THE star attractions at this year’s Berwick Show don’t come much more spectacular than Dylan Warren and his mountain boarding showcase.
The Beaconsfield resident started in the sport about 15 years ago when he went skateboarding at the Gembrook skate park when a friend lent him his mountain board.
“I eventually caved, had a try, and we went and rode some hills in Emerald – and I’ve been hooked since!” he said.
“It was the ability to ride any terrain, anywhere.
“You could go as fast as you want, slide, stack and it wouldn’t hurt as much as concrete. I enjoyed the freedom.
“Back then there were these horrible old boards that looked like billycarts pieced together and we didn’t even know there were other people who rode them.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d be able to go overseas – through Europe, Asia and America.”
Now a professional mountain boarder, Dylan will stage a demonstration at the Berwick Show – displaying a range of spectacular, eye-popping tricks.
The Australian Mountain boarder’s website explains the breathtaking sport best.
“Mountain boarding is a sport that allows people to ride a wide variety of terrain in the same way they might skate, surf, or snowboard on it but without the need for pavement, waves, or snow,” it says.
“For mountain boarders, the earth is a giant skate park with new lines constantly springing to life everywhere they walk, ride, or drive.”
From the modern sport of mountain boarding, step back in time to a sport of a very different kind – medieval jousting.
Costumed competitors on horseback will duel for the honour of top jouster as a town crier and jester entertain the crowd.
The entertainment at Akoonah Park doesn’t stop there.
An impressive array of exhibits and competitions are planned, with animals again a highlight including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, poultry and pigeons.
The Dandenong Fancy Pigeon Society members will release racing pigeons at various times throughout Sunday. Find them at the animal nursery.
There will also be horticulture, arts and crafts, cooking, photography, wood chop, truck pull and ‘beaut ute’ competitions as well as the traditional fun run.
A non-stop program is entertainment is planned for the show stage across the weekend.
(See page 6 for a full stage program).
A highlight of this year’s show is a new family friendly area dubbed Kidding Around.
All activities are free and designed to keep youngsters busy and engaged.
Mum and dad can relax with a coffee while the children play.
Channel 9 will have a tent as part of Kidding Around. Meet news reader Peter Hitchener between 10am and 11am on Saturday.
Farmer Adam, star of the reality show Farmer Wants a Wife, will also be a show special guest.
