The American Freestyle Association was the first governing body for BMX freestyle in the 1980s. It was founded by Bob Morales in 1981. The first contest was held at Lakewood, Ca in 1981. The AFA started out as the Amateur Skate Park Association promoting events at skateboard parks and gained early notoriety with a series call the "King of the Skateparks" series. BMX Action magazine covered these events helping to bring attention to this new sport. During that time BMX Freestyle consisted of Vert competition and the Flatland Division. The AFA was so popular that virtually every state throughout the country held local events. The AFA Masters series was a national event that featured riders coming to compete from all over the country. The events consisted of novice, intermediate, expert and pro class divisions. In 1986 the AFA held its largest Masters event at The Nassau Coliseum with over 300 riders attending the competition. By 1989 the AFA had closed down due a sluggish economy, lack of BMX bike sales and mainstream coverage. Although the AFA closed down, some of its top riders continue to compete to this day. Dave Mirra, Dennis McCoy and Mat Hoffman, all former Haro Designs sponsored riders, carried the sport to the Xgames, which is the showcase event for BMX Freestyle throughout the World today. The AFA had virtually every bicycle manufacturer sponsored riders compete in their competitions to promote individual stars and bike sales. All competitions were covered by BMX Plus, BMX Action, and Freestylin Magazine. GT bicycles, Haro Designs, Dyno, Mongoose, Skyway, Schwinn, DiamondBack, Kuwahara, CW, SE Racing, MCS Bicycles, General Bicycles, Redline, Murray, Hutch, Awesome Shoes/CW and Ozone were all involved in sending the riders to compete in the AFA Masters. Companies were responsible for sponsoring all of these incredible riders along by sending them to each of the AFA contests, sending the riders on a one, two or three month summer tour throughout the US. These shows took place at bike shops, shopping centers, sporting events and many other locations. The riders would get paid not only from their sponsors but from the AFA competitions and the tour shows they performed at. In addition to touring many riders also spent time teaching Freestyle BMX at the world famous Woodward Camp. Bicycles sponsors were not the only ones to get in the mix, Vision Street Wear, Vans, Awesome Footwear, Airwalk and Lifes a Beach clothing were heavily present sponsors. Southern California had one of the biggest presence in Freestyle BMX and many locations all had breeding grounds for insane athletes. San Diego was known for many of the ground, street and vert riders. LA had a mixture of all kinds of ramp and flatland riders which reached out to Venice Beach. Camarillo was known for its ramp and flatland riders who seemed to be in just about every issue of BMX Plus and Freestylin doing bike tests. Northern California also had an incredible group of riders that really pushed the sports transition from clean colored riders to street wearing guys who shunned away from bright colors. Pennsylvania was another hot area with riders like Mark Eaton and Kevin Jones progressing the sport to new levels. Detroit area cultivating such riders as Chase Gouin, Bill Neuman and James McGraw. New York, Chicago and Florida showed a lot of talent in its riders. GT Bicycles was represented by
