Story by Joe McGinley and Chuck Lengle

July 10th kicked off the 1st Annual Gorilla Games on Mt.Hood hosted by Windells Summer Snowboard Camp. The Gorilla Games was founded by a few Windells employees who wanted to keep the morale high around camp during session 4. Perhaps the best part that in addition to good times was that the event was a benefit for the Portland Zoo- look for the Gorilla Games plaque in the Primate Exhibit of the Oregon Zoo!!!

One scared banana.

In addition to keeping the morale high around camp, The Gorilla Games was an event to give the campers the spot light. Campers were given the opportunity to win snowboards and tons of other product on and off the hill.Windells Camp along with Rome and Lib Tech put up the prizes for all the events.

MC Akword Strange decided to launch a 25' booter on a Coleman mattress.

The first day on-hill was kicked off by DJ MYG throwing down some beats for everyone, along with guest appearances by the Grand Marshall himself Jim Draplin, the Spacecraft Bunny, and a few crazy gorilla friends. After the music, came the first event of the 2007 Gorilla Games.

Kids gathered at the top of the first jump in the Windells Park to sign up for the Spin to Win Competition.

Stoked campers

This event had campers from all ages, boys and girls, snowboarders and skiers. Thirteen year old Jack Dawe brought his A game and a frontside 900.

Spin 2 Win

Jack walked away with the victory and a Rome Snowboard of his choice.

Coach Mark nosetaps the B-Ball hoop.

The B-Ball set up.

CIT Andy slams one.

The second event of the day came right after the inflation of the 25 ft. tall Gorilla, which stood in the middle of Windells Park.

Another dunk

The Slam Dunk Competition held on the wallride was a huge hit, with just about every camper and coach taking part in the innovative event. Camper Jeff Boos put together an impressive combination of dunks and walked away with the victory.

Coach Dre in the banana suit.

Ape Hanger contest in BOB.

After the first day of on-hill events ended momentum was carried down to Windells Camp, where even more activities for the campers took place.

Ape Hanger

The Ape Hanger was held on the trampoline/foam pit in Windells indoor skate park B.O.B. Bananas were hung from the rafters above the trampoline for campers to jump and grab.

More Ape Hanger

Campers were chosen to participate based on enthusiasm, and winners received an assortment of Rome product. The Banana Grab turned out to be a huge hit with about 150 campers taking part in this wild event.

Ape Hanger is FUN!

At the end of day 1 Windells Camp was full of stories from on and off the hill , and campers couldn’t wait to see what was in store for day 2 of the 1st Annual Gorilla Games.

K-Mart holds down the MIC as AIT

Jesse from Rome and the Spacecraft Bunny.

More Gorillas and Bananas.

Day 2 of the 1st Annual Gorilla Games got underway with the One Hitter In The Halfpipe competition. Pictures to come

Each rider that entered the competition was given a limited edition Gorilla Games bandana, and all the bananas they could eat. With the 25 ft. tall Gorilla in the background, campers threw down there best tricks to try and impress the judges. One of Windells youngest campers, nine year old Shayna Aaronson, was going huge with 4 ft. frontside 360s. Shayna won the crowds vote as well as the judges, and walked away with the Rome Snowboard of her choice.

Most of the campers wore the Gorilla Games shirts 3 days in a row... good times.

The energy was reignited in the afternoon when dozens of campers headed up Windells Park to take part in the High Ollie Competition.

MC Kenny “K-Mart” Martinez got things rolling by setting the bar about a foot off the ground so every camper had a fair chance to advance to the next round. Campers battled rounded after round for the victory. When it came down to the final three competitors the judges up a twist on the competition and made all riders ollie the stick switch to find a true chimpion.

Rome teamrider Greg Bokencamp in the high ollie contest.

After a long fought battle camper Cody North came away with the victory, by ollieing the stick switch at about 3 ft.

Coach Corey goes no footed.

Once again the momentum carried down to Windells Camp for the second straight day. Campers rallied in the courtyard for the start of the Gorilla Scavenger hunt. Six stuffed gorillas were hid around camp for campers to search for. The Gorilla Scavenger hunt was geared toward the younger Windells Campers, and kids that found a gorilla received Rome T-Shirts.

Scavengers

Day 2 of the First Annual Gorilla Games turned out to be an even bigger hit then day one, and the campers couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen on the third and final day.

K-Mart and the Body hold down the nighttime events for the kids

Head cook Ryan pays his dues when not heading up the kitchen.

the Spacecraft Bunny

The hype on the third and final day of the 1st Annual Gorilla Games exceeded everyone’s expectations. The on-hill event spun out of control with Trick Twister. Kids gathered at the top of the first jump to sign up, and get the 411 on how the competition was going to work. Each rider got to spin the board themselves to see which trick they drew. The twister board consisted of straight air grabs to 900s. The competition was stiff and everyone was stomping their tricks. In the end, young Ben Kadow was able to hold it down with his consistency and stomped every trick he drew. Ben was the last rider at the top of the jump and stomped a frontside 720 tail grab to take home a brand new Lib Tech Skate Banana.

Closing Ceremonies

Down at Windells Camp anticipation grew for the closing ceremonies, and the handing out of the golden banana plaques to all the “Chimpions.” As the ceremony was ending attention was diverted to a wild gorilla in the BMX track. Campers took position to try and tame the wild gorilla.

Get the Gorilla

Banana sling shots were brought for reinforcement, and the crazy gorilla was shot down by a few of Windells finest campers. The 1st Annual Gorilla Games was a huge success with all campers leaving with a “silver back” and a smile on their face.

Gorilla Games champions