Cameron Zink facts for kids
Cameron "Cam" Zink, born on March 8, 1986, is an amazing American professional freeride mountain bike rider. He's also a famous X Games athlete! Cam is known for his incredible tricks and daring rides on mountain bikes.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 March 1986 Aptos, California, U.S. |
| Team information | |
| Current team | Devinci |
| Discipline | Freestyle Mountain Bikes |
| Role | Freestyle |
| Rider type | Slopestyle, Freeride |
Contents
Cam Zink's Early Life
Cam Zink grew up in Carson City, Nevada. He started riding mountain bikes when he was just 9 years old. By the time he was 16, he was already a champion. He won the junior national championship in a race called dual slalom.
When he turned 17, a big team called the Santa Cruz Syndicate signed him up. For a few years, he raced and also competed in Slopestyle events. Slopestyle is a type of mountain biking where riders do amazing tricks and jumps.
Cam Zink's Amazing Career
Cam Zink has had a very exciting career in mountain biking. He's known for pushing the limits of what's possible on a bike.
Starting His Own Company
In 2009, Cam Zink started his own company called Sensus. They make special grips for bike handlebars. This shows he's not just a rider, but also an inventor!
Winning Big Competitions
Cam has won many important competitions. In 2010, he won Red Bull Rampage. This is one of the biggest freeride mountain biking events in the world. He also won "best trick" for an almost 40-foot 360-degree drop! That same year, he won the FMB World Tour season title.
In 2013, he won "best trick" again at Red Bull Rampage. This time, it was for a huge 78-foot backflip! He did this even after a doctor told him not to ride. In 2014, he placed second at Red Bull Rampage. He also won "best trick" for the biggest 360-degree spin ever seen at the event.
Setting World Records
On August 21, 2014, Cam Zink set a world record. He completed the farthest backflip on a bicycle. He flipped an amazing 100 feet and 3 inches! This happened at Mammoth Mountain during the World of X-Games.
He also won the Crankworx Slopestyle event twice, in 2006 and 2010. This event is now called Joyride and takes place in Whistler, British Columbia.
X Games Success
In April 2021, the X Games brought back mountain biking. Cam Zink entered with a video submission. His video was so good that he won his first X Games medal! This was a bronze medal in the X Games Real MTB competition.
Recent Achievements
In 2023, Cam Zink won Red Bull Rampage for a second time! This was a huge victory for him. In the 2024 Red Bull Rampage, he had a tough crash. He was taken to the hospital, but he was in stable condition. Cam Zink continues to be a legend in the world of freeride mountain biking.
Helping Young Riders
In 2020, Cam started the Milepost 35 Mountain Bike Camp. It's located at Mt. Hood, Oregon. His nonprofit group, "Sensus Rad Trails," helps design and build the camp's bike park. Young campers can ride and learn from Cam himself during his special sessions each summer.
