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FEMALE FREERIDERS TAKE ON DARKFEST
DarkFest is well known for the diversity of its riders. From freeriders to World Cup racers and wild card entries, each year sees new faces tackle some of the biggest jumps in the world. DarkFest 2022 takes this to a whole new level.
For the first time in DarkFest history, female freeriders are joining the mix, and it’s about to get even more rad.
Mons Royale are stoked to be supporting Robin Goomes and Casey Brown in their inaugural DarkFest. We caught up with both riders before they left Queenstown, New Zealand to head to South Africa.
“We’re on, the girls are on.” – Robin
“We’re on, the girls are on.” – Robin
Brought together by Vero Sandler, and joined by Hannah Bergemann and Chelsea Kendall, the opportunity to have female Freeriders at DarkFest is testament to how far women’s riding has developed in the past few years.
For both Casey and Robin, the opportunity to ride with other girls is a big part of the reason to head to South Africa. Casey told us “having the chance to get more chicks together and working through stuff is going to be so cool”.
“When I hit the jumps I’m not going to think about it, I’m just going to go.” – Robin
“When I hit the jumps I’m not going to think about it, I’m just going to go.” – Robin
There are big jumps, and then there are DarkFest jumps. Designed to follow the natural line of the mountain using the existing hill face, Sam Reynolds and his team have turned the Hellsend compound in Stellenbosch, South Africa into a Freeriders playground.
Until you’ve seen the DarkFest jumps in person, it’s difficult to comprehend the size. Even for pro-freeriders it’s difficult to find words to capture their feelings.
Robin told us “I don’t think I’ll know how I feel (about the jumps) until I’m there”. Casey on the other hand has been waking up in the middle of the night, heart racing – “it’s scary…my brain is trying to work out what’s about to happen”.
“The steepest lips and the steepest landings” – Casey
“The steepest lips and the steepest landings” – Casey
After an awesome but “covid-bubbled” 2021 event, the DarkFest crew are setting up for more riders, more build and more stoke.
Casey’s plan for the event is to “go have a fun time, tick off each feature and have all round good times with the crew. I’m just stoked to learn”
Here at Mons we think it’s super rad that female Freeriders are heading out to DarkFest for the first time. Not only does it give these women a chance to improve their skills and show others what is possible, it’s also an epic representation of the progress of women’s riding and we can’t wait to see what’s next for Robin, Casey and the rest of the female Freeriding community
DarkFest runs from 11-17th April and you can keep up to date with event news on the DarkFest Facebook Page
