Resident and known BMX rider recounts his life’s challenges, experiences

With Spanish music in the background just before sunset, Ricardo Laguna gears up to practice at his backyard dirt bike practice field complete with jumps and ramps overlooking Frenchman Mountain.

The professional BMX rider admits that he may not have much, but he is living every BMX rider’s dream.

“My life is pretty surreal,” Laguna said. “I always think that I’m still a kid who rides little kid bikes.”

The 32-year-old was born in La Paz, Mexico, in 1982. His father worked for Mexicana Airlines and provided him a comfortable life. He said he was seen as the “cool kid” of the neighborhood. He had a Nintendo, Michael Jordan shoes and plenty of friends.

Then things quickly changed.

Mexicana Airlines was not doing well financially, so his family moved to Tijuana for a short time before settling in North Las Vegas when Laguna was 13.

“My dad ended up getting a job here washing dishes. We sold everything and moved into a trailer with our little bags,” Laguna said. “The only place that allowed us to move in was in a pretty rough neighborhood, but we didn’t care. We just wanted to get ahold of the American dream.”

As a teenager who didn’t speak English, he protested against his parents’ decision to move.

“It was very difficult because I was raised with a different lifestyle, and I didn’t speak the language,” Laguna said.

As fate would have it, one day, Laguna saw some youths jumping out of holes with their bikes in the desert. He said they told him about a racing track nearby.

Days later, he visited the track with his family and saw people racing their bikes. He realized it was something he wanted to pursue.

“I asked my mom for a bike, and a week or two later, she bought me the worst possible bike you could ever think of, but I treated it like gold,” Laguna said. “She saved every possible penny she could to buy me this terrible bike, and my career started.”

Before he became a reality television star on “The Ricardo Laguna Project,” he had to master the language. One particular word that was difficult for Laguna to pronounce was bearings, which he said was something he constantly had to replace on his bike.

With the help of his friends and with perseverance, he quickly adapted to his newfound culture.

Although his parents made him share a room in an apartment with his younger brother, Ricardo Angel, they eventually bought a house where Laguna could build jumps in the backyard.

“If it wasn’t for my parents, hands down, I would not be where I’m at,” Laguna said.

He worked as a daycare instructor, lunch man and physical education assistant before he had to make the final decision of continuing his dream or keeping a stable job.

“I always wanted bigger and better,” Laguna said. “I remember thinking I’m only young once, so if I don’t take this opportunity, it might never present itself. This job will always be here.”

After years of hard work, practice, failed attempts and victories, Laguna became a professional BMX rider at 20.

He has since starred in his own reality television show, was named one of Las Vegas’ hottest bachelors in 2009 by Vegas Magazine and was named one of 2013’s most intriguing people by Vegas Seven. Despite his busy schedule, Laguna continues to support his community.

“He’s always willing to come help us out with the schools,” said Terry McAninch, police officer for the Clark County School District. “He once dressed up as an elf when I was Santa Claus and helped me pass out presents for schoolchildren.”

Laguna helped create the inaugural Celebrando Hispanic Festival in Las Vegas, which took place over the summer to showcase the Latino culture, food and music.

In August, he hosted the inaugural Craig Ranch Action Sports Competition, and over the summer North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee pronounced Laguna an honoree citizen of the city.

“He’s a very visionary young man,” Lee said. “He’s very unique in the way he handles himself with people of every class distinction. There’s no doubt that he has a bright future ahead of him.”

He’s also hosted Hometown Heroes, the After Christmas Helmet Giveaway and regularly partners with different nonprofits to promote health and safety.

“I’m not the richest guy in the world, but I have stuff that money can’t buy — I have my family, a career and foundation, and doors keep opening for something that I love,” Laguna said. “How can you complain when you do something you love and you’re allowed to keep doing it?”

Contact North View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.