Born in Brisbane, Western Australia, Jason was always going to be a shredder of some persuasion. It was an off-the-cuff roll-by of his local dirt jumps that changed him from four wheels to two. Read on and find out more about TSG’s newest BMX team ripper…
When, why and how did you get into riding in Brisbane?
Jason Watts: I got into riding because when I was around 13 years old I was skateboarding with my two cousins and we thought we would see what the local dirt jumps where like. When we got down there, there were some really good riders and it was awesome to watch, so we started riding instead of skating that week. It just took off from there (haha)…
What riders did you have on rewind on your clips while you were learning and earning your pedals?
Jason Watts: A few of the riders that I watched all the time were Corey Bohan, Mike Aitken, Mark Webb, and many. But they were definitely the 3 I watched the most growing up.
How did you get onto the pro circuit and sponsorship?
Jason Watts: I got into the pro circuit and sponsors mostly through Colin Mackay, I’d say. He randomly hit me up one day, before I knew him personally, and gave me an invite to the very first Van Doren Invitational Bowl Contest at Huntington Beach. Everything sort of kicked off from there. He got me on
Name: Kenny Kekow
Age: 32
Hometown: Pinole CA. Currently residing in Woodland CA
Hook-ups/Sponsors: Zorg Bike Co, El Sobrante Cyclery, John Buultjens, 1UP Motorsports, Tangent
The favorite list:
-Spot to ride: Alameda Skatepark. Ramp Rats. RIP. Anywhere where the session is good!
-BMX video: Criminal Mischief, End Search, Markit Zero, Anthem 2, Square One Wide Awake Nightmare, Miracle Boy and Nyquist.
When you see someone ride you can sometimes tell that he has it. Flow, talent, drive, being eager to learn, someone who always seems to pull things first-go. In Aarle-Rixtel this rider was Tom van den Bogaard. You know who he is now and his talent didn't go unnoticed by companies like Vans, Monster Energy, Tallorder, Paul's Boutique and Triple eight. We cruised around Aarle-Rixtel to take some pics at some iconic places and then sat down at Paul's Boutique to do the interview. Syo van Vliet had already taken some rad action shots over in Eindhoven earlier on which you will find in this piece also.
We’re here at Paul’s Boutique live with local Tom van den Bogaard wearing Vans shoes, a Monster Energy hat, sporting a brand new Tallorder bike built up by Paul’s Boutique. But it didn’t start that way. When did you start riding BMX Tom?
Tom van den Bogaard: I believe I was in group 8 in school. I was 12, or 13, I think 12 actually when I bought a brown wethepeople Reason here at Paul’s Boutique. My brother had a newer model year wethepeople bike, the Arcade and Nick had the blue WTP Nova.
Were you still playing soccer at that time?
Tom van den Bogaard: Yes, I was still playing soccer at ASV ’33. I played from age 6 till I was 13. I was a goalie and there weren’t many so it was hard for me to quit because they would have to search for a
Name: Luc Morat
Age: 23
Hometown: Hégenheim, France
Hook-ups/Sponsors: Ollie Store Belfort till 2019, nothing yet
The favorite list:
-Spot to ride: trails
-BMX video: Anthem II, Markit zero, Cult Down Under, Marie Jade No Future
-Web video: Colby Raha last video
-Food: Burgers
-Twitter to follow: No Twitter
-Person on Instagram: @gianovacca @sirlayos @lassocequiroule @canettelife @axellhodges
Name: Sikharin Supanmart
Age: 19
Hometown: German Saxony Dresden
Hook-ups/Sponsors: SIBMX, ODIGRIPS Germany
The favorite list:
-Spot to ride: In Saxony Dresden
-BMX video: I'm working on it
-Food: Noodle soups
-Person on Instagram: sikharin_bmx
-Travel destination: LA would be sick
-Car: Don't have a favourite, I'm just starting my driver's license
-Movie: Science-Fiction
-Colour: Black, white, yellow, blue.
-Shoes: Nikes SB, Vans and Etnies
-Bike company: wethepeople, odyssey, Sibmx
-BMX contest: All contests in Germany. The biggest contests are BMXCGN in Cologne, Butcher jam in Flensburg, and the last one is in Berlin; Highway to hill.