Mat Hoffman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mat Hoffman
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Hoffman (center) in 2006
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| Born |
Mathew Hoffman
January 9, 1972 Edmond, Oklahoma, U.S.
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| Other names | The Condor |
| Occupation | BMX rider, organizer |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Height | 182 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
| Spouse(s) |
Jaci Hoffman
(m. 1993) |
| Children | 2 |
| Medal record | ||
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| Summer X Games | ||
Representing  United States |
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| Gold | 1995 Newport | BMX Vert |
| Gold | 1996 Newport | BMX Vert |
| Silver | 2002 Philadelphia | BMX Vert |
| Bronze | 1997 San Diego | BMX Vert |
| Bronze | 2000 San Francisco | BMX Vert |
| Bronze | 2001 Philadelphia | BMX Vert |
Mathew Hoffman, born on January 9, 1972, is an American professional BMX rider. Many people consider him one of the best vert ramp riders ever. He earned the nickname "The Condor" because of his amazing high-flying tricks. Mat also created his own BMX Freestyle company, Hoffman BMX Bikes, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Before starting his own brand, he rode for famous companies like Skyway and Haro Bikes.
Contents
Mat Hoffman's Early Life
Mathew Hoffman was born in Edmond, Oklahoma, on January 9, 1972. His parents are Joni and Matthew Hoffman. He grew up with two sisters, Lina and Gina, and two brothers, Todd and Travis.
Mat first started riding motocross with motorcycles like the Kawasaki KDX 80.1. He later tried other motorcycles, including Yamaha YZ 80 and Honda CB 80.
In 1982, when he was ten, Mat and his brothers built their first quarterpipe. They used plans from a magazine called BMX Action. By 1985, Mat began entering BMX freestyle competitions in Oklahoma as an amateur. He used to play basketball, football, and wrestle, but he soon focused completely on BMX.
When he was 11, he got his first real BMX bike, a red Mongoose. A few years later, he and his friends started the Edmond Bike Shop Trick Team. His father and uncle built a new nine-foot quarterpipe for the team. They would take this ramp to events and perform shows.
Mat Hoffman's BMX Career
Starting Out Independently
In 1985, a Mountain Dew commercial showed pro riders like Eddie Fiola. Mat and his brothers loved watching it. Mat's mom helped them get a sponsorship from Mountain Dew. They painted the Mountain Dew logo on their ramp and got jerseys. In return, they performed shows at supermarkets that sold the soda.
In 1986, the Haro Freestyle Team, with riders like Dennis McCoy, visited Oklahoma. Mat got to ride their ramp and impressed them. Dennis McCoy even asked Mat to join their tour. However, Haro Bikes decided not to let a 14-year-old unknown kid join their national tour.
Mat Hoffman became known outside Oklahoma when a photo of him appeared in Freestylin' Magazine in August 1986. The picture showed him doing a one-footer over a nine-foot quarter pipe.
In 1986, Mat entered two national freestyle competitions without a sponsor. The first was in Oklahoma in August. His father convinced him to enter as an expert, not an amateur. Mat wore a full-face helmet and body armor, which was unusual. But once he started riding, everyone saw why. He finished first in the 14-15 expert ramp category. He realized he was riding much higher than others.
Mat's second national competition was on June 29, 1986, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He won first place in the 14-15 expert ramp category. Everyone was talking about his performance. Freestylin' Magazine featured him with a two-page photo spread. After the competition, over 15 sponsors wanted him to ride for them. Skyway offered him a spot on their main team with a salary and travel.
Riding for Skyway
In July 1986, Mat Hoffman signed a one-year sponsorship deal with Skyway Recreation. During a show for Skyway, he crashed and broke his collarbone. Luckily, they still kept him on the team.
After healing, Mat made his Skyway debut in August at the IBMXF World Freestyle Championships in Vancouver. He finished second in this competition.
On December 13, 1986, Mat rode in his first 2-Hip King of Vert contest. He was only 15 but amazed everyone. He was doing eight to nine-foot aerials and many other tricks. People said he was "unbelievable." They predicted he would become the best rider in a few years.
While still 15, Mat built an indoor half pipe in his father's warehouse. He called it The Secret Ninja Ramp. This allowed him to train all year, even in winter. His Skyway salary paid for the building materials.
Joining Haro Bikes
In 1988, at 16, Mat signed a one-year deal with Haro Bikes. He had always wanted to ride for Haro, a company known for creating the first freestyle bike. Haro had a dream team of riders like Ron Wilkerson and Brian Blyther.
Some riders left Haro, which opened up a spot and budget for Mat. He became an amateur rider for Haro but earned a good salary.
At the 1989 2-Hip King of Vert finals, Mat competed as an amateur first and won. Then, he turned professional and won the pro class too! He also won the highest air award. An article said he "redefined vert riding" at age 15. In 1989, he won his first pro contest and a $2,200 prize.
The First 900 Trick
On March 25, 1989, in Kitchener, Ontario, Mat Hoffman landed the first-ever 900 trick. This was ten years before Tony Hawk landed one at the X Games. It was only Mat's second pro contest.
In early 1990, Mat re-signed with Haro after riding independently for a year. He learned how to fix his bike parts very well during that time. But in 1991, Mat left Haro for the second and last time. He wanted to start his own company, Hoffman Bikes. He felt Haro was not focused on new ideas, but he wanted to keep inventing and pushing BMX forward.
