Action Sports: The Condor Still Soars
Written by playerpress.com, Monday December 15 2008
Mat Hoffman is the King of BMX Vert riders. The Condor helped make the sport and gave ESPN street cred by tearing it up in the X Games. No one launches himself into the stratosphere riding a bike like Mat Hoffman.
Hoffman is 35 now, but for someone who started riding BMX at 13 it shows the miles of heart and his tolerance for pain. That’s a lot of crashing, mashing and rearranging of body parts and internal organs. If you believe in the axiom, no pain, no gain, then Hoffman should gain entrance into BMX HOF based solely on the agony he has tolerated to achieve the ecstasy of ruling the ramp.
The Condor once ruptured his spleen as the result of a ramp crash and continued to try the trick. He almost died before the rest of the crew got him to a hospital. Hoffman may act crazy, how better to describe a guy who has staged a hairiest butt contest, but he is dedicated to biking. So much so that Ride magazine stated he had redefined the limits for vert riding when he was all of 15.
Along with his various high air stunts, riding off of a cliff, launching from a 26 ft. ramp, etc. he has invented a number of tricks that some claim run into the hundreds. Among those is a 900, flip fakie and flair. Remember, the 900 is on a bike.
Along with grabbing air, The Condor has established a line of bikes manufactured to his specifications. To promote his Hoffman Bikes, he has a team that includes members in the U.S. and international riders.
Additionally, he is a promoter through his Hoffman Sports Association. The HSA is an organizing body for BMX bikes and books riders for a number of venues including the aforementioned X Games. HSA hit its stride when it booked a number of riders, including Mat, to perform in the opening ceremonies of the Atlanta Olympics “Sports as Art” event.
HSA also produced the Crazy Freakin’ Bikers Series that showcased professional and amateur BMX’ers doing what they do best; tearing themselves to pieces on ramps, rails and in pools. CFB picks up where the X Games end and is choice viewing for those who appreciate the underground nature of action sports.
Already a star at events and on TV it was logical that game producers would be calling on The Condor. Activision has released a series of Mat Hoffman BMX games and he has also been part of Tony Hawks’ successful series with appearances in Pro Skater and American Wasteland.
Probably in spite of, as opposed to because of, his hairy butt, Mat has appeared on IMX films produced by Spike Jonze and Ron Cohen. And, let’s not forget he appears in Jackass: The Movie. That piece of cinematic beauty would be enough to immortalize anyone, but Hoffman continues to do what no one does better, fly real high on a BMX bike and either land the trick, or come close to dying in the attempt.
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