Benji Galloway is one of the top skateboarders in the world. - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

Not many persons in Jamaica can call themselves professional stunt- men, either because they lack the skills or just think it's plain insane.

However, despite the lack of popularity for such a sport in Jamaica, the Pro Impact Stunt Team from the United States thrilled local audiences recently at the Mountain Dew Stunt Festival at the Jamalco Sports Club in Clarendon.

The Gleaner caught up with some of the members of the Pro Impact Stunt Team during their visit to Jamaica.

Owner and manager, Jeff Ferris, who is a pro skateboarder with over 25 years experience said, "I've been here every year for the pastfour years. I've been skateboarding for 27 years and we've been doing stunt shows around the world since 1986."

Known for his signature trick, a 'ho ho plant', which is an inverted handstand that has him balancing the board on his feet for a moment before he launches back into the ramp, Jeff admits that "it's crazy but I'm doing this since the age of eight."

Jeff is also an actor living in Los Angeles and he says, "My biggest movie will be airing soon on the Hallmark channel. It's called Stranger's Heart."

Living on the edge

Mat Sager has been doing freestyle BMX stunts for over 20 years.

Another member, Mat Sager, a seasoned veteran of the sport of freestyle BMX, whose favourite tricks include an amazing tail whip backflip, spinning the bike 360 degrees while flipping upside down at the same time, says living on the edge is a great part of his life.

"We travel all over the world just doing demos like this. It is pretty dangerous, a lot of hospital visits but it comes with the sport," Mat said. "I've been doing this over 20 years now."

Katie Ketchum, the only female to travel with the group to Jamaica, might look like the baby, but the 23-year-old says, "although I'm the new girl, I love it, coming to Jamaica and showing that girls can rollerblade."

Katie says normally girls don't engage in such sports because outside of the fact that "only about 10 girls are professionals throughout the world, all action sports are male dominated. But we can show that girls can do it too."

Other members of the Pro Impact Stunt team include Ommar Estrada, another BMX athlete who is known for his signature no-foot backflips.

Benji Galloway, one of the top skateboarders in the world, is a constant competitor who lands himself in the top five of every competition he enters, while Billy Gawrych, one of the best Flatland BMX athletes, has a mix of technical tricks, balance and control with a break-dancinginfluence in the mix.

The Pro Impact Stunt Team is no stranger to Jamaica and manager Jeff Ferris says, "You can visit www.proimpactstuntteam.com for more pics and info."

Katie Ketchum, 23, is the only female on the stunt team. There are just 10 women competitors in professional stunt teams across the world.