https://demolitionparts.com/

“The Birth of the Freestyle Movement” Book Available Now

A Comprehensive history of freetyle's beginnings, in 240 pages...

1 Aug 2017

Wtw Book Spread

Images courtesy of Dom Phipps

In the early summer of 2016, Dominic Phipps and Xavier Mendez launched their “Wall to Wall” BMX Freestyle history project. Those following the W2W social media pages will already know that the centerpiece of the effort is a 240-page, hardcover history-book, titled, “The Birth of the Freestyle Movement.”

The project explores the origins and iconic early culture of the developing freestyle scene through the late 1970s and 80s. Dom and Xavier have been sharing regular updates and plenty of previously unseen imagery on their social media pages and the project quickly found a committed audience of fans, riders, and industry folks from all around the globe. Presented in the style of an oral history, the book revolves around several chapters dedicated to the milestones of the era. Phipps engaged and interviewed an impressive group of ex pro-riders, journalists, industry pioneers, photographers, contest promoters, and start-up entrepreneurs, to gather the content. The result is a philosophical and often intimate account of an era that saw BMX Freestyle become a global youth phenomenon.

Wtw Book Spread 2

Dom Phipps: I think at the last count there are 63 people on the ‘Thanks page”, and we were fortunate to have contributions from everybody that we ultimately wanted to hear from. The goal of the project was to create a book that communicates the unique culture that developed in that last decade while celebrating the core community that engendered it. At this point in time, nobody has really peeked behind the curtain of the human story, and I think readers of the book will be surprised at how sophisticated, talented, and driven this young community was. Freestyle constantly evolved in the 1980s. As a kid that was caught up in it in my little corner of the world, I can remember the intensity and power of the movement. Xavier was part of the early pool-riding scene that developed at The Pipeline skate park in Upland, California, so he has a unique connection to the story too.

What was referred to as trick-riding in the late 1970s rose out of the prolific BMX Racing scene. Small communities of racers – kids who were ultimately uninspired by the competitive demands of the sport - broke away and forged a new direction for BMX. By 1980, an experimental pool-riding scene had developed. At first, the bike riders jumped the fences and carved around the cement pools at night when the skate parks were closed. But as the vertical skate scene fell into a sharp decline, the bikers began to negotiate access to some of the parks to the south of LA, in Riverside, San Diego, and Orange County. A steep curve of progression commenced and saw this growing group develop their dirt-jumping and bike-handling skills into what we commonly refer to as vert-riding. Others took it even further. In the late 70s, Bob Haro and his sister’s boyfriend, John Swanguen, became obsessed with balance tricks and rolling combinations, casting long shadows in the parking lot of their local mall in Spring Valley, San Diego, late into the evening. Then in 1980, Haro went on to form the BMX Action Trick Team with RL Osborn. The two young riders went on to make history, staging the first organized freestyle show of its kind at an ABA BMX race in Chandler, Arizona, in February of 1981.

Dom Phipps: There was a sense of ambition and pride in the early scene. Readers of this book will be reminded that Mike Dominguez was airing 8 – 10 feet out of a twelve-foot-deep concrete bowl in 1984, but they will also read about a community of riders, photographers, journalists, designers, promoters, and entrepreneurs, that constantly moved the needle of evolution. They gave us a gift, and they deserve to be collectively recognized for it.

DIG AUDIO

The Dom Phipps 'Wall To Wall Freestyle' Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

The eight individual history chapters (preceded by a foreword, written by BMX Action Magazine founder Bob Osborn) are illustrated with hundreds of previously unpublished, professionally shot images. This collection of rare visual assets was sourced from the archives of a group of celebrated BMX photographers. James Cassimus, Bob Osborn, Dean Bradley, Steve Giberson, Brad McDonald, and Hollywood Movie Director, Spike Jonze, all dug deep and supplied raw footage to the project. With chapters dedicated to the American Freestyle Association and 2hip Promotions, fans will read narrative from the pioneers of the competitive sport. A chapter dedicated to Wizard Publications celebrates the story of an amateur photographer, single parent, and reman; Bob Osborn, as he visualized and created the iconic and highly inuential BMX Action Magazine. The chapter also explores the creative journey of Andy Jenkins, Mark Lewman, and Spike Jonze, as they orchestrated a cultural epicenter for the sport in the late 1980s through the pages of FREESTYLIN’ Magazine and later, Homeboy.

