What are your earliest memories of BMX? How did you find out about BMX in Singapore? Was it hard to get parts, especially flatland ones? (I guess you help with this problem now!)
My earliest memories of BMX were from the X-games on TV when I was probably 13, it was BMX Park and I was then already amazed at what they were doing.
While in school, I got to know older friends who were into BMX, they mostly rode freestyle bikes and did everything on them. I got to try their bikes and thought of owning one of my own. I bought my first BMX at 15 and never looked back since. There was then a popular BMX shop that carried Flatland products so they were not hard to source, for me the tougher part was saving the cash to buy them!
What drew you to flatland above other forms of BMX?
I started out on a freestyle bike and hung out mostly with street riders. A few of them basically did a little of everything and I attempted a few flat tricks as well. After a bad fall from the bike, I gravitated more towards Flatland. Soon after I got to know a small Flatland crew in my area who amongst them were a few really good riders. As I spent more time with them, I realized how fun it was and things went from there.
Eventually I stuck with Flatland because I felt it was the most challenging and expressive for me, much like a creative outlet. Nowadays, I don´t feel limited to purely Flatland, I still do hang out with street riders and mess around sometimes with a little street.
How is BMX perceived in Singapore? Are there any problems with authorities? Is there a good scene?
BMX is generally a known sport but has not received much support from sponsors nor the government to push the scene further. I think most normal Singaporeans still relate BMX to a teenage sport where eventually we´re all expected to grow out of. It has improved in recent years with the government building a proper cement park and supporting local ´xtreme games´ to push the sport further and develop youth culture. As much as I wish for more support for the sport, the overall scene is perhaps still too small compared to other countries for sponsors to give extensive support.
As a Flatland rider, the only problems with authorities are the usual cops and security guards kicking us out of spots. I’m sure that happens globally so that is a common problem we´ve learnt to deal with.
The BMX scene in Singapore consists mostly of street/park riders and a small number of probably less than 50 flatland riders. The flat scene is small with only a handful of riders who come together to ride regularly, the rest of the riders ride alone unless there is a jam or contest happening somewhere. Foreign riders though often visit Singapore so that in way has helped to motivate the scene.
Can you tell us a bit about where you live? Personally, I don’t know that much about Singapore and its culture, religion, what have you…
Singapore is a South East Asian country located right above the equator. It´s a small yet densely populated city-state with a multi-racial population. The main spoken language is English, followed by Chinese, Malay and Tamil. The country is infamous for its strict laws so the crime rate is relatively low, free from natural disasters and abundance of shopping malls and food, makes it a popular tourist spot. Any further, I might start to bore the readers…
Coming back to the present, have you heard about Matthias leaving Ares? How do you feel about this?
I saw the news online, he mentioned it’s his call for leaving so I´m sure he has his own reasons. I wish him all the best.
Going back now, when did you start riding for Ares? How did this come about?
I first got sponsored by Aresbikes Singapore (distributor of Aresbikes in Singapore) when I was 17. Before getting on the team, York Uno visited Singapore and most of the local riders came out for a session with him. I later learnt that I was one of 2 riders chosen after that session to represent the then newly established Aresbikes Singapore.
I can remember seeing Ares adverts back in DIG Magazine in the 90s. I always thought they were cool and mysterious, a bit like flatland! Ares seems to have survived where many other BMX companies, especially Flatland ones. Why do you think this is, and how do you feel being a part of such a respected brand?
I feel mainly because Aresbikes is a Japanese brand, and Japanese riders show a strong sense of belonging by supporting their local brand. Not to mention Japan has constantly had one of the biggest flat scenes in the world.
I´m very grateful and honoured to be part of Aresbikes since day one. Although I only ride for the local distributor of the brand, I’ve had opportunities to travel to Japan to ride and hang out with the rest of the Ares team. The man behind Aresbikes Singapore, Shawnn Lai, has always pushed me when I was younger to get out of the country to experience what BMX really had to offer. Without his advices and support, I probably might not be where I am today.
How often do you get to ride? Do you have any goals with your riding, and is there a group you ride with regularly?
I ride an average of 4 times a week depending on work or other priorities. Usually 2-3 hrs on weekdays alone and 7-8 hrs on weekends if there is a session in the city. Rest of the time riding is done in my head, it’s fun visualizing new ideas.
I’m not much of a contest rider and I sometimes get burnt out from dialling the same links over. I prefer to work on progression on a personal level, my ultimate goal to develop my own style and originality in riding. I do like going to contests to experience the vibes and meet people and I’m really looking forward to visiting Europe and America in the future.
On weekends there are regularly about 6-7 riders who come together and we ride in the city, its an underground spot many foreign riders have visited and commented that it is one of the best spots they have ridden, and we’re very fortunate in that sense.
What’s an average day like for Calvin Tan? Does such a day exist?
An average day sees me up at 6am, to work from 8-5pm. I work at a fine art gallery/studio where we do collaborations with visiting artists to create artworks. Some days I’ll ride for 2-3 hrs after work and then whatever needs to be done and back to bed by 1am.
What do you like to do apart from BMX?
I´ve been spending most of my time besides BMX working on a personal creative project, I’m not able to reveal it as yet, but if all goes well it will be launched sometime next year.
What inspires you? Music? Film? Riders?
I try to receive inspiration from all aspects to not limit myself. I keep a sketchbook so I sometimes sketch out my ideas or thoughts.
Riding wise, I would say riders who particularly push their own riding be it in originality or style inspires me, I think that´s BMX for me - you challenge yourself to ride the way you want to.
Do you have a favourite rider? Why is that?
I don´t really have a particular favourite rider but I´m drawn towards riders who have their own style. A rider who stands out captures my attention more.
Have you any shout outs and thanks you’d like to make?
Shout outs and thanks to my sponsors Aresbikes Singapore and Vans Singapore for all the support they’ve given. To the Japanese connection, everyone at Aresbikes Japan. To Shawnn Lai, sponsor, friend and guru, I’m grateful for all the lessons and advices, I appreciate them. To Yasuyuki Takeo for his support and advices, thanks for believing in me. To my family, friends, and my girlfriend who has always been supportive and believing in whatever I do, thank you! Lastly, thanks to Global-flat for this interview and spreading Flatland worldwide. Cheers, C.
http://vimeo.com/44980360