We haven’t heard from Parker in a while, so we thought we’d catch up with him and all he’s got going on as of late!
What originally got you into riding and what pushed you to bring your riding to a more serious level?
– I originally was interested in skateboarding as a kid, and obsessed with all things Tony Hawk. My dad took me to the Boom Boom Huck Jam when it stopped in SD, and saw Mat Hoffman there. That was my first glimpse at BMX. I knew from the get-go that I not only wanted to get a bike and learn to ride like that, but that I wanted to be like those guys I looked up to that were Pro’s. I think once I really started to get the hang of things in the early stages of riding, I was obsessed with the idea of progressing and loved that feeling. From a young age I was surrounded by pro riders and loads of talented riders that I aspired to. I think constantly being around that is what really pushed me to take it all seriously.
What riders did you look up to when you were young?
– So many riders form the San Diego scene! Steve Woodward is who first comes to mind. He was the first guy I ever saw do a backflip in person, haha. And he would be at clairemont every day, and that’s where I started going when I was 8 yrs. old. Him, Gary Young, Kyle Hart, Hoang Tran, Dirt Ron, Dennis, Chad, and so many more. But the scene at the clairemont skatepark regularly consisted of seeing those guys and I still look up to them!
Do you always go out with a certain spot/setup for a trick you want, or do you just feel it out every day?
– I feel like for the most part I definitely love to pre-visualize and meditate on a trick/spot. Once I get the idea, if its anew spot I discovered or new trick I’m figuring out, I’ll think about it from every angle internally, even how I want to film it and have it edited, and then I just can’t stop thinking about it. I definitely will have things in mind and create a whole mission for certain setups/clips. Spontaneous stuff definitely happens too, and that’s always a bonus, but I love the rewarding feeling of accomplishing the mission, and experimenting with something new you hadn’t done before.
Any dream setups that you’ve been looking for?
– Hmmmm… Hard to say at the moment… haha .. But I’ve been meeting aorund with my capabilities with X-Up grinds so much lately, who knows what the next dream setup will be! Bar to X-up ride off a roof..? haha Especially with this video I’ve loved trying to take fun little jibby tricks, and take them to a higher level with the spot.
Was the San Diego Bmx scene a big influence on your style?
– Oh hugely! Still to this day the BMX environment and scene out here still shapes how my riding exists and evolves. The diversity of skateparks out here, and the ability to ride pretty much everyday, gives you so much to work with in developing one’s style, and I think you see that “all-around” riding style emerge from a lot of the SD scene riders.
There’s a plethora of big name heavy hitters from and in SD, do you feel like you have to work harder to stand out?
– That’s very true… haha. And yeah I think I do think that way! Being surrounded by so many pro’s, all with their own unique approach to riding the spots out here definitely makes it as challenging as it is motivating. I feel like the pressure to “compete” amongst the heaviness that’s gone down here and is apart of the legacy here in SD, is what makes you progress so much. Although, it’s all about personal perspective too.. It’s really up to how you want to see your self fit in with all of that, you don’t have to feel like you need to make yourself standout. Just being yourself and being the best you can be of yourself will make you stand out in some way.
Was there anything different you wanted to do with this upcoming video that you couldn’t do or show in previous projects?
-Yes! This project I wanted to definitely have a more collaborative approach with the creativity side, outside of the riding clips. I think video parts are such a personal piece to the rider and filmmaker, and should be recognized as so much more than just a collection of documenting your favorite/best tricks. I wanted to create something that justified not only the creative talent and capabilities of working with someone like Dalton, but also remember that videos can be seen as a “rider portrait”— Peeking in at some of the things outside of my life as a rider, and how that shapes my perspective and style as the BMXer that your watching in the video. So much time, energy, effort, and thought goes into saving clips for a final project, so I definitely am stoked to do our best to make it an overall vibe! — Not to forget about the spots/tricks too … But In this piece I really tried not to overthink each approach to a clip. I really just honed in on what I was really into/vibing with at the time of filming(whether park or street), and wanted to see how I could progress and push myself with those things that I was stoked on. A lot of jibby stuff taken to a new level & a lot of entirely new stuff for me personally, that I get a kick out of! haha
Outside of riding you’re a busy guy, what’s taking up your free time these days?
-Sometimes I feel a little too busy, hahah. I have my own art business, “PAR KER made”, where I design abstract art woven throw blankets, and am an abstract painter. In the beginning of 2021 I went out on a limb to start sharing some of the art work that I was making toward the end of my college career, just to see how it would respond, and since that leap of faith it has turned into a full time passion and job of mine! Anything from fulfilling orders, working at my farmers markets to sell my art pieces, working on business development & growth, the list goes on. There’s always something that I’m doing in my art world, but I absolutely love it!! Ontop of that I’m an agency signed male model and work in the modeling industry. Working my “cater-waiter” job at private events, and also collaborating on new shoots, working jobs for clients, is what fills my time in the modeling department of my life.
What was the biggest challenge with this video part?
– The biggest challenge was how this video came about and evolved… Like most, it started from just casually filming with a friend during local park sessions and just having fun with it — no real vision or end goal in mind. The dynamic with Matt Cordova (TM & Filmer at the time of origin), ended up changing as he had to move away , and both our work schedules didn’t line up very often. I was still super motivated to challenge myself and wanted to finish creating a video that made me stoked. We didn’t have the most resources in terms of available filmers, so I had to go out in the field with whatever cameras & cameramen I could drag along, and try to envision the whole piece myself, since the editor, Dalton, wasn’t able to be out here either. This meant that I had to not only think of the tricks I wanted to get, but try my best get all the different angles, lead in’s, b-roll, etc. It was an interesting approach, but I think I learned so much, and really enjoyed having a more full circle perspective with the filming and documenting aspect of everything.
Is there anything else you want people to know or look out for?
– Hoping to have another project come into fruition with Dalton X Demolition this year too!
Thanks for watching, means the world to us!! Thanks Demolition for all the support & Dalton for being the magician that brings videos like this to life!
Photos by Matt Cordova, Noah Carone & Ryan Fudger