X Games 2012: Now With More Extremeness
Looking for something extreme to do this weekend in Los Angeles? Well, you are in luck. Also, helmets and appropriate safety gear. The X Games are back, and it is time to turn local sports up to 11. ESPN's contribution to the world of extreme sports competition will be held June 28 to July 1, and will feature more than 200 extreme athletes competing in Moto, Rally, Skateboarding, and BMX. You know, the fun stuff.
This year's games will feature the youngest competitors ever - as young as 11 years old - in an event called Big Air which is "a steep roll-in followed by a jump over a 70-foot gap to a 27-foot quarterpipe." Whatever that means, it looks dangerous. There will be plenty of old-school competitors too, as the best street skateboarders take center stage in the Real Street competition, which will allow spectators to vote for the Fan Favorite. See the full schedule here, but note, all events and times are subject to change. Extreme change!
The entirety of X Games 2012 will be held in downtown Los Angeles between STAPLES Center, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, L.A. LIVE Event Deck, Nokia Plaza, Gilbert Lindsay Plaza (Convention Center), North Plaza (Convention Center), Chick Hearn Court, and Parking Lots 6 and 7 (so don't park there).
L.A. LIVE has pay lots around the venue(s) on Figueroa Street that range from $20 - $25. More parking information may be found at the L.A. Live website.
Note: Figueroa Street will be closed from 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 29 until 5:00 a.m. Monday, July 2 and Chick Hearn Court between L.A. LIVE Way and Georgia Street will be closed entirely at the following times:
Thursday and Friday between 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday between 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Sunday between 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Detours and alternate routes will be in place during this time. Allow for delays. It's L.A., you should always do that.
Ticket prices have increased since last year and now start at $10, but prices will vary depending on the event and location. There are also ticket packages available ranging from the Souvenir Skate Package for $80 that includes a Skateboard Big Air Bleacher seat and limited-edition X Games skatedeck to the X Games 2012 JW Marriott Weekend Pass for $3,000, which includes lodging, tickets, and breakfast with skateboarding legend Bob Burnquist.
All tickets include admission to the X Fest at L.A. LIVE action sports extravaganza, which features live music, sponsor tents, an interactive skate park, demonstrations and opportunities to meet the athletes. X Fest opens an hour before the events start and closes an hour before the events end. Also, X Fest is free to the public, so perk!
If you like to keep your X Games information, results, and live telecasts in your pocket there's an app for that: iPhone/Android. And it's free!
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Staples Center Box Office. It should be a lot of extreme fun for the whole family. Come out and support the X Games and the athletes!
Whit Honea is an extreme writer. He wears elbow pads at his blog Honea Express.
