https://demolitionparts.com/

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.

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

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

Next

DIG 99.9 - Book Sold Out!

Annual Collector's Edition - Featuring The DIG Awards

Related Content

Ralph Port

"I thought I might lose everything" - Catching Up With Ralph Sinisi

An Interview With 'The' Animal O.G.

5 Jan 2018
Brad Podcast Screen

The Brad Simms Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

12 Mar 2018
Hol17 Bmxcatalog Apparel Merch Shot 2

Productivity - Vans Dakota Roche Old Skool Pro

Part Of The California Native Collection

20 Nov 2017
Cover Mockup Dig Site

DIG 99.8 - Book Available Now!

A New Photo Issue - Taking A Look At Life After Print

13 Dec 2017
Videos Of The Year

DIG's Top 10 Videos Of 2017

The Best From The World Wide Web

25 Dec 2017
Bambi Bike Check Websize 3

Setups: Louie “Bambi” Mire

And His S&M Credence MOD

28 Nov 2017
Heresy Alexis Desolneux Photo Sevisual

Re-Print: HERESY - My BMX Fugazi

A small fish in en even smaller pond

16 Feb 2018
Baco Rye Dscf0508

A little wild. Somewhat unpolished. Completely our own.

Looking back at Baco A Go-Go 2018

22 Mar 2018
Frank Ashbridge Ride Pa Bmx Issue One Cover

Print Matters: Ride PA BMX

The First In A Series Of Publications From Pennsylvania

5 Dec 2017
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
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
Elsinore Park 3 Of 3

SETUPS: Matt Cordova

A first look at his new Verde rig

10 Apr 2018
https://shop.sundaybikes.com/collections/sunday-frames?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=dig

Latest Content

Xv Y Zs Omx S8hqdefault
Play Button

RAWER CREW X LISBON

DIG LOCALS

20 Nov 2024
Jfcpgo HP Zb0hqdefault
Play Button

Joey Cobbs - Kanode Knows

Low Numbers

20 Nov 2024
4n R3 KT Cb M Yghqdefault
Play Button

MATT CLOSSON - BOROUGH BREAKER RALLY

Episode 4

20 Nov 2024
Xtj B8 FPWYX4hqdefault
Play Button

CLICHE JAM - Presented by The Cut BMX

'IN THE CUT'

19 Nov 2024
H N Jdlzt Ica Ihqdefault
Play Button

Magnolia 2 - "Cataclysm" full video - 2024

Cajun shredding

18 Nov 2024
976 7s3 Gq K Ehqdefault
Play Button

Tim Wood 50th Birthday

50 YEARS STRONG!

18 Nov 2024
Id Lpw Qf Xf Lghqdefault
Play Button

TAJ MIHELICH - DIG 'FRAGMENTS'

Episode 1

18 Nov 2024
Qc DO2l X9 AV Ahqdefault
Play Button

UNBOUND - an Our House BMX film

Felix Prangenberg, Kilian Roth, Bruno Hoffmann and Mo Nussbaumer

18 Nov 2024
F W9 F Tpntgmghqdefault
Play Button

B-Sides 1300 - LUXBMX

Jake Norris, Boyd Hilder, Will Fraser & More

18 Nov 2024
FI jfc Dm GR Mhqdefault
Play Button
Gt Zm9h IZD94hqdefault
Play Button

BSD / GUY SCROGGIE

Steezus Christ!

15 Nov 2024
To R6183 Ir khqdefault
Play Button

THE DAY BEFORE DON

Vic Ayala, Mike Hoder, Tyrone Williams & More

14 Nov 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024
24 photo comp web leader

THE 2024 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

15 Oct 2024
Greystoke issue 2

GREYSTOKE BMX MAGAZINE - ISSUE 2 OUT NOW

132 pages of tangible, hold-in-your-hands BMX print media.

11 Oct 2024
SUNDAY Silvawave Frame 3 Q web

PRODUCT DROP: Brett Silva's signature SUNDAY 'SILVAWAVE' frame

"It was only a matter of time before Brett got to call the shots."

26 Sep 2024
Osomatsu 4

SETUPS - Kazuei "Osomatsu" Oimatsu - ALIVE INDUSTRY

A Ben Lewis signature frame stacked with Animal parts

12 Sep 2024
20240907 BOH 019 perris

BATTLE OF HASTINGS 2024 - Everything you need to know

Schedule, livestream links, highlights, results & more...

2 Sep 2024
Garrett ss24

SIMPLE SESSION 24 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Highlight videos, schedules, results and more

24 Aug 2024
Volume frames 2

PRODUCTIVITY - NEW VOLUME JASON WATTS & KRIS FOX FRAMES

Certified for roasting - THE SMOKO & THUNDERHOOF

6 Aug 2024
Efise leader results

WHO WON THE €22K at E-FISE 2024 WOLVERHAMPTON?

The results are in!

12 Jul 2024
Kink 2025 bikes

PRODUCT DROP - KINK 2025 BIKES

That New New!

12 Jul 2024
DSCF5547

MIKE MASTRONI AND THE STORY BEHIND THE 'TELOMERE' VIDEO

Backstories behind the clips

24 Jun 2024
X Games California 2023 Kevin 2

X Games Ventura 2024: BMX Preview

Who, what, where and when

15 May 2024