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Joe Kid on a Stingray –The History of BMX allows everyone from veteran Pro BMXers to modern day kids, a chance to relive these important moments and stories explained by the sport’s most influential riders so that they understand what really happened in the evolution of BMX. The directors have assembled a 30yr timeline packed with rare archival footage and interesting interviews to create a film which explores the history, trends, stars, and current direction of BMX stunt riding and racing. Joe Kid on a Sting-Ray delivers a historical perspective to the sport of BMX, but brings it to you in such a way that makes you feel like you were there. While in the midst of production, John Swarr and Mark Eaton began to wonder who would best represent what they considered a boldly individual and hardcore sport as narrator of the film. The only person that is currently in the spotlight that made sense was former BMX racer, Jesse James of Monster Garage. He embodies what BMX is all about and actually lived the BMX lifestyle. Fortunately former Freestyle BMX’er, Rockabilly Jay works at West Coast Choppers and he helped make it happen. John and Mark sent a trailer of the film to Jesse and when John called Jesse soon after, he wanted in. He not only wanted to narrate, but he became Executive Producer.

The History The beginning of BMX:

“When I first started racing, I think the Schwinn Sing-Ray was every bodies ideal first BMX bike”  David Clinton- Pro BMXer

In 1963 when Schwinn introduced the Sting-Ray it forever changed the way kids rode their bikes. It had small enough wheels to jump and do wheelies. “We were just trying to look like motorcycle riders”  David Clinton- Pro BMXer

A big step in the evolution of BMX was in 1970 when Scot Breithaupt started his own races. “All of the kids in Long Beach (Ca.) just gravitated toward this. It became very big very quick”   Kathy Sessler –Pro Mountain Bike Racer.

“The first week 35 kids showed up. I said hey all of you kids pitch in a quarter, were gonna have pedal cross races. The next week 150 kids showed up. I said oh man, what now.”  Scot Breithaupt – BMX pioneer

In the 70’s things were much different. Joe Kid will take you from racing at a nudist colony to a wild bus ride with a group of teenagers testing the limits of the law to the infamous Ricks Bike Shop team. “Ricks Bike shop was a group of hard talkin’, spittin’ tough guys”  Scot Breithaupt – BMX pioneer

Pools and Skate Parks:

BMX riding in Pools and Skate parks began with riders with the same tenacious attitudes as BMX racers. “The was no skate Parks back then, in 1975, it was someone’s pool in Beverly Hills”  Thom Lund – Pro BMX Racer

 Freestyle BMX:

BMX freestyle (Trick riding) started in the early eighties. It began with a 70’s BMX racer named Bob Haro and evolved to riders like Mat Hoffman and Dave Mirra, who defy gravity on international television to this day.

When Bob Haro began performing BMX tricks, anyone could invent a new trick. “We were just emulating skateboarders, but doing it on a BMX bike”  Bob Haro – Freestyle BMX pioneer.

 Joe Kid details the stories of the struggles that Freestyle BMXers faced when the sponsorship money dried up in the late eighties and the sport died. They had to go it alone. “We all had control of the direction of our sport, it was a direct reflection of who we were and the times.” Mat Hoffman – Pro Freestyle BMXer

 “It was like everybody came together to feed off of each other’s tricks, you might leave with a few hundred bucks; most likely you’ll leave with a story to tell and a concussion.”  Dennis McCoy – Pro Freestyle BMXer.

 Now with BMX in the Olympics in 2008 and riders pushing the limits far beyond what any one could have imagined. BMX will continue to be one of the most dangerous and exiting sports in history.

The Joe kid on a Sting-Ray –The History of BMX DVD will be available through UNITY distribution and SC distribution.