Video: Chris Kovarik - Summer of Summit - The Dirt Chronicles

Nov 14, 2012

Views: 245,998    Faves: 2,916    Comments: 152


Every last one of us has that trail that you know like nothing else, you can follow it in your mind every time you close your eyes! Every root, stone and rut is exactly where you remember it to be with every possible line methodically thought out. As we have come to call Whistler our home, the trails in the bike park have been what we see when we close our eyes. Yet some how, just one person comes along and shatters that reality, and opens up a whole new world of lines like the bike park has never seen before! You guys asked for it, so we did it again! Last year filming with the Karver may have been the best time any of us have ever had while filming! (not to mention the gnarliest and most enlightening...)

The man has been in the world class riding scene for longer then some of us have been riding, and it shows...in a big way. Control, accuracy, power, and experience all come together in a perfect storm of skill with the results of, World Cup wins, 4 time National champion, NORBA records, record for Mt. 7 Psychosis, World record for the largest World Cup winning margin and you probably wear his signature model shoe every time you ride...Enough said? Did I mention that after shattering an ankle and braking his tibia leading to 4.5 months with a metal cage around his leg, another 7 months off the bike and being told he will probably never race again he came back to place 5th in the 2005 World Championships...the word trooper comes to mind.

Get that shot
If you know A-line you know this line is RAD!

photo
Who needs to scrub jumps when you can drift them...

A cool day spent at the Whistler Peak shortly after Garbonzo had closed.
Mitch and Dylan on the Peak of whistler shooting a ridiculous drift...

Now after another rad season of coaching, racing and generally shredding Whistler a new one, Chris is headed back to Australia for a few months to continue training as well as compete in the National race series. While down there Chris and Claire will be continuing with Kovarik Racing's coaching program, so all of you shredders on the other side of the world can benefit from the same world class coaching the riders here in Whistler receive!


Follow Summer of Summit here on Pinkbike.
Check out Kovarik Racing here.

Video by: Dylan Forbes, Mitch Gulliver, Justin Roy
Photos by: Justin Roy, Dylan Forbes, Mitch Gulliver
Words by: Mitch Gulliver

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Chris Kovarik


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218 Comments
  • 140 9
 Calling it now. This'll be a major contender for Video of the Year.
  • 40 5
 Easily a VOY contender - this video simply rules!
  • 50 1
 the double between those tables was insane!
  • 61 77
flag wuzupjosh (Nov 14, 2012 at 17:47) (Below Threshold)
 yea the song was a little gnarly tho if they put in something that flowed a little more it woul;d be better
  • 31 14
 Kovarik is the man! Song was a throwback genera to his glory days and fit well. These guys produce some killer videos. But this video was lacking trail substance and a certain spark to be a VOY contender. To me a VOY at the very least has gotta make me instantly hate whatever it is im doing at that moment and wanna quit my life to go ride immediately. This didn't have it. Just my opinion, dont hate.
  • 20 5
 music had to be fast paced, and hard core, like his riding. it only added to that wild style, that is kovarik.
  • 11 2
 cthorpe- I agree, it's hard to relate to someone who can drift better and take more insane/original lines than what you could ever do, even in your dreams... haha.


That was wild and loved every bit of it including the song. Drifting the jump was absurd... has anyone really done that yet? He's been around for so long and still destroys it harder than most. God damn I wish there wasn't snow on the ground!
  • 10 4
 cthorpe you must be very jaded if this didn't instantly make you want to go shred some trails!
  • 25 11
 unreal edit! but pretty poor use of twixster at 2:16 (look at his wheel) and the music made me fell like i was being yelled at by a 20 year old drug addicted problem child...
  • 11 8
 awesome ride. the music was mad corny for me, though...
  • 6 2
 da fuq did i just watch??? im pretty sure he is breaking every law of physics in this video. is that even possible? am i high right now? what a bad ass.... and im pretty sure kovarik is the only person alive that can ride to that music so nobody even try now or you might die
  • 7 4
 At 2:14 I think his wheel isn't spinning because he's on the brakes... Not a poor use of anything if you ask me
  • 4 1
 Definitly a VOY nominee.. He`s one of my favourite shredders. I haven`t been to Whistler but I know A line like the back of my hand because i`ve been watching theese videos from here more then a decade ago. AndIi havent seen anyone that had shreddeded the shit out of the line so much. Go Chris!!!!
  • 7 3
 I wanna quit my life and go ride... immediately!
  • 6 10
flag bikounet (Nov 15, 2012 at 3:53) (Below Threshold)
 If music makes you want to rip off your ears too... You're normal!
  • 24 3
 Better than some crappy dubstep remix of somebody elses song they made 20 years ago... more metal in riding vids! Imo
  • 2 0
 Scottsecco....you called it bro !! 2nd that vote ! A contender for sure !!
  • 3 1
 Music was rad. All the mountain road drifts make me feel 14 years old again running kamikaze. Unreal.
  • 5 1
 @StinkyKieran, too true
there needs to be more metal on vids these days

