https://www.sourcebmx.com/?rfsn=4772610.92bf38f

Ruben Alcantara: The Master Re-Mastered

His etnies Forward and Grounded Parts Reborn

28 Jun 2016

Ruben Purple Fufanu Dig 16 Lettering Webfinal

Words and Graphics by Colton Ponto Photography by Ed Docherty / Chris Hallman Videos re-mastered by Will Evans Courtesy of etnies

In almost two decades riding for etnies, Ruben Alcantera has filmed two monumental video parts. Forward with Dave Parrick and Grounded with Stew Johnson, Marco Svizzero, and Mike Manzoori. Both video parts were ground breaking and like any memorable or legendary video part they will stand the test of time. I think Joe Rich said it best in DIG "Legends" Issue 90, "No matter what he hit, he seemed to do something that I was a fan of." This quote is consequential in the fact that Ruben has profoundly influenced our small world of BMX. From lighter bikes, unheard of tailwhip variations, and specifically named wallride variations. He makes bike riding look like surfing and gets radder than most of us under or just barely above the coping. I am a fan of the riding he has documented over the years watching his attention to spot usage and the finding and conquering of the elusive street transition. DIG is excited to share Ruben's classic etnies video parts in a remastered format that hopefully improve on most versions that have been online to date. 

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing

enties Forward

Related Video

Ruben Alcantara - Etnies Forward - DIG BMX Memory Stick

The Master Re-Mastered - More Info

Forward was released in 2002 on VHS and DVD with Ruben closing out the video with the final section. A mix of skatepark and street footage, Ruben always managed to find something to blast or get technical on. From massive ditch quarter pipe hips, to wallrides, to fakie smith half-cab tabletops, he was innovating and progressing BMX with each session. His video part gave BMX the beginning taste of where his riding style was going and his conscious effort that less is more.

"No matter what he hit, he seemed to do something that I was a fan of."-Joe Rich

Ruben alcantara BMX wallie archive CH

5-hip has always been an Austin staple for years of good sessions. Buried in a sea of clothing and bleached hair, is the Ruben-style we have all embraced for years and years. Early Spanish Wizard days in the Lone Star State. As seen in DIG 15, circa '01. Mongoose n'all. - Photo by Chris Hallman

etnies Grounded

Related Video

Ruben Alcantara - Etnies Grounded - DIG BMX Memory Stick

The Master Re-Mastered - More Info

Grounded was released in 2008 to much anticipation after Etnies previously praised video. After years of filming, the video was delivered to audiences with Ruben being granted the last section again. In six years Ruben's riding had progressed in a way that seemed unattainable at first but looking at his past only seemed natural. His pursuit of street transitions and banks continuing in full force gave a new meaning to 'gap to wallride' throughout his part. Through Ruben's riding he brought his question of "You'll never know until you try" to the table with setups and tricks and few if any would think possible. 

“I feel that as long as you are having fun, riding with friends, willing to try new things, and travel to find new places to ride, it will keep you motivated to keep going." -Ruben

Previous

Setups: Sean Burns

"I also like my bike to resemble myself a bit... So cant be running anything fat."

Related Content

ruben malaga-screen-2
Play Button

Ruben Alcantara and the Story of the Malaga Skatepark

Ruben has always been, and will always be, a visionary.

23 Sep 2015
Fox-breaking-boundaries
Play Button

FOX: Breaking Boundaries / South America

Journeying with Chase Hawk, Aaron Ross, Ruben Alcantara and Joe Rich

20 Feb 2015
DIG legends screen grab
Play Button

DIG LEGENDS TRAILER 2012

Joe Rich, Ruben Alcantara, Van Homan, Brian Foster

1 Oct 2014
Ruben-Alcantara-bmx-malage-skatepark-dirt-legend
Play Button

Ruben Alcantara - FOX Interview

You lucky people

2 Nov 2015
Alcantara Bmx Etnies T1 Ramp Austin 5

Last Days Of The T-1 Ramp Part 3: Ruben Alcantara

The natural flow master speaks about his time spent at this backyard paradise.

7 Jun 2016
Road Fools Top Ten Screen 5
Play Button

Road Fools Top Ten Moments - #5

Ruben's 540 Wallride

8 Apr 2016
Rubén-Alcántara-Etnies-Jam-Málaga-Skatepark
Play Button

Rubén Alcántara Etnies Jam - Málaga Skatepark

Grand opening jam with Ruben and friends.

1 Apr 2015
One-Big-Line-Rubens-Bowl Malaga
Play Button

One Big Line At Ruben's Bowl In Malaga

A dream of a line in Spain...

14 Nov 2014
Road Fools Top Ten Screen 3
Play Button

Road Fools Top Ten Moments - #3

The Joe Rich Gap To Rail

8 Apr 2016
https://cinemabmx.com/search?type=product&q=reynolds+wheel

Latest Content

CH Zrth N Oeu Yhqdefault
Play Button

DOUGLAS FURTUNATO - 'IMORTAL'

Unstoppable

28 Oct 2025
V9 Bxq2 Hn KF4hqdefault
Play Button

HEAVY BACKYARD SESSION

Sunday Sessions

27 Oct 2025
U9y7wim OTN Qhqdefault
Play Button

STAYCLUUT

Stijn Hens, Jordan Hango, Joe Jarvis, Reed Stark and more

27 Oct 2025
V Zs QXRG58 Bohqdefault
Play Button

GUTTER - One for the Ditch (Trailer)

An Irish scene video

27 Oct 2025
N N Tfa OD Ayr Ahqdefault
Play Button

RED BULL SESSION AT MELLOWPARK

Garrett Reynolds, Courage Adams, Lara Lessmann and more

26 Oct 2025
Cwhv Rb Y Bw Uhqdefault
Play Button

GnarBarn BARNBRAWL - Team Kansas

State vs state

26 Oct 2025
Is Ye IO rt Skhqdefault
Play Button

GnarBarn BARNBRAWL - Team Illinois

State vs state

26 Oct 2025
L Mo XV66 Gv0shqdefault
Play Button

GnarBarn BARNBRAWL - Team Iowa

Iowa heat

26 Oct 2025
X Od Q6r V Qjb8hqdefault
Play Button

GnarBarn BARNBRAWL - Team Wisconsin

State vs state

26 Oct 2025
G Jx32u Ry7 X4hqdefault
Play Button

SEAN GARDNER - RAW CUT

EARNING EVERY CLIP

25 Oct 2025
3g Djhajae P Ihqdefault
Play Button

Alex Capalongo - Work Bmx

DIG locals sequel

25 Oct 2025
Yb7 D01j Kpi Mhqdefault
Play Button

ALEX DULEBA - JUST ENOUGH DVD

Grinds on point

24 Oct 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

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
VANS ODYSSEY 2025 COLLECTION FF RAMP 003

"The inspiration was right in front of our eyes" The story behind the Vans X Odyssey 40 Year Collab

An interview with Nuno Oliveira (Odyssey) and Justin Villano (Vans)

25 Sep 2025
07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025
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

1 Aug 2025
Thumbnail 2

Product Drop - ODYSSEY '85 Splatter kit

Nord, Walsh stems and Hazard lite rims

29 Jul 2025
Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025