https://us.bsdforever.com/collections/bsd-revolution/products/revolution-hub

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

Fabian Bader Fiend 2016
Play Button

Fabian Bader - Fiend 2016

At it in Croatia, Germany and Hungary

30 Sep 2016
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
Ty Morrow Fiend Promo Ii
Play Button

Ty Morrow V2 Frame Promo II - Fiend

Crushing it in Los Angeles

9 May 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
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
Johnnyraekes
Play Button

Johnny Raekes AM Spotlight

The future is heavy

19 Oct 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
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
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
Jack Maddock Seattle Jam
Play Button

Animal Jack Maddock Seattle Jam

Sending it in Seattle

30 Mar 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
eli-taylor-fiend
Play Button

Eli Taylor - Fiend X OGCBMX

Holy shit...

1 May 2015
https://rixinbikes.com/

Latest Content

V76 KAYB Sc M Ihqdefault
Play Button

SAM GRACE - STILL HAVING FUN

FULL THROTTLE BMX!

8 Oct 2025
O87c ja sn Ihqdefault
Play Button

ALEX KENNEDY - PROJECT Xtras

"That pop!"

8 Oct 2025
P Ugc5d Ew U3 Ehqdefault
Play Button

MOTO-TOUR ISSUE 02

UNDER 13 TAIWAN TOUR

8 Oct 2025
WSXC1 AE Nbkhqdefault
Play Button

WAR PARTY - WE OUTSIDE BABY

Renato Rancso, Boyd Hilder, and Raph Jeroma-Williams

8 Oct 2025
0ls M Aewc Qghqdefault
Play Button

Junior Cunha - Brazilian Frequency

His third Subrosa / Shadow video

8 Oct 2025
O YAL9 Zi LA0 Yhqdefault
Play Button

BOYD HILDER - JETLAG UNPLUGGED

Unseen Hilder

6 Oct 2025
O M9z YI0js W Mhqdefault
Play Button
0n0nssvm A Uohqdefault
Play Button

MIKI FLECK 'ELECTRIC ZUIN'

240v on those spots

3 Oct 2025
B7 Cl Ny w Dbchqdefault
Play Button

LISMORE ROAD TRIPPIN'

NOTHING BEATS A ROAD TRIP!

3 Oct 2025
K7lg 7k5yl4hqdefault
Play Button

Vans x Odyssey Anniversary Collection 2025

"In honor of their 40-Year Anniversary, Odyssey have partnered with Vans on a new limited-edition collection"

2 Oct 2025
13 J4 Ao Oc Akghqdefault
Play Button
Overtime Thumbnail Colour v2 copy
Play Button

OVERTIME

Ft. Chad Ferch, Kent Fuller, Matt Perrin & More

1 Oct 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

VANS ODYSSEY 2025 COLLECTION FF RAMP 003

"The inspiration was right in front of our eyes" The story behind the Vans X Odyssey 40 Year Collab

An interview with Nuno Oliveira (Odyssey) and Justin Villano (Vans)

25 Sep 2025
07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025
Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "DOCUMENTING OVER 30 YEARS of D.I.Y. BMX CULTURE" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and the rise of the mid-school

1 Aug 2025
Thumbnail 2

Product Drop - ODYSSEY '85 Splatter kit

Nord, Walsh stems and Hazard lite rims

29 Jul 2025
Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025