Fading But Not Forgotten: The Baboons

Fading But Not Forgotten is a piece that I write about some of the older riders that might not be in the scene anymore...but are not going to be forgotten anytime soon. It's also for the newer riders to learn about some of the pioneers of the sport who paved the way for them.





Chances are when I say “Baboons”, you all think of an animal with a bright red ass. However, some of the older riders in the sport associate the word “Baboons” or “Boons” with a group of riders from Lake Tahoe, California. Who might be fading, but are not yet forgotten.

The Boons were commonly recognized as, Jonny Yocum, and Sean Turner. Two close friends who shared a deep passion for Scootering. However there were usually a few other riders that were part of the Boon family at one point or another. Some of them are Kyle Turner, Sean's little brother, Blunt USA Pro rider Erik Feenstra, and Boogs, another chill rider. Before they faded out of the scene, they were all really well known and their riding was loved by many, however it didn't start that way at all. Jonny's first video for example is extremely hard to find and most likely isn't even online anymore. But it showed a rider that had potential, but wasn't the best by any means. The community wasn't too welcoming, and showered it with harsh comments and criticism. It didn't really phase Jonny though, who in time would show that he had one of the most chill mindsets in the sport. He just kept riding, him and Sean.

They started to push themselves more at their local skate park featured in almost all of the Baboon videos that are in this piece. It wouldn't be long before they were boosting everything and hitting new gaps and transfers in every new video. While their riding started to separate them from everyone else, so did their attitudes and outlooks. I've personally rode with Baboons on more than one occasion, and riding with these guys is a real experience. There is so much positivity around these guys that it almost radiates off of them. They are constantly supporting one another with tricks they are trying, and congratulating each other when they land those tricks and if you are at the session, they will be supporting you as well.

It's just how they are. They were so easy going and some of the few honest and down to earth guys in the sport. You'll also probably notice in a lot of these videos, they are usually wearing sweat pants, as opposed to the more common “Jeans” that everyone wears. This was just another thing that set the Boons apart from everyone else. I mean, they had their own language..you simply will not find another group of riders that speak their own made up language, and are the reason that some people in the sport to this day still say "Dank". They were just a group of guys, who loved to go out and ride their scooters. Fame, Sponsorships, Contests, all of that was secondary to The Baboons.

While The Baboons have for the most part vanished from the online scene, and possibly from the sport all together. The memories and videos they left behind have not. I'm sure that everyone who has had the pleasure of riding with these guys like myself, can all say that you walk away from it feeling really lucky to have rode with some truly good people, and amazing riders. They showcased what riding was really about for a lot of us. Just being with your friends, having fun making videos. Supporting each other when you ride, and not being so competitive that it takes all the fun out of riding. Even now, I think some of the new school riders can learn something from these guys.

Felkin Belbelns Beltch.



Written by Steven Tongson




Jonny Yocum MDS 2 Part


Sean Turner MDS 2 Part


Baboon Weekend Video


4 Year Old Baboons Group Video