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Last year we flew prolific BMX videographer Stew Johnson across to film the ACT Jam and he was able to get the S&M Bikes team to join in, making a full blown tour of the east coast of Australia.

Australia and our event, The ACT Jam, was able to be graced with the presence of S&M Bikes x Credence legend Clint Reynolds, NORA Cup trail rider of the year Nate Halahan, young gun and all-terrain shredder Aryei Levenson, kiwi legend Joe Simpson, street destroyer Jimmah and our very own Jonny Mackellar!

Above: Jonny Mackellar, mid handplant 360 over the hitching post. Top: Aryei Levenson, suicide no hander at Belconnen skatepark on the opening night of the jam. Photos Brendan Boeck.

The crew absolutely tore the eastern side of Australia to pieces. I have been privileged enough to watch an advanced screening of S&M's yet to be released 'Aussie Rules' video and I promise you, it will be your new favourite BMX video.

The best BMX video of 2024 for sure.

The below video of S&M Bikes at ACT Jam is an excerpt from the Aussie Rules video, where you get to see just how badass the S&M BMX team are.

We had Clint Reynolds welding up the course before shredding, Jimmah dropping into the iconic Belco bowl X-ride style, Jonny Mack doing just about every trick on all terrain; and Aryei Levenson even walked away with a three way tie for the ACT Jam Ultimate shredder award - as well as a spot on on the S&M pro team; all aboard his signature colour S&M ATF XL frame.

Stoked to see all this epic footage come together with the visionary mind of Stew Johnson and it definitely gets us stoked to roll on ACT Jam 2024, November 1 - 3!

Relive all the raddest moments from ACT Jam 2023 in these epic highlight videos from the weekend... Then set your alarm - because ACT Jam 2024 is on November 1 - 3 in Canberra

The biggest BMX event of the year in Australia is over for another year

It's been just over a month since ACT Jam 2023. It was the best one yet. Big trails, epic street course and a ripper video premiere of the top 8 videos...

UPDATE: New ACT Jam video competition cut off date of Midnight 29th October 2023.

The 2023 Boost Mobile ACT Jam is going to be at that next level. It's officially the tenth year since the reincarnation of the ACT Jam. Every year the jam builds and builds, but this year, we are taking the jam to a new, and different, level.

ACT Jam 2023 will focus heavily on a BMX video competition that is now officially open.

Every rider and their crew has a chance to film a video part that can be submitted by the extended cut off date of midnight 29th October 2023. A panel of judges will watch the submitted videos, selecting the top ten videos to be premiered as a full video during ACT Jam 2023!

The premiere will count down from ten, with the number one video part being the last part played on the night, revealing the winner.

Top three parts will receive prizes, with the winning video part receiving $3000 to share amongst the rider/riders and filmer/filmers.

We feel this video contest and premiere night is a special and important addition to ACT Jam for a few reasons. Firstly, it makes the jam even more fun for riders. While there will still be cash prizes to be given for things like best trick, challenges etc., the pressure will be off to perform.

Ask most riders what the most special part of a BMX event is and there answer will be 'a video premiere'. There is nothing quite like celebrating a rider's achievements that has been captured on (digital) film and showing it for the first time to the BMX community.

Typically video premieres are of one brand, one crew of riders - and this is where the ACT Jam video part competition premiere stands out. It provides a unique opportunity for multiple different scenes, sponsored riders, locations and genres of riding - a chance to shine and celebrate - all in the same night.

Whether your video makes the top ten played on the premiere night or not, we know that you'll have a real appreciation for what goes down on the weekend of November 10, 11 and 12.

Good luck and happy filming. See you in November! Scroll down to read the rules and guidelines.

ACT Jam 2023 Video Contest Rules and Guidelines

• Video must be minimum 2:00 minutes long
• Video must be maximum 5:00 minutes long
• Video can be 1 - 6 different riders
• Video must only contain footage that has not been used anywhere else
• Video must not contain blantant sponsor footage ie. watermarks or lingering and repeated sponsor logos
• Video must be submitted in .mp4 format via dropbox/wetransfer (or similar) link to club@backbonebmx.com.au by midnight October 29 2023. Absolutely no videos will be accepted after this date.
• Any terrain/style of riding permitted
• Any music permitted (video creator takes responsibility for music used without permission).
• Video judging will be done through a group of chosen judges within the BMX industry, criteria will be creativity, tricks, filming and editing, sound, music choice, titles, originality, enjoyment, watchability, vibe
• Submitted videos should not be shown to or viewed by public by anyone except Back Bone BMX until after ACT Jam 2023 has finalised. Doing so will result in immediate disqualification. (So don't upload your part to your YouTube until after the premiere!)
• Submissions are open worldwide residents
• By submitting a video you agree to having your video played at ACT Jam 2023 and used by Back Bone BMX in future marketing and promotions. You may still use your video and you own all the rights to it! We just want you to okay with us be playing it and making it available to BMX riders.

