Extreme sports take off

Photo provided to Shanghai star

He modified a BMX bike after searching for months for parts and equipment in garages all over the city.

Then he learnt to ride by watching online videos after school and practicing tricks on the road at night.

"Riding BMX is an endless learning process full of surprises. I am able to challenge my limit continuously and play it my style," Wang says.

Wang adds that his goal is to dispel the misconceptions about BMX, which is not as dangerous as some may think, he says. Rather, it is a "risk-controlled" sport allowing any beginner to participate, even one with zero experience.

Now, he is quite pleased to meet more BMX cyclists every day in the park and witness the group expand.

Thirty-four-year-old BMX cyclist Xu Rongliang shares Wang's passion and vision for the sport. He declares that devoting as much time as he can to BMX riding is his lifetime hobby.

"Extreme sports like BMX offers more freedom to participants who are able to control the sport's activity and do whatever they want instead of being tied down with complicated rules," says Xu, a former professional BMX cyclist who trained with the national BMX team for about three years.

A like-minded colleague of Wang, Xu began riding BMX bikes four years later but with the same level of passion as Wang.

"I am delighted to be able to apply my strength and explosive force by performing more tricks and jumping higher step by step," Xu says.

Xu adds that he also feels proud that the number of BMX cyclists has increased from a paltry 20 in 2010 to the present 200 or so riders.

Sharing the same passion as Wang and Xu, only on four wheels, is 23-year-old skateboarder Gui Fuyao from Jiangxi province.

He taught himself to ride a skateboard because he wanted to stand out from fellow university students who were all playing football and basketball.

"I came to Shanghai solely to find a home for skateboarders, as I was so lonely skating around the city back in Jiangxi on my own," says Gui, who is now working as a trainer at the park teaching young kids how to ride a skateboard.

He recognizes SMP Skate Park as his home where he works and plays while utilizing his energy and passion.

"We welcome anyone looking for an exciting sport to join our team and to enjoy the extraordinary experience of extreme sports," Gui says.