Mt. Baldy Full Pipe in Chino, California, USA
This photo was close to the end of the session wile everyone was taking a break. My buddy Jonas (rider) is the type of guy that comes to skate from the time we get their till we leave. So as everyone was taking a break, watching Jonas go to work on concrete walls of the full pipe, I got deep into the pipe and shot this photo of him wile everyone was admiring his natural talent on a skateboard. I think we are a group of guys that can sit back and appreciate the art of skateboarding. Sometimes you need to take a step back and just be a fan of your friends.
Place you live: Currently Los Angeles,CA / Grew up in Chino,CA
Place your photo/video was taken: Mt. Baldy Full Pipe
Can you sum up Chino? When this photo was taken, I was living in Chino,CA. Its a small town that expanded into, what is now a large suburban area. When I was younger, the geography was mostly farm land. With more cows than people when I was born in 1988, to what it is today around 80,000 people. I’ve always liked the open feel of the city. With houses surrounded by farm land that allowed you to see for miles all the way to the foothills of the mountains.
I never felt like the city was so small that I coulnt do something with out getting recognized or grow on who I was. To me its an ideal place to grow up and experience all the elements of Southern California. Its about and hour to the beach of your choice or if you want to experience the snow in the Winter season its only about an hour and a half to the mountains. I think the location that I grew up in really shaped me on what I like to shoot as a photographer today. I really enjoy being outside in the elements sunshine, rain, or snow and working with people and shooting extreme sports. The most rewarding thing about being a photographer is showing the rider the photo or footage and seeing them get excited about what they do.
Occupation: Photographer/ Videographer
Preoccupation: Graphic Deisgner
A perfect day? Grab a pizza, beer, a group of friends and go skate some local spots.
If someone was visiting, what must they do? Skate Ayala Skate Park at sunset.
A perfect meal in Chino? Flow’s at Chino Airport. Its a dinner that has been their since WWII. I always get breakfast. I would highly suggest the biscuits and gravy.
What is the best thing about your spot? Baldy full pipe is a place that you can ride till your dead tired. Its a small hike to get there but its so rewarding when you find this gem hidden in the hills. Its also a place where you can run into other skaters that have heard of this legendary spot.
What is the worst? The down side of this spot is when it rains it becomes un-skatable. The full pipe’s primary function is to move water from the top of the mountain to a lower water reservoir.
A little known fact about where you live? We had more cows than people when I was born. We also have a minimum to maximum level Prison.
Where is your favorite place in the world? Right Now? Vail,CO
Who are your three favorite photographers? Aaron Smith, Bo Bridges (Mentor), Atiba Jefferson