Paul Chamberlain put this great interview together with Jimmy for Newcircle. With Flatitude only a couple weeks away, it’s great timing on both these guys behalves to have this out for the world!
A number of flatlanders in Australia have recently taking up cooking and they all seem to be cooking up a flatland storm! Hahaha – That is exactly as lame on screen as it was in my head!!! People in Oz are doing things. It makes me really excited about going back home for things other than the weather – Sorry UK but it really is home now – If you ever get there you’ll understand trust me! Anyway, one of these aforementioned flatland chefs goes by the name of Jimmy. He’s the brains and driving force behind the next up, newest and flattest event on our calendar: FLATITUDE!!! I can’t believe that nobody had thought of that name already. Anyway, with Flatitude just over a month away I caught up with Jim for a good old chin wag – You might want to put the kettle on!
Paul: Jimmy is a rider from Melbourne who’s been riding flatland for years. He’s new to our scene but a veteran of the previous scenes that in many ways created ours today. He’s been back for a year or so now riding at IMAX every Sunday without fail. He seemed to pick up where he left off and catch up quickly with modern flatland too – His bike set up and riding change a lot as he experiments with different tricks and setups in our weird and wonderful new small-sprocketed world. He’s a little crazy sometimes but his heart is definitely in the right place. He’s not afraid to get hurt trying something new. He’s somebody for Grant to smoke cigarettes and reminisce with. He’s somebody for us all to talk shit with. More importantly though, he’s another rider and friend who’s come out of the woodwork and stayed in a scene where people disappear like… . . . . . .
So Jim…
When I left Melbourne I wondered what would happen to the scene in terms of events because I was lucky enough to have lots more freetime than most other guys and not many commitments such as kids etc. However, out of nowhere you stepped up and announced an event. I was so stoked – I really wasn’t expecting it because you have a lot going on in life. My first thought was “Skate Ranch style!”. Can you tell us all a little bit about the scene that you came from and the infamous Skate Ranch?
Jim: well the inspiration toward an indoor event was Skate Ranch – and also the loss of the BMX Games was a bit of downer… so I talked with Grant about this and thought about all the guys coming from interstate and what they would like to be happening in Melbourne and thought “We must fill the void!”. Also, I wanted to introduce 3 levels of riding: beginner, intermediate and professional – so all flatlanders can enjoy competing without feeling intimidated. We have many up and coming riders who need competition experience to excite them into a state of progression. I also want to be a huge part of the scene and make a foundation for me and anyone else who want’s to become an events manager. My plan is to have a rider based comp that is non-profit with all proceeds going to the riders. Also, when I stop riding, I will have the experience to continue being an events manager for the flatland scene. Now with all that said I will give you a brief run down on the Skate Ranch events and how they were so innovative for flatland and it’s competitive riders:
Skate Ranch Sundays from 11am till 1pm were great for practice. If you lost your balance and landed on the floor you would slide without the grazing yourself. This meant progression at it’s max! We had many well known riders practice on these days like Alan Woo who would bust out a forwards hitchiker with ease and we would have to pick our jaws up off of the floor. But more importantly, the atmosphere when it was comp time at the Ranch was electric – Guys from all over would be there without hesitation. I met Matty Holmes at these comps and many more flatlanders with superb skills. Before the comps was the Friday night when everyone from all over would meet and just rip it up with so much adrenaline running through their bodies. It was like nothing I had seen before – and the Ranch was all ours from Friday till Sunday during the comp. Luke (the owner/manager) would charge $10 entry for everyone (no exceptions) so he made a bucket load on these weekends because many riders came with their parents or sponsors. We had DJ Deadlee & Scott Hodgeson pumping out the hip-hop beats all weekend. It’s really hard to explain the actual events when you have so many good riders taking your eyes away from the overall event! One guy who comes to mind always is Rick Hunt – He had such a primitive style blended with new skool (early 90′s style). I will never forget the backwards miami hop hops he did! I still have this image stamped in my brain – and the 900 Tammy Stoara did on the 1/4 pipe! It was an amazing weekend with a lot of skill coming from all states. I won’t get into all the rider’s and their talents as this is supposed to be about the Skate Ranch. It’s sad to hear that the Skate Ranch has been closed down as it was a footing for progression. Thank you for bringing back the memories – They will always be cherished in my heart along with my family and the flatland community.