anyone know the name of the song?
  • 1 0
 pinned!
  • 4 0
 @ suicidedh711 : Atreyu - Right side of the bed
  • 7 1
 mr kovarik rides like he is angry at the mountain for being in his way. i mean this in a very complimentary way, he rides like a rabid dog that smells blood.
  • 1 0
 So true
  • 2 1
 sick vid and no chick tunes super rad
  • 1 0
 loose the whole way through! insane!
  • 1 0
 I thought reading that comment before watching would've been a mistake, but it still kicked ass, real good video. Not many would get in front of it for me.
  • 2 0
 to put it plain and simple, those drifts are FUCKED UP!
  • 61 3
 That Berm you haven't built yet...Kovarik already destroyed it. Fact.
  • 16 6
 Haha. Sounds like Kavorik is the chuck norris of biking...
  • 10 0
 Not so sure... I saw Kovarik at Whistler this summer and he was not nearly this fast... of course he was in the lift line at the time... Dang, I need to go for a ride. NOW!
  • 14 2
 u have it backwards, chuck Norris is the Kovarik of action movies
  • 9 2
 Chris Kovarik doesn't "roost". Dirt simply runs away from him in fear.

Let the Kovarik joke contest begin.
  • 3 10
flag stokedcheech420 (Nov 15, 2012 at 9:28) (Below Threshold)
 let the lame ass jokes commence?
  • 4 0
 The only time you can actually "see" him in Whistler is if he's in the lift line.
  • 6 0
 Kovarik doesn't boost jumps, he pumps the world down.
  • 26 5
 this video proves there are at least 2 people out there who still have decent taste in music and at least 1 person who still knows how to ride on flat pedals...
  • 5 0
 ^this guy^

