The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
BMX rider, 9, backflips his way to fame on social media
SAN MARCOS, CALIF. — Three months ago, Connor Stitt was a fearless third-grader with a passion for BMX riding and a small but growing list of followers on his Instagram page.
Then ESPN took notice. When the sports network re-posted a slow-motion video of Connor doing an aerial backflip on his 14-inch stunt bike in mid-December, he became a viral celebrity overnight. Today, the gradeschooler has 47,000 Instagram followers and is the star of his family’s growing YouTube channel, which his parents launched last year to promote their outdoor adventures.
Connor said he has enjoyed the press and public attention over the past few months because it encourages him to try harder.
“The most fun part for me is landing a new trick,” he said before a bike-jumping session on Saturday in a park near his family’s home. “I like getting air. It feels like you’re flying.”
John and Chelsea Stitt of San Marcos have five children, and their “Stitt Fam” Youtube channel and other social media pages document the many ways they stay active together. There are photos and videos of the family snowboarding, surfing, skateboarding and dirt-biking.
John Stitt, 35, grew up riding dirt bikes and motorcycles in Washington state, and Chelsea, 31, is a fitness buff and dancer who loves capturing the family’s activities on camera.
“Our goal is to encourage kids and families to get outside and get active,” said John. “Video games have a place, but that can take up too much of your time. Get outdoors with your family and do things. That’s what we want to encourage.”
Their children, all active bicyclists, are Catcher, 10; Connor, 9; twins Fayelle and Finnik, 4; and Maverick, 2.
About a year ago, the Stitts encouraged their two oldest sons to choose just one action sport to focus their energies on. Catcher chose parkour, the obstacle course training regimen, and Connor picked BMX. With the initial help of a coach, Connor was soon competing in BMX junior competitions throughout the Southwest.
He won first place in the Hot
Wheels Jr. Series BMX Street Challenge last summer. And in December he was one of just eight U.S. riders ages 16 and under invited to Nitro World Games’ BMX competition in Vista.
John said his job as a parent has been helping Connor grasp the difference between his expectations and his abilities.
“He’s like any other kid wanting to do the big jumps. Sometimes he falls and gets hurt, but unlike other kids around him, when he falls, he gets back up and does it again.”