On August 24th and 25th, the world best skateboarders and BMX riders will compete at Northern Europe’s largest extreme sports festival, Simple Session, held at the old comb factory in Tartu.
It was a warm weekend in September 2000. Eighteen-year-old Risto Kalmre, along with 19-year-olds Piret Kull and Mario Kalmre, and a few of their buddies, organized an unprecedented skateboarding and BMX competition in Tartu. People came by bus from all over Estonia, and there were competitors and spectators from Finland and Latvia as well.
The first four Simple Sessions took place in the open air under the warm summer skies of Tartu. Each year, more participants and spectators joined, including more and more world-famous riders. Over the years, Simple Session went by names like Simpel (yes, spelled s-i-m-p-e-l) and Pop Session, but the event’s atmosphere, parties, buzz, and quality remained the same.
Simple Session was last held in Tartu 21 years ago and returns to its birthplace as part of the main program for Tartu – the European Capital of Culture 2024. Nearly one hundred Olympic athletes, X Games medalists, world champions, and local extreme sports enthusiasts are expected to compete.
Spectacular tricks and exciting rides will be showcased by skateboarding legends such as Aaron “Jaws” Homoki, Ben Raybourn, Shawn Hale, Jake Wooten, Danny León, and Madars Apse. In the BMX category, participants include Joji Mizogaki, Kevin Robinson Jr, Garrett Reynolds, Boyd Hilder, Alex Hiam, and dozens of other renowned riders from all over the world. Estonian BMX riders like Andreas Taru, Kristen Põder, Tauno Krüüts, skateboarder Meelis Erm, and others will also show their best tricks.
Simple Session kicks off on Thursday, August 22nd
The program includes a thrilling ramp competition on the Emajõgi River. The main event days are Saturday, August 24th, and Sunday, August 25th, when Tartu’s comb factory event center transforms into a world-class extreme sports arena. Qualification rounds take place on Saturday, and finals for both sports occur on Sunday. Due to the limited capacity of the arena, tickets for Simple Session 2024 should be purchased as soon as possible.
What to Expect?
Thursday, August 22nd: Visit Estonia Skate Ramp Jam. The legendary trick competition will be held on Estonia’s largest inland river ferry, Koit, anchored by the Kaarsild Bridge on the Emajõgi River. The evening will feature Warm-Up Party Vol. 1.
Friday, August 23rd: The surprise in the program announced soon, and Warm-Up Party Vol. 2 in the evening.
Saturday, August 24th: Main event: Qualification rounds followed by Afterparty Vol. 1.
Sunday, August 25th: Main event: Finals and Best Trick competitions followed by Afterparty Vol. 2.
About parties of the event:
Thursday Warm-Up Party: Väike Kuuba and Hugo
The series of Simple Session parties kicks off on Thursday evening with the first pre-party. After the riders showcase their best tricks on the skateboard ramp built on the river ferry Koit, music will be played at Väike Kuuba and Hugo on the Emajõe promenade by Shromik, Lyska, Noa, and Lill.
The party starts at 7 PM, and entry is free.
Friday Warm-Up Party: Shooters
The second pre-party steps it up, with one of Estonia’s hottest rappers, Kirot, taking the stage at Shooters on Friday. Simple Session’s resident DJs PM2AM and Rami will be spinning the decks.
Doors open at 11 PM.
Saturday Party: Shooters vol.2
The party continues on Saturday at Shooters, where after the skateboarding qualifiers, techno enthusiast and jaw harp fan Aaron JAWS Homoki—an American skateboarder who has competed in Estonia before—will take over the turntables. DJs Muul and QRX will also be playing.
Doors open at 11 PM.
Sunday Party: Kivi Bar
The legendary Simple Session grand after-party takes place at the even more legendary Kivi Bar, both indoors and outdoors. Inside, music will be provided by Lawde, PM2AM, and Muul. Tartu rappers DEW8 & MESABBY (joined by SKE) will present their new album, and James Threlfall, a skateboarder and commentator known from Simple Session, will also perform a DJ set. Outside, USA DJ Kizza will join the OI-EI crew (Lill, Tolli, and Akita).
The party starts at 8 PM.
At 11 PM in Kivi Bar, there will also be the premiere of the BMX film “Mysö” by Stoned Street, featuring the best BMX street riders from the Baltics. This full-length film showcases the skills of trick riders from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
For more details, check out the event on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/9vTEADBAz