Supermotocross Champion Levi Kitchen Envisions Future in Professional Bass Fishing

Levi Kitchen, 25, recently secured the 2026 Monster Energy SMX 250 Class World Championship. Even with this significant achievement, the Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider is already considering a different competitive path for his future: professional bass fishing.

An enthusiastic angler, Kitchen dedicates much of his leisure time to fishing and has openly expressed his ambition to enter tournament fishing when his motocross career concludes. He's already had a glimpse into that world.

A Glimpse into Tournament Angling

Earlier this year, Kitchen participated in the Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am, pairing with professional angler Tristan McCormick.

Though they didn't finish at the top of the standings, Kitchen successfully landed several fish, forged a new friendship, and gained a profound respect for the athletes who compete in professional bass fishing.

"It was amazing. Me and Tristan, we had a great time," Kitchen remarked. "I didn't know Tristan going into it. I'd just heard his name, but he's a great dude."

McCormick, familiar with motocross from the amateur races near Loretta Lynn's Ranch, was impressed by Kitchen's fishing ability.

Kitchen shared, "He actually said I wasn't like, you know, sometimes he gets people that go to those events and they say they can fish a little bit and they really don't know what's going on. But I was proud to at least catch a few fish. We didn't do great, but it was a blast."

Crucially, this experience provided Kitchen with a firsthand understanding of the rigorous demands of professional bass fishing.

He admitted, "It was an eye-opener, too. I've always said, when I'm done racing, I want to give that a shot. I really do. But I have so much more respect for those guys. If I ever wanted to do that, I'd have to really buckle down. You have to put so much time, so much time into it."

From Washington Rivers to Florida Lakes

Kitchen is far from a novice when it comes to fishing. His passion for the outdoors blossomed in Washington state, influenced by his father.

Around the age of 14 or 15, he discovered an old fly rod in his dad's workshop, began practicing casts, and quickly developed a love for fly fishing.

Currently residing in Florida, bass fishing has become his primary focus.

However, he maintains an annual tradition of returning to Washington for steelhead fishing with his father, friends, and family, a custom spanning approximately a decade.

"I still love it," Kitchen stated. "When the racing's done down the road, you'll probably find me on a river fly fishing a lot, or on a bass boat. Just maybe not Florida in the summertime."

Fishing also serves as a calming counterpoint to the high-octane world of professional motocross.

Kitchen mentioned that he and fellow rider Malcolm Stewart often discuss fishing in Florida, hypothesizing that the sport appeals to motocross athletes because it offers a stark contrast to their intense daily profession.

He explained, "We get to kind of calm down and be a little more present than when you're just wide open on a dirt bike."

Despite the relaxed atmosphere, a competitive edge remains, even without championship stakes.

"It's another way to be, I guess, kind of competitive with yourself," Kitchen reflected. "You obviously don't want to go out there and not catch a fish, but sometimes that happens."

Beyond the thrill of the catch, Kitchen values the unique culture of competitive bass fishing.

At the Bassmaster Classic Pro-Am, he observed a diverse group of athletes and celebrities, including NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss. Kitchen was particularly amused by Moss's impressive collection of fishing boats.

"First, Randy Moss, I'm like, who's this guy with two of the same specced-out, crazy sweet boats?" Kitchen recounted. "And they're like, 'Oh, that's Randy.'"

He also noted a distinct difference from the motocross scene: competitors socializing together at the hotel bar the evening before the tournament.

"You do not see that in dirt bike racing," he observed. "They put their game face on when it's time to fish, but just the whole event and weekend is pretty laid-back, which is kind of my style."

Motocross Ambitions Remain Strong

For now, Kitchen is not planning to trade his Kawasaki for a bass boat.

The recent 250 SMX World Champion, who played a key role in ending a seven-year championship drought for Pro Circuit Kawasaki, has clearly expressed his desire for an extended career in motocross.

Following a significant crash at Daytona in 2025, Kitchen emphasized the importance of strategic racing and preserving his longevity in the sport.

"I want to race for a lot more years to come," he affirmed.

He is also far from content with a single championship. His objectives for 2027 include securing both a Supercross and a Pro Motocross title before advancing beyond the 250 class.

Therefore, Levi Kitchen's departure from professional motocross is not imminent.

However, when the moment eventually arrives to retire his helmet, it would be no surprise to see "The Chef" transition from dirt bikes to a bass boat.

Having a well-loved passion as a future pursuit is always a valuable plan.