Starting Hoffman Bikes
In late 1991, Mat Hoffman started his own company, Hoffman Bikes. Linn Kasten, an engineer from Redline Bicycles, helped Mat design a new bike frame and fork. They made five prototype Condor sets. Mat wanted a super strong bike that was also light. He used high-quality American-made materials.
Mat and his friends tested these prototype bikes for seven months. They tried to break them by landing hard, dropping from rooftops, and riding in extreme conditions. The bikes held up, proving the design was strong.
In the summer of 1992, the first Hoffman Bikes frames were available to buy. Mat partnered with SE Racing for manufacturing because Linn Kastan's shop was too expensive for large production. Mat paid $18,000 upfront for the first 200 frames.
Mat also created the Bicycle Stunt (BS) series. This gave riders a place to compete and show their skills. ESPN joined with Hoffman Promotions in 1995 to produce and show this series on TV.
The growth of Hoffman Promotions led to the Hoffman Sports Association (H.S.A.). This group organizes BMX Freestyle events around the world, including the X Games for ESPN.
Mat Hoffman has produced and hosted several TV shows for ESPN, like Kids in the Way and Mat's World. In 2008, he produced and co-hosted Mat Hoffman's Evel Knievel Tribute for MTV. This show featured amazing stunts by riders like Travis Pastrana.
On April 2, 2023, Mat hosted a BMX stunt show for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Other famous riders like Kenny Belaey and Ryan Williams joined him.
Major Achievements
Mat Hoffman helped build the sport of BMX for many years. He supported many top riders like Dave Mirra, Jay Miron, and Kevin Robinson.
In 1996, Mat and his team performed at the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. In 1999, the H.S.A. started Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin' Bikers Series (CFB). This series gives amateur and pro riders a place to compete. The H.S.A. also produces the TV shows for the CFB Series, which air on ESPN2.
The H.S.A. organizes the BMX Freestyle parts of annual events, including the X Games. By 2005, Hoffman Promotions had been producing competitions for 14 years.
In 2001, Mat won a bronze medal at the X Games. In 2002, he amazed everyone by successfully completing the first-ever No-handed 900 at the X Games, earning a silver medal.
Mat was the first person to ride an oversized "Big" ramp in 1993. He tried to get very high off a 24-foot quarter pipe. During one attempt, he seriously injured his spleen and almost died. In 1999, he reached 26.6 feet above the ramp, setting a new record.
Mat is also known for being the first to do a double peg grind down a handrail. This trick was shown in his 1991 video, Head First. This trick became a basic move in modern street riding.
In 2005, Mat Hoffman was elected president of the International BMX Freestyle Federation. This group governs BMX Freestyle worldwide. Also in 2005, the Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park opened in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is now one of the top 10 best parks in the nation.
In February 2018, Mat Hoffman was honored by being inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
Movies and TV Shows
Mat Hoffman has been in many movies and TV shows.
Filmography
- Aggroman (1989)
- Matt Hoffman's Head First (1991) - considered a classic BMX video
- Colony of Summer (1996)
- Keep Your Eyes Open (2002)
- IMAX film Ultimate X (2002)
- XXX (2002)
- Jackass: The Movie (2002)
- Jackass Number Two (2006)
- Jackass 2.5 (2007)
- Jackass Presents: Mat Hoffman's Tribute to Evel Knievel (2008)
- X Games 3D: The Movie (2009)
- Jackass 3D (2010)
- Jackass 3.5 (2011)
- Waiting for Lightning (2012)
- Being Evel (2015)
Television
- Jackass (2 episodes, 2001)
- 2004 Kids' Choice Awards (2004)
- MTV Cribs (1 episode, 2004)
- Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (2 episodes, 2004–2006)
- Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2005)
- Wildboyz (2 episodes, 2005–2006)
- Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover (2008)
- Nitro Circus (3 episodes, 2009)
- A Tribute To Ryan Dunn (2011)
- Epicly Later'd: Spike Jonze (2022)
An ESPN 30 for 30 documentary about Mat, called The Birth of Big Air, came out in July 2010. It was directed and produced by Jeff Tremaine, Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze, and Mat Hoffman himself.
Mat has also produced three stunt shows: Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin' Stunt Show and Mat Hoffman's Aggro Circus at Universal Studios in Florida, and Mat Hoffman's Danger Defying Daredevils at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California.
The book The Ride of My Life tells Mat Hoffman's story up to 2001.
Video Games
Mat Hoffman worked with Activision to create two video games: Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX (2001) and Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 (2002). The second game was released with a TV show that aired on ESPN2.
Mat also appeared as a secret playable character in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (2002) and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (2005).
Music Videos
- Weezer – Memories (2010)
X Games Competition History
| YEAR | X GAMES | EVENTS | RANK | MEDAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Extreme Games | BMX Vert | 1st |  |
| 1996 | Summer X Games II | BMX Vert | 1st | |
| 1997 | Summer X Games III | BMX Vert | 3rd |  |
| 1999 | Summer X Games V | BMX Vert | 7th | |
| 2000 | Summer X Games VI | BMX Vert | 3rd | |
| 2001 | Summer X Games VII | BMX Vert | 3rd | |
| 2002 | Summer X Games VIII | BMX Vert | 2nd |  |
| 2007 | Summer X Games XIII | BMX Big Air | 6th |
See also
In Spanish: Mat Hoffman para niños
