Left: Walk on Air, at least that is what one of the members of the Pro Impact Stunt Team attempts to do with his skateboard. members of the audience were mesmerised. Right:Biker Matt performs a mid-air stunt during his presentation at the Mountain Dew Stunt Festival on Monday at the Jamalco Sports Club, Clarendon.

Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

Breathtaking stunts that no ordinary person would dare to try!

That was one of the main highlights at the Mountain Dew Stunt Festival held on Easter Monday at the Jamalco Sports Club, Halse Hall, Clarendon.

The festival, now in its third year, featured the Pro Impact Stunt Team from the United States, a group that has been performing stunts professionally all over the world.

Speaking with Jeff Ferris (manager of the Stunt Team) just before they took centre stage, he said, "I've been here (in Jamaica) every year for the past four years and I've been skateboarding for 27 years. We've been doing shows like this since 1986, it's crazy but I'm still doing it."

Crazy indeed!

At 3:30 p.m, the stunt riders, Billy, Matt, Katie, Benji, Omar and Jeff, introduced in that order, wheeled out on their BMX bicycles, skateboards and roller blades, indicating the start of some spectacular stunts.

Patrons in awe

Benji, the skateboarder, will not be left out of the death defying stunts at the festival. - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

From double spins and flips in the air, as they jumped high off the ramps, to some 'back wheely' and 360-degree turns in mid-air, patrons were more in awe rather than offering loud cheers and screams that the stunt riders often begged for.

However, it was the more dangerous and daring stunts, like a full overhead flip in mid-air while still clinging to their BMX bicycles that got some loud cheers from the vast audience. But as the stunts became more daring and complicated, more spills and falls would occur. And instead of loud cheers, sounds of "oooos" and "aaaaahs" as patrons looked earnestly to see if there were any serious injuries.

While there were only two stunt shows, about two hours apart, there were other great attractions and entertainment for the entire family to enjoy throughout the course of the day. There were many competitions, prizes to be won and rides to keep the kids occupied.

Children could be seen shooting mini hoops in order to win stuffed toys, jumping around in the bounce-a-bout and hopping into the mini go-carts, while on stage, there was a patty-eating contest between four 12-year-old boys; a 'Hoola Hoop' dance contest for the women, clownie's jokes and exciting tricks from 'Turner The Magician' for the children.

The all-day event ended in the night with a stage show. Patrons were well entertained with performances from male group A20, gospel singer Racquel Faircloth, former Rising Stars group Q, Da'Ville, QQ, Nezbeth and Macka Diamond.

It was indeed a wonderful experience for all who attended, the only sour point being the large number of children who had lost their parents and guardians in the massive crowd.

Steve Hurkel impersonator asks 'did I do that?' at the Stunt Festival.