The Lost Interview: Van Homan

Posted in Features, News | April 10, 2015

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Working in this industry you always start things with the idea that everything will work out perfect. In most case you end up facing hurdles and you have to strive to get things accomplished. We had just wrapped up an interview with Van for a sports based feature in Front Magazine. If anyone is familiar with Front it’s more of lads n tits type of mag but they certainly had a great reach and we thought it could be fun to do. Everything was set in motion, the interview was done, Van got some photos with his dog and then, right when we really didn’t expect it the magazine went bankrupt and the interview was hypothetically lost at sea with no place to moor.

After a few attempts to get the interview featured in other publications we ended up drifting away from the idea and working on other things. Since then it’s always been on my mind to find the interview and bring these cool photos to life. So here it is, finally.
Intro Paul Robinson / Photos Ryan Scott

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The Lost Interview: Van Homan

Hey Van what’s up? You seem to be always travelling, I take it you like life on the road?

Right now my life is set up in a way that allows me to travel. I’ve been trying to take advantage of every opportunity that comes along and if there isn’t an opportunity then I do my best to create one. Most people have the time to travel or the money to travel and rarely both so I consider myself lucky to be seeing so much of the world.

You’ve had a vast career in BMX and many people would say you were a true pioneer of street riding, how does it feel to see street riding evolve from when you first started?

It sounds cheesy but BMX in my opinion is a great combination between sport and art. The younger riders are talented and creative; it’s really fun watching them take something I may have originally influenced in a direction that I never could have imagined.

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Do you think your style of riding has changed over the years?

Not much and I’ve gotten really comfortable with that. I know the way I like to ride and I stick with it. It feels good to be confidant in who you are as a rider and not feel the need to keep up with current trends or the latest greatest trick.

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Back in the 1990’s BMX seemed a little looser? Would you agree?

The industry has grown and maybe changed a bit but BMX is whatever you want to make of it. Sometimes we get in bad habits of living in the past but new kids are out there getting “loose” on and off their bikes every day. BMX is happening everywhere in a lot of different ways so I’d have to disagree and say its not less loose, it’s just more diverse which is a good thing.

I always remember your video sections as being something of bum clencher and a jaw dropper, you seemed to get knocked out a fair bit too, does that still happen, has your riding slowed down at all?

I’ve had a few concussions over the years but my last one was pretty serious and convinced me to start wearing a helmet full time. I think things through a little more and I’m less spontaneous with my riding but I don’t think I’ve slowed down. I used to worry that I was getting soft if I hadn’t done something scary in a while, now I know myself well enough to understand that I won’t back down when a spot or a trick is calling my name. It’s about trusting your instincts and not forcing things.

How has your body been affected by all those crashes over the years? Are you in one piece still?

You obviously feel the crashes and the injuries more as you get older, you need to make attempts to take better care of you body and choose your battles.

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What was up with the BMX fashion back then, it was all about tight t-shirts and real baggy jeans, do you look ever back and cringe?

haha I’ll see a photo here or there that will make me laugh a bit but I don’t go over board with following trends so my past fashion violations aren’t too horrible.

I’ve had a few concussions over the years but my last one was pretty serious and convinced me to start wearing a helmet full time.

I know BMX isn’t the only thing in your life, what else do you get up to when not on your bike?

I’ve been enjoying the world and my surroundings lately; things don’t have to be as fast paced anymore. When I travel I want to see the cities, the culture, the good views, the good restaurants and the tourist attractions.

Have you got any wild stories from the legendary Road Fools trips?

We had a Back Street Boys sign on the Road Fools bus, we pulled into a musical festival and they lead us into a VIP parking area and started showing us where to set up haha.

How important is being part of a good team when being a PRO, in terms of traveling?

It always helps to travel and work with people you’re hyped on, if your enjoying what you do then the positive vibes shine through in the final product. If something is forced or contrived then the trips or projects usually come up short.

Do you ever think about what path you might have taken if you didn’t find a BMX?

BMX has shaped who I am, traveling the world and meeting people from different cultures has opened my mind. I fell in love with BMX and the lifestyle that comes with it at an early age so it’s hard for me to even fathom who I’d be without it. BMX forces you to step outside your comfort zone and I think that’s necessary for self-progression.