Features

BATTLE OF HASTINGS: Now That Was A Good Weekend

Riding - People - An Edit and 3 Objects.

Words by Seb Hejna
Photos by Adam Lievesley and Lee Williams
Video by Scott Connor

The Battle of Hastings was a good weekend for BMX, it’s that simple. Now, other BMX comps happen. There seems to be plenty of mainstream park comps these days, all catering to the ‘competition’ rider. And I have to admit, I enjoy a lot of these events, in fact, I MC at many of them, so they, and the riders that compete always get my support and in many cases, admiration. However, it can be 50/50 sometimes whether some of the riding helps to progress BMX, or simply produces a plethora of lemmings pumping out the same moves across the same ramps. For me, I always love it when a rider shows up to one of these events that I know will bring something else to the table, someone that looks for a transfer or signature big move, rather than just cramming in another whip or bar on the same box or quarter, but that’s coming from an old guy, and what you like, you like, whatever it is, and don’t let anyone tell you different. BMX is what you want it to be.

As we all know, and whether we like it or not, BMX is fragmented, with competition riding being just one discipline within it. But this competition, in Hastings, was something else. It was a riders rider competition, it was about originality and fun, and the teams taking part reflected this. It was an assembly of talent not seen on these shores since… Well, lets face it, The Backyard Jams, another product of, you guessed it, Hastings. I spent most of my weekend doing the live feed with Mad Jon Taylor, and it was an honour to be a part of something so special, especially with Jon. We were however holed up in what could only be described as an ISIS bunker… But hey, that’s showbiz. LOL.

If you’re going to be locked in a bunker for 9 hours straight, I can’t think of a better guy to be stuck with. Me and Mad Jon basically having a laugh.

We have another article coming up later this week as part of the Roll On Series, featuring some 35mm photography documenting the weekend. This will discuss the relevance of the Battle of Hastings, but for now, enjoy looking through these images of Riding, People, and Objects plus the edit above, all highlighting some of Ride UK’s favourite elements to what was one of the most memorable BMX weekends for some time. Enjoy.

Riding:

Some incredible things went down that weekend, with a range of riding that would almost suit any BMXers needs. The throttles were open, the style count was through the roof yet the ‘trick’ count was low. BMX in a very pure form.

Sergio Layos laying it down with as clicked as it can be. Photo: AL

Fids with a classic Fids - What more could you ask for? Photo: AL

Dugan throwing the crowd into a frenzy once again, and rendering Hitchcox, for once, speechless. Photo: AL

Jordan Godwin getting fired out of the Fids cannon with a hardway 540. This bagged him best trick. Well done lad. Photo: AL

The leader of the underdogs - Isaac Lesser. Everyone loves an underdog. Photo: AL

One of the best things about the Source park - Seeing Dan Lacey Ride Ramps. Photo: AL

Maxime Chevron with all the clicked style over the most popular hip in the building. Photo: AL

Greg Illingworth enjoyed himself so much, he has now moved to Hastings. Photo: AL

Jason Watts doing these how I wish I could. Photo: AL

Dan Lacey hit this line like nobody else. Wild. Photo: AL

People:

The riding was awesome over the weekend, but it was the people that really made it special. From pro BMXers to BMX fans, or the locals to unexpected passers by, anyone that entered The Source world over the weekend knew they were stepping into something unique, and that type of atmosphere is infectious. I likened it to what I imagine BMX heaven to be like… As I stood there and waited for my fresh local burger to be grilled right in front of me, whilst sipping on an ice cold beer, and watching Joe Rich, Ruben and Van Homan discussing the the finer points of BMX, to then wandering through a well stocked world class BMX shop and finally into a skatepark full of every pro you’d ever want to see shred the place… Yes, I thought, this will do nicely…

The glue holding it all together. Darryl ‘Après Ski’ Nau and Andy Zeiss. Photo: AL

Big name pros - CHECK. Room full of stoke - CHECK. Good times all round - CHECK. Photo: AL

Van 'The Man' Homan taking a much needed time out after killing it. Photo: LW

Chase Hawk, moments before his eagerly awaited run. Photo: LW

Semi-Professional funny man Fathead. Moments before getting up to some mischief. Probably. Photo: LW

Two BMX legends watching the action. Also with the hardest job of the weekend, judging. Photo: LW

Imagine a casual beer break during the X-Games. Beer, the most thirst quenching liquid on the planet - FACT. Photo: AL

There were even girls there. These ladies were going mental for Tommy Dugan, as were most people to be fair. Photo: LW

The only thing he struggled with was UK snacks. Crisps, not Chips. Photo: AL

Never a smile far from this mans face. A smile that could bring about world peace. Photo: AL

Heavy line up on the Etnies signing desk. Photo: AL

Objects:

These final couple of images were just some incidental images taken by the Ride UK photographers over the weekend, and I thought they were awesome, featuring three highlights from the weekend.