Ellie off to freestyle BMX demo

It is the early evening as Ellie Chew adjusts her shin pads and helmet atop a ramp at Waikanae Skate Park, before pedalling into a successful 360 turndown, an intricate mid-air twist, as she does every week.

The move, among many freestyle BMX tricks up the sleeve of the talented 23-year-old, is the reason she was among nine females from across the world who attended the prominent X Games in Austin, Texas, last year.

The only female New Zealander at the event, in a highly male dominated sport, Ellie will now participate in an official female freestyle BMX demo at this year's X Games, in front of a live audience for the first time.

Hoping to help establish a female riding presence at the extreme sports event, Ellie's riding levels will be measured by organisers during her visit.

From there, they will determine whether enough girls are available worldwide to hold a female freestyle BMX competition.

The Otaihanga local is looking forward to riding at 2017's Minneapolis based event, running from July 13 to 16.

"I loved riding right from the start, when I was a child taking bikes to the local BMX track," the ex-Paraparaumu College student said.

"I became more interested in BMX when I was about 16 and had a group of school friends who went to the BMX track after school.

"We learnt how to jump every jump and moved on to doing tricks over the jumps, before going to the skate park instead."

BMX freestyle, which is different to standard BMX racing, focuses on tricks, flips and spins.

"I'd go to the skate park every day after school and ride until it was dark, wearing knee, shin and ankle pads under my jeans to protect me from slips or falls, and a mouth guard and POC helmet."

Years on and she now rides a custom built bike, which she hopes to take around the world as a professional freestyle BMX rider.

"I like that BMX freestyle is a progression sport, and that there's no right or wrong way to ride.

"Everyone has their own style of riding and every kind of style is appreciated.

"I like to ride with flow and enjoy going as high and big as I can, while making the move look as elegant as I can at the same time."

Sponsored by Haro Bikes for this year's X Games, Ellie is expecting another "surreal" experience from this year's games.

"Last year, I had a hard time coming to reality that I was actually there as an athlete and not just a spectator.

"X Games is incredible, with such a buzz from everyone there, and I meet so many amazing people."

She said, to continue to evolve and hopefully turn female freestyle BMX on its head, she challenged herself to become better every day.

"It's all about being better than you were the day before.

"It's going to be a little scary riding in front of such a big crowd, but whenever I'm on my bike, all of those feelings go away and I'm just happy to be riding."