https://demolitionparts.com/

Knowing Johnny

Age is a state of mind

19 Oct 2016

Johnny Raekes By Kevin Conners Y7 U4455

This out-ledge has been floating around for a little bit now and was one of the first spots we rode while Johhny was in town. Luckily he was able to dodge traffic and deal with the busy corner it was on to get this x-up grind to kick flip.

Words and photos By Kevin Conners

The first time Johnny Raekes caught my eyes was on social media through his absurd level of riding and style he was putting out. That’s often a tough one to judge some one on, as almost every up and comer is putting out crazy shit from there local park on social media, not to mention it’s the true person and their attitude behind the tricks that really matters. I’ve seen numerous riders ruin every chance they had purely based on attitude alone so I was looking forward to seeing just what Johnny was all about other than the ridiculous bike control, kick flips and dreads.

Fast forward a few months and Johnny made his way to San Diego to kick it with the Fiend crew to see just how well we all jived together. At first, I have to admit, he made me feel old. Here I am at 34 shooting photos and sharing a smoke with a 17 year old. As a wise man once said “age is a state of mind” and he certainly proved that. At first he came off a bit shy and almost timid in a way. To a point at first was often hard to tell what he might want to ride or if he was even hungry or not. But that we were sure to break with time and I’m sure it was a bit weird for him for him at first to be driving around in a 34 year old's car all day riding spots.

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
Johnny Raekes By Kevin Conners Y7 U0760

One of those San Diego spots that is just too fun to ride so missing out isn't an option. Johnny bringing some new love to it with this 180 kickflip.

After just a couple days of riding some spots his personality started to show through and he started speaking up. I quickly realized Johhny is far from your typical 17 year old that’s barely been riding for five years. Luckily when his personality did come out it just added to all his riding and the social media onslaught of tricks that arguably had the BMX community talking. After riding with him I was quick to realize that he rides that hard every day, constantly pushing himself even when he's not filming.

Man (boy) of the moment.

Johhny and Tony Ennis celebrating another lengthy line.

Johnny Raekes By Kevin Conners Y7 U8739

On one of the last nights in town while looking at a few different spots we decided to light this one up and give it a ride not knowing just what anyone may want to do on it. Johnny quickly started it off with this quick smith nose, 180 bar to fakie nollie kickflip. Now say that three times quickly.

One of the first things that caught my mind was when talking to him about riding, he had a deep education about what was done and who had done what before him. Maybe that’s where the somewhat “throwback” tricks like the one handed X-up came from. He also shocked me with just how easy going he is with everything. He seems to just go with the flow of things, speaking just enough to share a few opinions or give input when thinking of the next type of spot to ride but never speaking out or acting as you’d expect most kids his age would. Instead having more respect and manners than myself.

"I spent just a little over a week with Johnny it was hugely refreshing for me to see a kid his age have such a good attitude and the knowledge to back up his style on the bike."

Johnny Raekes By Kevin Conners Y7 U4386

Johnny quickly laced this predator grind to 180 bar on this classic SD spot.

I spent just a little over a week with Johnny it was hugely refreshing for me to see a kid his age have such a good attitude and the knowledge to back up his style on the bike. By the end of his time in SD I was bummed he was headed back up north for school. Luckily I know there will be more good times, shooting and having fun in the future as he definitely solidified his spot within the crew. - KC

Johnny Raekes By Kevin Conners Y7 U7386

This triple set is far from small. tThe overall length and the not so perfect uphill run up make this one a lot harder to ride than it looks. I had written off the chance of ever shooting a one-handed x-up again a long time ago but luckily for me, Johnny is a fan of the classics.

Related Video

JOHNNY RAEKES IS FIENDING

You get stoked when Garrett Reynolds is this stoked on an AM - More Info

Related Video

Johnny Raekes AM Spotlight

The future is heavy - More Info

Previous

BayGame SF With Jackson Ratima

Now San Francisco has a BMX shop to call it's own

Next

Setups: Chase Hawk

That boost button has gotta be hidden somewhere...

