Nitro Circus Live coming to Tauranga

Palmerston North native Levi Sherwood, Nitro World Games winner, will be at the Nitro Circus Live Show in Tauranga. Photo/supplied

Tauranga is set to get a taste of death defying feats, jaw dropping world's first attempts and an all-new 40 foot Giganta Ramp when Nitro Circus Live comes to town.

It is the first time Nitro Circus is coming to Tauranga's ASB Baypark Stadium as a part of its national tour in February next year.

Tourism Bay of Plenty head of marketing Kathrin Low said it was evidence that Tauranga was a compelling place to visit.

She said big events coming to the city showed people wanted to come here, that it was a hot destination.

"We are one of the fastest growing destinations in terms of a place to live but it's also a favourite place for people to come visit."

Ms Low said Tauranga was the envy of a number of other destinations when it came to domestic visitors.

That Nitro Circus Live was coming to Tauranga was "just fantastic".

In a press release sent out this afternoon it was announced Nitro Circus would be visiting Tauranga on Saturday February 11 and tickets would go on sale on September 11.

The international action sports show featured more than 32 of the world's best in freestyle motocross, BMX, skate, scooter and inline.

Tauranga fans would be treated to a host of new contraptions taking flight off Nitro Circus' all-new 40-foot Giganta Ramp - everything from trikes and tall bikes to a kayak and a whiskey barrel. Safe landings were not guaranteed.

Two New Zealand athletes would be riding on home soil - Jed "The Warrior" Mildon and Levi Sherwood.

Mildon was known for a quadruple BMX backflip - the world's first, previously thought impossible, the press release said.

"Conquering it required hitting a 100-foot roll in to launch more than 50 feet in the air off a 21-foot high, 75-degree takeoff ramp at over 40 miles per hour."

A horrific crash on New Year's Eve left Mildon with multiple foot fractures and a torn ligament- sidelining him for the first half of the year.

But Mildon is back in action to perform in New Zealand.

"I can't wait for the first New Zealand show," Mildon said.

"The past year has been crazy. There's the awesome high of achieving my dream and landing the quad, but then having to spend six months off my bike in rehab and recovery was definitely disappointing. Now I'm so psyched to ride with my mates in my home country," Mildon said in the press release.

Three-time X-Games medallist Levi Sherwood won at the inaugural Nitro World Games last month.

The Palmerston North adrenaline-junkie was eager to take a victory lap in front of his home fans.

"There's nothing like having a chance to perform in front of your friends and family," Sherwood said in the release.

"After touring the world in 2016 and then battling the best riders on the planet at the Nitro World Games I am excited to be back."

During its 2011 New Zealand debut Nitro Circus Live drew more fans than legendary rock icons U2 and AC/DC.

For Nitro Circus news, tour updates, full rider line up, exclusive behind-the-scenes content and more, go to www.nitrocircus.live.