When I was young it was a bit different, it wasn’t as socially acceptable to be a girl BMXer and rock scrapes and bruises. Boys would sometimes feel awkward and not want to get shown up by a girl at the skatepark. If they snaked me and copied my tricks I’d just bang out a candybar to put a stop to it!
Val Ward
Name?
Val Ward
Age?
34
Bike?
United Incarnate, Gsport wheels with Profile Elite hubs, United Severance cranks, Odyssey R25 forks, United Direct tyres.
When and how did you start riding?
When I was little I followed my older brothers everywhere. They had a good group of friends and were the first to start building dirt jumps at Teddington Lock trails. My parents then bought me a BMX for my 9th birthday and I got into riding dirt jumps.
Where do you ride?
Everywhere I can! I love trying out new skateparks and love roadtrips. I live in Kent so usually go to skateparks that are local or along the south coast. I also ride at The Base skatepark, Prevail Skatehouse and The Source Park. My husband BMXes too, we’ve done BMX roadtrips all over the UK. In 2017 we travelled all the way to Fise Budapest in our campervan stopping at loads of different skateparks on the way.
Whats your favourite terrain to ride?
Wood. Unfortunately this is a dying art for outdoor skateparks, I’m hoping it will make a comeback. Resi and foam are my least favourite, somehow they always manage to hurt me!
What impact did becoming a bmxer have on you personally? Did it change your general outlook?
It was so long ago that I started BMX and as a 9 year old I was totally carefree. I got back into BMX about 6 years ago after not riding for over 8 years. It felt liberating. I still had all of my tricks and local parks were no longer tiny little metal ramps but big concrete bowls.
My outlook on life totally changed. I realised I was working to eventually enjoy retirement and was missing out on the days I can ride, but I could fit BMX in around work and have so much fun. It’s made me a much happier person.
You recently got sponsored by United – How did that feel and how did getting some recognition impact your riding and general approach?
It felt amazing! I first met Ian Morris years ago at Corby when I first got back into riding. Back then I had a pink United Mothership, I still have this frame as it is one of my favourites. We’ve seen each other quite a few times since then and got chatting at a backyard jam. It feels recent but was nearly 2 years ago now! I was totally stoked when he said he’d be interested in supporting me! I spoke to my mate Matt Nicklen at Entity BMX shop and he sorted it all out for me! It definitely has made me push my riding, I want to do the brand and shop proud and support them too.
Hows your riding at the minute? What part of your riding/tricks are you currently trying to progress?
I’m having so much fun riding at the moment. My husband is building some backyard ramps. We’ve started off small with a 4 foot quarter, a grind ledge, a kicker and a flatbank, but we will build something bigger. So I have 4 pegs on at the moment to learn some different grinds and oppo grinds! As for tricks, I love a good flyout session and am always trying to learn weird new tricks!
Who do you look to for influence and motivation within bmx?
Mainly OGs like Ryan Nyquist, Nina Burrito, Scotty Cranmer, Mykel Larrin, Mat Hoffman letc. Also, pretty much anyone else who rides! So much inspiration out there!
Can it be a little lonely being a female rider?
To be honest, most of my friends are guys anyway and BMX for me is a giant family and doesn’t feel lonely. I have female BMX friends all over the world, which is awesome. It’s definitely not a lonely place!
What’s your take on the Olympics as a female rider? Do you think it will encourage more women to start riding?
It definitely already has. The first Fise competition I went to in 2017 only had 9 female riders, this quickly increased and now there’s probably over 100 females collecting UCI points and plenty more great riders with potential.
What would you like to see happening in BMX to help encourage more female riders?
I would like to see more investment in grassroots, skateparks and in riders with potential. At the moment you can be one of the best female riders in the world and not be able to earn a living out of the sport. Over the last few years the uplift in support, prize money and help from federations has really improved the skill level of female BMXers, as they now have more opportunities to work towards, more coaching and time to train.
BMX historically has been a sausage fest (male dominated) – Have you ever felt any negativity or awkwardness towards you just because you’re a woman who rides?
To be honest, normally the experience is positive. I have had a lot of support from strangers, companies, friends etc because I’m a woman who rides. So I can’t really complain about the rare moments in a skatepark where people are awkward about it!
When I was young it was a bit different, it wasn’t as socially acceptable to be a girl BMXer and rock scrapes and bruises. Boys would sometimes feel awkward and not want to get shown up by a girl at the skatepark. If they snaked me and copied my tricks I’d just bang out a candybar to put a stop to it!
Do you feel female riders get enough coverage within the bmx media or can more be done to showcase them?
There’s always more that can be done! Things are definitely improving though!
Do you see yourself competing more in the coming years?
I don’t know to be honest, I really prefer jams now. When I found out in 2017 that BMX was going to be in the Olympics I went to every Fise event. The first one I went to was in Budapest, then Canada and then China, which included the World Championships. I wanted to get a good World ranking so that I could get onto the British team when they started one. I ended up 8th in the World rankings, despite missing the first Fise event and also ended up 8th at the World Championships. I made it into the finals at every event and couldn’t believe it!
I also won 2nd place at Nass. Britain used my ranking to assist with their application for funding but they didn’t even choose me to attend their selection process. They were interested in 3 other riders. I continued going to the Fise events in 2018 to prove myself and despite lots of injuries I maintained 2nd best female in the UK rankings until the last World Cup of the year. 2 weeks before the first 2018 Fise event in Japan I twisted my ankle so hard, but the flights had cost so much so I still competed and fell in my second run, twisting the ankle again. It turned out I actually had nerve damage in the ankle, a fracture in the foot and swelling between the bones and to top it off I then had a head injury. Before the last two competitions of the year I twisted my other ankle, I had such bad luck!
I was working non stop to fund the plane tickets and time off for the events, sometimes I’d get on the course for practice and realise I hadn’t ridden my bike in weeks. After all that I still didn’t make the team!
I really enjoyed the events and am so lucky to have travelled the world with my bike and meet so many awesome people. So I look back on it all as a blessing. Not many people have had the opportunities and experiences I have had. The Fise organisers, family, friends and other riders helped me out so much and I am so grateful!
How have you done for injuries recently and how do they impact your confidence and approach?
Recently I’ve felt great! The last proper injury I had was 5 minutes before they called my name for my run at the backyard jam finals I broke my shoulder. I was properly gutted as I missed out on an opportunity to win a riding spot at Simple Session.
A few weeks ago I also landed on my face and wrecked a front tooth during an Entity roadtrip. I found an emergency dentist to get my tooth fixed and carried on riding that same evening!
I knew I had to ride again straight away, I didn’t want to miss out on a great session and didn’t want it to affect my confidence.
How do you fit riding in with work/life/family/whatever?
I BMX with my husband, so that ticks 2 boxes! I pretty much work, ride or sleep.
Do you do any exercise or stretching to help with BMX fitness and/or injury prevention?
I keep my fitness up either with cross country running or the gym. I should do some injury prevention but it’s usually an injury that kick starts me doing what the physio tells me to do.
What about Eating and Booze? Do you try to watch these so you can keep on riding BMX?
I don’t really drink. I try to eat healthy and build up my strength for BMX in the hope it will help make me a better rider!
What’s next for you?
Ride for fun, build an awesome backyard set up, see where BMXlife takes me! I’m also looking forward to working with my new clothing sponsor Eff Emm Clothing.
Any last words?
Much love to everyone out there that supports me and follows me! If you don’t BMX or are interested in starting again then please give it a go! Join Ride On on Facebook for a great support network!
