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BMX legend Matt Hoffman is to be paid homage to in a new film coming later this year, dubbed The Birth of Big Air.
Johnny Knoxvile of Jackass fame and Spike Jonze (Academy Award nominee), alongside director Jeff Tremaine, will document the life of Hoffman from the early years of contest domination, through the many decades of innovating and inspiring new moves, right to the present day.
Until last year, Hoffman held the record for the highest air on a BMX at 26.5 feet above the coping of his infamous mega ramp. Though in New York’s Central Park, Kevin Robinson added an extra half foot to the otherwise unchallenged record with Hoffman himself confirming that Robinson had topped the long-standing record.
Check out a pik of the new record and The Birth of Big Air trailer after the break.
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Above you’ll see Robinson’s record air, while below is Hoffman’s iconic boost, soaring over the purpose-built mega ramp, having been propelled toward it with a motorbike.
Having taken several tries to reach the colossal height seen here, Hoffman slammed not long after while attempting to travel even further skywards. It was at this moment Matt had to be rushed to hospital where he flatlined, only to be brought back around. Needless to say, it was a long recovery process and ‘The Condor’ continued to make entries in the history books after smashing the air record.
The trailer for the new documentary can be seen here and gives us a glimpse of what to expect. Tony Hawk, who himself is considered a vert ramp legend opens with: “If you know anything about BMX, you’ll know who Matt Hoffman is. And maybe that’s all you know.”