Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Sep 07/01) - The casualties are many, the list of injuries lengthy.

Yet some audacious youth feed off the energy of performing perilous BMX stunts on the streets, driveways and empty lots of Fort Simpson.

Teyen Menicoche propels himself and his bicycle high into the air after hitting a jump. Not all landings are successful. Leif Amundson watches with his feet planted firmly (and safely) on the ground. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

Leif Amundson took three stitches to his elbow after a stunt went bad.

Daniel Alger has come home with a cut leg and a sprained ankle as a result of his bicycle antics.

Morly Moses, 13, recalled pedalling hard to build up speed for a high-flying manoeuvre when his chain came off. Soon afterwards he was at the health centre for six stitches in his knee. On another occasion, he tried to hop his bike over a log, but wound up hitting the ground, scraping up his face and knocking out a tooth. He was BMXing again by the next day, he laughed.

It's little wonder accidents happen when the daredevils describe the nature of their stunts. A "bar spin" has them jumping into the air, pinching the seat between their knees and spinning the handlebars -- hopefully regaining control before meeting the ground.

The aptly named "suicide," sees the rider extend his arms as far back as possible, again while in mid-air.

Then there's the "360 one-hander," the "tail whip" and the "Superman."

Safety equipment does come with the territory, but apparently it's optional.

"We do (wear helmets) when we know we're going to go high," said Andrew Wright, 13. "My mom says, 'Be safe about it.'"

"'Morly, wear your equipment,'" Moses chimes in with his best impersonation of his mother.

The amateur stuntmen learn new moves from watching the X-Games, BMX movies and even from BMX video games.

But why risk injury to re-enact what they see?

"We might go pro," Calen Hardisty responds.

Alger adds, "It's cool. We might go to the X-Games some day."