomatsu" Oimatsu - ALIVE INDUSTRY

A Ben Lewis signature frame stacked with Animal parts

12 Sep 2024
20240907 BOH 019 perris

BATTLE OF HASTINGS 2024 - Everything you need to know

Schedule, livestream links, highlights, results & more...

2 Sep 2024
Garrett ss24

SIMPLE SESSION 24 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Highlight videos, schedules, results and more

24 Aug 2024
Volume frames 2

PRODUCTIVITY - NEW VOLUME JASON WATTS & KRIS FOX FRAMES

Certified for roasting - THE SMOKO & THUNDERHOOF

6 Aug 2024
Pete nathan efise 2022

E-FISE WOLVERHAMPTON - FULL 2024 LINE UP ANNOUNCED

E-FISE IS BACK AND EVEN BETTER!

12 Jul 2024
Kink 2025 bikes

PRODUCT DROP - KINK 2025 BIKES

That New New!

12 Jul 2024
DSCF5547

MIKE MASTRONI AND THE STORY BEHIND THE 'TELOMERE' VIDEO

Backstories behind the clips

24 Jun 2024
X Games California 2023 Kevin 2

X Games Ventura 2024: BMX Preview

Who, what, where and when

15 May 2024
Hannah roberts dsc00340

X Games Debuts Women’s BMX Park at Ventura 2024

This year, X Games is adding Women’s BMX Park to the schedule, and Hannah Roberts is leading the charge.

10 May 2024
S1057107 2

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2024 SERIES ANNOUNCED

5 Jams - 5 Countries

25 Apr 2024
Nick wave

IN MEMORY - NICK COOMBES

A true renaissance man in every sense of the word

24 Apr 2024
WTP ECLAT JACKAL FRAME FORK 3

PRODUCTIVITY: WTP/ECLAT JACKAL FRAME & FORK

Did someone say titanium?!

13 Apr 2024