June 2005: Reload BMX Tips 'n Trix magazine editor Hoite Polkamp.
Jun 24, 2005
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The Benelux does not have a print BMX magazine that comes out on a regular basis. This probably hurts the BMX trade but it's hard to find people crazy enough to put their heart into a magazine production. Recently a BMX Trix 'n Tips magazine came out and we checked in with Hoite Polkamp, the man behind the pocket format BMX mag.
Do you think it's time for a BMX magazine in The Netherlands?
Hoite: Well, obviously it would be great. The Dutch BMX scene has produced some seriously amazing riders over the last few years and it would be great to give them the exposure they deserve, but commercial wise I think it would be really hard to put out a regular magazine that comes out every other month. You’d probably have to do it in English and cover the European scene.
What do you have in the works? Hoite: Well, I just finished the RELOAD Tips n Trix BMX issue. RELOAD, a boardsport and lifestyle magazine, had already done a skate, surf, snowboard and wakeboard issue before this issue. It’s a completely free A5 BMX booklet with 11 tricks, gear items, tips on buying a bike and lots of other good stuff. All photo sequences have been done with Dutch and Belgian riders, showcasing the great riding level in street, park, flatland and dirt.
How was the support from advertisers?
Hoite: Pretty much everyone who has anything to do with BMX in the Netherlands or Belgium was willing to advertise. At first, advertisers didn’t really know what to do with this initiative, since there isn’t really any other print media to advertise in. Pretty much no one had an ad on hand, so every advertiser had to put an ad together just for this booklet, which is actually pretty cool when you think about it.
How many pages does the booklet have?
Hoite: The booklet has 64 full color A5 pages. With 10000 copies available for free it shouldn’t be a problem picking one up.
What do you want to reach with this Tips 'n’ tricks magazine?
Hoite: Basically to get young kids interested in BMX and give them a flying start in BMX, so to say. I also wanted to showcase the great riding level in the Netherlands and Belgium.
For me personally it was a great challenge to do, since I basically had to do everything by myself (apart from the photos, credits to Rutger Pauw for that).
Putting out this BMX booklet also has lots to do with my communication studies. Over the last few months, this booklet absorbed pretty much all my time. Now that it’s out, I hope to finish my studies this summer and ride my bike a bit more again.
If there is a lot of positive feedback, do you think there will be another issue coming out?
Hoite: Well, I’m really looking forward to get feedback from the readers as well as from the advertisers. Don’t hesitate to drop me a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If the feedback is really positive I’m definitely going to consider doing another one. A second issue would probably be less work since I have all the right contacts now.
Where can people pick up a copy of the magazine?
Hoite: You can pick up a copy for free in any relevant trendsport shop in the Netherlands and Belgium, amongst which all the BMX shops in the Netherlands or Belgium. Since Braun is the presenting brand you will surely be able to pick up an issue at the upcoming Braun Flatground event. Make sure you get one before, because you can win free tickets to the Braun Flatground event.
Thanks.
Hoite: Thank YOU.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.