in times, when you can not stand the mickey mouse helium techno any longer mr kovarik and a descent song makeyour day
  • 1 0
 skipping rope pink handles soundtrack
  • 1 0
 hell ya \m/
  • 2 4
 This song sucks
  • 19 4
 Kovarik + Metal the perfect ingredients for`a vid that totally kicks ass
  • 13 0
 Kovarik and Aggy should be in charge of testing all MTB products. If them two don't break them in the first week, they'll do the rest of us for years.
  • 13 0
 I'm sorry, but did he just clear both of those table tops at once? Yeah? Well I'll f*cking be.
  • 2 0
 As soon as I saw that Unit shirt I knew things were about to get real. Korvarik and the unit crew are just nutty.
  • 12 1
 Best video Ive seen in a long time!! His riding is so on the edge and it looks like hes having the most fun ever on his bike!
Id hate to tail him down a dusty trail though (not that I could keep up) Smile
  • 14 2
 Hello Chris? I think you didnt get the message, Richard Cunningham says flat pedals are over, you have to be clipped in to go fast now. Just thought you should know.
  • 3 2
 Yeah Chris, get on with the times mate. That loose as hell style is every trail builder's nightmare and surely slows you down somewhat.. seriously though its a blast to watch!
  • 10 1
 Great Video! I'm assuming all the people that hate the music would rather some dub-step garbage...oh well, nice to hear some real instruments in an edit.
  • 10 0
 Kovarik is my favorite rider to watch just fucking shit up!
  • 6 0
 So stoked to say I was privileged enough to ride with karver in whistler this year, albeit he didn't ride ANYTHING like this, he decided to tone it down and actually ride with me down a-line, although he couldn't help but throw out some massive tables over every 3rd jump or so! what an absolute champion and all round badass mo'fucker.
  • 9 0
 The only problem with this video is the length. Far too short! So awesome.
  • 9 0
 Chris Kovarik definitly has the rawest most aggressive riding style i ve ever seen! He makes Whistler look like his B#TCH!
  • 6 0
 shred (shrd)
n.
1. A long irregular strip that is cut or torn off.
2. A small amount; a particle: not a shred of evidence.
tr.v. shred·ded or shred, shred·ding, shreds
To cut or tear into shreds.
See Chris Kovarik - Summer of Summit - The Dirt Chronicles
  • 5 0
 The best thing about his riding is that he muscles the bike like no one else. It isn't smooth and fluid, it's rough and dirty. He freaking dominates it. He slaps the mountain around and calls it names and makes it beg for more.
  • 1 0
 hahaha...forearm and upper body bitch slapping the trail, roosting like a boss!
  • 5 0
 First of all, awesome video. Second of all, the song wasn't badass ENOUGH if you ask me. Anyone who thinks Atreyu is like, hard, or something needs to hear some real shit. Just imagine some high speed shreddage leading up to a slo-mo whip/scrub/drift montage starting at 1:15 on this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I67f3khYE5Q
Money.
  • 2 0
 Black cobra! f*ck yeah! Their track "omniscient" has the sickest riff of all time if you ask me!

Atreyu is quite lol-worthy if anything...
  • 3 0
 totally agree the tune used was lame and cant be labelled metal this is more fittin for the karver www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZI24UQUvuo
  • 9 0
 kovarik gives no fucks..........badass edit. gets my vote for VOY
  • 5 0
 Kovarik is not a known giver of f*cks about where the trail is supposed to go, he just blasts out his own line down the mountain whatever way he wants to
  • 8 0
 that guy rides his bike like motocross.
  • 1 0
 Harder than that! I'd be amazed if Barcia could match this steeze.
  • 4 0
 Everyone bitching about the music? As soon as i heard the first part to the song, i was like BOOOM, THIS IS GOING TO BE SOOOOO GOD DAMN GNARLY! Exceeded my expectations, f*ck yeah!! SO GOOD!!
  • 5 0
 Wicked Pissah! One of the best scrubs ever right there. Skate style on a DH bike- Hell Yah
  • 6 0
 Kovarik may just be the badest ass around. straight fucking sav
  • 2 0
 this IS a great video and if it didn't inspire anyone to go ride like that well they must be real lazy f##kers . after reading the comments there was only 3 people that didn't like it cos they are probably jealous of mr.kovarik . anyway you all have great day what ever you are doing .
  • 2 0
 That part in Seasons where Hunter is talking about how Wade Simmons used to get him all psyched to ride? Well, Kovarik makes me all psyched to ride, listen to metal, do donuts in a Toyota pickup, and just generally be owning the shit outta everything. So so sick
  • 6 0
 LIKE A BOSS
  • 1 0
 even that screenshot before the video plays is super radd!!
  • 5 2
 Not sure what to be more stoked on, the shred or the fact that someone finally used Atreyu for an edit instead of some dooooshy pop techno crap
  • 2 1
 Atreyu was an awsome band match. After seeing his riding firsthand, several time on tracks I ride all the time in canberra, He is a GOD. Makes you think twice about what you really think is good. He takes everything to a new level this video PROVES THAT
  • 8 3
 so sick. the music fit perfectly
  • 4 0
 Saw the title, clicked "Add to Favorites", then watched the video. Killer Kovarik
  • 2 1
 All you "guys" complaining about the music need to go take your sisters pants off and let what's left of your nuts hang...just sayin...Kovarick is an absolute slayer that gap to wood berm look like sooo much fun. More edits like this please!!!!
  • 1 0
 that was so fun to watch!! his lines are so crazy and he is so skilled to be able to ride them.
I feel like he and scrub-master Ian Morrisson should make an edit together. (Although they may not be able to ride together due to the dust they kick up)
  • 2 0
 The heavy music works incredibile well with bike riding!!!
I had enough of that crapy house/electric music in every video!
This type of music makes me want to go out and ride!
  • 2 0
 The Internet needs more Kovaric in it. So refreshing seing some hard core shredding, set to music that doesn't sound like vaginal queefing, or wubwubwubwuuuuuub sub sub wuuuuubwubwubwubwubwubwwwwwuuuub
  • 1 0
 \/ \/ \/ \/

