Balance is the key to life for 26-year-old, pro BMX athlete Courage Adams. Born in Nigeria, raised in Pamplona and living in Madrid, Courage Adams is the first-ever Nigerian pro BMX rider, and he plans to take BMX riding to the next level in Africa. 

At the age of 12, Courage first discovered BMX bikes and riding at a skatepark in Pamplona, and was instantly captivated by the sport. Before that, he had little to no experience with BMX bikes and says that if he had not lived in Spain, he probably would not have found the sport. After selling all his video games for €40 (R660), he bought a second-hand bike and his journey began. While his father had high hopes of him becoming a soccer star, BMX riding is what had his heart from the start. 

Rise to fame
After four years of training, Courage went pro at 16, placing second at the O Marisquiño contest in Vigo, Spain. Suddenly, he was taking the BMX world by storm and competing constantly, gaining worldwide recognition. Over the course of his career, he has placed first at contests such as FISE Montpellier and the Backyard Jam. More recently, in 2021, he competed in the Simple Session contest, where he claimed a second-place win. This podium finish is a favourite of his, as it’s one of the biggest contests in Europe. Over the last decade, Courage has become a respected pro BMX street rider. He is currently considered to be one of the best and most well-rounded BMX street riders on the scene. 

Street rider style
The word ‘balance’ makes an appearance in everything that Courage does. From Instagram posts to interviews, balance features in every facet of his life because that’s what is needed as a BMX athlete. He describes his style as balanced and prefers doing manuals – a trick done on the front or the rear wheel of his BMX bike – coupled with 180 barspins. Long and complicated manual combos are what he does best, and he’s known worldwide as the master of these moves – whether it is front or rear wheel, forward or fakie, he has great balance and control of his bike. 

Courage in Africa
Born in a small village in Benin, Courage has always honoured his Nigerian heritage in his creative work. On returning to Nigeria, Courage and Red Bull shot a homecoming film called Encouraged, where he explores the city of Lagos and connects with the local street riders. This was the first time he had gone to Nigeria with his bike and describes the experience as incredible. The street riding scene in Nigeria is quite different from what he is typically used to and he was amazed by the level of skill the local riders have. ‘The riders have a lot of energy and they are not scared of anything,’ he says. For Courage, going to Nigeria was more than just reconnecting with his roots and seeing his family, it was also an opportunity for the world to see the growth of BMX riding in Africa. 

During his time in SA, Courage connected with the local riders of Johannesburg. Locally, the popularity of BMX riding is also on the rise. The sub-culture has firmly planted its roots, from the bustling inner-city streets of Jozi to the eclectic streets of Soweto. During his time here, he rode with Nkosinathi Gift Nkosi and Leroy Mlenze, who showed him around the city and compared their styles as riders. He was thoroughly impressed by Nkosinathi and Leroy and the rest of the BMXers in Soweto. ‘The local culture reminds me of when I was a kid in Nigeria. That was something really interesting because I felt really connected with the city,’ he says of the experience. His time in Jozi was documented by Red Bull on YouTube and can be seen on his TikTok account. 

Staying Creative
Courage has been collaborating with apparel brand Vans since 2014, and has released several collections with them. One of
the reasons why he was in Cape Town this year was to shoot his project with the apparel company. In his latest limited edition collection, which was designed with the biker and skater in mind, the designs make use of his personal artwork and reflects his elevated aesthetic. Humble, shy and passionate are the words often used to describe Courage by those closest to him. This energy can be seen all over his social media accounts where he posts his latest projects with various brands, biking bloopers and dancing to trendy TikTok sounds with his friends in Madrid. 

Words by Insaaf abrahams
Photography: Courtesy Images