Matthew Fairbairn
Date of Birth: 05 June 1975
Sport: BMX
Discipline: Vert
Sponsors: BMX Militia, Armour-Dillo, Etnies, Cycology Bike Shop, Volume Bikes, Demolition Parts
When did you start riding? 1987, after watching the movie RAD
Do you compete & what events? Yes, I spend most of my time traveling the world competing at different events.
What are your best ever comp results or biggest achievements?
Australian X Games 1999 ESPN Asian X Games Global X Games, San Antonio, Texas World Championships Gravity Games, Cleveland, Ohio X Air, Wellington, New Zealand Snickers Soul Bowl, Donnington, UK Nokia FISE, Montpellier, France Urban Games, London, UK Red Bull Vertical Battle, Nottingham, UK
Place
Event
Year
1st
1st
2003
5th
2003
5th
2003 & 2004
7th
2004
3rd
2005
1st
2005
1st
2005
1st
2005
2nd
2005
Have you/do you want to compete overseas? It was always my dream to compete overseas – especially in America and Europe – so when I got the chance in 2003 I jumped at it. Now I spend most of my time traveling the world competing at international events doing a job that I love.
What makes you want to keep pushing the boundaries in your sport? Personal satisfaction. There is no better feeling than landing a new trick for the first time, especially if it has taken a lot of time and effort to learn it.
Who do you most respect in your sport and why? Mat Hoffman. Mat has done more for the sport than anybody else out there and I admire his outlook on life.
If you could achieve one thing in your sport what would it be? I want to land a 900 before I’m finished riding.
List some of the major demos you’ve done. No Boundaries Tour - Thailand, Mobile Wave Tour – Manila, Philipines, Sydney Royal Easter Show, Deconstruction Tour - Europe, Oxegen Music Festival Dublin, Notting Hill Carnival UK.
Your major injuries? Broken ankle in 1987, broken foot in 2004.
What are you most proud of? That I am able to travel the world and get paid to do what I love the most.
List your signature tricks from easiest to hardest. X up to barspin to x up, xup to double barspin and barspin 540.
Is it hard to be a pro in your sport in Australia and be taken seriously? Yes. I now base myself overseas for most of the year. If I were to stay at home, as I have done in previous years, I would not be able to earn a living from BMX.
What other jobs have you had? Electrician, Cadet Electrical Engineer.
What do you think the Monster Skate Park will bring to your sport? I think it’s great that Sydney finally has a world class facility. There are very few vert ramps in Australia and hopefully this new facility will encourage more people to ride vert.
