Name age and where do you live?
Sebastian Denver Hejna. Yes Denver…. 30 years young.
How many people manage to say your surname properly first time?
NONE! Always HEDGE-NAH, BUT its actually HEY-NAH.
How long have you been riding?
Most of my life, from way back when me Joyce, Ash Hall, KP etc were just kids, watching people like Gerry Galley, Big Paul, Cong, Zak Shaw with absolute amazement at Radlands skatepark. That place was our local park, and a real lost wonder of the world, those who know, KNOW!
Kids these days benefit from the new “web edits” being uploaded every 2 mins, but, back then it was videos, and not many… Angus & wasted were a couple of British vids even before the likes of props etc…Kids try and check them… That was BMX to us! And nothing beat seeing our heroes at either Radlands or the legendary Backyard jams…. Again, those who know, KNOW! A history lesson would do a lot of people good in BMX, they need to see the true roots of it all.
What type of riding do you like and which do you get to do most often?
I was one of the managers at the Corby park for quite a while, so was there everyday and that’s what kind of got me back into it all again after having some time off for uni and what not! Ramp riding was always my thing (ha, if I have a thing) so I still love a transition and especially a wooden one. Now I live in London I have had to get into street a bit more, and love every second of it. As well as the street we have just had a couple of awesome concrete bowls pop up just 5mins from my house and love a session on them.
Favourite thing about BMX?
Riding with all my old mates and meeting new ones, & with them all traveling around the world and partying BMX style!!!
Who do you ride with on a regular basis?
Darryl Charles, Matty Lambert, Craig Stevens and Fenlon when he is in town are regulars, & they show me the ropes on the street, Matty moved to London a few months ago and luckily a 2min ride from mine. Volt BMX shop is just around the corner so always session with them. Joycey (one of my best mates on the planet), Hillsy and Dave Taylor always come to see from home and I love them boys & then there is Matt Priest, Lima and the legend that is Hitchcox often come for a visit to ride or to party, and more often than not both.
Favourite trick(s)?
No idea. Love 360’s down stuff, (Lacey style). Always think a good old-fashioned stylish tailwhip still looks amazing! Oh and I love frontflips, just wished they didn’t hurt so much when they go wrong. (Hillsy, being a prime example). Love style in general, but its something I unfortunately don’t really have, Ha!
Worst tricks?
The simple ones, not because I don’t like them, just because I cant do them i.e. Turndowns, look-backs, and inverts. I mean seriously, is it a big conspiracy; are you all keeping something from me? How, how, how??
Favorite Rider to watch?
There are 2, Ben Hennon & Ben Wallace.
Wear a helmet?
Always man, I don’t want anything to stop me from having the fun I have, and if you crack your bonnet it can all stop pretty damn soon, hitting your head is something that cant be avoided on a BMX unfortunately, just don’t let it be the thing that stops you for good.
Aside from riding do you have other involvements in BMX?
Hell yeah, as I have got older it just kind of happens that way, its good, I now commentate for events such as NASS, Boardmasters, Bug Jam, plus also doing web interviews for Ride UK BMX magazine and MPORA, and doing numerous presenting things for The Extreme Sports channel. This year for NASS I was also one of the people heavily involved with the designing, organizing and building of the street spots…More to come from that for sure. Love consulting with BLANK on new parts, that’s a good involvement for sure!
So what’s it like riding for Blank?
They are really amazing, fully supportive, are always so quick to help and send new parts, always listen to what we have to say about their stuff, and their parts are getting better and better and are a true British brand that are nailing it. As a business they are really close, they all work so well, sounds cheesy as hell but they seem like a massive family, which is getting bigger with Big Dan and Andy’s little ones joining the World recently. Load of jokers really!!! As a rider though it’s amazing to get help with parts etc, it means a lot and I never take it for granted! Its great to know that we are helping promote the brand, whether its riding, commentating or presenting I always try to rep the brand as best I can, I believe in what they do so its an easy thing to do really!
Any other interests outside of BMX?
So much…. Surfing & snowboarding being 2 of the main ones, they mean you get to travel to some awesome places and see some amazing things. But I love skydiving, climbing, football, rugby, etc etc give me it all….. I am also a product designer!…But that’s my job! (or one of them) does that count? My girlfriend, music, reading, traveling… and the list goes on…..
Favorite Destination outside of the UK?
California – It has epic BMX spots, good surf, good weather and plenty of good times….and it’s a lot quicker to get to Austin TX than from the UK (R Fenlon). ;o)
How is 2011 looking for you so far?
AWESOME MAN. Although a dodgy start, I had another knee injury before Xmas, and I am due yet another OP but I have put a hold on it until wintertime. I spent my 30th birthday in Chamonix in a 5 star resort, it had: Hot tub, sauna, swimming pool, steam room and all the food and booze we could drink. I have just had 2 amazing concrete parks open within a 5min ride from my house so that’s awesome, and rare in London. Had Robin Fenlon staying with me for a month before he moved to Austin TX we had some good times, including attending the women’s tennis Wimbledon party, Me, Robin and Matty Lambert tore it to shreds!!! BEST thing is the new signature frame, the 2012 BLANK NAPALM, really epic!!! Amazing quality, light and affordable! Things to look forward to, well, too many really, BUT top things are: Matty Lambert moving around the corner, being asked to be Ben Joyce’s Best man with Ash Hall (+and also being asked to be a best man for my other best mate) and along with numerous events coming up this summer there is going to be a BLANK BIKES tour in August/September. Plus organizing Joyce’s stag due…. That will be something else!
Anything else?
Thanks to all my mates in BMX, for keeping me inspired to ride and party with them always! Thanks to Mandy from Corby for turning a blind eye to many a late session. Thanks to mum, dad, and my girlfriend for being AMAZING. Thanks to all the people from the industry, Extreme sports channel, Relentless, Sports Vision, Vans, Red bull, Oakley, and more that I forget for all their constant hook ups.
And most importantly thanks to Andy, Rob and the crew at Split Second, BMX & BLANK for all their help with hooking me up, it helps so much to be able to rely on good parts and a good team to look after you. Can’t thank you all enough!!!
Be good, and if you can’t be good, be careful!!! x
