Jared Eberwein Interview

All photos by Matt Coplon

Jared is one of those guys who I feel like goes under the radar from time to time, then when he pops up in a new edit you instantly are reminded that he’s an absolute shredder on everything he touches from dirt to street and ramps. It’s been a while since we’ve talked to the guy and after hearing some rumors that his insanely popular colorway from Profile might be making a return, we figured it would be a really good time to catch up with the guy and find out what he’s all about. Check out what he had to say along with a bunch of rad photos Matt Coplon shot of him during a recent California trip! Let’s get into this!

Name: Jared Eberwein

Location: Riverside, CA

Sponsors: Free Agent, Profile Racing, Hart & Huntington Clothing

Years riding: Going on 9 years deep

What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
As most people, I’ve always been able to ride a bike. The thing that first drew me in was when a local skatepark opened up just a few miles from my house, Jurupa Skatepark. There I met my best friend Mikey who pushed me to get a bike, then a better bike, and just kept going on from there.

So you have been doing it for Free Agent for quite a while now after parting ways with Redline. How are things going with them these days? Do you have any trips, signature parts, videos or anything in the works you can tell us about?
I started riding for FreeAgent at the beginning of this year, it was a big move for me since Redline was my first and longest sponsor. It was scary to leave since I was there what seemed like a long time, 5 years. It was a great opportunity that I’m very fortunate for, and the team manager is Heath Pinter. Which we ride together almost everyday, and have become good friends. Things have been awesome riding for FreeAgent this year, I’ve had a few little injuries but bounced back as soon as I could. We’ve done a lot of coverage things this year, just keeping things up and out there. I was extremely happy to be able to use my passport for something other then just crossing over the boarder into Mexico for a bit. We did a FreeAgent Vancouver trip late August, it was amazing to me since I’ve never been. Heath being kind of a local up there these days made it even better, Keith from RIDE came along as well to enjoy and cover the trip, which might be out soon.

How are things going with Profile Racing these days? Do you have anything cooking with them you’re real stoked for?
Profile has been amazing to be apart of, and having Matt Coplon as our team manager is the cherry on top. I think we just coming to a close on a shirt design we started a couple months ago. I’m really happy with the way it turn out, it’s suppose to represent no matter what discipline of BMX your into, Profile has got you covered. I had the pleasure of getting to chose a color way last year, Cotton Candy. Did really well, Profile sold out instantly. I was shocked just because the colors were kind of wild, blue base with pink splatter. Did great, so we had made plans shortly after the we would do another run of them but swap the colors around, pink base with blue splatter. Didn’t think these would do as well as the first batch, but sure enough Profile was fresh out of them right as soon as the were released. As for trips, no profile trips in the work right now, since Matt flew out to my area and we did a mini profile trip in SoCal for a couple day before heading to interbike.

I heard a rumor that they will be bringing back a 3rd round of your signature Cotton Candy colorway for the Profile hubs. Did you expect things to get as crazy as they did with that color?
I was really surprised since I didn’t think pink was a hot color in BMX, haha. Yes for sure, I had no idea the turn out would be as good as it has been. I remember a year ago when the first Cotton Candy hubs were released, I was talking with Matt on the phone. I had asked, “how are the hub sales going” Matt came back with, “oh they sold out with in 24 hours.” I was blown away and excited. Very pleased that Matt notified me that Profile will bring back the first run of Cotton Candy hubs in another years time.

What’s good with Hart and Huntington? Do you have anything going on with them you can tell us about?
Nothing in the works, we did a little SoCal costal trip that was about 4 days long a few months back. We started in San Diego and ended in Santa Barbara hit a lot of the skatepark that were close to the coast, which was covered by BMXPlus. Theres been talk about the team sitting down and getting to design their own shirt, well see!

Do you have any other sponsor news you can tell us about?
Ummm, nothing that I can think of.

You’re one of those guys who pretty much rides everything and you have a ton of bike control. Did you grow up racing or is it just some unknown ability you lucked out with, haha?
If I have to go with one of your two answers, I’d have to say that I lucked out haha. Racing background, NONE. Seeing dudes ride that have race makes me wish I did with their bike control and style. Thank you very much for the complement.

I know we see a lot of footage of you getting wild at Heath Pinter’s trails. Is that where you can usually be found riding these days? What are some of the places you have been really into riding lately?
I grew up riding Blue Bench trails, but in the past couple years I definitely say that, yes can usually find me riding Heath yard. It’s pretty much my local place to ride now, but fortunately we have so many great trail spots real close to ride. Also have been rekindling my fire with my local park I grew up at lately.

You have done a fair amount of traveling over the years. Where are a few of your favorite places you have had the chance to go?
I would have to say the going to Vancouver a couple months ago for FreeAgent would be the highlight to my travel so far in my life. I did get to live out a childhood dream by going to Florida back in april for Profile, I’ve always said I wanted to go there. I also went to Cabo last year on a cruise, best ocean water I’ve been in personally, I loved it!

Where do you hope to get to at some point in the near future? Any sort of dream trip you want to make happen?
I haven’t been out of the country very much, so any chance at that, I would be stoked for. A Hawaii trip has been talked about, which would be amazing to me, definitely hope that can happen.

