Proving Grounds to Return this September with Big Changes

The groundbreaking freeride event Proving Grounds is finally making a comeback this September with some exciting changes to its competition format. Unlike the inaugural year, Proving Grounds will no longer be a feeder event for Red Bull Rampage, but instead, a unique festival-style event that blurs the lines between slopestyle and big mountain riding. It will be a weekend of freeride progression with two days of competing, followed by a jump jam, camping, live music, movie premieres, and lots of libations.

The venue at the Oregon Dirt Park will consist of a human-made course featuring all kinds of huge drops, massive doubles, berm presses, and rhythm sections. Athletes will be given the opportunity to pick and choose what they want to ride, ultimately creating a unique line that plays to their strengths and skill set. There will also be a full women’s category consisting of an impressive roster of the best women’s freeride talent. We’ve got the full list of riders competing below:

Invited Women*

Camila Noguiera (ARG)

Casey Brown (CAN)

Chelsea Kimball (USA)

Hannah Bergemann (USA)

Jess Blewitt (NZ)

Robin Goomes (NZ)

Samantha Soriano (USA)

Vinny Armstrong (NZ)

Invited Men*

Adolf Silva (ESP)

Antoine Bizet (FRA)

Alex Volokhov (CAN)

Bienvenido Aguado Alba (ESP)

Billy Meaclem (NZ)

Cam Zink (USA)

Carson Storch (USA)

Clemens Kaudela (AT)

Damon Iwanaga (USA)

Dylan Stark (USA)

DJ Brandt (USA)

Ethan Nell (USA)

Jaxon Riddle (USA)

Juan Diego Salido (MEX)

Kyle Strait (USA)

Louis Reboul (FRA)

Nicholi Rogatikin (USA)

Paul Genovese (CAN)

Reece Wallace (CAN)

Reed Boggs (USA)

Tom Isted (GBR)

Tom Van Steenbergen (CAN)

Expect plenty of big tricks this year. Peter Jamison photo

Casey Brown will compete alongside seven other female freeride athletes. Peter Jamison photo.

With this year's impressive list of invitees, it's hard to say who will walk away with the grand prize. Trevor Lyden photo.