Interview by Will Fraser
Photos by Spencer, Tiaga & Ryan Fudger
LUXBMX Pro Boyd Hilder just got back from a wild trip to Japan where he had a killer time and managed to snatch the X-Games Gold! LUX's Customer Care recruit Will Fraser caught up with Boyd quickly to chat about how he's feeling back in Australia.
- The boys celebrating Boyd's Gold!
Will: Hey Boyd, how’s it going? Been a hectic few weeks for you lately!
Boyd: I’m good mate, epic trip to Japan then home to celebrate, It’s been nice.
Will: Hell yeah man, seems like a wild time. How did the whole x-games thing come around, What was the feeling like when you got invited?
Boyd: Actually got the email while I was in Japan the last time, woke up to it and I was buzzing! Was only for the second alternate but still unreal to get my name on that list of goats.
Will: What was the preparation for the event? Did you do much training?
Boyd: Couple extra Pizzey sessions and the usual bit of gym in weeks. Was needed after that week away to Bali with Bridget and my mates haha
Will: What was going on in your mind, how did it compare to say normal riding or battling for a clip?
Boyd: Contests are weird, once I’m set on what tricks I want to do I want to go and do it right away. While you're feeling good you know!? Contest you’ve gotta wait for that green light and that’s when I start to get nervous.
Will: How was the vibe in Japan? Did the contest feel like homies riding or did it feel a bit more serious?
Boyd: It was so kicked back, everyone’s mates on deck. Way more chilled than a few of the park contests I’ve been in before.
Will: Did you get up to much else in Japan, or was it more just taking it easy till the comp?
Boyd: That was a hard one, I booked my flights to fly out early thinking I was still an alternate. But got the email a day or two before I left so I got a bit sketched out about filming. All went out the window once I arrived though, spots were unreal and we stacked a couple of clips before heading to Chiba for the event.
Will: I’ve heard that most spots you ride in Japan you get busted pretty quick, What happened in this photo?
Boyd: It matters what area you are in really, Tokyo is so busy and really busty. I’ve learnt that from previous trips so we made the effort to get out to some other city’s and they weren’t so bad. This photo is just the typical parents calling cops situation. This one was actually the last spot of the day and I pulled the clip as they were walking in, made for a good clip haha.
Will: Were you happy with your run, did you have much more in you?
Boyd: Both runs were exactly what I wanted to do, put a solid one down then better it on the next. If there was a third run and I needed more points I don’t even know what I could have done haha.
Will: I saw on your story you’ve been out filming a bunch, What are you filming for?
Boyd: Yeah mate slowly cracking away at a Federal video with Biggie for the end of the year, planning on making it a full street part. Few clips back home and then a couple gems from Japan so it’s looking good so far.
Will: Yea sick! Keen to see it. What’s your plan for the next few months?
Keep working on this video, a couple of Pizzey sessions to get ready for the next games, and some waves with the dudes!
Will: Hell yea Boyd, Sounds sick!