Where is the worst place you have ever been? Any crazy stories behind this one?
I don’t know why this is the only thing I can think of, but I did a week of shows in a city Eureka, CA. I really really just wanted out of there, it could have been a number of things. Just didn’t sit right with me.

It seems like you’re pretty consistent with putting out new edits and everything. Have you been filming for anything? Can we expect some fresh footage out of you soon?
I’m always trying to plan on something going out every now and then, I haven’t filmed for anything specifically just me. Which I feel I definitely want to start working on, but fortunately I’ve been able to film different things here and there. Like how to’s, calling the shots, power hour, team trips and more. As far as anything recently, we did film for our mini SoCal Profile trip a couple weeks ago with Aaron Nardi for ESPN.

You have a pretty deep bag of tricks. What’s one trick that no matter how many times you have tried, you just can’t do?
I skipped this question and then came back, and still couldn’t think of anything, then, duh, 720’s. I have a love hate relationship with 720’s I had them down pretty good at one point. Then all of a sudden it was like I had never even spun a bike before, it frustrates me very much. It sucks because I want that trick so bad, I’ve had it and lost it. Even if I can figure out a technique to it, none will be the same. All different, hard to control, and to figure out. Hopefully someday I can gain confidence again for the 720 battle.

Are you much of a contest rider? How do you feel about contests as a whole these days?
I would kind of avoid them, just because I was real intimidated and nervous about them. Since I did dew tour last year, it really helped with my confidence and made me realize that its just a good reason to get together with all of your friend and ride. I like contest, I would do a lot more if given the opportunity. I guess its on me for not going out to a lot of them, most of them I don’t know about and also a lot are pretty far. I feel all the ones I’d really like to do are mostly or becoming invite only.

Do you ever feel like you get burned out? What are some of the things you like to do to keep things fresh?
I definitely know that feeling, but I always just try to expand my riding areas and go to a few different places that I’ve never been to. Trips are a good way to keep things fresh, get away from whats normal, have a great time, then come home and be in love with your normal surroundings again. Anything new bike related, parts or something is always a good feeling. New music is a great refreshment too.

Are you able to just ride, or do you work a job or go to school or anything like that?
I wish for that haha, I do work at UPS, I’ve been there going on 4 years now. It’s been my first and only job, I turned 19, lost my insurance, got hurt, and thats why UPS happened.

What do you think you would be doing these days if you never got into BMX?
Not sure about that, because I’m sure a lot of my interest are because of BMX, so if I never had it. I don’t know if I’d have any interest, besides not like school haha.

How are you filling your time off your bike these days? Any hobbies or things you’re really into?
I have a motorcycle that I’m always trying to make better, and try to stay close with my family. This past year I’ve been really into not being so picky with food, trying new things, and eating healthier. Also staying into staying fit, so if I don’t ride any day, as long as I do some sort of exercise, I’m satisfied.

Are you much of a partier? What makes for a good night out for you?
I would have to say no, but I do go out and go for it on a party, event, or something. I’m a pretty mellow person, pleased with movies or just chillin. I don’t like the taste of beer or alcohol, but I’ll suffer through it sometimes ha.

What’s something about yourself that would surprise people?
I feel as if people don’t expect my voice to sound the way it does, I can say that’s something I’ve had people bring up.

I know you have a few piercings, right? Do you have any tattoos?
I have my lip pierced, I got it done when I was 14. I don’t know why, I liked it, and my mom took me to get it done, so I did. As for tattoos, I actually just became owner of a tattoo a couple days ago. Its a work in progress, probably going to take a few more sessions until done. Basically going for collage of a number of things on my chest. Going for lots of color, with art work that I like along with some meaningful things mixed in. Excited about it so far, but every single thing about a tattoo hurts, it’s no fun at all.

If you could have any super power. What would you pick and why?
Funny you ask this, because I always say how I’d love to have wolverines power. Which is basically immortally and heals within seconds.

Let’s say you end up winning the lottery. What’s the first thing you buy?
A house, and if it were a lot of money. Take care of some family and maybe buy them houses.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Being a homeowner, married, a family is questionable, but definitely on that bike full swing.

What’s the last song you heard, movie you watched or website you visited?
I don’t know what song it was, but I think it was by Micky Avalon. Last movie I watched was the Rundown, and lasted website I visited was apple because it is my home screen.

You’re on Instagram, Twitter and all that, right? How can we keep up with you these days?
Yes I am, my instagram name is @jared_eberwein. Twitter is @jaredeberwein. Also have an athlete page on Facebook as well Facebook.com/JaredEberweinBMX.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
I would like to thank Heath Pinter for so much! Matt Coplon for being an amazing person, always taking care of me, and having memorable moments and laughter. My Fiance Devin and family for there support and love. And I just found out the other day that I got my first cover of a magazine, RIDE BMX. Would like to thank RIDE and Keith so much for making my dream come turn, so unbelievable to me, I can’t sleep haha.

Anything else you want to say?
I would also like to say thanks to you for putting in the time and knowledge for this interview!! Stay alright!

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