https://shop.sundaybikes.com/collections/sunday-frames?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=dig

Call That A Spot?

Joe Embrey and the art of making something out of nothing...

12 Dec 2018

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Slab Slab Tuck

Words and Photos by Stu Farnham @againbmx

Back in December 2017 I moved from the sleepy market town of Bury St Edmunds, UK to the (relatively) bustling city of Norwich. I already knew of a few spots and at least one skatepark in the city but I was keen to do some investigating and find some new spots where possible. Now it was just a case of waiting for some decent weather to have a look around and see what was out there. 

Eventually, the seemingly endless winter of 2017/18 drew to a close. After a few exploratory missions I found a number of ‘nearly’ spots - things that looked almost rideable but they either weren’t big enough, had no run up/out or various other negating factors. Unwilling to completely write these off, I hit up Joe Embrey, knowing he’s down for a challenge and can always make something out of nothing when the need arises. I sent him pictures of the spots and he was indeed up for it. Having lived in Norwich himself a while back, it’s not entirely unfamiliar territory for him anyway. This is how the Non Spots idea began. 

But... owing to having a new baby in my life, about 30 weddings to attend over the summer, plus Joe’s commitments throughout the year, the opportunities to get the pictures were few and far between. We made it out a few times and were pretty productive - we even expanded beyond Norwich for some of the pictures. Joe always comes through so it was easy to get something each time we did manage to make it out. Plus, it was a good time so well worth the effort. Definitely glad we didn’t fall into the ‘nothing to ride’ trap that’s so easy to surrender to.

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Academy Railhop2

A grass landing but this was a fun one. Shooting a photo straight into the sun is always a treat too.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Courts Tyreslide

Tried and tested Norwich spot given the tyre slide treatment at the often wall-ridden bank section.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Woodward Invert

Woodward, Norwich. Ish. Possibly the ropiest skatepark I’ve ever seen. Joe gets it done over the, ahem, ‘jump box’.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Hill Bank Footjam

Nasty run-up – check. Sharp bump at the bottom of the bank – check. Joe coming through, as ever – check.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Library Wride

This spot was riddled with broken glass and a ‘colourful’ selection of Thetford’s finest citizens. Favourite was the guy that wanted to take our names, then produced a set of handcuffs before shuffling off.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Roof180

Relatively small gap but this 180 was done under pressure – locals were circling and we were pretty certain the police were being called to get us out.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Whitewall Wride

Last spot of the project, a random white wall with barely slanted kerb/bank. Lovely lady kindly moved her shiny new BMW so we could have the spot to ourselves too.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Hop Cobble Bank Euro

Just around the corner from the worst skatepark in history, we found this decent bank. All good until someone parked their car right in the way of Joe’s ideal run-up

Previous

DIG 99.9 - Book Sold Out!

Annual Collector's Edition - Featuring The DIG Awards

Next

8 Things You Didn't Know: Jordan Godwin and The WTP Doomsayer Frame

Get up to scratch on one of the most anticipated frames of this year

Related Content

Profile Dungeon Rd 02

Forgotten Artifacts From Profile's BMX Dungeon

Some truly Old School history that you don't see every day...

16 Apr 2018
Tuck No Hander Final

Re-Print: Style Police - The No-Hander

Look Mom! Is my variation of this legendary style legit?

13 Apr 2018
Elsinore Park 3 Of 3

SETUPS: Matt Cordova

A first look at his new Verde rig

10 Apr 2018
Alex Raban Xup Grind Dig Bmx Volume 2018 Devin Feil

Alex Raban - Making Moves in Morro Bay

Quick Q&A with one of the most interesting characters in BMX

27 Mar 2018
Baco Rye Dscf0508

A little wild. Somewhat unpolished. Completely our own.

Looking back at Baco A Go-Go 2018

22 Mar 2018
Nathan Setups 2018 By7 U8125

Setups: Nathan Williams

New Sponsor, New Setup

15 Mar 2018
Metal Bomber

Born into Levangelism

Ben 'Bomber' Counter's Metal Bikes Memoirs

13 Mar 2018
Brad Podcast Screen

The Brad Simms Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

12 Mar 2018
Mankind Thunder 20 Bike Matt Black 001

First Look: Mankind 2019 Completes

All New From The German Tech Masters

8 Mar 2018
Hoffman King Of Vert Finals January 27 1990

Why We Need To keep The UCI out of BMX, for now...

