18 Feb 2020

Simple Session 2020 In Photos

The 20th Anniversary Edition...

Words & Photos by: Wes McGrath

Twenty years and running. Simple Session has been keeping the party going with 20 years of show time and it seems to only be gaining momentum. Beginning in the 2000, this contest has seen so much change and has withstood two decades of the ever-changing BMX landscape, hosting the world's top riders and craziest personalities, making Simple Session one of the best destination contests happening every year. Despite the occasional speed bumps along the way such as, lost luggage, lack of sleep, hangovers and even the occasional relationship status change, this event tucked away in the tiny Estonian town of Tallinn, keeps the riders and the fans coming back for more, even in the dead of winter!

I don’t drink champagne very often but I am first in line to get soaked when the awards come out! The street boys celebrate 1st, 2nd and 3rd! Felix Prangenberg, Broc Raiford and Alex Donnachie!

Joris Coloumb was the first one get his tires on this set up. Signature JoCo moves, tires up to smith cab back into the quarter!

Felix Prangenberg with a switch 270 bar over the channel!

Alex Kennedy taking a quick breather during practice!

Matt Closson transfers up and over the channel with a crispy 270!

Nathan Williams warming up with this, dare I say flawless crook to whip during practice! Nathan hasn’t been to simple session in ten years, it was so good to see him grace the course!

Bruno Hoffman. Bruno always brings originality to the course, finding unique moves on course each run!

The practice was full of smiles, Hobie Doan and Mark Burnett probably laughing about antics new and old!

Joe Jarvis on course during practice, wearing off the night before!

Mark Burnett takes the over tooth to new levels with a nice can-can addition!

Boyd Hilder is becoming an absolute crowd favorite! Riding the park and street contest he is a force not easily denied!

Matt Closson making his first SS appearance and taking to the course like a natural!

Mati Lasgoity is hard to miss on the course, he’s a riders favorite and he’s always coming through with great style and a big smile! Turndown over the channel!

Joe Jarvis after his second run during qualifiers, making his way into finals!

As the practice and qualifying days come to an end, we move into the city of Tallinn for the Best trick and game of bike. Broc Raiford and Stephon Fung battle it out down to the last letter!

Joris Coloumb with a risky G-turn on the SS steep up ledge during best trick!

Broc Raiford 180 whip at the SS game of bike, dubbed the name E.E.S.T.I...

Broc Raiford with a high speed smith hard 180 up the SS box!

Alex Kennedy with an X-up pegs to hard 180 inside the best trick session!

Mark isn't too camera shy during Simple Session. Marks gives his two cents to Peter Adam!

Ryan Nyquist patiently watching the street finals finish up as he prepares to take the course!

Tom Bogaard is one of the stand out riders during the park sessions! Huge 360 one footed invert over the box!

Eisa Bakos taking a little break from constant shooting!

Michal Kovacovic was the o my one I caught with my flashes this year... His big 360 table was the perfect subject!

Andres Ochoa was the first to whip into this huge roll in bank from the quarter extension!

Reed Stark is nearly the fastest rider on course firing the street finals! His speed is definitely needed for this 270 spin up the step up to oppo smith!

Reed blasts out of the hip and lands in a smith to start of his run!

Reed runs into the cheers of his friends on the sidelines after his last run during finals!

Anthony Perrin smooth and stylish, always! Step up tooth pick hanger into the wall ride!

Catching Broc in laughter on course, you know this contest is a good time!

Broc Raiford. Barspin onto the box to whip into the huge roll in bank!

Justin Spriet has been coming through simple session for the last few years and he is always one of my favorites! Tire ride on the rail to no-footed can!

Alex Donnachie takes 3rd place in street this year, here he is cheesin’ after being introduced before the finals began!

Alex Donnachie full speed gap from the up rail to the distant bank!

Alex Kennedy.

AK is a wizard on the course... fast, smooth and stylish he lips slides across the rainbow quarter!

Daniel Dhers, big smiles and big tricks!

Daniel Dhers is a Simple Session staple in the finals and he is always keeping up the highest standards in his riding! Such a legend!

Daryl Nau probably ran back to the hotel in the freezing cold shortly after this live broadcast?!!

Courage Adams, so elusive...

Mark Burnett seems to have a face the cameras like, here he goes sharing some TV time with his mom on the phone!

Broc Raiford is all smiles in the line up!

Boyd Hilder competes in the Park and Street portions of the contest, needless to say this boy has some serious energy! Lining up for the final webcast introduction, Boyd seem to cast a little spell on his bike!

Joe Jarvis seems surprised and stoked to be in the line up for finals!

Rim Nakamura getting introduced in the line of riders before the main festivities of Sunday’s finals begin!

Boyd Hilder takes the stage on live webcast as he and all the other riders are introduced before their first run during finals!

Mark Burnett waves off his final run on Sunday as the finals near their end!

Courage Adams getting hyped up for one of his mind-blowing lines!

Boyd Hilder with a proper one handed cannon ball over the box to get the crowd fired up!

Brandon Loupos. Double tail whip over the hip!

Brandon Loupos being cheered on by the crowd as he finishes his last run during finals!

Felix Prangenberg is swirled by his friends and fellow riders as he is reveals as the Simple Session 2020 street winner! 2ns year running!

Felix getting the celebratory beer shower on the sidelines with all his friends!

The one and only Daryl Nau on mic all weekend, along side the main man Andy Zeiss!

The Top 3 Park finalists take podium and to everyone’s excitement, Rim Nakamura takes 1st place and on his 18th birthday! Brandon Loupos takes 2nd and Boyd Hilder cleans up 3rd!

The top 3 Street finalists take the podium, they smile now because they’re not yet covered in champagne!

The Simple Session party never seems to stop once it has begun, throughout the weekend there are numerous events set up for the after hours portion of the event planning! Here is a peek into Friday night antics!

Wether you are in the crowd, on the course or watching at home, Simple Session has a firm grip within the BMX world and it has given so many riders an opportunity to shine in so many ways... After only being apart of this contest for three years, I can easily see the strength within the family of our BMX community, keeping it all together! The friends, parties, travels and memories cast are only by-products of what happens when efforts are recognized and supported with hard work... on and off the bike, on the course and behind the scenes!

Simple Session 2020 was another amazing event and with the Saku Arena was sold out for finals, Felix Prangenberg took home the 1st place trophy in street for the second year in a row. Rim Nakamura won 1st place in Park on his 18th birthday and the return of Sister Session took place to showcase women's BMX; Nikita Ducarroz, Minato Oike and Lara Lessman took the top 3 podium spots.

Check out our extensive photo gallery to get closer to all the action inside of the Saku Arena and watch our DIG 20 for 20 highlights video HERE.

DIG at Simple Session 2020

20 Years! 20 Questions! - More Info

For full results and everything you need to know about SIMPLE SESSION 20 go HERE and check out our DIG article on surviving a weekend in Tallinn at the 20th anniversary of this legendary event HERE and an extended interview with event organiser Risto Kalmre HERE.