BMX Freestyle Rider Kevin Robinson (K-Rob) Speaks at GUS and Inspires Students to Believe and Achieve
The Glen Urquhart community welcomed professional BMX freestyle rider Kevin Robinson (K-Rob) this morning as part of the GUS assembly program. Through real life stories of success and failure, punctuated with live trick stunts for the crowd, Kevin entertained and amazed students, faculty, and parents. Using audience volunteers, he taught students about the importance of compassion, perseverance, self-discipline, trust, team work, respect, inspiration, confidence, and kindness. He brought down the house when he performed his final stunt of the day, jumping over Ms. Jeffery-Cassell, Ms. Wyman, Mr. Scanlan, Ms. Clarke, and Mr. Bartsch.
Kevin is one of the most progressive and creative Vert and MegaRamp riders in BMX. After eleven X Games appearances and three bronze medals, Kevin finally had his dream season in 2006 when he took home two gold medals from X Games 12. In the BMX Vert Best Trick competition Kevin made history when he became the first to land the fabled double flair (two back flips with a 180 degree twist). Two days later at X Games he took his second gold medal in the inaugural BMX Big Air event. In 2007 Kevin added to his X Games medal collection a Bronze in BMX Vert and a Gold in BMX Big Air. He also took the honor of "Athlete of the Games." On June 12, 2008 in Central Park, NYC, Kevin set a new BMX high air world record soaring 55’ above ground. In 2011, Kevin missed X Games 17 due to a shoulder injury, but that did not slow him down one bit. He became a commentator and analyst for EPSN alongside Tony Hawk, Jeremy McGrath and Dennis McCoy. In 2012, Kevin was back for the X Games to compete in MegaRamp’s Big Air event. He took home a bronze medal showing his true perseverance coming back from his shoulder injury. Most recently, Kevin has smashed the Guinness World Record for longest power assisted bicycle backflip by jumping an incredible 84 feet from ramp to ramp. The event aired live on ESPN and the feat ended up in the top 5 on SportsCenter. Click here to watch the backflip.
In May of 2010 Kevin announced the K-Rob Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in his hometown of East Providence, Rhode Island and surrounding communities. The purpose of the Foundation is to positively transform the lives of these children by getting them involved, and keeping them involved in athletics as a means to learn discipline, focus, teamwork and healthy living habits. The Foundation also focuses on strengthening the Rhode Island community by providing affordable, quality events that promote healthy living and positive relationships throughout the community.