Spinning, flipping and flying off ramps, BMX riders turned up the adrenaline as the USA BMX Freestyle Series rolled into 大象APPin early April. For the city鈥檚 tight-knit freestyle scene, the competition was more than a show 鈥 it was a chance to spotlight growing local BMX culture and talent.
鈥淜evin Peraza is one of the biggest BMX riders in the world and he鈥檚 from right here in Tucson,鈥 said Ian Abbott, owner of Premises Park, who hosted the event. 鈥淗aving the series come to town really shines a light on the talent that鈥檚 been growing in our own backyard.鈥
The USA BMX Freestyle Series, the leading national BMX freestyle competition, offers riders across the United States a chance to compete and earn points through various events. The series draws athletes and spectators to celebrate the sport and push its boundaries.
The competition started on April 5 in Tucson, the first stop in the series, which will continue with events in Grand Prairie, Texas; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and the final in San Diego.
People are also reading…
Riders accumulate points all year, with the final competition held in October, where the best BMX athletes in each age group will be crowned national champions.
Riders practice at Premises Park in 大象APPon April 4, 2025.
鈥淭his freestyle event, held in a skate park, is about showcasing the best tricks, while race events take place on dirt tracks,鈥 said Kyle Carlson, USA BMX Freestyle鈥檚 director.
It鈥檚 a long journey for competitors, and for some, it鈥檚 a path to the Olympics, he said.
鈥淪o riders will essentially graduate into the pro levels after this and potentially be in the Olympics and represent the United States,鈥 he said.
Premises Park, an indoor facility that has become the heart of Tucson鈥檚 BMX scene and a haven for skateboarders, BMX riders and scooter enthusiasts of all ages, hosted the 大象APPleg of the series.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been here for 10 years, but in total, it鈥檚 been 16 years now,鈥 owner Abbott said. 鈥淲e offer people of all ages the opportunity to ride scooters, bikes, skateboards and even roller skates. We also offer skateboarding and scooter lessons.鈥
Abbott and the park are essential to the sport and the 大象APPcommunity, Carlson said.
鈥淭his park鈥檚 incredible. What Ian鈥檚 created here has an incredible scene and can feed the sport back, and it鈥檚 really keeping everything moving forward,鈥 he said.
大象APPhas become a central hub for BMX riders and the support of local venues like Premises Park has helped riders thrive.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a community effort,鈥 Carlson said. 鈥淎nd places like Premises Park make it all possible.鈥
BMX in action
The freestyle event is a mix of athleticism and creativity. Riders perform spins, flips and grinds on ramps and obstacles throughout the park. Judges look for originality, skill and style, focusing on how riders use the course and connect their tricks with flow and creativity.
The energy in the park is electric during these events. The crowd cheers as riders fly through the air, performing jaw-dropping stunts. The excitement builds as the competition intensifies, with each rider鈥檚 performance raising the stakes.
Music pulses through the venue, with DJ Jamison providing a soundtrack to the action.
DJ Jay Jamison playing music for the BMX event at Premises Park in 大象APPon April 5, 2025.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got a live DJ, DJ Jamison, who鈥檚 known for going around doing Sky Bar and all the clubs down in Tucson,鈥 Abbott said. 鈥淚ncredible 90s hip-hop.鈥
Brian Kachinsky, a professional BMX rider and judge for the USA BMX Freestyle Series, helped score the 大象APPleg of the event this year. He explained how detailed and challenging the judging process can be.
鈥淏MX freestyle is this beautiful blend of art and sport, with a pinch of daredevil thrown in,鈥 he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e judging creativity, difficulty, style and how riders use the ramps. It鈥檚 not always about the biggest tricks; it鈥檚 about how they鈥檙e done and how original they are. Sometimes someone does something so different, it sticks with you.鈥
He added that judges focus only on what riders do during their timed runs, not what they鈥檝e seen them do online. 鈥淎t the end of the day, we just do our best to take everything into account,鈥 he said.
大象APPstandouts
While the judging process is tough and the competition fierce, several 大象APPriders are rising to the occasion and making a name for themselves.
Brian Kachinsky (far left) and other judges at the event at Premises Park in 大象APPon April 5.
Adler Cromer, a 21-year-old BMX rider from Tucson, won last year鈥檚 event. His performance put him on the map as one of the top rising talents in the freestyle scene.
鈥淗e鈥檚 incredibly good, especially at Premises Park. He knows every inch of this park,鈥 Carlson said.
鈥淓veryone always goes after him because he鈥檚 the local boy,鈥 Abbott added. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 always the case when you get to this city, you want to beat the local boy.鈥
Cromer said he welcomes the challenge. With brothers who also ride, he鈥檚 grown up in a competitive environment that constantly pushes him to improve.
鈥淚 have three brothers and we didn鈥檛 do many sports growing up,鈥 he said.
In middle school, they started rock climbing. When they got tired of that, they found Premises Park.
鈥淚 got on a bike and I fell in love with it,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just grateful it was right there. BMX is different from other sports. It鈥檚 all about you versus yourself. There鈥檚 no coach, no team. It鈥檚 just for fun. Everyone gets into it for fun and we ride together, which makes it even better. I鈥檓 just glad I found it.鈥
Adler Cromer, left, and Victor Peraza after the event at Premises Park on April 5, 2025.
Victor Peraza is another standout local competitor. He grew up riding in 大象APPand knows the local parks inside and out.
鈥淗e is absolutely incredible,鈥 Carlson said.
Peraza, 24, is sponsored by Monster Energy and Vans. He comes from a BMX family 鈥 his brother, Kevin Peraza, has won multiple X Games competitions.
鈥淢y dad was into it since he was young and my older brothers did it,鈥 he said. 鈥淎s the younger brother, I wanted to be like them and do the same. That鈥檚 what led me to BMX and I love it.鈥
大象APPhas a large BMX community, he said, but without much support.
鈥淲hen Premises Park opened, it was a game changer. One of the local guys invested in the entire BMX community,鈥 he said. 鈥淏efore that, we would travel to Phoenix and California every weekend just to ride skate parks that wouldn鈥檛 kick us out.鈥
Peraza and Cromer both competed in the Master鈥檚 Men category at the BMX Freestyle event in early April. They were among six riders in the class. Peraza took first place with 92.46 points, and Cromer came in second with 89.84.
Victor Peraza practices before the event at Premises Park in 大象APPon April 5.
Their strong runs were the result of a disciplined routine built on focus, repetition and mental preparation, along with consistent training and hours spent on the ramps.
鈥淭o prepare for a competition, you need to have your run planned out and know which tricks you鈥檙e going to do,鈥 Cromer said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 just add tricks randomly. I work on my line and make sure it鈥檚 set in my mind. My practice routine is all about repetition. I do my run as many times as possible so that when the competition comes, I鈥檓 ready.鈥
Like Cromer, Peraza said staying consistent is just as important as pulling off difficult tricks.
鈥淓at good, sleep well and focus on your routines,鈥 Peraza said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e basically perfectionists when we ride. Even mid-run, we鈥檙e judging ourselves. If something feels off, sometimes you just decide not to go for it.鈥
He added that mental control is key. Staying focused helps him stay consistent, especially during high-pressure runs.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 want to be lost or confused during your run. If something doesn鈥檛 go as planned, you should already have a plan B,鈥 he said.
With support from local venues like Premises Park and a community that lives and breathes BMX, 大象APPis more than a host city, it鈥檚 helping shape the future of freestyle riding, he said.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