Related Content

Mati  Lasgoity Welcome To Fiend Argentina Bmx Barcelona
Play Button

Mati Lasgoity welcome to Fiend

Fiends Argentine connect isn't messing around

30 Dec 2015
Gone Biking Fiend Ride Long Beach
Play Button

Gone Biking - Ride X Fiend Long Beach Jam

Breaking in the new DIY spot in Long Beach

31 Aug 2016
Common Crew @ The Fiend D I Y  Jam2
Play Button

COMMON CREW @ THE FIEND D.I.Y. JAM

The Crew and Home Ave

11 Aug 2016
Jack Maddock Seattle Jam
Play Button

Animal Jack Maddock Seattle Jam

Sending it in Seattle

30 Mar 2016
Ty Morrow Fiend Promo Ii
Play Button

Ty Morrow V2 Frame Promo II - Fiend

Crushing it in Los Angeles

9 May 2016
Fabian-Bader-welcome-to-fiend-bmx-street-barcelona-street
Play Button

Fabian Bader - Welcome To Fiend

Mad for the foot plants

30 Sep 2015
eli-taylor-fiend
Play Button

Eli Taylor - Fiend X OGCBMX

Holy shit...

1 May 2015
Fabian Bader Fiend 2016
Play Button

Fabian Bader - Fiend 2016

At it in Croatia, Germany and Hungary

30 Sep 2016
Johnnyraekes
Play Button

Johnny Raekes AM Spotlight

The future is heavy

19 Oct 2016
Fiend Ride Home Ave Jam
Play Button

Fiend X RideBMX Home Ave Ditch Jam

Garrett Reynolds, Corey Walsh, Julian Arteaga, Denim Cox, Dylan Stark, and more

9 Aug 2016
Johnny Raekes Is Fiending
Play Button

JOHNNY RAEKES IS FIENDING

You get stoked when Garrett Reynolds is this stoked on an AM

15 Oct 2016
Garrett Reynolds Colin Varanyak Fiend Completes
Play Button

Garrett Reynolds and Colin Varanyak Test Fiend Completes

A visit to the factory complete with impromptu demo

13 Oct 2016
https://rixinbikes.com/

Latest Content

P8 Rm X VC9 Lkhqdefault
Play Button

IN THE CUT - JULIAN ARTEAGA | CROWN JEWELS

"YOU'RE GIVING ME ANXIETY!"

28 Mar 2025
Mv Ic4 Id U8 Q Yhqdefault
Play Button

THE LAST SESSION - VANS COMBI BOWL

The official send-off!

28 Mar 2025
O Psno Pw L Bt4hqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Chris Doyle Bike Check 2025

S&M MOD Build

28 Mar 2025
C kz4 H1 Bz Ihqdefault
Play Button

POST TIME - Full Video

Florida's finest

27 Mar 2025
Ghidm Gqutchqdefault
Play Button

RIXIN BIKES: JACK HENNICKE BIKE CHECK

A walk through of his current Rixin/Merritt bike build.

27 Mar 2025
To ENLV Uknnshqdefault
Play Button

AANGLES / Denim Cox

Flat out!

26 Mar 2025
Dtpm9v F5vpshqdefault
Play Button

The Backbone Zone - Alex Liiv

"From hucking & hoping to finding a mature approach to life and BMX"

25 Mar 2025
Q Dn Hdawx WB Ehqdefault
Play Button

"SLEPT ON" - Devon Anderson

Couple years of stacking

25 Mar 2025
C D9 Z Zhz Az8hqdefault
Play Button

These BMX trails videos were way ahead of their time

Dave King, Matt Priest, Bob Manchester & More

25 Mar 2025
6s Kwlq Bvg6shqdefault
Play Button

XYLOPHONE

Spain / USA

24 Mar 2025
Ih J Jbtwn F Uohqdefault
Play Button

Zach Bearley MABII Section! - Kink BMX

Mediocre At Best II Sneak Peek

24 Mar 2025
Tp TK Pnz Re0ghqdefault
Play Button

CONDOR SYNDROME - ROBIN PFLUG

Let 'Em Fly

21 Mar 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025
Expert Top 3 Roll On crop

REPO: Keeping it local at the UK 'ROLL ON' Flatland Jam

"My desire was to give something back" – Mike O'Connell

5 Mar 2025
Snow Fight – Naoki Gaman2

20 Tips For Surviving Simple Session 2025

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

20 Feb 2025
SS finals samples 4

SIMPLE SESSION 25 WRAP UP

Highlight videos, results and more

19 Feb 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

18 Feb 2025
Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

AVAILABLE VIA THESE BIKE SHOPS AND DISTROS

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024
24 photo comp web leader

THE 2024 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

15 Oct 2024
Greystoke issue 2

GREYSTOKE BMX MAGAZINE - ISSUE 2 OUT NOW

132 pages of tangible, hold-in-your-hands BMX print media.

11 Oct 2024