Photo: Walter Pieringer
I’m trying to think of the first time I had the chance to meet Chris Childs… I want to say it was at the last DK Dirt Circuit, but it might have been before that. That’s beside the point other than that Chris has been absolutely killing it with his style for years. It seems like after all those years of killing it, he’s finally getting the support he deserves! With joining the Sunday and Merritt pro teams at the start of the year and getting an invite to ride X-Games Dirt here in just under two weeks, we figured it was a good time to catch up with him to see what’s new with him! Let’s see what he had to say!
Name: Chris Childs
Location: Attleboro, Massachusetts
Sponsors: Sunday Bikes, Merritt BMX, Pareidolia, BlackDad, Vans, Bern Unlimited
Years riding: 17? I don’t know. I started racing in 96’, ha!
How’s it going? It looks like you survived the east coast winter?
Looks like it! Stoked for a few more weeks before I start dreading the heat for sure though.
You went on a trip out to Arizona with the Sunday crew a few weeks back. What did you guys get into while you were out there?
Arizona was super laid back, we just chilled out, rode long days in the beautiful sun and relaxed at night. The crew was awesome! Aaron, Elstran, Gary and Mark just killed it every day.
How are things going with Sunday these days? I’d imagine they have a pretty busy summer for you planned? Any trips, videos or anything you’re working on?
Sunday has treated me extremely well this past year and 2014 is going to be even better.
Right now the only thing I have in my line up is X-Games Austin. I got invited to ride dirt this year which happens to be the welcome back party for Dirt at the X-Games. I never thought that would happen, crazy shit. We’ve got a few ideas for Sunday trips this year, don’t get too anxious!
You were also given the bump up to the Merritt Pro team just before the start of the year. How have things been going with them lately? Do you have any trips, signature parts or anything cooking with them?
Things with Merritt are awesome Mike and Sean hold it down over there. I couldn’t be happier with being put on the pro team. I’m just stoked to have a spot on the already stacked team in general. They work hard to keep BMX alive and thriving over at Merritt. 2014 is gonna be sick.
What’s up with the BCave Crew these days? Are you guys working on any videos or anything?
How nice of you to ask. We threw a jam a few weeks back that was pretty sick. As far as videos go, I actually dropped a new mix for John Mayo a few weeks back. Check it out. We plan on doing another mixtape for the fall/winter of 2014. I’m currently filming and gearing up for the year!
Any other sponsor news you can tell us about?
Vans has been hooking me up with some shoes which is pretty much the greatest. I’ll take that any day!
So this past year has been pretty crazy for you. I feel like you some how you flew under the radar as far as sponsors go for years until you crushed the Texas Toast Jam…. Did you ever expect to be where you are now?
This year was pretty awesome for sure. Looking back I don’t think I was flying under the radar at all, the past few years have been the best as far as riding goes for me aside from sponsors and all that. I know what I want from my riding and the years of riding everything no matter what it is, dirt, park, street, racing, curb jumping and just cruising with my buds has created the rider that I am today and I plan on keeping that flowing.
So you got an invite to X-Games this year! How crazy was that for you when you found out?
Dude, I pretty much geeked out. All I remember is feeling super nervous that it’s actually something real. My mom freaked and started dancing, my dad booked plane tickets, and I continue to geek out. It still doesn’t feel real and probably won’t until I realize that I need to remind myself that Opal, my girlfriend, needs to pack us up in the morning.
Do you feel pressured at all since it’s a contest that’s pretty serious and you are pretty much a loose cannon on a bike?
A loose canon huh? Shit, well I don’t feel pressured as much as I do anxious, Awaiting the view of the monstrous dirt mounds I’m expected to twirl around on. Either way, I have a pretty solid game plan of clearing each jump consecutively. I made it.
Have you been “training” at all? I feel like I saw a photo of your finger cut off and I figured you were getting crazy with push ups or something.
I can’t do push ups comfortably yet to be honest… Thanks though.
Actually, what’s the story behind the finger? It looks like you cut the tip of it clean off?
So basically I’m at work ready to leave, tightened up a fixie chain quick, put some oil on it, spin the back wheel to get a nice coat on, grab a rag/towel to get the excess off so it doesn’t splatter everywhere and before I knew it my finger was jerked away. I look at it and realize I’m missing a solid ¼-½ inch of finger, yell hysterically my finger just got cut off. From there I went to the hospital and watched the Dr trim the mangled parts and bone up. It was pretty rad watching the Dr sew me back up and seeing how well it has healed.
So other than riding and cutting your finger off, what have you been up to? Any new hobbies or anything you have been getting into?
My main focus lately has been getting my finger back up to speed and getting comfortable on the bike again but when I’m home relaxing I like to mess around with footage and make beats that don’t do any justice for anyone else…
What’s the last song you heard and movie you watched?
Last song is Gun Shy by Widowspeak . Such a good album and is featured in Mayo’s latest edit.
Honestly, I can’t remember the last movie we watched… I watched one last night though, must have fallen asleep
How can we keep up with you these days? You’re on Instagram, Twitter and all that, right?
Mainly instagram for the most part, I’m bad at keeping that stuff consistent but you can find me at @chrischildss If you’d like.
Photo: Devon Denham
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Shout out to everyone who keeps me motivated and has let my riding get them stoked this past year. All of my dudes and my lady Opal, Cam Childs, Bobby Proctor, odallday, JoHn MayO, ShAUn giNgRaS,JefF DuSTiN, Walter PiErAnGeR,Jeff DuPaUl,MARLEY, kEiTh cHuRcHfIeLd, Rick my boss, Circuit BMX, T&F, BCAVE. Shout out to everyone in the office over at Full Factory that has made this year what it was, looking forward to 2014!
Anything else you want to say?
Ride more of everything.
