Spinning, flipping and flying off ramps, BMX riders turned up the adrenaline as the USA BMX Freestyle Series rolled into Tucson in early April. For the city’s tight-knit freestyle scene, the competition was more than a show – it was a chance to spotlight growing local BMX culture and talent.

“Kevin Peraza is one of the biggest BMX riders in the world, and he’s from right here in Tucson,” said Ian Abbott, owner of Premises Park, which hosted the event. “Having the series come to town really shines a light on the talent that’s been growing in our own backyard.” 

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, Wis. and a final in San Diego. 

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.

“This freestyle event, held in a skate park, is about showcasing the best tricks, while race events take place on dirt tracks,” said Kyle Carlson, USA BMX Freestyle director.

“Riders from all over, competing in multiple categories, have one goal: to earn their spot on the national stage and, ultimately, in the Olympics,” he said.

Premises Park, an indoor facility that has become the heart of Tucson’s BMX scene and a haven for skateboarders, BMX riders and scooter enthusiasts of all ages, hosted the Tucson leg of the series.

“We offer people of all ages the opportunity to ride scooters, bikes, skateboards, and even roller skates. We also offer skateboarding and scooter lessons,” owner Abbott said of the 16-year-old business.

Abbott and the park are essential to the sport and the Tucson community, Carlson said. 

“This park’s incredible. What Ian’s created here has an incredible scene and can feed the sport back, and it’s really keeping everything moving forward,” he said.

As Tucson has become a central hub for BMX riders, local venues like Premises Park has helped riders thrive.

“It’s a community effort,” Carlson said. “And places like Premises Park make it all possible.”

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’s performance raising the stakes. 

Music pulses through the venue, with DJ Jamison providing a soundtrack to the action.

“We’ve got a live DJ, DJ Jamison, who’s known for going around doing Sky Bar and all the clubs down in Tucson,” Abbott said. “Incredible 90s hip-hop.”

Brian Kachinsky, a professional BMX rider and judge for the USA BMX Freestyle Series, helped score the Tucson leg of the event this year. He said the process is detailed and challenging.

“BMX freestyle is this beautiful blend of art and sport, with a pinch of daredevil thrown in,” he said. “You’re judging creativity, difficulty, style and how riders use the ramps. It’s not always about the biggest tricks; it’s about how they’re done and how original they are. Sometimes someone does something so different, it sticks with you.”

Judges focus only on what riders do during their timed runs, he added, not what they’ve seen them do online.

“At the end of the day, we just do our best to take everything into account,” he said.

Tucson standouts

While the judging process is tough and the competition fierce, several Tucson riders are rising to the occasion and making a name for themselves

Adler Cromer, a 21-year-old BMX rider from Tucson, won last year’s event. His performance put him on the map as one of the top rising talents in the freestyle scene.

“He’s incredibly good, especially at Premises Park. He knows every inch of this park,” Carlson said.

“Everyone always goes after him because he’s the local boy,” Abbott added. “That’s always the case when you get to this city, you want to beat the local boy.”

Cromer said he welcomes the challenge. With brothers who also ride, he’s grown up in a competitive environment that constantly pushes him to improve.

In middle school, they started rock climbing. When they got tired of that, they found Premises Park.

“I got on a bike, and I fell in love with it,” he said. “I’m just grateful it was right there. BMX is different from other sports. It’s all about you versus yourself. There’s no coach, no team. It’s just for fun. Everyone gets into it for fun, and we ride together, which makes it even better.”

Victor Peraza is another standout local competitor. He grew up riding in Tucson and knows the local parks inside and out.

“He is absolutely incredible,” Carlson said. 

Peraza, 24, is sponsored by Monster Energy and Vans. He comes from a BMX family – his brother, Kevin Peraza, has won multiple X Games competitions.

“My dad was into it since he was young, and my older brothers did it,” Victor Peraza said. “As the younger brother, I wanted to be like them and do the same. That’s what led me to BMX, and I love it.”

He said while Tucson has a large BMX community, it historically hasn’t had received much support. 

“When Premises Park opened, it was a game changer. One of the local guys invested in the entire BMX community,” he said. “Before that, we would travel to Phoenix and California every weekend just to ride skate parks that wouldn’t kick us out.”

Peraza and Cromer both competed in the Master’s 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.

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, they said.

“To prepare for a competition, you need to have your run planned out and know which tricks you’re going to do,” Cromer said. “I don’t just add tricks randomly. I work on my line and make sure it’s 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’m ready.”

Like Cromer, Peraza said staying consistent is just as important as pulling off difficult tricks.

“Eat good, sleep well and focus on your routines,” Peraza said. “We’re basically perfectionists when we ride. Even mid-run, we’re judging ourselves. If something feels off, sometimes you just decide not to go for it.”

Support from local venues like Premises Park and a community that lives and breathes BMX, is helping Tucson shape the future of freestyle riding, he said.​​

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.