Tricks and treats: Jumping, flipping, kicking

Eric Smith, left, is declared victorious over his battle-partner Joseph Nurse.

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Jefferson Lewis, Washington D.C., participates in a battle as the rest of the atheltes look on.

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Photos by Skyler Kessler/Herald ‘Tricking’ coodinators and fans Jason Mello and Mike Maguire, co-owners of Drednt; Dina and Leon Williams, co-owners of Five-Star Sports and Entertainment Academy, and David Armstrong, a co-owner of Drednt.

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Brooklyn resident Nelson Zuniga in the air during the kicking competition.

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All the way from Florida, Jaime Colon lands a kick in the evening's second competition.

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Chicagoan Nate Hitpas visited East Rockaway’s Five-Star Sports and Entertainment Academy last Friday to participate in the 2nd annual Drednt gathering. These international groups perform and compete in “tricking” — a combination of gymnastics, martial arts and break dancing.

Skyler Kessler/Herald

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Adrenaline is pumping through your body as you abruptly kick, propelling yourself into the air. After your feet hit the floor ­— and to the crowd’s amazement — you morph into an acrobatic-like flip that prompts applause. Striking displays of twists, flips, and kicks were praised by more than 200 “trickers” — the causal moniker given to young athletes who fuse gymnastics, martial arts, and break dancing moves during the second annual Drednt tricking gathering at Five-Star Sports and Entertainment Academy in East Rockaway. The charitable event’s battles and live performances featured athletes from fifteen countries including Spain and Finland.

The young movement is captivating locals and international athletes, including Jason Mello, co-owner and founder of the tricking apparel company Drednt. “I think this gathering is something that not only changes kicking history, but pushes trickers to the world,” he said.

Last year’s inaugural event boosted a crowd of more than 150 people — a number that doubled this year. Trickers are creative, enthusiastic and passionate. What was once an underground subcultur starting in the 1990’s quickly gained popularity, uniting the young with the young-at-heart.

“It’s so much freedom,” said 20-year-old Kim Steinsland, of Norway. “If you do something different, it’s just your style, so it’s like expressing yourself in a new way.” Steinsland has spent nearly four years experimenting with the art form.

Francisco Tobias, 26, of the famous Tobias Brothers of Guatemala, started off the night’s event. The seven-year veteran had worked to save money to come to the event, and would tell everyone back home about it, he said. “There is so much energy from all the trickers around the U.S.,” he said.

The athletes’ precision, ability, and agility proved fierce – and their camaraderie was even fiercer. Whether it was a high-five or hug between participants or cheers erupting after each battle or performance, there was a strong sense of respect and support.