Real BMX 2018 contenders
Colin Varanyak
Learn more about the riders, filmers and judges in this year's Real BMX contest in this handy photo gallery, starting with this guy right here. Colin Varanyak says he was riding dirt trails by his house at age three and racing BMX racing by age five. He didn't start taking competition seriously until after he graduated from college with a degree in Education. He may or may not have picked up some pro tips from his good friend, BMX superstar Garrett Reynolds, along the way.
Learn more about the riders, filmers and judges in this year's Real BMX contest in this handy photo gallery, starting with this guy right here.
Colin Varanyak says he was riding dirt trails by his house at age three and racing BMX racing by age five. He didn't start taking competition seriously until after he graduated from college with a degree in Education. He may or may not have picked up some pro tips from his good friend, BMX superstar Garrett Reynolds, along the way.
Brad Simms
"Throughout the 12 years of my BMX career, I think it is safe to say that I haven't been given many opportunities to showcase my skills on a higher platform," says Real BMX newbie, Brad Simms. "With only a handful of web videos and contest appearances I have somehow managed to keep myself in front of a core audience that wants to see more video parts from me -- which is exciting because I want to show the industry how passionate I am about riding and what I am capable of doing if given the chance."
"Throughout the 12 years of my BMX career, I think it is safe to say that I haven't been given many opportunities to showcase my skills on a higher platform," says Real BMX newbie, Brad Simms. "With only a handful of web videos and contest appearances I have somehow managed to keep myself in front of a core audience that wants to see more video parts from me -- which is exciting because I want to show the industry how passionate I am about riding and what I am capable of doing if given the chance."
Kevin Peraza
"I started riding BMX when I was five," says two-time X Games gold medalist, Kevin Peraza. "I grew up watching my dad ride and do all sorts of crazy, out of the ordinary things with bikes, motos and cars. My older Brother David and I grew up racing at a young age. I raced until I was 13 but, at the end of the day, I wanted to do tricks. So far, I have competed in four X Games, in both Park and Dirt. And today I have a a signature frame with Mongoose bicycles, which is the brand that my father used growing up."
"I started riding BMX when I was five," says two-time X Games gold medalist, Kevin Peraza. "I grew up watching my dad ride and do all sorts of crazy, out of the ordinary things with bikes, motos and cars. My older Brother David and I grew up racing at a young age. I raced until I was 13 but, at the end of the day, I wanted to do tricks. So far, I have competed in four X Games, in both Park and Dirt. And today I have a a signature frame with Mongoose bicycles, which is the brand that my father used growing up."
Tommy Dugan
"BMX lets me express exactly how I feel," says Tom Dugan. "I love to ride, and no matter the scenario, I will be having fun pushing myself and fears on my bike."
"BMX lets me express exactly how I feel," says Tom Dugan. "I love to ride, and no matter the scenario, I will be having fun pushing myself and fears on my bike."
Sean Ricany
"I am mainly known for web videos, which I enjoy filming the most -- out riding with friends, mellow vibes," says X Games Austin 2016 BMX Street silver medalist, Sean Ricany. "I think contests are awesome, but this video project was most exciting for me, rather than competing in a regular-format event."
"I am mainly known for web videos, which I enjoy filming the most -- out riding with friends, mellow vibes," says X Games Austin 2016 BMX Street silver medalist, Sean Ricany. "I think contests are awesome, but this video project was most exciting for me, rather than competing in a regular-format event."
Corey Martinez
Corey Martinez is a three-time NORA Cup Street Rider of the Year. Need we say more?
Corey Martinez is a three-time NORA Cup Street Rider of the Year. Need we say more?
Simms' filmer: Christian Rigal
"I chose to work with Christian was because of his work ethic," explains Simms. "Before I got to know him personally, I knew he was the only person in BMX with a RED camera. He's also one of the most progressive street riders in the world. Sometimes it can be daunting to film with a person you don't know, but with Christian it was easy to find my comfort zone. He's encouraging and an all-around nice person. In addition, he knew how it felt to be the guy standing in front of some terrifying trick. Anytime your camera man is just as crazy as you are, you're going to create something memorable."
"I chose to work with Christian was because of his work ethic," explains Simms. "Before I got to know him personally, I knew he was the only person in BMX with a RED camera. He's also one of the most progressive street riders in the world. Sometimes it can be daunting to film with a person you don't know, but with Christian it was easy to find my comfort zone. He's encouraging and an all-around nice person. In addition, he knew how it felt to be the guy standing in front of some terrifying trick. Anytime your camera man is just as crazy as you are, you're going to create something memorable."
Varanyak's filmer: Doeby Huyhn
"Doeby is a really motivated individual who is constantly progressing as a filmer/editor," explains Varanyak of his choice to work with Doeby Huyhn on his Real BMX part. "He's fun to be around, down to put in work, and is always positive and willing to try new things." The fact that Huyhn helped Dennis Enarson win Real BMX bronze in 2016 probably helps, too.
"Doeby is a really motivated individual who is constantly progressing as a filmer/editor," explains Varanyak of his choice to work with Doeby Huyhn on his Real BMX part. "He's fun to be around, down to put in work, and is always positive and willing to try new things." The fact that Huyhn helped Dennis Enarson win Real BMX bronze in 2016 probably helps, too.
