Features

THRICE: Isaac Lesser

Past - Present - Future

Words and photos by Scott Connor

I first met Isaac years ago, back in Belfast. He was over for a trip or jam, something along those lines…

But it wasn’t until I moved to Brighton in 2015 that I really got to know him. At this time he was living at ROM skatepark – when not away on trips, riding in demos or competing in contests.

Fast forward two years and Issac is now settled in Brighton. Yep – and he’s got a flat, a job, a girl, a van and even a signature frame. That’s not to say he’s slowed down. In fact, it’s had the opposite effect. Issac is thriving and his current riding is testament to this.

Whip over the channel at Thame skatepark.

PAST

What’s been going on?

Well, a lot has changed for me lately. Two years ago I wasn’t working, just living on the small amount of money I earned from doing BMX shows and from my sponsors. I was staying at my mum’s in Essex and didn’t own a vehicle nor a license. While there’s nothing wrong with any of these things, and I had some of best times living like this, things started to change.

After working on the Build It project with Mike King at ROM, I had the opportunity to start working at Fearless Ramps. They build and maintain skateparks all over the country and fortunately this soon turned into a full time job. For this I feel grateful, it’s provided me with the opportunity to work within an industry that my life has revolved around for the past 15 years.

“The scene here is unlike any other scene in the UK, there’s just so many motivated riders…”

During this time I met my girlfriend, Channy, and started to spend more and more time in Brighton. After about a year or so, I decided to move down here permanently, which has been amazing. The scene here is unlike any other scene in the UK, there’s just so many motivated riders. We ride every day and are all keen to get out to new spots and parks every weekend. Riding bikes and having a fun at its purest… Simple.

Not many people get up there. Big ol' nose press against the outer fence, Oxford

PRESENT

What’s happening now?

So, this year marks the 10th anniversary that I’ve been riding for my bike sponsor, Mankind. A decade riding for one company is something of a rarity these days. It makes me proud to say I have my own signature frame with Mankind. We are going to be making a few tweaks to the upcoming 2018 model too.

“A decade riding for one company is something of a rarity these days.”

Just recently, I’ve officially started riding for The Shadow Conspiracy. They are a company that I’ve always had respect for, and I’m honoured to now be part of the team. They dropped my welcome edit just last week. For the video, Mike King and I spent a week on the road, travelling through France and Spain. Filming a whole edit in a week is not an easy task! But I’m stoked with how it turned out.

I’ve passed my driving test and bought a little van! So far, I’ve decked it out with a bed, some shelving and a cooker. It’s got all the essentials I need to live in for short trips on the road. I’ve been working a lot recently, but this motivates me to get out every evening and ride. Plus if I’m working away on a new skatepark build then I take my bike in the van and have the chance to ride a different spot that night.

A post shared by Isaac Lesser (@isaaclesser) on May 14, 2017 at 12:36am PDT

Carving the vert at Oxford Wheels Project

FUTURE

What’s next?

Coming into the next couple of months things are looking real busy! NASS just happened, then it’s Boardmasters, Battle of Hastings qualifiers and a Shadow trip around the UK.

With the help of Seventies Distro and Shadow, I’ve organised a jam at The Level Skatepark in Brighton on Saturday 15th July. We are going to set up some DIY ramps and have a long jump, high hop and give prizes or beers to anyone who sends it. There’s a lot of young kids with BMXs around this area that have probably never experienced a real jam, so I’m stoked to put one on for them.

I’ll also hopefully get to work on another video project before the end of the year and get the chance to visit some new countries. Above all I want to carry on riding and stay as fit and healthy as possible.