BMX Sporting history on show

Riders flip for new museum display

A display highlighting the evolution of the City of Logan’s BMX freestyle scene and a locally devised foundation trick of the sport has been unveiled.

Progression Playground is on show at the Living Museum of Logan in the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct.

City of Logan Mayor Jon Raven said it was fitting the exhibition had been launched as the eyes of the world were on Paris, where BMX freestyle has featured for the second time at an Olympic Games.

“Freestyle BMX is an exciting Olympic sport, and we know that Logan Martin learnt his craft at Crestmead and Beenleigh Skate Parks,” Cr Raven said.

“It’s so much more than a sport though, Freestyle BMX has its own subculture and values that encourage innovation, courage and creativity in young people.”

 Progression Playground highlights the growth of Logan’s BMX freestyle scene from the early years to today’s new generation of riders.

It was curated by BMX freestyle historian and professional rider Ross D Lavender who has competed in local, state, and national freestyle competitions over more than 35 years in the sport.

A regular at Council’s Beenleigh BMX park, Ross is also the author of Transition: 40 Years of Beenleigh BMX Park, supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between Council and Arts Queensland.

Cr Raven said the exhibition gave an insight into the sport and how it had been embraced in the city.

“We can proudly lay claim to a Queensland BMX freestyle first as Tim Wood was the state’s first rider to successfully land backflips,” he said.

Backflips are used in most disciplines of freestyle riding as a foundation trick today but in 1993, Tim constructed a customised ramp and launched himself into Logan’s Karawatha Quarry to attempt it for the first time.

The water provided a soft landing for Tim to perfect the trick which he performed that same year in competition at the Beenleigh BMX Complex.

Progression Playground will be displayed until July next year.

The Living Museum of Logan at 270 Jacaranda Ave, Kingston is open from 10am to 4pm between Tuesday and Saturday.

It is closed on public holidays.

Bookings are not required to view the exhibition.

For more information visit lccqld.com/livingmuseum