Spazmanian Stuntz- Stunt Riding Passion (Stunt Rider, Model & Actor) (August 2021)

Issue Six- August 2021:

By Mercedes Barreto

The sense of danger is a serious emotion and a real push for many. What defines danger, may it be a bad or good thing? Alex Smith (Spazmanian Stuntz) shows us that you can work in a profession that you love, even if that passion is a dangerous one. We go over his career as a stunt rider, amongst other things, in this guided article.

What was the overall push that drove you into starting a career in stunt riding? What motivated, or motivates, this thrilling profession?

“I started stunt riding a few years ago, but didn’t turn it into a career until I hit a rough patch with family, and decided to pursue an out-of-the-box career matched with something I love doing. The main things that motivate me to do this profession are goals, the endless doors that can open, and the insane adrenaline rush.

How do I see it? I don’t see it as just doing stoppies, wheelies, or even drifting. I see an outlet to let everything else in life go out the window. For just those few hours, I’m in my paradise.”

If you could describe the daily routine for a stunt rider, what are the types of unseen maneuvers or work tasks, which someone might or might not expect in that line of work? Maybe even in an average working day or environment?

“Every stunt rider is different for routines on a day to day basis; the weather plays a huge factor, but the unseen work tasks, at least for me, would be doing a lot of inspection prior to stunting in the lot or getting permission to stunt on specific lots, and checking for nails, sand, rocks, debris, trash, etc. Pre-trip and post-trip inspections on the bike checking fluids, looking for leaks, checking brakes, tire pressure, etc. Reviewing footage of the stunt session to view my footwork, braking, throttle control, and balance to see where I need to improve on.”

What are the top three craziest or most unusual sets or scenes you have had the privilege of working on as a stunt rider, regardless of the role within the project you played?

“The one that tops the crazy list in my experience is the Hallowheelie ride of 2020. It was maybe 10 degrees outside, sleeting, then started snowing during the stunt session. We all could barely feel our hands, or visors on our helmets kept fogging, including eyeglasses, and it was brutally cold. Now imagine trying to keep balance with your hand on the throttle and your foot on the brake shivering with a bike, while moving and standing in the air.

The second craziest one was my recent trip to Florida, where we did wheelies right next to and over the ocean. One false move and you and the bike are in the water. But the scenery is an amazing sight like no other. You have the palm trees whispering in the shallow wind from the ocean waves, you can smell the saltwater in the air, and hear the waves crashing.

The third would be the time I went to Fort Worth, Texas to stunt ride. There must’ve been easily 300 bikes that showed, but the wildest part was that the people who brought their horses to the ride and actually rode them. That was the very last thing that I expected to see.”

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How do you explain to someone that this is your line of work, regarding if there is or isn’t a danger involved when working in this industry? What are or aren’t the imminent dangers in this working environment?

“There are always dangers in stunt riding. It is not cut out for everyone, especially if you don’t want to get hurt. So please do not attempt stunt riding without listening to these dangers first. You could be the best ever and not get hurt, you could break some bones or even lose your life. Your first danger would be yourself and your ego.

What I mean by that is if you are careless and don’t wear proper gear, you are a danger to yourself. If you let your ego get in the way and you try to show off mistakes are made and you will screw up. As soon as you Rev the motor to pop the clutch, there’s already a danger. You Rev it too high and don’t catch the brake in time, then you will loop the bike (meaning flip it backward) and you’ll hit the ground. You could hit a tar snake from where the pavement has been repaired, and it can throw the bike to the right or left, or you could have your foot slip off the brake pedal. Or, you could lose balance, you could wreck the bike… There are so many different ways to get hurt in stunt riding.

In drifting, too much brake and not enough leaning could flip you over the bike, while too much leaning and the bike will slide out from under you. Too much front brake on a stoppie and your flipping over the handlebars, and the bike is coming with you, and time to roll out of the way so the bike doesn’t land on you. I have broken my tail bone in two spots, broken my ankle, sprained the same ankle, had plenty of road rash, and had plenty of bike parts replaced. This is absolutely a dangerous sport.”

What are three words you would use to describe the fun and the joy you feel when you act stunt ride, and male model?

“Ecstatic, Energetic, and Serene.”

What is your favorite, if you had to pick?

“It is extremely hard for me to chose a favorite, but I would have to say Stunt Riding.”

Where can we find your works and previous projects, future projects, and why should we? What makes your works that special, in your own words?

“Any work that I haven’t signed an NDA on, will be on my social media platforms. There you can see collabs I’m doing with businesses, sponsors, photoshoots, reels, giveaways, and much more. The work I do is entertaining, out of the realm of normality, and unusual. You can check me out on Facebook and Instagram @Spazmanianstuntz, ad on other platforms coming soon.”

Anything you would add here?

“Don’t ever stop chasing your dreams, because one day you will stop dreaming. I’d also like to thank my sponsors: Magura, Heizer Hail, Inkstories813, Trippy Viking Cultivation, Degenerate Decals, Legendary Shift Knobs, and Renteria Law Firm PLLC.”