After watching last year's ACT Jam video that was made by attendee Aidan Rice, we contacted him to make us an official video for 2022. Aidan went above and beyond this year and absolutely smashed it with the video you see below. Watch it a million times and get stoked to count down the days until next year.

For those that don't know, ACT Jam is run by FACT BMX Club, which was started by us in 2011. We are lucky to have a rad committee this year that helped out a bunch, thanks to all involved.

We are hoping to create an even bigger and more powerful BMX club with Club Back Bone, so that we can build the BMX scene even bigger than ever, so please consider jumping on and becoming a member here:

https://www.backbonebmx.com/club-back-bone   

We also had local legends Lucifungus play on day one - you've probably heard their music on many of our web videos, so make sure you hit their bandcamp up and play their music LOUD.

Vans Presents ACT Jam 2022

Major Partners:

• BentSpoke Brewing Co.
• Universal Ramps
• Wethepeople BMX
• NBD Construction

With Support From:

• Colony BMX
• Division Brand
• Eclat
• Fast & Loose
• Fist Handwear
• Cult BMX
• Kink BMX
• Canberra Ink
• Sweet Bones Bakery
• Barbell Foods
• Tempered

ACT Jam 2022 was bananas!

Above: Corey Walsh was on fire all weekend.. whipped and then some. All photos Nick Gascoine.

The crew absolutely banded together to make it happen - if you haven't listened to the recap Back Bone Zone podcast episode then jump over there to hear it first hand.

With media coming out from all over the internet from Vans Australia and Vans BMX, as well as long time supporter Colony BMX, it's only fair to showcase some amazing shots that our good friend Nick Gascoine shot while documenting the event. 

I think it'd be fair to say that it's been the most memorable ACT Jam event yet, thanks to all who braved the forecast and made it to Canberra believing that the jam was going ahead.

Big thanks to Vans, BentSpoke Brewing Co., NBD Constructions, Universal Ramps and Wethepeople for helping out as major partners this year. Epic.

We have an official video coming out later this week, so be on the lookout.  

- Tyson

Josh Dove legitimately got told by the venue staff to not go so high because the roof can't handle it.. Into the rafters. High air winner.

Street ledge best trick, gap to X-Ride. Jimmah!

Not just for the pros, the next gen were in full force on the course, with some extra ramps to keep them busy when the course was occupied. Oscar, jumpin!

Luke Tooze came across from West Oz and ripped alllll weekend. Might've owned the 'most laps' award unofficially. Big giz on the big quarter.

Josh Clemens from Fast and Loose and Luke share the stoke.

Corey Walsh was putting on a show all weekend.. Fast and smooth, and whipped.

Speaking of shredding all weekend, it was awesome to have QLD's Jayden 'J Dogg' Fuller here again for another ACT Jam. He was straight up shredding! Big table.

Some of the girls BMX crew that were shredding over the weekend, enjoying post-ride Bentspokes and relishing in the stoke that is riding in front of a large crowd while it pours rain outside. Annie, Sarah and Sarah.

It seems very fitting that a Summernats shirt made an appearance.. This is the same venue that hosts the car event every year.

Another one of WA's finest, Shane Ellis made it across to the east coast and went higher and further than most. A contender in the high air and long jump.. Shane RIPS.

Young Jaxon has been coming to ACT jam since I think he was in single digits. He's 13 now and shreds harder than ever.

So incredible to watch Josh Dove ride - he made everything he did look too effortless. 360 one foot table (perfect Vans product placement too, haha)

I got to ride a bit both days, stoked to ride the best quarter ever for a few laps!

One banged 900/540 flair, Samual Grace givin' it some and living to tell the tale. So badass.

Ridiculous height air from Corey Walsh. 14ft above.

From memory, this was a keg off the limit on the long keg jump at ACT Jam. The fact that Josh Dove did a huge no hander over this length was INSANE. Corey and Josh battled it out and tied it up. It was crazy.

Push the landing back! Long jump helpers.

A relieved Josh Dove gets the love from the crowd after clearing the long jump.  

It's going to be an EPIC two days.. Literally! 

A little rain isn't going to stop us. This is actually one of the reasons why it's called the ACT Jam. It's about taking ACTion to make BMX sick, no matter the variables.

7/10: Belconnen 4pm start (Lighthouse Pub Birthday Day for Chris James)
8/10: EPIC Fitzroy Pavilion 2pm start
9/10: EPIC Fitzroy Pavilion 12pm start

All riders must be registered to ride/take part in prize money and EPIC event before 2pm October 9th 2022.

Details for rider sign-up when creating profile in link below:

1. Find the 'Open Now! Click to enter' button
2. Fill out personal information
3. Under 'Membership type / governing body, if you do not have an AusCycling membership, choose 'N/A'
4. Under 'club' type 'Freestyle ACT BMX Club'
5. Create Profile - non AusCycling members pay $15 for insurance, AusCycling members $5. 

Vans presents ACT Jam 2022