Welcome Dez Maarsen – Freestyle Now squad member

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Freestyle Now would like to welcome Dez Maarsen from the Netherlands to the squad. Dez brings his world class bmx flatland riding to the squad, with his recent 6th placing in the 2015 BMX Flatland World Circuit. In the past year Dez has followed the circuit to Flatark in Kobe Japan and placed 11th, Real Spin City in Montreal Canada placing 3rd and to Voodoo Jam in Louisiana America where he placed 3rd. His determination to ride is a major driving force in his placings and this is evident in his riding. Fast and aggressive combos with lots of style.

Freestyle now Dez Maarsen at Flatark final Photo yuriochan11

Dez Maarsen at Flatark 2015 where he placed 11th in the open class.

Dez Maarsen comes from a country where there are more bikes than people, the Netherlands, so it’s no wonder he started riding bmx. With no local skateparks to start riding at, like in Australia and other countries, flatland was the obvious choice. Going to one of the big international contests, Flatground, and seeing the best riders in the world was what set Dez on his flatland bmx riding career. Some of Dez Maarsen’s other career highlights have been in 2010 when Dez went on Holland’s Got Talent and made it to the semi-finals performing live for 1.8 million viewers. In 2012 Dez got an invitation to participate in the Red Bull Circle of Balance in Kyoto, Japan. Only 16 of the best riders in the world got an invite, this is a true indication of his determination and success in flatland. Dez’s drive in riding and willingness to get rad makes him a great asset to the Freestyle Now squad. We will be adding a squad profile page for Dez in the coming days.

Freestyle now Dez Maaresn voodoo jam by Aaron Nardi

Dez Maarsen took out the 3rd place at the 2015 Voodoo jam in  Louisiana.

To get some insight on Dez Maarsen joining Freestyle Now we asked Shaun Jarvis and Paul Chamberlain for some words

Shaun Jarvis (Freestyle Now founder and squad member) – “I first saw Dez at Flatlark in 2014. We were at Meriken Park and I saw this rider who had a style that blew me away, lots of flow and so consistent. He was quiet and articulate and just keen to ride and not sit around and chat to everyone. He rode well in the contest and we partied after the contest. Another year later I found myself again in Kobe for Flatark and again Dez Maarsen was there. Once again we were riding at Meriken Park before the contest and I was blown away with his riding and manner. Something that is important to being a Freestyle Now squad member. So come to the open class rounds and finals I’m standing with Paul Chamberlin on the side watching and Paul says to me that Dez doesn’t have a sponsor. I was speechless, one of the top riders in the world who has no support from companies to help with his riding, really!! I could not believe it. I knew that Paul had known Dez for sometime from the European contests that Paul had been to and I trust Paul’s judgment on character, it’s the same way that we put Tánh Gà on the squad from Vietnam. So I just said to Paul “we should put him on the squad” and Paul was just like “yeah man” so now the rest is history as they say. I said to Dez, that the main goal of Freestyle Now is to promote radness, he replied “sounds rad, lets promote radness”. Welcome to the squad”.

Paul Chamberlain (Freestyle Now squad member and friend of Dez)  – “I first saw Dez in 2004 in Germany. He was a tiny little Dutch kid who could do so many tricks. Those were good days, soooo many riders in the Netherlands at that time. I felt like it was easy to progress quickly with all those riders in Amsterdam. Lots of events going on. Yeah, it was a kind of golden era for flatland in Europe. Since then a lot of guys quit, or stopped going to events, then the events stopped. Blah blah blah. Now there are only a few riders in the Netherlands. Dez just kept going and going though. I mean, flatland is kind of all he has ever really wanted to do I think. He’s got so much passion and energy for it.
So, having said that, I was so surprised when I found out now, over 10 years later, that Dez didn’t have any sponsors. I was shocked. Completely shocked. He’s out there at all the events, travelling, placing pretty well amongst a bunch of guys who are all sponsored. So, here we are. Dez is on Freestyle Now. I can’t think of another rider more deserving of a little help. Welcome to the squad Dez!”

Freestyle now Dez Maarsen 2016 new BMX flatland bike

Freestyle Now hooked up Dez Maarsen with a bunch of the new Colony bmx flatland products for him to set up this new ride for 2016. Looking fresh.

Some words from Dez Marssen – “For me the most important part about going to a contest is that I get to hang out and ride with people that love flatland as much as I do! The best part for me from FlatArk was riding and hanging out at Meriken Park! There was an amazing vibe and flatland at its purist. Closing that weekend with Shuan and Paul offering to support me with Colony parts was pretty much the cherry on top! I’m super stoked to be starting 2016 with a brand new whip and to be joining the Freestyle Now squad! I’ll be definitely making a trip down under soon!”

Freestyle Now Dez maarsen - ABC of Flatland 2015 by Maxime Casagne

Dez Maaresn at the ABC flatland contest in France where he took out 1st place.

Dez Maaresn did a trip to Valencia Spain and got some rad clips.

Dez Maarsen  in japan in 2013