Is Chris the only man on earth to need something harder than a 60a? this was bullshit. those tyres would last half a run!

Vid start was so mtb, the whole thing was flawed but - I needed 20 moar mins at least!

^^^^
  • 1 0
 \/ \/ \/ \/

Is Chris the only man on earth to need something harder than a 60a? this was bullshit. those tyres would last half a run!

Vid start was so mtb, the whole thing was flawed but - I needed 20 moar mins at least!

^^^^
  • 1 0
 Got keen the second I saw it was a Karver video..... then the old school Atreyu kicked in, "YESSS!"..... then he 180d the freight train wallride and i just about lost my shit with stoked-ness. But 3:06 was the final straw, i just cant take this awesomeness any more i need to go riding RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!!!
VOY
  • 2 0
 ummm wow .... think this is the best movie i have ever seen some of those lines are soo ganster.... hes still got it and never lost it. should be racing world cups still.
  • 2 0
 Kovarik has always been the gnarliest dude, this video is completely redonk. That being said, the music is certainly not metal.
  • 1 0
 sick video, but i'd gone with a different song choice, but thats my taste, i bet there are lots of people who like that... anyway, just run the music down and enjoy the shredding....
  • 1 0
 Put this on the big screen, minimum 42inch, sit back and enjoy the show!!! Kovarik showing us how mountain bike riding should be done, in your own way, with your own style, just f#^king ripping!!! Love your work fella!!!
  • 2 0
 If Kovarik were a guitarist, who would he be? Consider the ability to play with style, power, and emotion, not to mention insane speed. Hendrix? Slash?
  • 3 0
 @1:28 that line on Freight Train was insane!!
  • 4 1
 that intro will give me nightmares tonight Frown
  • 2 1
 Great video but shit song!!
Not because it´s heavy metal(cause it isn´t) but because it just is shit.Next time try some Slayer or Pantera even Moonspell!
  • 3 0
 METAL.. BIKES.. WIN.. that is all (killer video)
  • 1 0
 cool except for devil horns hand
He's had awesome footage all the way back to '97? with Headliners and Bragging Rights put out by Fox.
  • 3 0
 this is so freaking rad !!!!
  • 3 0
 Sick video Sweet rider That guy has so much style and he isnt afraid to go fast
  • 3 0
 Thank you for playing a real song!!!!! Sick video
  • 1 0
 Disclaimer: This guy is a professional, don't try this at home! BTW, this is one of his slower runs! Hee! Hee! Average speed about Mach-1!!!!!! YeeeeHaaaaa!
  • 2 0
 Kovarik is the only rider gnarly enough to ride to screamo successfully. Period.
  • 2 0
 forget this blue, black, bouble black shit. its now: sally line, normal line, send it line, Chris Kovarik line!
  • 2 2
 Chris Kovarik is something else! He just destroys. But the tune man, seriously. Music is a taste and I dont get guys screaming about a chic. Wtf. It detracts. Although dubstep sucks too.
  • 1 0
 just insane.. after riding A-line, Freight Train etc @ Whistler Bike park I can confirm that those lines Chris is shredding are just INSANE!!!
  • 3 0
 DK - Drift King
  • 3 2
 psicko speed!!!! awesome music........finally! down with the girly music videos!
  • 2 0
 FTR and NS Dynamics FOR THE WIN!
  • 1 0
 Nice riding style and great music, but quality in slower parts of video leaves to be desired.
But in general great movie;.
  • 1 0
 i wish one day to give as little amount of fuck as Chris Kovaric, AUS PRIDE
  • 1 0
 I am flabbergasted !! Holy f.... that aggressive riding and beautiful shot!
  • 1 0
 Met the guy at my local trail yesterday... didn't talk much but was awesome to ride with
  • 1 0
