Name: Jesse Diaz
Age: 33 years young
Location: West Dade, Miami Florida
Profession: Broadcasting Supervisor,
Cameraman for the Miami Heat
Cameraman for the Miami Heat
How did you get the nick name boogie?
I am from the Bronx NY, also known as the Boogie
Down Bronx. Jesse + Boogie Down = jesboogie
I am from the Bronx NY, also known as the Boogie
Down Bronx. Jesse + Boogie Down = jesboogie
What was your first exposure to the 'X' Sports?
My first exposure to 'x' sports was as a skateboarder.
In 1976 my Dad bought me a sweet Alva with Tracker
Trucks and Sims wheels. There was a good skate
scene where I lived. Right in the shadow of the WTC.
Battery Park city was still a landfill and there was nice
concrete to ride. One time Pops took me to a concrete
indoor skatepark in Queens NY and I remember
making it to the tiles in a deep bowl.
My first exposure to 'x' sports was as a skateboarder.
In 1976 my Dad bought me a sweet Alva with Tracker
Trucks and Sims wheels. There was a good skate
scene where I lived. Right in the shadow of the WTC.
Battery Park city was still a landfill and there was nice
concrete to ride. One time Pops took me to a concrete
indoor skatepark in Queens NY and I remember
making it to the tiles in a deep bowl.
What were some of your first tricks?
Like most everyone else, on bikes I started with
coaster brake skids and wheelies. I had a twist
grip on my bike that made motorcycle sounds, so I
could emulate my Idol Evel Kinevel. I in about
1980, my play cousin showed me a curb endo. I
was hooked instantly.
Like most everyone else, on bikes I started with
coaster brake skids and wheelies. I had a twist
grip on my bike that made motorcycle sounds, so I
could emulate my Idol Evel Kinevel. I in about
1980, my play cousin showed me a curb endo. I
was hooked instantly.
What was your first bike?
I got a real nice Raleigh for Xmas and with Xmas
money I bought a Haro # plate for it. In the Bronx
there is no sanctioned BMX, so we rode in dirt
lots an made street jumps. Freestyle started to
catch on so dudes were dabbling with front
brakes and tricks.
I got a real nice Raleigh for Xmas and with Xmas
money I bought a Haro # plate for it. In the Bronx
there is no sanctioned BMX, so we rode in dirt
lots an made street jumps. Freestyle started to
catch on so dudes were dabbling with front
brakes and tricks.
Who did you used to ride with?
We had a good crew with some amazing
riders (too many to mention here), and I
was hardly the best of the bunch. When
the tours came to town, like Haro,
Diamondback, Mongoose, Dan Up,
Swatch, etc, we always went and rode
with the Pros afterwards.
We had a good crew with some amazing
riders (too many to mention here), and I
was hardly the best of the bunch. When
the tours came to town, like Haro,
Diamondback, Mongoose, Dan Up,
Swatch, etc, we always went and rode
with the Pros afterwards.
How did the movie Rad effect you?
Once Rad came out, it was all about freestyle for me. Rode hard, progressed, built 1/2pipes in
abandoned lots, flatlanded, got chased all the time by bike bandits. Street riding in the Bronx NY
is an experience in itself. Lots of curb cut outs to blast out of and all sorts of terrain.
Once Rad came out, it was all about freestyle for me. Rode hard, progressed, built 1/2pipes in
abandoned lots, flatlanded, got chased all the time by bike bandits. Street riding in the Bronx NY
is an experience in itself. Lots of curb cut outs to blast out of and all sorts of terrain.
Who are some of your favorite old school riders and current riders?
Many many many from BITD. Domingez, Fiola, Josh White,Martin, Woody,
KJ, Mat, Dennis McCoy, Moliterno, Joe Johnson, STU, Tinker, Greg Hill,
and all of my road dogs like Jesse A, Benny B, OJ, KK, Danny Parks,
Will,Todd, Sherpa Lou, The Rad Dogs, all I have forgotten. Today there
are plenty too; Chase G, McMurry, Nasty, Mike Aitken, Edwin, Ruben,
Goatinez, Hamilton, Morgan Wade, anyone who rides basically deserves a
shout out.
Many many many from BITD. Domingez, Fiola, Josh White,Martin, Woody,
KJ, Mat, Dennis McCoy, Moliterno, Joe Johnson, STU, Tinker, Greg Hill,
and all of my road dogs like Jesse A, Benny B, OJ, KK, Danny Parks,
Will,Todd, Sherpa Lou, The Rad Dogs, all I have forgotten. Today there
are plenty too; Chase G, McMurry, Nasty, Mike Aitken, Edwin, Ruben,
Goatinez, Hamilton, Morgan Wade, anyone who rides basically deserves a
shout out.
Did you ever enter contest?
Whenever there was an AFA, or 2-Hip contest, I entered. I love having a shot at the ramps
all to myself and going for it in front of a crowd. When Mullaly park got started near Yankee
Stadium, I entered every comp. I am a show off at heart and comps are the best place to do
it. I never got great placing but it wasn't about that for me. I just wanted to have fun and be a
participant and not just a spectator.
