New Braunfels, Texas – Extremity Games® 7 (eX7) Main Event was welcomed with genuine southern hospitality this past weekend in New Braunfels, Texas. eX7 Main Event competitions included mountain biking, skateboarding, powerlifting, kayaking, rock climbing and wakeboarding, as well as clinics in these sports and mixed martial arts. Extremity Games hosted awe-inspiring athletes from all over the world.
 
On Friday, June 22, Extremity Games 7 kicked off in the morning with a white-water kayak clinic at Rio Vista and all-day clinics at the Texas Ski Ranch. Athletes had the opportunity to try all of the events. Also, the AMP1 Stand-up Basketball Team was there in addition to the regular events and showcased an exhibition game with athletes.
 
Following clinics, athletes and supporters gathered at the beautiful Embassy Suites in San Marcos for a Welcome Reception where ADN Board Member Tracii Haynes talked about event highlights and Ronnie Dickson provided a photo presentation of rock climbing and upcoming outdoor clinics.
 
Saturday’s events started-off with mountain biking, with the course designed by Aaron Foreman of O&P Technologies, who also provided the Extremity Games on-site O&P Tech Support. In the BK division, last year's champion Andy May continued his reign taking first place, Greg LaKomski took second and Ruben Macias rounded out the division in third. Stephen Buchler of Germany continues his reign as AK division champion with Peter O’Brien following him up in second. Newcomer Jim Santangelo helped create the new spinal cord mountain bike division taking first place.
 
In the street-style skateboarding competition Greg Shaw dropped a gnarly (hand) kick flip, big air transfer to take first place. Justin Beauchesne snagged second place nailing a handstand kick flip and Oscar Loreto landed a nose stall to revert to take third.
 
Powerlifting is a new novice competition for Extremity Games this year with equipment provided by Olympic Gym. Wounded veterans put up mad numbers, which got the crowd to its feet! Kedgerick Smith took first place in the overall competition by powering up 350 pounds, John Pepin took second with 320 pounds and Javier Gutierrez took third with 290. Lucio Guerra won the 1-Arm Dumbell Press putting up 160 pounds.
 
Red River Racing and TG Kayaks sponsored the kayak competition where the lake welcomed athletes Jeff Waldmuller and Kelly Allen who took first place in men’s and women’s respectively. Jim Wazny and Kimberly Olson propelled themselves into second place. Third place was hard fought that netted awards for Mike Schulenberg and newcomer Katelynn Porzell. In the novice division, newcomer Bobby Ludwick lead the men taking first place and wounded warrior veterans Chuck Lemmon and Ollie Hughes placed second and third, respectively.
 
Pete O’Brien scaled TSR's rock wall with speed that could cause altitude sickness, taking first place in the men’s elite division. Andy May took another medal with his second place finish and Paralympic sprinter hopeful Jeff Waldmuller took third. In rock climbing novice, newcomers Juan Latoree took first, Trevor Bunch came in second and Seth Alexander rounded out the division in third place. Honorable mention for Kimberly Olson who was competing with the men this year.
 
Back at the lake, monster air and steezy tricks were the order of the day for both veteran and newbie wakeboarders. Sean Reyngoudt dominated first place with huge raleys, back rolls, 180's and even a 360 rodeo. Billy Tonis hammered the wake with backrolls and 180's a-plenty for a second place finish and Logan Aldridge took third with tantrums and heelside shiftys in the elite division. In novice, Trevor Wallace took first, Jim Wazny second and newcomer Mike Rousselle, from Canada, took third.
 
In addition to Extremity Games 7 Main Event, Extremity Games hosted the eX7 Motocross competition May 26, 2012 at Baja Acres in Millington, Michigan. In the AMP class, Mike Schultz stood on the top step of the podium, followed by Jim Wazny in second and Nick Mardis in third. In the PARA class, Darius Glover took first overall, with Jesse Gildea taking second and John Harris finishing third.
 
These events are made possible by the generous sponsorships of College Park Industries, Wright & Filippis, Red River Racing, TG Canoe & Kayaks Aristo-Cast, Orthotic & Prosthetic Technologies, WillowWood, ResMed, Freedom Innovations, Ossur, UT Health Science Center, O&P Business News, Endolite, Footprints Adventures, CWB Board Co., BuyWake.com and Texas Ski Ranch, among dozens of other sponsors and partners.
 
Extremity Games is organized by Athletes with Disabilities Network (ADN). ADN’s mission is to promote a better quality of life by creating opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities. ADN organizes Extremity Games, as well as Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, which recognizes and honors men and women who have overcome physical challenges to become elite athletes and superior role models.
 
For more information on Extremity Games or Athletes with Disabilities Network, please visit extremitygames.com or call 248.829.8353.

For more photos of all the sports, check out the Extremity Games Facebook Page.