 i enjoy seeing chris hucking shit to flat, i bet his rear shock hates him thoughBig Grin
  • 2 0
 Kovarik is such an original and stylish rider.
  • 3 0
 kovarik kills it
  • 2 0
 The line choice / G-out at 1:28 was straight ridiculous!!!
  • 1 0
 Why are some riders just so much more exciting to watch than others...i.e. Kovarik?!
  • 2 0
 Witnessed some of his greatest US races first hand. Huge fan!
  • 2 0
 Dang!!!!!....karver is killin it! VOY fo sho!!!
  • 2 0
 Karver is killin it.... My vote for VOY!!!
  • 2 0
 Never thought Id hear Atreyu in a mtb video.
  • 1 0
 I love the line choices and how aggressive he rides, hands down one of, if not my favourite rider to watch!!
  • 1 0
 This video makes me miss my heyday of dh riding and I want it back... fck I'm old. Is it over?
  • 1 0
 Ignorance is your best friend .... Chris you are the man ..... watching it again and again !!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Jesus Christ. Why isnt Koravik in a factory team?! This guy will spank half the dudes in the world cups on any given Sunday.
  • 2 0
 Kovaric is really the most stylish rider out there, IMO.
  • 2 0
 F**K!!!!!!! Best riding I've seen for a long time! Dude rocks. VOY!!!
  • 1 0
 i love his style, no tables and bar turns there. and definatly a VOY contender
  • 1 0
 as always great kovarik vid... with nice soundtrack as usual!! no dubstep crap!! yeahhh \m/
  • 2 0
 Metal + Kovarik + Whistler = straight up shredding.
  • 2 0
 Nice to hear some metal in a bike vid!
  • 1 0
 Kovarik style is so aggressive, insane to watch, Would love to see him back on the world cup program. VOD
  • 1 0
 Hes a talented rider....If I was into riding dirt roads and I was 14 years old I guess I could relate...........
  • 1 0
 F'ing love Kovarik's riding style and taste of music!! Intense and Atreyu whoooooh!!!
  • 1 0
 incredible filming talent at work here, working hard to bring us a top notch video! thanks!
  • 1 0
 Fu...k me I think my m9 is broken there is no way is any of this shit at that speed. The guy is a legend. Metal rules.
  • 2 0
 sadist
  • 1 0
 want to meet this guy.....crazy
  • 1 0
 Love this guy. I love drifting as well.
  • 1 0
 unreal scrab....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 great vid, audio editing at the start was shocking though.
  • 1 2
 Its an ace vid (excusing the music, shouting is not music), guy can clearly cut, however if we're picking bones the slow mo has been rendered incorrectly, you can see the blended fields (interpolation) is incorrect. With the DSLR footage you should have twixter'd that $hit! Other than that shots and edit are killa!
  • 1 0
 The slow motion is rendered to half the frame rate. The super slow motion is done through twixter but it is a very fickle program especially when using it for highspeed MTB footage.
  • 1 0
 Kovarik is just has raw style , love it foot out and loose
  • 1 0
 This is the best video i have seen on here by far!!!!
  • 1 0
 Fuck that bike takes a beating. Some harsh riding right there
  • 1 0
 Wins my vote for best rider to watch riding down a fire road!
  • 1 0
 Let'ter buck mother f*¢k!!!!!
  • 1 0
 MY GOD DAMN GOD THAT WAS SICK!
  • 1 0
 Awesome style. He always looks like he is having so much fun
  • 2 0
 what a fucking man!!!!!!
  • 10 10
 Incredible riding style, and well shot video, only let down by the soundtrack.
  • 22 8
 Best soundtrack I've heard in... Forever. So good to have a change from dubstep/crap.
  • 2 0
 tha fugg brha??!!!!
  • 1 0
 Best vid I've seen in a long time, simply amazing
  • 5 5
 badass music. check Style oozing from every pore. check Kovarik owning everything. check respect
  • 1 0
