Chris Childs Interview
A hybrid between Aitken and Hawk.
May 18, 2009, 1:14 PM
By: Cody York
Walter Pieringer
Chris Childs
I first caught Chris Childs in action on last year's LET tour. I remember being instantly mesmerized by his riding. He wasn't throwing big tricks or anything but he was attacking everything full throttle and going higher than imaginable on everything he touched. He turned heads on the LET Tour and he soon became the talk of the trip. The only way I can describe him is that he's like a hybrid of Mike Aitken and Chase Hawk. Smooth, stylish, fast and with a carefree style that makes his riding look effortless and fun.
Since LET, Chris got hooked up by
DK flow, dropped many Web edits online and has gotten a decent amount of exposure, but there's a lot more to this 18-year-old than meets the eye. He's still your average high school kid just trying to figure out the everyday struggles of a teen-ager and how to balance his lifestyle with BMX. Read more and you'll be surprised there's a lot more to Chris Childs that you don't know.
Location: Attleboro, MassAge: 18Years Riding: 10Sponsors: DK and Team Jeff Dupaul (TJD)
What have you been up to lately?I haven't been up to a whole lot; finishing high school, working, and recording with my band this weekend, riding my fixie and making the last hour of daylight at the local park to shred after work. Traveling has been slow lately but once summer kicks in it'll get moving. I had a run with Web edits going for a good few months where I had a ton of exposure but I've kind of been chillin not doing all that much with photos and filming. Hopefully I'm going to get a nice edit started once Jeff Dupaul decides to make his way up. Other than that I'm just being a high school teenager doing what I can to get by.
I didn't know you're in a band, what's your role in it and what's the name of it?Yeah a more recent band, I've played drums in a few others before but in this one I'm doing vocals.
C'est La Guerre is what we we'll be going by. It's a calm chaotic traditional emotive screamo band if that makes any sense, with compact shows that makes it real personal to us and those listening. Recordings are being done this weekend so will a MySpace page and legit photos.
I like the contests where I don't have to go out and huck huge double flips and front flips, those are more my style.
--Chris Childs
You're at that crucial stage in riding where most are deciding whether to attend college or continue riding or both. What are your plans?Yeah it's tough. I'm not being pushed into going to school but my parents are just making sure it's in the back of my head to fall back on and give myself what I need to succeed, if it comes down to that. I was real late with everything and didn't care much about it but I signed up for spring classes at the community college in my town, so I can still travel and all that without having to juggle school and bikes. So a nice break for school will be nice. At this point though, I have no idea what I want to do. Hopefully as time goes by, I'll figure something out that I wouldn't mind doing for a majority of my time.
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Walter Pieringer
Stylish nac nac seatgrab at the Ninth St. trails in Austin, Texas.
You're naturally gifted at riding, are you planning on competing more or is that not so much your thing? Also, if riding takes off for you more, will you continue pursuing that over everything else?I plan on competing but I don't really dig the whole Dew Tour style. It's a good time, but I like contests more towards the ones like Toronto jam and the recent Rye Airfield contest. I like the contests where I don't have to go out and huck huge double flips and front flips, those are more my style.
I also like filming, I find that more fun and it's nice to just chill with a few buds and have a good time. If I was to take off with riding it would definitely be my main priority, but it's going to be good to have schooling as well to back me up when things are slow. That way, I can still feel like I'm doing something with my life. It's always a rider's dream to make something of what they love to do and hopefully this will be taking place. I was fortunate enough to get on DK and this year I'll be trying to make some moves and get there more.
Thanks, I've been called a trend whore and all that nonsense. Not sure what that means but that's what you get when you're on The Come Up.
--Chris Childs
Yeah, that's awesome you're on the DK flow team now. Do you think you'll eventually move up to the pro team? What's the experience been like so far? Catfish is a wild dude. Any good experiences with him yet?Yeah, I'm pretty damn stoked. Eventually I would like to move on up but I'm content with where I stand as of right now. I need to get myself out there a bit more ya know?The whole team is awesome. Everyone is super chill on and off their bikes which is a treat to be a part of, something where you can just have a good time with your buds wherever you are. Catfish is one wild dude. Nothing too wild has gone down involving Catfish yet but I'm definitely looking forward to that right moment where something sweet happens.
Steve Mezaros
Big invert at the Haven Skatepark.
You have your own unique style. I have to ask, who have your influences been and where does your originality come from?Thanks, I've been called a trend whore and all that nonsense, not sure what that means but that's what you get when you're on The Come Up. I grew up racing and always looked up to this older kid Bobby Nash when I was younger and thought he had amazing style. My brother also had an amazing trail flow so growing up with a racing/trails influence is how I try to keep my riding. I love riding street cause it's so convenient but would rather find myself at some trails which didn't happen too much last year unfortunately.
Let's do some top 5's.Cool.
Top 5 BandsTrophy ScarsRaeinModest MouseSimon and GarfunkelEt Tu Brute
Top 5 Riders Brian HuntJustin InmanDrew BezansonMike MastroniCameron Childs
Top 5 SpotsProvidence StreetVic at Circuit's trailsAustin, TXCleveland StreetRay's MTB park
Top 5 Video PartsBrian Kachinsky's Props bioGarret Reynolds Shook partKris Bennet's Demolition partVan Homan Criminal MishchiefJoe Rich Etnies Grounded
Walter Pieringer
Table at the Ninth St. trails in Austin, Texas.
Top 5 things people don't know about you I'm not angry when I ride and am very approachable.I've been cutting my own hair since I was 10.I have a phobia of foam (foam pits, etc.)I've been in school for culinary.I like to write (lyrics etc.)I hate shopping.Oh, and one more...I'm a vegetarian.
What's your opinion on all the Internet hype and Web videos these days, are you all about them? I personally like the Web videos and all this Internet nonsense. It keeps everyone on their toes and is making kids progress that much faster with all the new moves that get thrown right onto the Internet. I like filming for them; it's fun, especially to see how you've progressed over the last year or so.
What's your next move from here and is there anyone you'd like to thank?From here, I'm hopefully going to get my band on some shows, get these last few weeks of school off my belt, ride as much as possible and try to stay as positive as I can on and off my bike. First off I'd have to thank my parents, Kevin Robinson for his sweet park when I was starting off, Rick at Union Cycle, Jeff Dupaul for filming me and Catfish and the guys at/on DK.
In bright green is another awesome looking Aaron frame, this is the Aaron Ross ex($499) complete with Sunday Space bars, Aaron ross sig tires and grips Odyssey PC pedals, weighing in at 25.5lbs! 