Dom Phipps: To a large degree, its a story of young people finding their own creative path while indulging this exciting new idea. There were very few distractions for these BMX kids - no cell phones or ipads - just a youthful passion for something that collectively bound them together. They lived on their bikes, and they were, in a lot of cases, a bunch of mists – the kids that loathed team sports, but embraced the camaraderie and community that they found at the skate park, or at a contest. Perhaps the story can inspire something in modern BMX. The seeds of this story were planted by young riders. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with ambition and growth and encouraging more kids to ride bikes. Support for the project comes from a small group of brands that were founded, or were highly active within the era, including Vans, Oakley, Haro Designs, GT Bikes, SE Bikes, and Skyway Recreation. A year of research and activity concludes with the social launches of the book in August 2017. The first launch takes place over the weekend of the Vans US Open of Surf, in Huntington Beach, California, while the European Launch will be held at the House of Vans venue, in Lambeth, South London, on August 18th. Those who attend can expect a celebration of Freestyle history with plenty of project contributors and fans in attendance.

Website: www.w2wfreestylehistory.com

Contact: orders@w2wfreestylehistory.com

Instagram: @w2wfreestylehistory

Wtw Book Vans Oakley

Previous

SOSH Urban Motion 2017 - Win a Filming Trip to Paris!

Worldwide Wildcard Spots Up For Grabs

Related Content

Voelker Podcast Screen

The Dave Voelker Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

26 Jun 2016
Lee Reynolds Podcast Screen

The Lee Reynolds Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

6 Apr 2016
Vander Table 600

SKYWAY is Closing...

Brian Tunney comes to terms with the end of another era

14 Jun 2017
colin-winkelmann-BMX-chicago-93-CH

Re Print: Mat Hoffman's BS Memories

"I REMEMBER THAT I LOST MY MEMORY AND DIDN'T KNOW I WAS RUNNING THE CONTEST..."

20 Nov 2014
Pete Augustin Screen

The Pete Augustin Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

4 Jan 2016
Stew Johnson bmx aggro man AW

Re-Print: The Eddie Roman Influence

Stew Johnson reflects on 3 of his all time favorite videos, and the man behind them...

30 Oct 2014
Eddie fiola podcast image

The Eddie Fiola Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

29 Nov 2015
Wilkerson Podcast Screen

The Ron Wilkerson Podcast

Re-up of The first ever Snakebite Pod

16 Jun 2017
John Buultjens Podcast Screen

The John Buultjens Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

24 Jan 2016
brian blyther fst-blyther-modern

The Brian Blyther Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

27 Oct 2015
https://us.bsdforever.com/collections/bsd-revolution/products/revolution-hub

Latest Content

Gyvp8b U Ftu Mhqdefault
Play Button

NORTH SIDE - CPA

Gijón - Oviedo - Aviles - Mieres - Corredoria

4 Nov 2024
Ai7v WW Ho N Uhqdefault
Play Button

GUEST LIST | Santiago Laverde & Michael Mogollon

Floating at Full Factory

4 Nov 2024
ZKU Sfb E Ca6khqdefault
Play Button

Spot to Spot - Ep 1. Steve Crandall

No plans, No rules

4 Nov 2024
Yzn C1d NDN Zchqdefault
Play Button

BSD - MIXTAPE - Extras / Barcelona Mix

Extra riding, extra clips and extra laughs from the crew.

1 Nov 2024
Thumnailm9
Play Button

MArieJADE - Milkshake 9

Courage Adams, Tom Deville & Arnaud Wolff

1 Nov 2024
Hc T Dfbwrv04hqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Colin Varanyak Bike Check

Breaking down his Haro CK setup

1 Nov 2024
Gzhn12 Kmxn Uhqdefault
Play Button

Groundswell Bowl Battle

DEEP END ROASTING

31 Oct 2024
0i L Uoc8ig M Ahqdefault
Play Button

Cold Cuts - Jacob Cable - "THIRTY" - Kink BMX

BTS with the bckwards ice and nose manual master

30 Oct 2024
DOHAO6 X Qu3 Qhqdefault
Play Button

JOHN LOPEZ - 'TACERE'

DIG LOCALS

30 Oct 2024
Yg T Wh Jiw KJ4hqdefault
Play Button

BRETT SILVA - BOROUGH BREAKER RALLY

Episode 1

30 Oct 2024
G Ktx CK6 Jm3 Ahqdefault
Play Button
Street squad
Play Button

ALIENATION STREET SQUAD

Ben Allen, Dr David, and Bailey Koenigs

29 Oct 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

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
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