English
BEN
KAUFMANN
KAUFMANN
RIDER
NEWS
NEWS
Hello Everyone! I (Ben Kaufmann) Just finished up with a good 3 and a half week tour out to the central western side of Canada for some Craz-E-Crew Stunt shows. Pretty exhausting but fun with the 3 to 4 shows a day at 20-30 minutes each. All that riding and driving almost the whole 7000 km round trip from Ottawa, I feel it all has hit me harder than being jet lagged! All together the trip was amazing! We stopped in every town or city we were able so we could ride the local parks and street. The tour brought us to perform shows in Mattawa, Ontario, Longlac, Ontario, Red Deer, Alberta, Strathmoore, Alberta, and Regina, Saskatchewan. We got to ride some pretty awesome stuff along the way. We all had the pleasure to ride Millennium Skatepark in Calgary, Kenora, Ontario`s Skatepark, Winnipeg`s Fork`s Skatepark, Strathmoore`s Skatepark, Sudbury, Ontario`s Dirt Trails, Street in almost every town we were at. The team had tons of press coverage for the shows we performed and here is one of the article interviews I had with the Red Deer Advocate.
albertalocalnews.com
Photo by PAULA TROTTER/Red Deer Advocate
albertalocalnews.com
Photo by PAULA TROTTER/Red Deer Advocate
RIDER
BIO
BIO
Name:
Ben Kaufmann
What Norco bikes do you ride?
2010 Norco Rev and 2011 Norco Rev Prototype.
Who are some of the most important and influential people in your life and career?
Definitely my Dad for being strong and for teaching me to never give up. Knowing that he was proud of me is a great influence on riding and everyday life. My family for always supporting what I do. And Patrick Chenier for giving me all the amazing opportunities with the Craz-E-Crew Stunt team. My riding Career wouldn't be any where near what it is today if it wasn't for him.
Do you have any hobbies outside of cycling? If so what?
Photography has been something I have been into for along time on and off. Love it. Videography is something new and challenging that I have been really into lately. Hockey is awesome, fishing, and snowboarding are great news also.
If you weren't a pro BMX rider, what would you be?
I would probably be building airplanes or at least fixing them. The aerospace industry is definitely an industry that would like to get into after bike riding. Aerospace is just so intriguing to me.
Where is your favorite Place to Ride?
I would have to say Montreal. Everything about that city is amazing. The street riding there seems endless, and they have 3 amazing indoor skateparks (Le Taz, UAB or Ugly Ass Bikes, and South Parc).
Where's your favorite place to travel?
I would have to say Europe but Germany in-particular, I have a lot of family that live there and they are all such amazing people.
What would you list as a career highlight?
Traveling in general with the stunt team has been such a treat for the last 8 years or so. One particular event would have to be performing in Shanghai, China in front of about 10 000 young students per day, for 54 days. That was pretty incredible, especially seeing their reaction to every single move you made. A bunny hop was incredible in their eyes.
What has been your best riding experience?
A good session with all of my good friends together is by far the best experience. Nothing else matters except shredding and having a good time.
And the worst?
My first Pro Contest. I think it was the last Toronto Metro Jam contest about 3 years ago. My first trick was a huge bail followed by a flat tire. By the time I had put a borrowed front wheel on, there was only time for one last trick. At the time as far as I know fufanu to hard tailwhip hadn't been pulled and I thought it was a great idea to get it done. I came so close in practice and in my run, but by about the 3rd try I twisted my knee inwards and tore my ACL and Meniscus. I was off my bike for about 10 months. It was not a good time at all but a great learning experience in the end.
What band or song have you been listening to the most lately?
The new Jay Z Album, Blueprint 3, Paul Simon and Priestess. Don't laugh! I have a very broad taste for music.
What are your biggest strengths on the bike?
I guess ramp and box jump riding because I am always riding them.
Do you have any advice to beginners?
Ride for the pure fun of it and for yourself. Try not to take riding too seriously, you'll never get out alive! haha and don't copy everyone else and keep you brakes on! Haha. Brakes save shoes and accidents!
What's your best idea of having good time?
It could be any where, doing anything, as long as you're with your good friends and or family. If Everyone is super positive its a great time. A great example would be Road Trips to go ride something amazing. Road trips are always, always a good time!
Why do you ride?
For sure for the fun of it, but I think a big reason I ride is because of the challenge. Being my own coach and trying to learn and figure out something is awesome. Scaring myself a little on a daily basis is something I really look forward to.
Do you remember what your first Bike was?
I think it was a supercycle or something like that, it had red and white streamers hanging off the grips. My first BMX was some random hand me down "Freestyle" branded BMX bike that had a double cross bar handle bar. It was red and pretty radical to say the least!
What first got you into riding?
A Bunch of my friends were all buying BMX bikes and at the time they were all so stoked on it. By the time I saved up enough money to buy one too they had all quit and were way more into wakeboarding. So after breaking my poor old mountain bike over and over, I finally bought one of their used bikes and I've been hooked ever since.