Whenever there was an AFA, or 2-Hip contest, I entered. I love having a shot at the ramps
all to myself and going for it in front of a crowd. When Mullaly park got started near Yankee
Stadium, I entered every comp. I am a show off at heart and comps are the best place to do
it. I never got great placing but it wasn't about that for me. I just wanted to have fun and be a
participant and not just a spectator.
What cause you to stop riding, more
importantly what brought you back to riding?
I was tired of the next injury. I took many slams
learning how to BMX. The hard way school. I
was also real busy with college and working as a
lifeguard in the Summer. I could not afford to get
hurt. I moved from NY to Miami in 1995 and I sold
my last freestyle bike (a Bully) Sometime in 1998,
I went into a bike shop and saw a Mongoose
Cruiser. I had done all kinds of BMX riding but I
had never raced. I bought the cruiser and signed
up with NBL. I taught myself to race. After a
couple of years of that, I got the fever to ride 20
inch bikes again. I eventually got pegs and here
we are today.
importantly what brought you back to riding?
I was tired of the next injury. I took many slams
learning how to BMX. The hard way school. I
was also real busy with college and working as a
lifeguard in the Summer. I could not afford to get
hurt. I moved from NY to Miami in 1995 and I sold
my last freestyle bike (a Bully) Sometime in 1998,
I went into a bike shop and saw a Mongoose
Cruiser. I had done all kinds of BMX riding but I
had never raced. I bought the cruiser and signed
up with NBL. I taught myself to race. After a
couple of years of that, I got the fever to ride 20
inch bikes again. I eventually got pegs and here
we are today.
What is your favorite style of riding?
I don't really have a favorite style, but I do like things that dont require brakes. I like to go fast.
I don't really have a favorite style, but I do like things that dont require brakes. I like to go fast.
What kind of music do you like to ride too?
I listen to my bike when I ride.
I listen to my bike when I ride.
How often do you ride and with whom and where?
I try to get out a couple of times a week. I hit up the skatepark, the race track, downtown
Miami,and the local college campus. Sometimes solo, sometimes with bros. Less now with
my wife being so pregnant.
I try to get out a couple of times a week. I hit up the skatepark, the race track, downtown
Miami,and the local college campus. Sometimes solo, sometimes with bros. Less now with
my wife being so pregnant.
What tricks are you learning currently?
Whiplash to x handed hang nothing.
Whiplash to x handed hang nothing.
What is your favorite flatland trick to do?
Hang 5s
Hang 5s
What was your worst accident on a bike?
Busted ribs and a few concussions
Busted ribs and a few concussions
What was the first message board that you posted on
and how many different ones do you post on now?
I started back when on Oldroads/Menotomy. Some old
fashion flame wars went down there. I
checked in at Roost, then Oldschool BMX which evolved
into Vintage BMX, and I also keep in touch with the young
guns over on BMXboard.
and how many different ones do you post on now?
I started back when on Oldroads/Menotomy. Some old
fashion flame wars went down there. I
checked in at Roost, then Oldschool BMX which evolved
into Vintage BMX, and I also keep in touch with the young
guns over on BMXboard.
What kind of bike are you riding and how is it set up?
My Flat/Park/Street bike is an FBM Equilibrium. Four pegs, no brakes, no problem!
My Flat/Park/Street bike is an FBM Equilibrium. Four pegs, no brakes, no problem!
Where is the Future of BMX Riding and what kind of progression do you think is next?
Hard to say. I am psyched at the level of riding now. Every discipline is nuts: Brakeless Pegless
Flatlanders, Pro Vert is unreal, Pro Street is so Original. Even racers on the downhill tracks are
taking the sport to higher ground (so to speak) BMX is still in its infancy in my opinion.
Hard to say. I am psyched at the level of riding now. Every discipline is nuts: Brakeless Pegless
Flatlanders, Pro Vert is unreal, Pro Street is so Original. Even racers on the downhill tracks are
taking the sport to higher ground (so to speak) BMX is still in its infancy in my opinion.
Any last Comments?
Thanks for taking the time to interview me, I am very flattered. Special thanks to my main
sponsor, my lovely wife Teresa. She has my back always. Big props to all 20 inch bike riders,
young to old, from racers to vert dogs. We are all family. Peace and Good Times always.
Thanks for taking the time to interview me, I am very flattered. Special thanks to my main
sponsor, my lovely wife Teresa. She has my back always. Big props to all 20 inch bike riders,
young to old, from racers to vert dogs. We are all family. Peace and Good Times always.
Contact me at:
raddad67@bmxfreestyler.com
raddad67@bmxfreestyler.com
How does it feel to get back into riding?
It feels fantastic. I ride brakeless on the street and in the park and it is like falling in love all over again. It
is also nice to have money enough to buy myself nice bikes. It was a struggle back in the day to get a
nice ride together. I really appreciate all that I have.Collectables and daily riders.
It feels fantastic. I ride brakeless on the street and in the park and it is like falling in love all over again. It
is also nice to have money enough to buy myself nice bikes. It was a struggle back in the day to get a
nice ride together. I really appreciate all that I have.Collectables and daily riders.
