In 1980, at the age of 10, Jeff Hester started riding BMX bikes for fun with his friends Charles Long and Dallas LaBrada. The 1980s welcomed this era of BMX freestyle riding. Today, Jeff and riders like him are referred to as “original riders” or “old school” riders.
While California riders popularized BMX freestyle, locals to Oklahoma knew that OKC also had a fast-beating BMX heart. At the time, a group of young, game-changing freestyle riders were pushing the limits of park riding, ground tricks and vert ramps. At its center was Oklahoma BMX Hall of Famer Charles Long. One of the riders at his side was another young rider of the day Jeff Hester. This was a few years before freestyle riding was an officially recognized sport.
****(and before a young, OKC native, Mat Hoffman would surprise the national BMX freestyle scene on vert ramp).****
As a kid, Jeff rode BMX freestyle every waking hour he wasn’t at school, working ground tricks, launching off roofs and building homemade ramps. In 1984, Jeff became a founding member of the Freestyle Flyboys, an OKC BMX Team, alongside founding member J.C. Stacy and lead founder Charles Long. The Freestyle Flyboys had a vision to ride and promote the sport of BMX Freestyle at the local level, emulating the national BMX teams of the day. By the time Jeff was 15, the Flyboys Team had garnered sponsorship by both local bike shops and national companies, including Nike and Diamondback. Jeff earned a local reputation and the nickname “Rad Lad” riding with the Freestyle Flyboys. He shared his passion for the sport with the public by showcasing the tricks, skills and talent necessary to pull off this up and coming Vert Ramp freestyle form of BMX riding.
On the national scene, California rider Bob Morales started up the Amateur Skatepark Association in 1982. By 1984 it would become the AFA or American Freestyle Association and publish its first competition rulebook for BMX Freestyle in 1985. A short time after that, Charles worked with the AFA to make Oklahoma an official affiliate location. With the full support and authority to hold affiliate level AFA contests in OKC, Charles expanded the Flyboys’ riding opportunities. In addition to Showcase Events, the team now competed at AFA Affiliate BMX competitions in the state. Jeff rose to the category of Expert rider and was the point leader in vert riding in 1989. This earned him the title of 1989 Oklahoma State Champion Vert Rider in the 16+ Expert Level category.
Once retired from the competition circuit, Jeff continued to support the BMX community of Oklahoma. In the late 90s, he performed freestyle demos for all the Oklahoma Metro Library locations, promoting freestyle awareness across the city. Jeff is a local entrepreneur who for the past 20 years has chosen to serve his community as owner and director of the OKC Graphic Design Firm, Hester Designs. Using his graphic art, web design and marketing skills, he continues to support his local community. Among his clients are the bike industry. Jeff has helped build brands and bike shops with his graphic art skills.
Jeff continues to support and encourage new generations of riders. In a 2009 BMX Union industry publication interview, then up-and-comping freestyle rider and OKC native Tazz Hernandez, gave Jeff a shout-out as one of the original riders that influenced him. When asked “Who is your favorite rider from the original riders?” Tazz answered, “…Hoffman for sure, the Gonz, Chris Stauffer, Rick Moliterno, John Parker… JEFF HESTER!!!”
From supporting riders, his own kids, his neighbors and their kids, Jeff’s passion for riding and sharing the sport continues to this day. He can still be found hitting dirt ramps on mountain bike trails or spotted riding wheelies down the street of his neighborhood.
As a passionate and daring rider during the early years of BMX freestyle – pushing limits, breaking bones, competing at statewide contests and showcasing rad skills to the community – Jeff Hester, the “Rad Lad,” influenced the sport and the next generation of freestyle riders.
Jeff Hester is an Oklahoma City native who today runs the graphic design business Hester Designs in Midtown Oklahoma City. A father to 3 boys, Jeff gives big: to his community, to the church, to his neighbors and family. In addition to his BMX history and on-going support of the biking community, Jeff has volunteered his musical skills on electric guitar to church worship teams for more than 20 years. He’s also been known to donate graphic art and pro-bono advice to non-profit organizations and start up businesses. Not only was he an early influencer to the sport of BMX freestyle, but he continues to positively impact his community and those around him.
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