Paul: Sounds like good times to me. A whole blur of good memories. Sounds like you could write a book full of them mate! Anyway – Here’s a few more questions. You’ve kind of answered some of them a little bit but it’s good to be thorough you know. Badman also pays me one nano unit of respect per word too so I’ll cash in on him while we’re here…
Do you feel that the scene now is different to the scene that you came from in the mid to late 80′s and early 90′s?
Jim: Yes the scene has changed dramatically, normally we would ride Saturdays and Sundays from 11pm till late afternoon instead of just Sundays. The riding was a lot different too – Back in the day every rider had his own trick that made them who they were in the flatland community. There was a lot of creativity around back then. We also would travel around Melbourne more and meet more of the flat community.
Paul: That’s kind of how I imagined the scene back then. Flatland was newer – A time of experimentation when a certain style wasn’t as must have as it is now. So what do you feel that comps today are lacking?
Jim: compared to last Australia Day weekend comps 
I would say the other oldschool riders – But I’m not complaining! I loved that weekend! It was one of the best comps I have ever been too.
Paul: What do you think about other scenes in the world? – based on what you see in media that is…
They are my inspiration. I have a few new fav’s that I never knew existed like Matthias Dandois. He really has my eyes popping out!!! And as usual the American scene is always adding new tricks to our sport – they make me try harder to get my links down.
Paul: Good answer mate. They are my inspiration too. Nobody could say it better than that. Matthias is very special – I remember him as a 14 year old. Very natural talent right there. There’s gotta be a few lurking in Australia!. Look at how many good street riders we have! Which brings me on to the next question: What’s the flatland scene like in Australia in your opinion? How would you like to see it change and grow?
Jim: the scene is great – but I would like to see get bigger. I have seen a lot of riders come and go in the past year and I feel Melbourne is losing its pro riders. We do have a few more new riders which is really good for the scene – especially when they are under 20 years old and have so many years ahead of them to become professional flatlanders I’m sure the scene will always be here in Melbourne.
Paul: I hear what you’re saying about the scene. When I arrived in Melbourne the scene was huge. I had the best times hanging out with Eg and Taka after riding Saturday’s. Sunday’s were big too – people used to make a big effort to get down – It seemed important be there then. Mik was progressing really quickly too. Laying i
t all on the line whenever he rode. I’m real sorry about his arm – I know it just frustrates him so much to not be able to just go out and progress everytime. As long as you and Grant are there there will always be a scene though! Karl will always be around too. And plus – You’re all got kids on the grow up!!! in all seriousness though we’ve got some good young riders on the scene and we’ve hooked them up big time with parts and whole bikes at times (Grant and Karl are heroes in this area). Let’s hope the kids stick around. Sorry mate I’m rambling in your interview! Onward: What’s the main reason behind Flatitude? What sparked it all off?
Jim: I thought that we needed an indoor competition! Also, we have no class for the beginners and I feel they need to get the feel of competing before they go to an advanced level. That’s why I have introduced a 3rd catagory.
Paul: Indoor! I’m gutted to miss it – even if the weather is good outside… Haven’t ridden a decent indoor contest since BMX Games 2007 – which was pretty awesome. I totally feel you on the beginners class issue. Because DUG is a travelling series and travelling is expensive we don’t have a beginners class – It’s definitely an element that’s needed in the bigger picture that is our scene – I’m glad you’ve stepped up! So what’s your ultimate aim for Flatitude? Where do you see it ideally in five years time?
Jim: I would like it to be a platform for flatland – To motivate other riders to progress and to inspire new people to start riding. Flatitude is going to make a difference for all our scene. My first intention for Flatitude was to have only a rider based support without sponsors – but it being my first real competition solely organised by myself – I found it very difficult to get done with just the riders. So, I asked many companies like Matt Hodgeson’s Little Black Bike in Sth Australia and Matty Holmes at 2020 BMX Magazine for help. At first I was like, am I sure I can do this and would it be right going and asking these companies for support – I know these people and I don’t want them to feel like I’m looking for free stuff. It was a hard decision to make but I decided it was the only choice I had – Otherwise I may as well quit now you know… As you can see I have pushed on and Flatitude is going ahead!!! The big plan for the next five years would be to keep committed to it and hopefully make it bigger and just evolve with it.
In my eyes, Flatitude is here to stay!
Paul: [Quote Jim: Flatitude is here to stay!]
Newcircle | Global Online BMX Flatland Store + News & Media from Australia!