Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace, 23, is one of Europe’s top BMXers, having invented his own tricks, thrashing through countless competitions and holding a Guinness World Record, he is determined to be the top of his game. IDOL caught up with him to talk about embracing fear, the thrills of extreme sports and how it has changed his life.


HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN BMX RIDING?
I started riding BMX after being introduced to it by friends at school. Going to the skate park with my mates got me started, and I just never stopped unlike them when they found other things to entertain them.


WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE FOR BMX (INSTEAD OF OTHER EXTREME SPORT)?
I used to be a championship go-karter, but due to financial reasons I couldn't further that hobby and as I said, I just found BMX instead and haven't really looked back. I found that I got more of an adrenaline buzz out of BMX than the other sports - I could go faster!


YOU ARE KNOWN FOR YOUR UNIQUE TRICKS. (HE INVENTED THE BARREL ROLL, THE DOUBLE DOWNSIDE TAIL WHIP AND PULLED A TRIPLE TAIL WHIP). WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO GO FURTHER?
The motivation you get is from other riders. The sport is consistently progressing and to be on top of your game you have always got to be one step ahead.


WHERE IN THE WORLD IS YOUR FAVOURITE RAMP FOR RIDING?
There are too many ramps in the world to pick a favorite, but the skate parks out in America are possibly the best due to their size and unique builds. They are all top quality materials and designs making riding more fun.


HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE YOU JOINED TEAM EXTREME?
Team Extreme has allowed me to travel the world including the SMP skate park in China, which I had never visited before. However thanks to Team Extreme I now hold a Guinness World record for highest back flip on a BMX and am returning to Beijing next week to re-break my record!


YOU HAD FEW INJURIES AT 2009. HOW HAS 2010 BEEN TREATING YOU?
2010 hasn't exactly been smooth sailing as early in the year I broke my heal in Germany at a dirt contest. That has given me a bit of hassle throughout the season however I never let it get in the way too much and have continued to compete internationally during 2010.


WHAT ARE YOUR BEST ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR?
Other than my Guinness World Record, this year I placed 1st at a dirt comp in France called Lords of Dirt. I was competing against the world’s best dirt riders and was pumped that I won. Also completing the Dew Tour in America, as previous years I had to retire due to injury.


WHO IS YOUR IDOL?
BMX legend Dave Mirra, he influenced me to ride and made a career out of something that he loved.


HAVE YOU EVER BEEN REALLY SCARED?
I cant really say I have been scared riding my bike, but certainly traveling at 38,000 feet in a plane to America in a storm shook me up a bit.


WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
My biggest fear would be having it all taken away from me. I have seen some bad accidents throughout my career which have happened to pro friends. It just goes to show that no matter how dialed you think you are, the tiniest mishap can change your life forever. Big shout-outs to TJ Lavin, Stephen Murray and Mike Aitkin who have all suffered a terrible mishap, but stay strong and fight for the love to ride their BMX again!


NAME SOMEONE FEARLESS AND WHY?
I think everyone has fear in them, if they don't they're stupid. Fear is what sparks your adrenaline and gets your body pumped. To be honest if there was a fearless person in the world I would feel bad for him or her because there is nothing better than the buzz you get before doing something daring no matter how big or small.


WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE DOING NOW IF YOU HAD HAVE NEVER DISCOVERED BMX?
I would more than likely be in a 9-5 job with no stamps on my passport.


WHAT ARE YOU PLANS FOR 2011?
My plans are to continue riding, traveling the world, partying with friends and living the dream.


WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS?
In five years I hope to have made the move to America, settled with a family, epic skate park in my back garden and still shredding on my bike. 


Interview by Katre Laan

Pictures courtesy of Ben Wallace

Published in IDOL magazine online version:
http://idolmag.co.uk/art-culture-interview/ben-wallance