Jeff "OX" Kargola Memorial Paddle Out - Dirt Rider Magazine

Yesterday a large group of friends and family gathered along the shoreline at San Clemente pier to say farewell and pay respect to their fallen friend Jeff "OX" Kargola. Jeff passed away on April 29, 2011 from an injury sustained during the 2011 Monster Energy "Rip to the Tip" ride in Baja California, Mexico. A few weeks ago, we worked with Jeff on an upcoming Dirt Rider feature story where we spent the day watching him go full-throttle in each of his motorsport disciplines that he actively, professionally participated in. He started riding at the ripe young age of 12 and became pro at 16. Jeff, already a seasoned FMX rider and X Games medalist, recently dipped his feet into other dirt motorsports where he had proved himself right off the bat. At the end of 2010, Jeff announced that he would be racing a SuperLite series truck and at the 2011 LOORRS Round 2 race at Firebird raceway Jeff made it to the top of the podium for the first time in his short-course truck racing career. At the 2011 SCORE San Felipe 250, Jeff and teammate Colton Udall dominated the Pro class on their CRF450X taking 1st place for the second year in a row.

We're honored to have spent time with this truly talented athlete and witness his skills first hand. And as a witness of yesterday's memorial paddle out, Jeff "OX" Kargola is a man of many loving friends and a whole heck load of talent that will truly be missed. It's hard to believe he is gone, but easy to see that he made a big impact in the off-road racing community.

Jeff "OX" Kargola Memorial Paddle Out from Scott Smith on Vimeo.