https://kinkbmx.com/collections/handlebars/products/helm-bars?

Re Print: 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Backyard Jams

"By '97 the events had just got out of control!"

14 May 2015

Dave clymer backyard jam flip 1994 PD 1

"I've come here to flip to the chasm" - Dave Clymer. Fuck yeah! Even flips were cool at Backyard Jams. Hastings '94. Photo by Percy Dean

Words by Backyard Jam Creator Stu Dawkins / Originally printed in DIG 90 'The Legends Issue' September 2012

1. One of the 'overseas professional riders' experienced a night of passion at the jam, resulting in the birth of twins 9 months later.

2. The name and the vibe of the event was heavily influenced by the infamous Mons Ramp Jam held in the '80s and organized by Mon Barbour.

3. We actually intended to put on a Backyard Jam in 1990 but the BMX events calendar was so full up with other events by the UKBFA (United Kingdom Bicycle Freestyle Association) that we had to postpone it to the following year.

4. During the early jams we'd often have to literally pull Tom Lynch (BMXer and qualified medic) from the crowd as we'd forgotten to arrange for any official ambulance medics. Thank you once again Tom! (Editor's note: Tom went on to create the world's first cycle mounted paramedic service.)

5. When asked by immigration why he was in the UK back in '94 Dave Clymer replied, "I've come here to flip to the chasm". He kept to his word and did little else apart from this.

6. One year there were so many riders from America and other countries attending that we'd hear that Customs officials at the airport (in London) were saying to riders, "Oh yeah, you're here for that BMX event…"

7. After returning from the Crypt (post jam party venue) on Saturday night in 1996, Mark Richards (legendary Backyard Jam filmer/editor) got jumped on by a couple of thugs who proceeded to take his video camera containing the footage of that day's dirt jumping event. After extensive pleading Mark managed to get both the tapes and camera back!

8. Due to rising costs we lost about £40k on the Sheffield event in 2006; time to call it a day!

9. Shortly before we were due to hold the 1992 Jam, the Hastings council deemed that the 36 foot wide 11 foot high halfpipe was unsafe and was torn down. This resulted in us having to hire a much smaller ramp from Peter Noble (father of Ride UK founder Mark Noble)

10. Pro prize money for the first jam was £100. For the last jam it was over £23,000 ($40,000).

https://e-fisewolves.com/

The early years. Ian Morris with a fakie t-bog on the infamous midi ramp circa '93. Photo by Damien Elliott

Morgan Wade blastin' at the last ever jam. Sheffield 2006. Photo by Ricky Adam

Backyard Jam Fact-checker

Where and when were they held?

Stu: The first comp was Summer of 1991 in Hastings. The events were there from'91 to '97 and then in various locations from '04-'06. The last was held Sheffield, UK.

Why did you start doing them in the first place?

It just seemed like BMX in the UK had such a close knit scene of friends and riders so why not invite everyone down to Hastings to ride the halfpipe and midi ramp.

How come they stopped first time round?

By '97 the events had just got out of control! The daytime was fine... it was the night time that we weren't equipped for.

How many people were actually showing up?

The first event probably had a few hundred people, the last one had approximately 4,000 over the three days and the Brighton event in 2005 had approximately 5,000.

What's the best quote you remember

Random Mum - "My son is 16 and he and his friends want to come to the Jam. It's their first time away from home and I want to check that they'll be OK".

Me - "We've got security!"

stuart king backyard jam smtbog 1994 PD

Stuart King, Backyard Jam, Hastings '94. If you look closely you can see Dave Parrick starting to film for the Empire DVD. - Photo by Percy Dean

Bish Bosh. Local toilet attendant Dave Bishop and some flailing limbs for the masses. Maybe they'd heard about it on Twitter. Makes you think eh? Photo by Percy Dean

Where the fuck is Joey Spinoza even going? The original wildman killing the chasm at the 1994 jam. Photo by Percy Dean

Previous

Shajba - A Story Of BMX In Slovenia

"Help us share and spread this dope and contagious thing called BMX."

Next

Zack Gerber - Why BMX Is My Middle Finger To Authority

"I have a bachelor's degree and manage a multi-million dollar company but the moment I'm off work I become a scumbag"

Related Content

Rich forne roof RA

Re Print: Rooftops... and everywhere down below.

Without doubt, the most difficult article I have ever photographed for DIG...

5 Feb 2015
Dan Price portrait BMX 2012 RA

Re Print: Dan Price - Remember Me?

"BMX has changed, I’ve changed, and everything changes. It’s the nature of the universe."