What do you enjoy most about riding for Norco?
I'd have to say that I enjoy the people behind Norco. Paul, Shane and Jonathan have been such amazing people, the vibe at Norco is so positive and awesome! I am so stoked to represent such a reputable Canadian company!
Key goals for 2010?
Staying healthy and riding as much as I can. I would like to produce a lot more videos this year, and dialing in barspins and turndowns haha.
Sponsor Shout out:
I would really like to thank Patrick at the Craz-E-Crew, Joe Mamma Cycles in Ottawa for always being there for me, and Steve and the boys (and girls) at The Hardwear Company in my hometown of Kenora, Ontario.
Ben Kaufmann
What Norco bikes do you ride?
2010 Norco Rev and 2011 Norco Rev Prototype.
Who are some of the most important and influential people in your life and career?
Definitely my Dad for being strong and for teaching me to never give up. Knowing that he was proud of me is a great influence on riding and everyday life. My family for always supporting what I do. And Patrick Chenier for giving me all the amazing opportunities with the Craz-E-Crew Stunt team. My riding Career wouldn't be any where near what it is today if it wasn't for him.
Do you have any hobbies outside of cycling? If so what?
Photography has been something I have been into for along time on and off. Love it. Videography is something new and challenging that I have been really into lately. Hockey is awesome, fishing, and snowboarding are great news also.
If you weren't a pro BMX rider, what would you be?
I would probably be building airplanes or at least fixing them. The aerospace industry is definitely an industry that would like to get into after bike riding. Aerospace is just so intriguing to me.
Where is your favorite Place to Ride?
I would have to say Montreal. Everything about that city is amazing. The street riding there seems endless, and they have 3 amazing indoor skateparks (Le Taz, UAB or Ugly Ass Bikes, and South Parc).
Where's your favorite place to travel?
I would have to say Europe but Germany in-particular, I have a lot of family that live there and they are all such amazing people.
What would you list as a career highlight?
Traveling in general with the stunt team has been such a treat for the last 8 years or so. One particular event would have to be performing in Shanghai, China in front of about 10 000 young students per day, for 54 days. That was pretty incredible, especially seeing their reaction to every single move you made. A bunny hop was incredible in their eyes.
What has been your best riding experience?
A good session with all of my good friends together is by far the best experience. Nothing else matters except shredding and having a good time.
And the worst?
My first Pro Contest. I think it was the last Toronto Metro Jam contest about 3 years ago. My first trick was a huge bail followed by a flat tire. By the time I had put a borrowed front wheel on, there was only time for one last trick. At the time as far as I know fufanu to hard tailwhip hadn't been pulled and I thought it was a great idea to get it done. I came so close in practice and in my run, but by about the 3rd try I twisted my knee inwards and tore my ACL and Meniscus. I was off my bike for about 10 months. It was not a good time at all but a great learning experience in the end.
What band or song have you been listening to the most lately?
The new Jay Z Album, Blueprint 3, Paul Simon and Priestess. Don't laugh! I have a very broad taste for music.
What are your biggest strengths on the bike?
I guess ramp and box jump riding because I am always riding them.
Do you have any advice to beginners?
Ride for the pure fun of it and for yourself. Try not to take riding too seriously, you'll never get out alive! haha and don't copy everyone else and keep you brakes on! Haha. Brakes save shoes and accidents!
What's your best idea of having good time?
It could be any where, doing anything, as long as you're with your good friends and or family. If Everyone is super positive its a great time. A great example would be Road Trips to go ride something amazing. Road trips are always, always a good time!
Why do you ride?
For sure for the fun of it, but I think a big reason I ride is because of the challenge. Being my own coach and trying to learn and figure out something is awesome. Scaring myself a little on a daily basis is something I really look forward to.
Do you remember what your first Bike was?
I think it was a supercycle or something like that, it had red and white streamers hanging off the grips. My first BMX was some random hand me down "Freestyle" branded BMX bike that had a double cross bar handle bar. It was red and pretty radical to say the least!
What first got you into riding?
A Bunch of my friends were all buying BMX bikes and at the time they were all so stoked on it. By the time I saved up enough money to buy one too they had all quit and were way more into wakeboarding. So after breaking my poor old mountain bike over and over, I finally bought one of their used bikes and I've been hooked ever since.
What do you enjoy most about riding for Norco?
I'd have to say that I enjoy the people behind Norco. Paul, Shane and Jonathan have been such amazing people, the vibe at Norco is so positive and awesome! I am so stoked to represent such a reputable Canadian company!
Key goals for 2010?
Staying healthy and riding as much as I can. I would like to produce a lot more videos this year, and dialing in barspins and turndowns haha.
Sponsor Shout out:
I would really like to thank Patrick at the Craz-E-Crew, Joe Mamma Cycles in Ottawa for always being there for me, and Steve and the boys (and girls) at The Hardwear Company in my hometown of Kenora, Ontario.
RIDER
PHOTOS
PHOTOS