An Open Letter From Mat Hoffman

7 Mar 2018
Nepal By Gregbarnes  Dec2220

Universal Vibrations - Nothing's Wrong In Nepal

The resilience of the Nepalese is truly remarkable

7 Mar 2018
Etnies Spring 18 Signature

Productivity: ETNIES 2018 Spring Signature Collection

Devon Smillie's First Colorway & More...

6 Mar 2018
https://protecbrand.com/

Latest Content

N Wzly UL BT Ehqdefault
Play Button

PLAGES ET PMU | DIG LOCALS - France

Life Is A Beach

13 Nov 2026
ZL7n Iw8 FR6 Ehqdefault
Play Button

“Carnation City” - Caylob Oney

Alliance, Ohio

12 Nov 2026
H S0b0a WHVW Mhqdefault
Play Button

backyard session

TOM JUSTICE & CLINT MILLAR GET BUSY

11 Nov 2026
Z QH Yf2p FIO Ahqdefault
Play Button

LUXBMX - Fairfield SkatePark

Nathan Smith, Renato Rancso, Tim Storey & Mitch Wood

10 Nov 2026
I Jp Nnh Qxz5 Ehqdefault
Play Button
LD Eoqn Hic5 Ehqdefault
Play Button

Game 2 - Game of Bike Transition Edition

Morgan Wade & Ryan Nyquist VS Cauan Madona & Bryce Tryon

7 Nov 2026
Shred thumb braveheart 2
Play Button

THE SHRED TAPES - TEAM BRAVEHEART

First Place Entry

6 Nov 2026
Lkc N2 Kd R Ik8hqdefault
Play Button

THE SHRED TAPES - TEAM BELFAST BMX

Second Place Entry

5 Nov 2026
Iz J3 X s4 t Mhqdefault
Play Button

THE SHRED TAPES - TEAM UNIT23

Third Place Entry

4 Nov 2026
Shred thumb wildcard 2
Play Button

THE SHRED TAPES - TEAM WILDCARD

Fourth Place Entry

3 Nov 2026
UTJ4a9t Ko P Ehqdefault
Play Button

THE SHRED TAPES - TEAM DEVINE

Fifth Place

2 Nov 2026
J Byo Gl Th5 Fwhqdefault
Play Button

Lil' Jeff & Homies Charging Burnside!

Portland, Oregon

2 Nov 2026

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "DOCUMENTING OVER 30 YEARS of D.I.Y. BMX CULTURE" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and the rise of the mid-school

8 Nov 2026
Moeller 2 Z7 A8416 low res

PRODUCTIVITY: PRO-TEC x S&M BIKES x FIT BIKE CO

"It’s an honor to collaborate with a brand I’ve believed in my entire life." -Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Moeller

15 Jul 2026
Sparkys

NEWS: SPARKYS BRANDS RETURN TO INDEPENDENT BONNER FAMILY LEADERSHIP

"the goal is simple: rebuild, reconnect, and earn the continuous support of riders and dealers around the world."

3 Jul 2026
Intro protec

INTRODUCING THE 2026 PRO-TEC PRO TEAM

Squad Goals

1 Mar 2026
Pravda slideshow thumb

SNAPSHOTS: PRAVDA +995

A small gallery of film photos taken during the shooting of the video.

23 Feb 2026
Stack 2025

DIG BOOK #2025 - NOW SHIPPING

THE BIGGEST BMX MAGAZINE EVER... EVER

23 Jan 2026
Cover pile Mockup GS3

GREYSTOKE issue 3 OUT NOW!

"We go 132 pages deep with a Brad McDonald photo feature, Dave Voelker interview, rare bikes, unseen photos and an in-depth look at how much noise was being made when BMX had gone quiet - AKA "The Dead School. era"

7 Dec 2025
Khe leader

PRODUCTIVITY - KHE 2026 COMPLETE BIKES

Something for everyone.

5 Dec 2025
25 photo comp web leader

THE 2025 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

10 Nov 2025
Battleinthe Streets 92

REPO: Battle In The Streets Jam - Vancouver

"one rider walked away with the $1000 cash prize"

27 Oct 2025
IMG 2986

Inside KHE Bikes - 44 years of BMX history with Thomas Göring

“I didn’t have a proper cutting machine at the time, so I hand-cut each peg. They all ended up different lengths.”

24 Oct 2025
Dig motobunka collection square Recovered

THE DIG X MOTO-BUNKA COLLECTION

An all new collaboration with Japan's finest

22 Oct 2025