Bri Welch – Rad Girls Interview by Paula Marie

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Intro/Interview: Paula Marie.

Good morning all! We start the week here on Flatmattersonline with one of my biggest current motivations, Bri Welch! If you follow the FM instagram page, you will have seen the photo of Bri balancing with a prosthetic leg! Think about that, flatland is hard enough but throw in a prosthetic leg and I can’t even imagine. I met Bri at the Battle in the Rockies this year, and she is full of life and out there doing it and learning tricks. Paula Marie over at Rad Girls BMX caught up with Bri to tell her story, which goes so much deeper. Next time you are struggling for motivation, think about this girl and what she has gone through. Much respect Bri, over to Paula Marie..

I routinely scour the girls bmx scene, looking for new talent, I’ve been doing it well over a decade, pretty much since I started riding. But I can tell you that these past few years have been some of the greatest yet. Every so often I find someone that really stands out. Recently Bri Welch caught my eye. A girl showing up to ride at the Cornhuckit Jam, at the Midwest Indy Jam, and Battle in the Rockies. Bri has a real interest in riding that you rarely see, and she’s already planning to host a clinic this upcoming spring to inspire others to ride. Even though Bri just started flatlanding last spring it has been a whirlwind for her. Much of her life has been. From new flatland beginnings back to how it all started, Bri answers a few questions I asked her when we sat down for a chat in the proverbial cafe that is the internet.

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Masashi Itani & Sunny Singh – two life goals, one clip

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Masashi Itani & Sunny Singh met up for a session in Japan, and Sunny was able to chalk off two life goals in one day. Read his description and watch the video, the back wheel line from Masashi is off the chart!

“Two. Today I knocked out two life goals ever since I made my first BMX video back in 2000: 1) Ride with and film a Japanese pro rider at a famous spot in Japan and 2) Pull a trick of my own in Japan. Spent a few hours today riding with 2nd generation pro rider Masashi Itani and 13 year old Sakura Kawaguchi, who is just getting into flatland. In a scene dominated by men it was really great seeing her work on new tricks. She is part of the emerging 3rd generation of Japanese riders who are pushing the boundaries in terms of originality and technicality.

It took Masashi several tries to land this combo. The difficulty was the final cross footed pivot before scuffing the ride out. We had a radio playing and for good luck he switched the song to the KRS-One track that I used in the video I produced for him earlier this year from our session in Hawaii. Sometimes the right tune puts you in the headspace you need to be in.”

Christmas Flatland Jam hosted by Keelan Phillips – Saturday 22nd December

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In a few weeks time, Keelan Phillips is hosting a xmas flatland jam at this indoor spot in Leicester, here in the UK. If you are able to make it, message the man himself Keelan on his social media for the address details etc. Here’s what Keelan had to say:

“Riders: a Jam going down to see out the year!
Saturday 22nd December, 10-4, Leicester city centre!
*Few quid on entry (and that goes directly to the hall who do loads for charity including food for the homeless)
*Chill day, music etc, msg me for the address
*See you there!”

Must Watch – Joe Cicman / The Idea in Brief 2018

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It seems like Joe Cicman was made for the Master of Creativity contest and when didn’t enter this year I was curious as to what he was up to riding wise. Today the wait is over and for his year-end edit, he teamed up with Jim McKay for something special. From the opening Jaffa rebates, how many does he do? 10-11? I was glued to the screen wondering what was next. My shinbones ached just watching that first clip, I’m always into riders that master their craft, and do the lines they do as best they can and Joe really put some effort into the details of his riding to make the lines have as much impact as they can.

00:57: The huff packer (I believe thats what it’s called) to halfpacker jump two footed backyard.

Aside from the riding, Jim McKay did a great job I feel communicating Joe’s personality throughout the edit, the two complimented each other really well.

2:06/2:35: The hitchhiker version of the Jaffa whip rebate, really inspiring to see Joe take his Jedi skills to another trick and in turn create something new particularly that second line where momentum is coming out of nowhere and 3:13 Jaffa whip death jump to two footed backyard, although not pulled. This almost adds to the hype!

And not a scuff in sight from Mr Scuffington Post himself, the critics gather round…

Fanks a lot for this Joe and Jim, you made a rainy Friday in Southsea so much better!

Nick Watts – December 7th 2018

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Last night it happened again, I see a notification for a new Nick Watts edit right as I am about to go to sleep. It’s become a late night Thursday ritual to save Nick’s video for the morning. I feel like I must scythe same thing every week, but bot can Nick freestyle. I feel the term gets thrown a lot in flatland circles, but Nick is a true freestyler. These lines look like they are thrown together without an idea of where they could end up, bike control, quick awareness and so much style. There are a couple of standouts that made my morning I wish to highlight: the Double boomerang off the back tyre popped into xft cowboy at 00:16 and the No footed flail land back pegs to caboose at 1:07 both brought a smile to my face. It’s raining outside, thank you Nick!