Peraza's filmer: Juan Ignacio Zurita
"I met Juani a few years back on a trip down to Chile to visit his home park," explains Peraza. "His family helps keep the scene alive with there skatepark, in loving memory of his father who helped start it all. His older brother, Coco Zurita, is also an X Games Vert medalist, and he, Juani and some friends help run their father's park, giving back to the BMX community in Santiago, Chile. But at the end of the day I chose him because a filmer becomes a brother. He helps you get off the ground and believe in yourself, even when you feel like giving up. He wants to see you it get done, as much as you do. Juani is one of those filmers."
"I met Juani a few years back on a trip down to Chile to visit his home park," explains Peraza. "His family helps keep the scene alive with there skatepark, in loving memory of his father who helped start it all. His older brother, Coco Zurita, is also an X Games Vert medalist, and he, Juani and some friends help run their father's park, giving back to the BMX community in Santiago, Chile. But at the end of the day I chose him because a filmer becomes a brother. He helps you get off the ground and believe in yourself, even when you feel like giving up. He wants to see you it get done, as much as you do. Juani is one of those filmers."
Dugan's filmer: Darryl Tocco
"Darryl is a real-deal BMXer. He's in the know, respected and respectable," says Dugan of his filming/editing teammate, Darryl Tocco, who put together the Real BMX Fan Favorite video with Colt Fake in 2016. "Lucky for me, he's a frequent Real BMX competitor."
"Darryl is a real-deal BMXer. He's in the know, respected and respectable," says Dugan of his filming/editing teammate, Darryl Tocco, who put together the Real BMX Fan Favorite video with Colt Fake in 2016. "Lucky for me, he's a frequent Real BMX competitor."
Ricany's filmer: Richard "Veesh" Krumm
"Veesh is my good friend, roommate and filmer who I always work with for Cult videos," explains Ricany. "He's filmed pretty much all Cult crew web videos and trip videos since 2013 forward. I couldn't have picked a better person to work with. Besides filming and editing, he also made the music for our video."
"Veesh is my good friend, roommate and filmer who I always work with for Cult videos," explains Ricany. "He's filmed pretty much all Cult crew web videos and trip videos since 2013 forward. I couldn't have picked a better person to work with. Besides filming and editing, he also made the music for our video."
Martinez' filmer: Peter Adam
Corey Martinez didn't say why he picked Peter Adam to be his filmer/editor partner on his Real BMX 2018 part, but we're betting that Adam's X Games gold from Nathan William's Real BMX 2017 video has something to do with it.
Corey Martinez didn't say why he picked Peter Adam to be his filmer/editor partner on his Real BMX 2018 part, but we're betting that Adam's X Games gold from Nathan William's Real BMX 2017 video has something to do with it.
Judge: Dennis Enarson
Who: Nine-time X Games BMX Street and Park medalist. Real BMX 2016 bronze medalist. How he's judging: Everything that goes into making a BMX video part, from trick innovation difficulty to editing and music selection, is equally important. I'm going to be looking into every one of these categories heavily.
Who: Nine-time X Games BMX Street and Park medalist. Real BMX 2016 bronze medalist.
How he's judging: Everything that goes into making a BMX video part, from trick innovation difficulty to editing and music selection, is equally important. I'm going to be looking into every one of these categories heavily.
Judge: Scotty Cranmer
Who: Nine-time BMX Park medalist, including three golds. How he's judging: I loved watching and making BMX videos as a pro rider. As a judge I can appreciate and relate to the amount of effort put into the project as a whole. I will be looking for a rider and a filmer that have teamed up to make the best quality project on both ends: The rider needs to bring riding with high degree of difficulty, great style and trick originality at each spot that is ridden. The filmer needs to be able to tell the story of the video by bringing creative angles to both the riding and the lifestyle, and also be able to build and carry the emotion of the rider's tricks to the end.
Who: Nine-time BMX Park medalist, including three golds.
How he's judging: I loved watching and making BMX videos as a pro rider. As a judge I can appreciate and relate to the amount of effort put into the project as a whole. I will be looking for a rider and a filmer that have teamed up to make the best quality project on both ends:
The rider needs to bring riding with high degree of difficulty, great style and trick originality at each spot that is ridden. The filmer needs to be able to tell the story of the video by bringing creative angles to both the riding and the lifestyle, and also be able to build and carry the emotion of the rider's tricks to the end.
Judge: Trey Jones
Who: Pro for nine years. How he's judging: Trick difficulty and creative use of terrain are the two most important criteria, but it's hard to define. BMX is a creative form of expression, combined with skill, that takes years to perfect.
Who: Pro for nine years.
How he's judging: Trick difficulty and creative use of terrain are the two most important criteria, but it's hard to define. BMX is a creative form of expression, combined with skill, that takes years to perfect.
Host: Chris Doyle
Pittsburgh's Chris Doyle has earned as many fans with his stylish riding as he has with his nice-guy personality, a combo that resulted in the NORA Cup award for Dirt Jumper of the Year in late 2010. A trail rider by trade, he owns five X Games medals in Dirt -- the most recent coming in 2015 after a ten-year gap. Motivated by creativity and style rather than learning the latest, craziest trick, he's known for getting every ounce of potential out of every variation he does. In 2018, Doyle is back for the "World of X Games" to host Real BMX 2018 on ABC.
Pittsburgh's Chris Doyle has earned as many fans with his stylish riding as he has with his nice-guy personality, a combo that resulted in the NORA Cup award for Dirt Jumper of the Year in late 2010. A trail rider by trade, he owns five X Games medals in Dirt -- the most recent coming in 2015 after a ten-year gap. Motivated by creativity and style rather than learning the latest, craziest trick, he's known for getting every ounce of potential out of every variation he does. In 2018, Doyle is back for the "World of X Games" to host Real BMX 2018 on ABC.