The Frew brothers
They’re full-blown sheep and beef farmers for 50
weeks a year, but the passion that Dan and Brett
Frew have for bikes is infectious, and their vision
and willingness to push two-wheeled action sports
to new heights is nothing short of inspiring. Many
people say the boys are lucky to have the available
land to build whatever they like without the police
coming down on them like a sack of spuds. But the
reality is, the rest of the world is lucky that the Frews
are willing to open up their gates and share their
little slice of paradise every year. Without their drive
and passion to promote and evolve bike sports, the
industry would be much, much poorer.
The format
The one thing riders hate most about contests is the
judges. So why not put the power in their hands?
We live in a democracy after all! The Farm Jam turns
the riders themselves into judges. After riding with
everyone on the course in their contest of choice,
every rider lists their top five riders, then nominates
someone for best style and best trick. The numbers
are tallied and the riders with the most votes win.
It’s a simple system that works perfectly. There are
no arguments or bitter words at the end of the day,
no judges copping heat or flak and no tantrums or
Twitter vents to spoil an otherwise epic day of riding.
There might be the odd guy disappointed that he
wasn’t further up the ladder, but the vast majority of
them smile, offer warm backslaps and cheers to the
winners and promise to return next year.
The after party
The Farm Jam after-parties are full-blown events in
their own right. Every year the Frew family
lights a huge bonfire in the middle of
the riders’ campground (dubbed “Camp
Runamuck”) and cooks up some amazing
concoction for dinner. Over the years the
dinner has featured wild venison stew
(with the deer being shot in bushland on
their farm), mutton legs (again, from the
farm), goat casserole, and lamb & chorizo
stew.
With bellies full, the bonfire rag ing
and the Red Bull Hummer pumping
heavy beats, everyone celebrates
another hugely successful Farm Jam.
It’s a chance to cut loose, sink a few
ice-cold beverages you’ve stored in
the freshwater stream next to the
campsite, reminisce on the day’s
craziness and come together as one
big family joined by a common love
for two wheels and dirt. T
20 | FreestyleXtreme
“
Farm Jam is a
PARADISE for
riders, photographe
and spectators rs
”