A NEW CONCEPT
1981 - 1983
In the summer of 1981, Bob Haro and Bob Morales rolled out of Haro Designs in Torrance as the newly formed Haro Freestyle Team. A third seat in the brightly colored Dodge Ram van was occupied by Haro’s younger brother Ron, who negotiated his way onto the tour by passing his driving test just a week prior. Ron would literally take on the tours heavy lifting - building and breaking down the portable plexiglass ramp and pulling shifts behind the wheel on the three-month, coast-to-coast, journey.
Trick-Riding shows carried out by Haro and RL Osborn as the BMX Action Trick Team in 1980 had created curiosity, and side-bar coverage in BMX Action Magazine nurtured more interest. But the fact remained that the majority of the country had never actually seen freestyle riding up close. On a typical sunny afternoon in June, armed with a triple-A Map, and a full schedule of freestyle shows, TV appearances, and press commitments ahead of them, the trio boarded the customized Dodge Ram and headed east towards the unfamiliar territory of the Midwest.
Preparation for the tour had been focused and regimental at times; such was the desire of Haro and Morales to demonstrate that there was more to BMX than merely racing and dirt jumping. In the months prior, Haro called the friends and industry contacts he made while working at BMX Action Magazine and raised sponsorship dollars from a group of forward-thinking brands, including Vans, Oakley, and Off Shore Surf apparel. By the time the Dodge returned to Haro HQ in September, the debut Haro Freestyle Tour had covered a staggering 18,000 miles and provided plenty of encouraging feedback.
The long hours spent in the van driving from from city-to-city, often through the night, allowed plenty of time for idle chat. But one recurring topic of conversation revolved around Haro’s vision for a dedicated Freestyle bike. This was an entirely new concept in BMX, a vehicle with refinements and characteristics that supported the evolution of the riding. The Haro Freestyler, at least in theory, was born in these discussions and would soon come to life as a game-changing catalyst for a new era.
In the fall of 1981, Bob Haro approached his frame sponsor; Torker, with a proposition that would transform the company from a BMX accessory brand, to become a genuine Bicycle Manufacturer. Torker was receptive, and the idea was met with a positive attitude. The project began in late 1981, with the two parties working closely to translate Haro’s specialist needs into a working prototype. The prototype was produced, with a second for Morales, and the two men tested the frame in local skateparks until it was refined and ready for full production in the spring of 1982. Haro applied his keen eye for design, and presented the new model with stunning decals over the chrome plated finish. The unveiling of the Haro Freestyler later that summer confirmed Haro Designs as a brand on leading edge of the freestyle movement.
In the summer of 1981, Haro Designs reached another important milestone - the arrival of General Manager Jim Ford. Ford was introduced to Bob Haro by Skateboarders Action Now editor D.David Morin. Ford’s experience establishing the Kryptonics skateboard brand made him the ideal foil for Haro’s creative strengths. What a productive prolific partnership that established Haro Designs as the leading brand in BMX Freestyle. A mutual friend within the action sports industry named D David Morin connected Haro to Ford in early 1981. The two shared a similar vision for the business, although the initial deal-breaker was Jim’s reluctance to relocate to Los Angeles from Colorado. Haro had been considering a move south from LA toward San Diego, where he had grown up. A suitable new home for the business was found close to Palomar Airport in the city of Carlsbad. The move was made, a deal was struck, and Ford was on board.
The success of the first national freestyle tour convinced Bob Haro that he needed a physical presence in the market to put Haro on the map as a global brand. With Jim Ford in the wheelhouse, Haro set out on promotional trips trips to Europe and Australia in 1982, and 1983, opening new lines of distribution and promoting the Haro Freestyler. But with the departure of Bob Morales to Kuwahara, Haro Designs was lightweight in the riding department. Spring Valley Local Ron Wilton soon joined the team bringing with him an impressive array of ground and ramp tricks that complimented Bob Haro’s riding style. The two spent the summer of 1983 touring bike shops in the southern United States before returning to California to ride demo’s at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Fourteen-year-old Mike Dominguez was Haro’s next recruit. The vert prodigy lit up the King of the Skate Parks contest series and became the first rider to sign on in the pro ranks in 1984. Rich Sigur was another up-and-coming skate park rider from south LA. Sigur caught Bob Haro’s eye during round 3 of the King of the Skateparks series, held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in June of ‘83 and joined the Haro ranks shortly after. The arrival of this new generation of riders, many of whom eclipsed the known standards for height and variations at the King of the Skate Parks series, underscored the need for continued innovation and creativity - the core values that Haro Designs was founded on from day-one.