 Somebody, put this man in an insane asylum!
  • 1 1
 unreal riding but i dont understand why people like this music, its like being screamed at.
  • 1 0
 GoPro 3...Any good compared... Must be close no?
  • 1 0
 This guy is one of my riding heroes!
  • 1 0
 i just watched this again i can go to work now ?
  • 1 0
 wow...some amazing shots!
  • 1 0
 INSANE! So...who's up for going out for a ride now?
  • 2 0
 not my kind of music!
  • 1 0
 me neither. Screamo tries too hard
  • 1 0
 go see a concert, you'll most likely have fun if you're with the right people the first time. Talent is imminent in every one of these bands too, if you know music well enough. and dont get me wrong i listen to electronic/dubstep/whateveryouguyslike most likely, its just that this music is great too and takes more dedication
  • 2 0
 sick video, sick song
  • 1 0
 He has nuclear powered legs!!!
  • 1 0
 i know this will be good without having watched it!
  • 1 0
 Get the drift on!!! That man is unreal
  • 1 0
 yeah hes got the skills to pay the bills!
  • 1 0
 best video!! at 3.05 insane
  • 1 0
 CK.....still getting it done in the REAL way !!
  • 1 0
 awsome and that jump drift....no words... great!!
  • 1 0
 Holly Drift Monster Batman!!
  • 1 0
 Mr. Kovarik, teach me please!
  • 1 0
 VOD for sure!! One of the coolest videos I've seen in a long time!!
  • 1 0
 Holllyyy shitttt mothherrr fuckkkkk
  • 1 0
 where can i find the intro? were it is from?
  • 1 0
 Gunslinger! High hills drifter!!
  • 1 0
 Proud to have his shoes haha!
  • 1 0
 He is not human, he is monster !
  • 1 0
 OMG!!!! I vote for best video of the year!
  • 1 0
 Absolute skill right there! loved the spin on the wall ride!
  • 1 0
 I am slowest than his slo-mo !!!!!! Kovaric always VOD
  • 1 0
 INSANE. One foot plant scrup slash drift. EPIC
  • 1 0
 Now thats some riding. Home boy slides better than Ken Block...
  • 1 0
 f**k yea! killer video and riding! keeping it real. Metal.
  • 1 0
 THIS GUY IS THE DUGS BAWS!!
  • 1 0
 best video i have ever seen!
  • 1 0
 Sickest scrub/drift ever! Keep ripping it up ya big unit.
  • 1 0
 This guy is still my most favourite downhiller of all time.
  • 1 0
 Gett'n loose!!! Kovarik shreds!!
  • 1 0
 get loose
  • 1 0
 sweet!!!
  • 1 0
 Loosest Aussie Bloke!
  • 1 0
 I like this
  • 1 0
 Let'ter buck! Mad skills
  • 1 0
 That's whatsuuuup!!!!!
  • 1 0
 KovarSick
  • 1 0
 bullshit
  • 1 0
 sweet
  • 1 0
 Omfg...BRRAAAP!!!
  • 1 0
 savage-that is all
  • 1 1
 sweet riding. Not a fan of the screamo though.
  • 1 0
 Super wicked badass!
  • 1 0
 wicked !
  • 1 0
 Beast
  • 9 11
 Kovarik edits are sick, but I just can't stand the "cut my parents with a sawwwwww awwwwww burn puppiessss" music. Damn.
  • 5 3
 i'd much rather listen to this than the music that last fogel video had to offer
  • 3 0
 I love the way you hear a guitar and you hear them singing and that is what you have decided it is because the media said so. I don't particularly like Atreyu but what they are singing about in the song is the same as 90% of music just expressed differently. Ignoring the voice and going with the music, it works. There are some great riffs. Yeah I preferred the LOG from the last video I watched and maybe some Breed 77, ill Nino or Chimaira would have worked better but still.
  • 1 1
 Ilike this
  • 1 0
 He must go through tires and rims and his bike must come apart all the time from all the lateral force .
  • 11 12
 Great riding, but the song sux
  • 3 5
 Love his aggressive, go fast and destroy everything riding style... hated the music though...
  • 1 3
 Music kinda ruined it for me, but awesome riding
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