K&F Spotlight: Meet BMX Prodigy Parker Heath

21-year old, Freestyle BMX Pro athlete, Parker Heath has been riding for over 12 years now and has been competing on the pro level for the last 3 years. He has competed in numerous local amateur BMX competitions all over southern California and was part of The Vans BMX Pro Cup contest series wherein he competed in all stops on the tour which was Australia, Germany, Mexico, and finally the Championships in Huntington Beach, CA.

Aside from being an athlete, Parker Heath is also a full-time fine art student at San Diego University. Incredible right? Get to know him more in this little Q & A portion below

How did you get into riding freestyle BMX?

I got into riding freestyle BMX, once I was introduced to the sport, after my father took me to Tony Hawk’s touring Action Sports demo, in San Diego, where I saw BMX for the first time. 

Can you tell us about the first ever competition you joined?  

I have grown up doing numerous local amateur BMX competitions all over southern California, but the first Professional BMX Contest I was invited to, was the 2017 Vans BMX Pro Cup in Huntington Beach, CA.

How do you balance being a full time student and an athlete at the same time?

One of the biggest struggles has been negotiating my absence/attendance from class with my professors. There’s been numerous cases where the professor is willing to let me take off time and make up missed work, which is super nice, but there’s also been many times when that’s not the case, and have had to pass up some opportunities.

What would you say is the best lesson you've learned or trait you have developed through BMX?

One of the best lessons I’ve learned from this is to have a humble approach and modest appreciation for others. Whether it’s the way a person rides, the type of bike they have, or personality they show, all are welcome and accepted in this nature of a freestyle sport.

What would you say is your spirit animal?

if I’d have to pick something, I’d go for a golden retriever. Mostly because, for years friends have always poked fun at the fact that I smile a lot and have long curly blonde hair, and have always made jokes that I look and act like a golden retriever.

Parker's Pick: