A Day With James Visser

James Visser is a slopestyle rider from San Diego, California. He shreds the dirt jumps, trails, and the slopestyle courses. This past season you saw him for the first time at Crankworx and it will not be the last time. James is well liked within the bike community and it's not hard to notice why. Always positive and proactive, James brings the best out of those around him. Andrew Taylor just invited him to his contest, AT's Showdown at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Watch for him as he makes a name for himself this year!

Check out Jame's interview and pics from our journey!
At the age of only 17 years old, James Visser has tricks well beyond his age. His maturity and attention to detail in his tricks is that of a seasoned veteran on the FMB World Tour. James has opened the eyes of many this past year and he will open your eyes even wider this coming season. With a positive attitude, James is an instant, upcoming favorite among the freeride community. Look out!


How long you been riding bikes? What was your first bike?
I have been riding bikes for as long as I can remember. First, I started with racing BMX, and then I moved into freeride/downhill in about the 8th grade. Freshman year I started to jump my 2004 Norco A-line on a single dirt jump that I was learning tricks very rapidly on. My first bike was a 12 inch bike, but the first one I really remember is a 16 inch Magna. That bike was so dialed, ha ha!

How did you get into riding bikes? Who has influenced you the most?
I first got into bikes because my brother rode BMX and I thought it was cool and I really wanted to ride as well. Honestly, just all my friends who ride and of course all the riders in the big biking movies gave me ideas and the inspiration to start doing tricks.

You have a successful video series called "VISSERVISSION," how did the idea first come about?
I'm going to be honest, I got the idea to do a webisode series after my friend Jack Fogelquist's super successful Fogelsode series. I talked to a lot of my friends about a good name for it and Black Market rider, Jake Kinney came up with the idea for the name "VISSERVISSION." I'm super pleased with the series and plan on continuing it.


You're just breaking into the scene, how does that feel?
It is amazing! Everyday, I find myself thinking about how crazy it actually feels. It seems like just yesterday I was looking up to the pro riders like gods and the big contests like some sort of mythical legends. Now I'm riding with all those guys and riding those contests. I still can't believe it!

How's the riding scene in San Diego? Where do you ride? What's your favorite spot?
The scene in San Diego is good, but there isn't a whole lot of slopestyle, dirt jump type riding or riders around. I ride a lot of different spots like my house, my friend Danny's house, and a secret spot called, Miracle. I'd say my favorite spot to ride is Danny's because the jumps are super fun and a lot of people always show up to session.

PS: That might change when my Slopestyle course is done!

You're becoming more well known for your big tricks, what motivates you to go as big as possible?
Honestly just having fun. I've always had a really short attention span so the best way for me to keep attention is to send some of gnarliest stuff I can imagine. I have a lot more plans for new tricks and stuff so keep your eyes pealed.

What is in store for the next couple of months? What events are you planning on attending this coming season?
Next for me is AT's showdown which is coming up, and I really would like to do well at it and have fun shredding with all the boys. Next slopestyle season I will more than likely be on a new ride which will allow for me to go to a lot more contests, so as of now I plan to go to all of them! I also really want to get 360 flips again and a buncha stuff I'm going to keep secret for now!

Any shout outs or thanks you want to throw out there?
Yes! My parents for helping me out big time financially and everything else, Division 26 Clothing, The Bike Works, Norco Bikes, and Woodward West for letting me train. Also a huge thanks to Tony Tarumoto for shooting dialed photos with me! I'd also like to give a shout out to my friends Ryan Hockett, Andrew Shaw, Danny Daffer, and Jake Kinney for keeping riding fun and shredding with me and basically all of my other friends! I'd also like to thank God for keeping me safe through all my crazy shenanigans!

I leave you with some shots from our journey:











-Tony "Double T" Tarumoto