Gravity Fest

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - World champion longboarder Patrick Switzer makes his way down Picton's steep streets in the second year of Gravity Fest. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

For the second year, and it's second year, I shot Gravity Fest in Picton this past weekend. It's a weekend filled with hay and high-speed downhill longboarders, racing around some of the steepest streets in Prince Edward County. I'm still picking the hay out of my camera bag (how did it get in there?!) and trying to decide how to shoot things differently, but this was one event I wish I could go to every weekend. Unfortunately it's the only one of its kind around.

PICTON, Ont. (17/09/11) - Longboarder Jack Violin grimaces as he takes a tumble at the last corner of the course during practice runs of Gravityfest in Picton, Ont. on Saturday, Sept. 17. Hazards on the course are plentiful and include everything from the common bump in the road to squirrels that seemingly have no respect for the speed of the racers. Now in its second year, Gravityfest attracts longboarders from across Canada and even a few international longboarders to the steep streets of Picton for a weekend of adrenaline, crashes, and celebration of longboarding. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (17/09/11) - Youngest competitor Tristan Bell, 8, takes to the roads. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (17/09/11) - Junior racer Ben Keymer takes to the roads. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - Junior racer Ben Keymer takes to the roads, pursued by other junior riders. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - The women's luge competition, consisting of Andi Leslie (front) and Kelli Koch, makes its way to the finish. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - Classic lugers make their way to the finish. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - A trio of longboarders makes their way through crash corner. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - Junior racer Ben Keymer takes to the roads, pursued by other junior riders. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - Competition is fierce at crash corner. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - A rider strikes crash corner. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - Some riders are luckier than others. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

PICTON, Ont. (18/09/11) - A rider rounds crash corner. Photo by Rachel Psutka.