What began as afternoons spent riding bikes, skateboards and scooters with friends has grown into a career that has taken Menifee native Chandler Dunn around the world as a professional scooter rider.
Dunn, a 2012 graduate of Paloma Valley High School (PVHS), grew up playing baseball. He became a four-year varsity player at PVHS before continuing briefly at Mt. San Jacinto College. But while baseball occupied most of his time, riding remained a constant.
Growing up, Dunn rode with friends, built homemade ramps and spent time at skate parks as freestyle scootering was still emerging.
“We were progressing with each other, feeding off each other,” Dunn said. “We were riding together nonstop every single day.”
As freestyle scootering continued to grow, Dunn decided to pursue the hobby he had spent years developing.
“I was also extremely good at my hobby,” he said. “I kind of just took a chance.”
Shortly after graduating high school, Dunn signed his first major sponsorship with Madd Gear Scooters, launching a professional career that has now spanned nearly two decades. Since then, he has competed in world championships in Barcelona, Spain, performed in stadiums, and traveled around the world.
Dunn performs with Robert Castillo’s BMX Freestyle Team, visiting schools across Southern California. The assemblies combine BMX and scooter stunts with discussions about safety, bullying, healthy choices, and perseverance. He performs at roughly 220 schools each year and spends his summers in SeaWorld San Diego’s stunt show, now in its third season.
“I really enjoy speaking with the youth, talking with them, and inspiring them to follow their goals and dreams,” Dunn said.
He remembers the excitement of meeting his own role models as a child and hopes to create that same feeling for the students who watch his performances.
“Kids could be going through a hard time, but for that hour that we’re performing at the school, they forget about it,” Dunn said.Â
His own work ethic was shaped by his grandfather, John Dunn, who helped raise him alongside his grandmother, Beth Dunn. His grandfather coached him throughout Little League, teaching him lessons Dunn carried from the baseball field into his professional scooter career.
One of Dunn’s favorite memories came in 2015, when his career brought him back to Chester W. Morrison Elementary School, where he had the opportunity to jump over his fifth-grade teacher during a school assembly.
While he plans to continue riding and performing, Dunn is hoping to transition into a career with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department within the next year.Â
Dunn lives in Menifee with his wife, Victoria Dunn, and their son. He said his family is now his biggest motivation and he hopes to inspire the next generation to follow their dreams.
