Chatting with Matt Hunter

Words by Cheryl Beattie.

It’s that time again - the time where I wait up really late to see the next round of Race Face videos and vote for the best UFC competitor. Last year was my favorite, with Kamloops local Matt Hunter in the final round.

It felt like my hometown hockey team was in the Stanley Cup playoffs and had gone all the way to the 7th game and it was tied up. Then sure enough they had managed to get the needed goal in overtime to take the cup home.

There were riots in the streets and the whole town was shut down while we partied until the wee hours. Well not quite, but we sure are proud I reassure you though that I didn't vote for Matt solely because he was from the Loops, but because I thought his video represented the freeride aspect of the contest the best.

His video showed a variety of riding from big drops, to dirt jumping with and without shoes, to big hucks, to some of his own wooden innovations. So he wins the competition, picks up three major sponsors, and starts his new full time riding career. I could not be more proud of my vote.

Matt Hunter, dreaming of big air

Matt hasn't exactly been sitting around since last year's comp, and even a couple of broken bones only slowed him down for a while. Bicycle Café: What have you been up to lately?
Matt Hunter: I just got back from Baja Mexico. I drove 42 hours straight from Mexico to Canada; that’s pretty far.

BC: What were you doing down there?
MH: Surfing. Mostly just drinking salt water and trying to surf.

BC: So you’re a quick learner?
MH: Hehehehehe…..yeah.

BC: What are you doing for 2004?
MH: Healing and hopefully having as much fun as I did in 2003. Wait. Actually, I broke both my legs last year, so maybe 2002.

BC: How was breaking your legs?
MH: It was great. I broke them both at different times, it wasn’t at once. It actually sucked.

BC: How long have you been out?
MH: Well, I was out for two months with the first one, and I was riding my bike for about three weeks in between, then I broke my left leg right before Rampage and it’s been four months since then.

BC: Was it hard watching the Redbull from the sidelines?
MH: Ohhh ... it was horrible. Plus it was a struggle to even get up on the course with one leg. But the worst part was definitely that I could see lines from where I was sitting that I couldn’t ride.

BC: Is being injured as a sponsored rider harder?
MH: A little, because [sponsors] are wondering when you are able to ride again. It's not just your buddies asking when you are going to be better.

Screw meets bone in Matt's leg

BC: Winning the Race Face Ultimate Freeride Challenge must have been great, but I am guessing there were some great expectations on you too.
MH: I haven’t felt any pressure that wasn’t welcomed. I am stoked. For the first part of the question though, about winning the UFC, it totally has changed my life and everything in the good way. Everything is the same, except that all I do now is have fun.

BC: Before you won the UFC, were you sponsored?
MH: No.

BC: No bike industry knowledge?
MH: None. I knew nothing.

BC: What do you think of the industry now that you are on the other side?
MH: I feel like I am starting to understand the way things work.

BC: What do you think about sponsorship now?
MH: I think it is not what a lot of people imagine. I mean, it's great and everything, and unbelievably cool, but I know a lot of people who have a
screwed-up idea of what being a professional rider involves. I am still learning about it, that's for sure.

Why ride the Loops when you can fly over it? Photo: Sterling Lorence

BC: Are you enjoying using products from the companies you're working for?
MH: Hell yeah. It sounds cheesy but the stuff I am riding I am so stoked on. I don’t think I could ride better stuff.

BC: What do you do for kicks?
MH: I ride my bike a lot, but when I'm not, anything outside – fly fishing, skiing, digging, camping, and just recently surfing. I like to party too. Did I mention I like to party?

BC: Any special talents?
MH: I am wicked on the air guitar. I don't like to brag but I am really good.

BC: Want to say thanks to anyone?
MH: My family, first of all. My friends also rule. Without them I would still be learning to wheelie. Race Face - those guys rule; everybody knows that. Specialized for me getting to ride the sickest machines imaginable. Adidas Eyewear - I can see so clearly and look fast. Marzocchi, for making the bumps oh so smooth. Also, Holly Eburne Physiotherapy for helping me get back on my feet.

I also want to thank everyone in the industry that has helped me out this year. I had a lot of people point me in the right direction and explain some
things that I was clueless about. You know who you are.

A couple of one-word Q&As with Matt
Drug? Music
Ride? Release
Snow? Donuts
Tibia? Screws
Ladies? Fun
Mom and Dad? Extreme
Kamloops? Love
Shananigans? Tequila
Training? Yes
2004? 100%
Speakers? Blown
Beer? Where?

Who says you need to use your hands on gap jumps? Photo: Sterling Lorence

Even with all the fame and fortune bestowed on Matt, he is still a constant fixture here in Kamloops. He's also the best possible representative of any company he is sponsored by, and takes all his new gear on a show-and-tell tour about the town. Keep an eye out for Matt in '04. He'll be the one dropping big airs with that special Kamloops style. Be sure to check out other great up-and-coming talent in this year's Race Face Ultimate Freeride Challenge.