Josh Hannah is an industry shaker, making moves and taking risks that only huge corporations would dare. Starting with humble beginnings as a young FMX punk kid, he now owns one of the largest touring FMX events in the world.

Josh Hannah gained attention in the late 2000s as a progressive young gun, impressing many by being one of the few riders to master backflips during the early era of Australian FMX.

His journey into becoming a promoter was inspired by classic industry politics. Experiencing problems such as riders undercutting one another and witnessing poor industry standards, Josh set out to make the changes he believed were needed by improving rider safety, ensuring fair payments and creating opportunities for future superstars such as Kruz Maddison.

After engineering and fabricating his own portable steel landing, attached to the back of a Pantech truck, Freestyle Kings was born. With the intention of performing local FMX demonstrations at agricultural and car shows, Freestyle Kings successfully raised the bar for what could be expected from the industry.

Years of expanding the team eventually led overseas. The global demand for FMX entertainment surpassed expectations.

“It’s pretty ambitious to look back on. I just booked a flight to China, had a meeting and ended up signing a deal to set up a permanent residency show for Freestyle Kings,” describes Josh.

A team of 15 Freestyle Kings riders would stay overseas while a select few continued running demonstration shows in Australia.

This experience led Josh down a path of managing high-budget productions and stepping away from performing in the shows himself.

As the world shut down during the pandemic, events were completely banned almost overnight. Lockdowns came and went month by month, but Josh made sure Freestyle Kings swung into action. Spending months finding legal avenues, a combination of determination and preparation saw Josh bring back the first large-scale action sports event since COVID began, called Freestyle Kings LIVE. Timing the show perfectly between two separate lockdowns, Freestyle Kings LIVE became one of the biggest action sports productions of the modern era.

This is where Josh earned respect amongst other high-profile promoters. He continued pushing through an unpredictable market, taking unbelievable risks knowing that if just one Freestyle Kings LIVE show failed, he could lose everything. His commitment, work ethic and experience as a professional rider have been key factors in his success.

The touring event has now expanded internationally to South Africa, China, the USA and New Zealand. It has delivered a huge range of elements to its shows, including the High Air Quarter Pipe, Ronnie Mac, Next Gen Ramps, the 720 Spin, 75-foot Double Backflips, special international guests such as Tyler Bateman and Patrick Evans, and now, snowmobiles.

“With the tricks we wanted performed at our shows, I needed to invest in safety. I chose to use BagJump airbags so we could send these X Games-worthy tricks at back-to-back events. We even had Rob Adelberg throw the first-ever Front Flip Porti Air and Clinton Moore attempt two 720 spins in a row — all world-first tricks in a live show.”

After many years off the bike directing tours, Josh reminded everyone just how insane a rider he really is. Inviting the team out to his compound, nobody had any idea what he had been practising for. A huge long-distance ramp sat waiting with a gap of 280 feet. Clicking through the gears, Josh launched at top speed, clearing a helicopter sitting beneath his flight path.

“What promoter goes out there and just shows us all up like that?” laughed Rob Adelberg.

Josh’s next initiative is taking the new Freestyle Kings LIVE show indoors again, with events planned for Perth’s RAC Arena and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena. Rumours are also circulating amongst the team about another international tour later this year.

“I really hope new fans get to see what we’re bringing to these next shows. Action sports are making a new comeback.”

You can book seats and find tour dates through Ticketek or at www.freestylekings.com.

HOW I GOT MY MOST VIRAL VIDEO

Sitting at 1.3 million likes and 23.9 million views, Quad Lock became a secret weapon for creating viral videos. It wasn’t a fluke either. Every video I’ve posted using my Quad Lock Handlebar Mount has gone viral and averaged more than a million views per upload.

How I did it:

• First, I bolted my Quad Lock Handlebar Mount backwards near the bar pad. Instead of the iPhone screen facing me, I pointed the rear-facing camera at myself.

• I selected Slow-Mo and hit record. Most videos were between five and 10 minutes long.

• I performed tricks hanging off the back of the bike so I stayed in frame. If you use the 0.5x fisheye setting on your iPhone, you can also capture yourself riding normally.

• When editing, I removed anything that felt slow or made the viewer wait too long. The clip immediately showed me airborne. You have about 1.3 seconds to capture someone’s attention before they scroll away.

• Choose a song with a perfect loop for the length of the video, or simply leave the sound raw. Also make sure your final video is 15 seconds or less for this style of content.

• Upload using Instagram’s EDITS app. It processes your video at the best quality for Instagram and can also help boost your reach in the algorithm.

• Keep your caption short and informative. Simply explain what’s happening in the clip. Even tagging Quad Lock helps, as they regularly share user-generated content.

• Don’t give up after one attempt. It may take a few goes, but everyone who has tried this angle with a trick seems to go viral.

FMX NEWS

• Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross has collaborated with Freestyle Kings LIVE for its Townsville season opener. Fans will witness both Supercross racing and an extended Freestyle Kings LIVE feature on the night.

• Harry Bink has spent months on the European circuit, performing at events including MotoGP and training with some of Europe’s best FMX riders.

• This year marks Taka Higashino’s 20th consecutive appearance at the X Games without missing a single event. Monster Energy is rumoured to be releasing a mini documentary on the achievement.

• Colby Raha set records in Las Vegas and also delivered the most-viewed Caesars Palace jump in modern history thanks to broadcast, livestream and social media reach.

• Robbie Maddison squeezed in the Finke Desert Race between Freestyle Kings tour stops.

• Snoop Dogg continues posting AI-generated FMX videos of himself. Some of the original images used appear to feature Mike Mason.

• Rising rider Darren Wright is gaining attention by throwing world-first upright tricks, including a Saran Wrap to Nac-Nac Seat Grab One Hander. You simply have to see the videos. Follow him at @darrenwrightfmx.

• Ben and Tom Richards have been training in secret with Jackson Strong while working on new tricks for the X Games. Hints from recent videos suggest Double Backflip combinations may be on the cards.