Unless you’re completely oblivious, there’s been a huge rise in the number of kids riding BMX at an earlier age and there’s A LOT of talented riders coming up. One of those riders that we have been becoming bigger and bigger fans of with every video is Kaden Stone. Kaden is one of those young guns that has been showing everyone that age is just a number and that these “kids” have the ability to ride like the pros thanks to BMX bikes that are designed in the 16″ size. Kaden has been progressing at an insane rate lately and we knew it was time to get ahold of him to find out just what his story is! Let’s see what he had to say!
Name: Kaden Stone
Location: California
Sponsors: Total BMX, ODI Grips, Profile Racing, FreeGun Underwear, VP Components, Bell Helmets
Age: Just turned 12 Aug 4th
Years riding: 6
What was it that got you into BMX? Any early memories from your first times riding come to mind?
My first memory of riding my bike was when I was like 2-3 and my parents bought me a little Tonka bike. My dad said I rode the wheels off that little bike.. So he decide it was time to take it to the next level and took me to a Skate park. When we first got to the park, I saw Daniel Sandoval blasting all over the place and tossing tail whips. I was super excited to get out and go for it. However, my dad wanted me to wait until I got a better bike. The following day my dad came home with a new bike and took me to the park. I have not stopped riding since that day.
How are things going with Total BMX? It looks like you are running a custom 16” version of their Sandstorm frame! What do you think of that?
Everything is great with Total BMX. I finally got the chance to meet some of the team in person while I was in France for FISE. So honored to be a part of this amazing company. My 16″ is perfect and everything I ever wanted in a bike. Now I’m waiting on my custom 18″ frame which should be here any day. Remo really knows how to take care of his riders and design a bike!!!!
Do you have any cool projects with Total BMX coming up that you can tell us about?
At the moment I do not have anything coming up as school is about to start and my parents want me to focus on that.
How about things with VP Components, ODI, Freegun and Profile Racing? Anything exciting going on with you and those guys you can tell us about?
Nothing in the works for now just continuing to ride my bike and support them.
So, we have been watching your videos and seeing you progress over the past two years or so and it has been amazing. What has been the biggest motivation to learn new tricks and how are you learning them so fast?
Haha, well really there is no secret to it. I just have a supporting family and friends and I just love to ride my bike. I set goals for myself and I try to achieve them as fast as I can.
We’ve seen that you are really good friends with Daniel Sandoval and you guys both ride the same local park. Do you feel like having him to motivate you has been a big reason why you’re so good on a bike now?
I definitely think he helps and motivates me. He is always around when I need advice on tricks. He travel’s a lot now, so we don’t ride together as much as we used to, but I can still call him when I need help.
Is Daniel more like a big brother than a friend for you? Seems like you guys have a pretty tight bond.
Yes, we have a super tight bond brothers for sure. Our family looks at him as another family member.
The other week you had a new video drop and it was packed full of amazing riding that we were completely blown away. What are a few of the tricks you learned while filming for that one?
There was a few that I wanted to send without rezi that I have never done before. The double truck over the box, double bar tap on the 7ft and the hardest one, the bar whip.
What would you say the hardest clip was for you to get?
The bar whip by far. When O first landed it I was just speechless. I think I might have even let a few tears out, hahah. I worked on that one a lot and my dad continued to push me when I doubted myself. I also had Daniel and another friend, Lawrence, continue to push me.
Any tricks you’re currently working on that we might see in your next video?
I have a few that I will keep to myself for now. I never know when I will send them, but I have been super close to letting them go, haha. It’s at the level now that I can get seriously hurt, so I have to make sure I’m 100% feeling the trick and my head is clear.
We’ve been seeing you starting to pop up at different contests lately. This past summer you went to FISE in France, right? How did you end up placing?
Yes, France was amazing. Freegun asked me if I would like to go and of course I was not going to pass that up! I was super blessed they choose me and paid for my trip.
FISE was just out of this world the fans are insane and just love BMX. I did pretty good and was happy with my results. For Park Open class I qualified 8th and ended up 13th out of 150 riders. For Spine Mini Open class I qualified 2nd and finished 3rd out of 150 riders.
What did you think about being on the deck with all of those people watching? Was it scary or did it motivate you and help you ride better?
It was insane. It’s definitely motivating just because the people love BMX, so you know they will support you and you just send it!!!
Do you plan on riding more contests in the future? Any in particular you really hope to get to in the next few months or so?
Well, the down side for me now is age there’s really no events that will allow me to ride until I turn 13. I used to always look forward to the Recon Tour, however that is 13 and older now.
You have been riding in some shows doing demos lately, right? Can you tell us a little bit about that and how you feel about riding in shows?
Shows are super fun. I have been doing them for a few years now with a group called Small Wheels. It’s a bunch of fun and just a good time with my family and friends.
So, you aren’t exactly like most 11 year olds. What do your friends think about your riding? I bet the girls at school think you’re pretty awesome, haha.
To be honest, I really do not talk about my riding at school. In fact most of them have no clue except my close friends. When I was leaving for France I asked my teacher for my school work and she thought I was lying about the trip, hahah.
We would imagine your parents are really supportive of your riding. What do they think about where you are going with BMX?
My parents are my #1 supporters they built me a big ramp in my back yard. They really don’t know where BMX will take me. They just hope I continue to have fun and do what I love to do.
Where do you hope to take BMX in the next few years? Do you have any big goals you hope to accomplish?
MY #1 goal for BMX is to get more people involved in our sport. It just does not have that many kids in it. And it’s very hard for me to find kids my age to ride with. So, I figure if I continue to put out edits and show everyone what can be done on a bike that more kids will see it and say “hey dad, I can do that too”…. And they will go buy a bike and start riding.
What are you usually getting into when you aren’t riding BMX? Do you play any other sports or have any big talents?
When I’m usually not riding my bike I play games with my brothers and dad or I ride my skateboard on the ramps.
What’s something about yourself that most people would probably be surprised to learn?
They call me dubby because I was super small when I was born and still am haha. I also have two toes that are connected so that’s where they got Dub from.
How can people keep up with you? Are you on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or anything?
You can follow @dubbybmx for Instagram and Twitter
For facebook Facebook.com/kaden.stone
I try my best to reply to everyone, but it’s super hard.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
I would like to thank all of my fans for supporting me. All of the website and BMX sites for posting my videos. And all of my sponsors, family and friends for supporting me!!!
