What made you choose Australia to further your studies?

I was travelling for a bit more than a year after I finished school and Melbourne was one of the best places I visited. The people, the scene, all the spots and skateparks, beach, nature, it’s just the perfect package.

You are from Germany right? I know people can get confused because we sometimes call you Swiss.

Well I have a German passport but I grew up like 5 minutes from the border to Switzerland which is why I have a Swiss accent when I speak German plus my good friend Janis from Switzerland stayed with me for the first month when I moved here so everyone started to call us Swiss.

How long are you studying here for? Do you plan to stay here after you finish?

I’m enrolled in a 3-year Bachelor of Commerce degree and I’m doing a major in management. Just finished exams for the 2nd semester and it seems to work out pretty good so far. When I finish the degree I want to travel for a while, there is just too many things on the list to tick off. Really want to go back to the States and thinking of spending some more time in China. Plans change along the way so i can’t exactly say where i’ll end up. Pretty sure i will be back at some point though it’s just too much fun down here.

How have you found the BMX scene here in Melbourne? Hopefully we’ve all been pretty welcoming?

The scene down here is incredible, so many riders. There is always a solid crew rolling even during the week. People i looked up to when I started riding are now the ones I ride with, it’s more like living in a dreamworld for me, couldn’t think of a better place really.

What’ s been your favourite park or spot you’ve been to?

Been here for quite a while now but I still feel like I’ve only seen a small chunk of all the spots this city has to offer. What really blew my mind was when I realised how temporary the spots are. Spots come and go with the development of a city and Melbourne is changing so fast. One of Australia’s best street spots, Lincoln square just recently got torn down while  up the road they built a massive new spot with endless coping ledges and rails. Feels like there is a constant supply of new spots while others get capped or demolished. My favourite spot is the whole city really.

Have you travelled outside of Melbourne yet?

I Spent a few months travelling up and down the east coast when I was on my one-year-trip. Since I came back I haven’t actually left the city yet. Even tough I recently bought a car, I’ve been too busy with uni and work. Got a few things planned for summer, keen for a road trip along the coast!

You are always filming clips when we are out riding spots, when do you plan to drop your video from AUS?

I’ve been working on an edit for about half a year now and I’m super stoked on how it’s coming along, it will still take a while to finish it though, I’m only about half way through. Both of the backwards-grinds from the photos will be in it as well.

What was the biggest culture shock compared to back home?

I can’t get over the fact that I grew up in a culture that is not blessed with meat pies and tomato sauce … mate.

Your English is pretty on point, how did you learn it so well?

I had it in school for a bit but that only helped me with vocabulary. How to have an actual conversation is another thing. You only learn that when you’re in another country. So far I already spent 2 years in english-speaking countries, at some point it just pulls a switch and you even start thinking in the new language. From that point all you have to work on is accent and slang-words but that just comes by itself from time to time.

Are there many differences from the Australian scene compared to back in Germany?

Kind of feels a bit more laid back here in OZ, less competition, less hectic. At the end of the day we’re all just riding kids bikes right?

You mentioned there’s differences between the Oz and German BMX scenes, mostly Oz being more laid back, – Would you say you prefer one over the other?

That might just be the area i’m from. My hometown is pretty much in the middle of the black forest, there is no such thing as a scene haha. I always had to travel to the bigger cities either across the border to Switzerland or further up north in Germany to have spots, parks and people to ride with. I’m sure there is a good scene in the major cities like Frankfurt and Berlin.

When I first saw you ride and probably every session we have, you’ll generally do at least one if not more tricks that make us stand up and notice,I’m curious – what riders have influenced your style to help you ride this way? 

I used to ride only park and dirt without pegs and my riding was more about the airtime. Back then my favourite riders were Chase Hawk and Mike Aitken. Now I really look up to technical street riders like Alex Donnachie, Nathan Williams and Alex Kennedy which is probably why I put on a coaster and a 4th peg about a year ago.

You’re a real upbeat and positive dude from what I can tell, is this just in BMX or do you follow this into all different aspects of life and if so, where did it come from?

I try to have as much fun as i can with everything i do. Being young doesn’t last forever so you might as well enjoy it.

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