3 May 2015
adam roye for Dig high res

Re-Print: Adam Roye - Creating A Cult

"I like shit that's a little fucked up" - A true BMX artisan speaks his mind

15 Sep 2014
hawk-lacey-kennedy-hoder

Re-Print: First Encounters

Recognise these guys? Our earliest photos with some of the best in the game…

2 Oct 2014
Hucker bmx portrait D98 -AW

Re Print: Mike 'Hucker' Clark - Trail Reflections

"they didn't want to watch me ride 'cause I was so sketchy. It kind of bummed me out."

2 Apr 2015
jason enns bmx WM

Re Print: My Favourite Photo

Featuring Joe 'Butcher' Kowalski, Ian Morris, Brian Castillo, Jason Enns and Keith Terra

1 Jan 2015
anto lille BSD morocco BMX donkey VP

Re Print: BSD - Hippies in Morocco

Our Favourite Travel Article of 2014

26 Dec 2014
Ralph sinisi bmx crop BC

Re Print: First Hand Account

That Time Animal's Ralph Sinisi Broke His Femur Filming for Nowhere Fast...

10 Sep 2020
james-cox-dig-94-4

Re Print: James Cox - Committed

“ I don’t ever feel like it’s time to finish the video. ”

18 Dec 2014
Paul HORAN BMX van RD

Re Print: Inside Story - Paul Horan

"Life on the outside might get shitty from time to time, but you have no idea..."

27 Nov 2014
Cam WOOD BMX SLASH SNWBRM UT ADJ

Re Print: Getting Creative With Cameron Wood

"People can call it what they want. We're not really skiing; we're bike riding"

29 Jan 2015
craig cambell fastplant london2 2010 RH

Re Print: The Craig Campbell Interview

The man who invented peg grinds and the 540 wall ride. One of the most influential street riders of all time...

26 Mar 2015
https://shop.odysseybmx.com/collections/odyssey-bags?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=dig

Latest Content

8kf8 GFGUM Ckhqdefault
Play Button

GT BMX - CAN YOU FILM THIS? - JEFF PURDY

Raw power in the streets.

26 Jul 2024
Bjd Wy Fgdo9ghqdefault
Play Button
Xe KRUJI5d0ohqdefault
Play Button

Building a Concrete Ledge - BMX DIY

From start to finish

26 Jul 2024
Yv OO Jq1o H Bchqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Perris Benegas Bike Check

Perris runs down her Haro SDV3 setup

26 Jul 2024
0xoc B Qmtm Dghqdefault
Play Button
6 WS3a Uxj Xq Mhqdefault
Play Button

BIEVENIDO A FIT PETRO Y JOHN!

BARCA BANGERS

25 Jul 2024
T77n H0 Kczekhqdefault
Play Button

Stinkpit 7 - Full DVD

More awesome spots and sweet moves

25 Jul 2024
Goa NGYH Dls8hqdefault
Play Button

A Day In The Mix Part Two - BSD

"Don't do that again, please..."

25 Jul 2024
South America DOC thumbnail 3
Play Button

SOUTH AMERICA - A BMX DOCUMENTARY

CROSSING THE CONTINENT IN A 30 YEAR OLD CAR TO RIDE SPOTS & MEET NEW FRIENDS

24 Jul 2024
Tnl R Jc B7rjwhqdefault
Play Button

Matthias Dandois - Below Paris

Unseen Angles

24 Jul 2024
I K0 VE Sxk W54hqdefault
Play Button

RBP Jam Highlights

Fire, broken ankles and hella roasting

24 Jul 2024
B A o p Q Pje Ihqdefault
Play Button

The New Source Park Bowl

BIG changes!

23 Jul 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

2 Z7 A2413 copy

E-FISE WOLVERHAMPTON - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

E-FISE IS BACK AND EVEN BETTER!

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
Hannah roberts dsc00340

X Games Debuts Women’s BMX Park at Ventura 2024

This year, X Games is adding Women’s BMX Park to the schedule, and Hannah Roberts is leading the charge.

10 May 2024
S1057107 2

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2024 SERIES ANNOUNCED

5 Jams - 5 Countries

25 Apr 2024
Nick wave

IN MEMORY - NICK COOMBES

A true renaissance man in every sense of the word

24 Apr 2024
WTP ECLAT JACKAL FRAME FORK 3

PRODUCTIVITY: WTP/ECLAT JACKAL FRAME & FORK

Did someone say titanium?!

13 Apr 2024
435840693 1414960675891844 3313287078063579831 n

PRODUCT DROP: LEWIS MILLS SIGNATURE VANS 'PEAK'

An all new BMX specific shoe from Vans

10 Apr 2024
Thee void leader
Cinema apparel 24 sring
DSCF2930

PRODUCTIVITY - ECLAT 1023 STEM

Designed in Cologne. Made in Kyoto.

31 Jan 2024