If you think you’ve seen it all in action sports, think again. Nitro Circus is returning to with the “Off the Rails” World Tour, landing at Pechanga Arena on Saturday, Dec. 6, for a night of high-flying, never-before-seen stunts that promise to leave fans on the edge of their seats. From BMX flips to scooter tricks, skateboard spins to WCMX wheelchair acrobatics, this tour showcases the very best in adrenaline-fueled athleticism.
Leading the charge is Australian action sports innovator Ryan “R Willy” Williams, whose career boasts more than 100 world-firsts across BMX and scooter, with over 900 million views on YouTube alone. Williams, one of the most viral athletes in action sports history, says the “Off the Rails” tour is a leap forward from anything Nitro Circus has done before.
“We have been perfecting never-been-done stunts across the ‘Off The Rails World Tour’ from Mexico, Brazil, and Australia, and are excited to bring these to North America for the first time,” he said.
“It’s a show built on repetition, focus, and energy. “We ride every day when we are not on tour back at our training facilities. This helps with consistency; however, we feed off the crowd — the louder they are, the more it pushes us to try something new,” Williams said.
The tour pushes limits, with Williams currently working on the 1440 — a mind-boggling four full rotations on a BMX bike, potentially including a maneuver while upside down.
“The fans in San Diego always bring the heat! There’s a big passion for action sports and the culture in San Diego! The last time we performed here was at Qualcomm Stadium in 2016, and the energy was electric,” Williams said.
And while the athletes are fearless, there’s a strong sense of family behind the scenes: “It really is all about the perseverance and camaraderie between the team. We all push each other to do our best and pick each other up when one goes down. There’s a lot of synergies across all disciplines that involve style, and at the end of the day, it’s a ‘send it’ mentality that we all feed on!”
For younger fans, the show is as much about inspiration as it is about thrills.
“The best part of our show is inspiring the next generation to pursue their passion, and that there are no limits or boundaries. Whether you apply this to action sports or apply this to your everyday life … always push forward,” Williams said.
Safety is a top priority as these world-first stunts come to life, with a new generation of athletes benefiting from trampolines, airbags, and advanced air awareness that allows them to push further than ever.
The “Super Fan Experience” adds another layer of excitement for fans 21 and older, with early access, Q&A sessions, pre-show photos, exclusive food and beverages, and a custom merchandise bundle. Williams loves engaging with the audience during these experiences.
“The most commonly asked questions are ‘when did you start riding?’ and ‘what was your worst injury?’ For me, it’s cool to see their reaction when I let them know that I started riding at a very young age. I feel that encourages the fans that it’s possible for anyone to pursue a career in action sports.”
Being part of Nitro Circus, Williams said, is a dream come true.
“To be part of this roster means that you are the best of the best in your specific sport, or you have the crazy mentality to thrive amongst the wildest group of daredevils in the world. We have a saying at Nitro Circus — ‘we make the impossible possible.”
And after accomplishing so many milestones, it’s the fans that keep him motivated.
“Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or a young child in the crowd, it’s the adrenaline that we leave the fans with. So many fans come to our show who have never been, and leave saying they had no idea what to expect, and left feeling exhilarated.”
