Question: How did you feel when Dave Mirra beat your last record? Please respond, it will be very appreciated. Thank you.
- Gord, Greenville, NY Mat Hoffman: Hey Gord, It has been publicized incorrectly that Dave beat my last record when Dave cleared 19 feet on an 18-foot ramp this year. I cleared 20 feet in the beginning of 1992 and then cleared 23 feet in 1994 on a 21-foot tall ramp. EDITOR'S NOTE: In March 2001, Mat Hoffman cleared 26.5 feet above a 24-foot tall ramp - re-establishing the high air world record. Question: In my life skills class, we are doing an informational interview on a job of our choice, I chose Freestyle BMX. My teacher wants us to interview someone in our field description. Please answer these questions. Thanks.
-Shawn, Northridge, CA Mat Hoffman: Hey Shawn, the answers to your questions are below: Question: Why did you choose Freestyle BMX as your career choice?
Mat Hoffman: I never really decided on BMX as a career, I just followed my heart and it led me here. Question: What's one of your most proud accomplishments?
Mat Hoffman: That is an easy question ... My most proud accomplishment has to be our baby girl Gianna. I'm having the time of my life with her right now. Question: Do you have any regrets being in the BMX industry?
Mat Hoffman: I have no regrets being in freestyle BMX. It's my life and it's what I love to do. Being involved in the BMX industry gives me the opportunity to do some really cool things, but in some ways that is separate to riding. Riding is for me and the industry is for me to use to interpret riding to others. Question: What steps did you take to make it in the BMX industry?
Mat Hoffman: Bike riding taught me how to take an idea or a dream and manifest it into reality and I just took what riding and coming up with tricks taught me and applied that to the rest of my life. Making my ideas and dreams reality are the steps I took to make it in the BMX industry ... if I have indeed made it? Question: Has the BMX industry worked for you?
Mat Hoffman: I don't fully associate myself with the "BMX Industry" because it's such a changing thing from day to day. As far as bike riding, it will always be the same to me and, yes, it has worked for me and will my entire life?. Question: Do you think the BMX industry will grow in the years to come?
Mat Hoffman: More and more people are embracing bike riding, so I'm sure it will continue to grow. Question: Hey Mat, I just wanted to now what inspired you to start riding and did you think up all of the frame designs for Hoffman Bikes? They're awesome, I ride a Dirty 130, myself. Thanks.
- Adam, London, England
Mat Hoffman: Hi Adam, I basically saw a sport I could adapt the rules to my personality instead of having to adapt myself to the rules. Being able to make riding a direct reflection of myself is what inspired me to ride. In the beginning, I was the one who came up with the designs of Hoffman Bikes, but now that we have such an awesome team, we all come up with the designs. Thanks for the support! Question: Dear Mat, What age did you start getting mad air? I am 11 years old now and I am starting to get some pretty good air for my age. You are me and my friends' mentor and some day I hope to be right in your shoes, where you are now. I'll be cheering you on. Thank you very much.
- Jimbo, Raleigh, NC Mat Hoffman: Jimbo, I started getting air when I was 11, too. I was riding an old "BMX Action" style quarter pipe that was about 6 feet tall. I could get probably 2 feet max out of it. When I first go my back tire over the top I thought it was the craziest thing I ever did. It took me a couple years of solid riding to start catching some good height. Good luck! Thanks to everyone for all of the great questions.
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