Goodbye Marcus!

15 August 2011 / Posted by Brett Phillips

Images: Sourced from various sites with thanks!

GBHQ would like to take the time to acknowledge the president of the IGSA (International Gravity Sports Association) Marcus Rietema for his tireless contribution and support of Gravity Bikes over the past 15 years! Marcus has recently become a father and has decided to take a step back from running the IGSA to spend more time with his new family. In his capacity as both ambassador, promotor and rider Marcus supported all gravity disciplines over the years and his enthusiasm, professionalism and perspective will be sorely missed.

Brett Phillips, founder of Gravitybike HQ remembers the interest that Marcus took in seeing him ride at the IGSA World Championships back in 2008. "Every time i saw Marcus, he was so enthusiastic and passionate. He was really stoked with the amount of effort and thought that I had put into my bike and that I had made the effort to come and race. I really admired how much he supported the gravity bikes, even though we were clearly the minority at all of his events."

Marcus has a long history in skateboarding and street luge. He started skating back in 1977 riding freestyle and transition. Marcus was one of the original Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) racers who began bombing the hill in 1978 riding both skateboards and luge. After competing in the 95’ & 96’ X Games, he founded the IGSA and became the Street Luge Sport Organizer for the X Games. Today he takes great pride in still being able to ride at a high level in all disciplines of skateboarding.

20 Questions: Marcus Rietema

1. Q: What sports do you compete in?
A: In the past I competed in Downhill Skateboarding, Freestyle and Street Luge. Most of my time is spent organizing these days. I just started racing slalom for fun last year and I skate freestyle demos with Sk8 Kings.

2. Q: How long have you been riding and racing?
A: I started skateboarding in 1977 and did my first race on Glendora Mountain Road in 1979.

3. Q: What was your coolest moment in the sport?
A: Sitting in the tower at Red Bull DHX (Cape Town, South Africa) and seeing what the sport could be. There were around 50,000 spectators, huge grand stands, giant video screens, VIP areas, live television, huge athlete parties and so much more. My dream is to have a world tour with 15 events the caliber of DHX.

4. Q: What races do you plan to compete in this year?
A: Slalom only: Oregon State Games, ISSA World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, possibly Antrem, NH and some smaller local events.

5. Q: What are your goals for the 2008 season?
A: To earn a podium finish at a big slalom race.

6. Q: What is your favorite event?
A: Currently it’s a tie between Newton’s Playground and the Maryhill Festival of Speed. Past favorites include Red Bull DHX, RDH Rio Downhill and the original Hot Heels in Kaurnatal, Austria

7. Q: What kind of equipment did you use?
A: Sk8 Kings Decks, Bennett, Tracker & Splitfire trucks and Seismic/3dm & Sk8 Kings wheels.

8. Q: Do you have any sponsors?
A: Sk8 Kings and Seismic/3dm.

9. Q: Who are your favourite racers?
A: Erik Lundberg, Mischo Erban, Scoot Smith, Martin Siegrist, Aki von Glasow, David Dean, Loic Zaccaro, Ramon Koningshausen, Jason Mitchell, and Richy Carrasco,

10. Q: Where do you live?
A: Larkspur, California. It’s about a ten-minute drive North of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County"

Interview and bio source: IGSA

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