Biography

 

Name: Jolene Joanna Van Vugt
Birthday: September 17, 1980
Birthplace: London, Ontario, Canada
Race #: 63
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 140 lbs.
Family: Parents: Bill & Tina
Brother: Billy
Sister: Michelle

Jolene Van Vugt has established herself as one of the most accomplished female athletes in action sports. Her incredible and ongoing lists of accomplishments include becoming the first CMRC Women’s Canadian Motocross National Champion, first female to backflip a full-sized dirt bike, holder of multiple Guinness World Records, and co-star of many motocross/stunt videos with the Nitro Circus.

Jolene Joanna Van Vugt was born in London, Ontario Canada in 1980 to Dutch immigrant parents Bill and Tina. Youngest to sister Michelle and brother Billy, she grew up heavily influenced by her Father Bill, a young at heart avid motocross racer. As well as older brother Billy, who followed fast in Bill Sr.’s footsteps.

It wasn’t until the age of 11 that Jolene finally convinced her dad to buy her a bike (after much debate about her commitment to her ever-changing hobbies). At the age of 14 Jolene was given the ultimatum to either practice, race and take motocross seriously or give it up for good. With little thought the path she chose would define the rest of her life.

Jolene’s talent soon became apparent as she quickly rose to the top ranks of Canadian women’s motocross. Earning multiple Ontario Provincial Championships, a 9th place overall in the WMA (Women’s Motocross Association), earning her lifetime number 63. She also competed in many prestige’s motocross events, such as The Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National and The Walton Trans Can Canadian Amateur National.

In 2006 Jolene would have a large part in creating the Canadian Women’s National Championship’s, a coast-to-coast national series that would mirror the opportunities of the WMA in the U.S.  She would commemorate the event by winning the series and becoming the first Canadian Women’s National Champion.

2006 would be a landmark year in Jolene’s life. Not only for her racing efforts but also for her accomplishment of being the first female to backflip a full-sized dirt bike over 60 ft ramp to dirt. With guidance and lessons from her friend Travis Pastrana she had learned the backflip a year before, first on a smaller 110cc play bike, than a month latter on her RM125.

The milestone backflips and other stunts performed at the Pastrana compound would be featured in the popular Nitro Circus video series, and open many doors for the young talent. Such as being the first female to take part in the Masters Of Dirt Freestyle Show in Austria, and be featured in the MTV television show Nitro Circus.

Jolene is easily recognizable by her large smile, colorful personality and cheerfully positive outlook on life. While many of her peers have chosen a more straightforward, safe and comfortable approach to life. Jolene continues to sacrifice many things to travel the world and make a living riding her dirt bike.

 

Career Highlights

       2015

  • FMX & General Performer - Live Action Sports show "Nitro Circus Live" 
    New -Zealand, Australia, Japan, Europe, USA & Canada

  • 2nd Place Women's Pro Terracross - Haydays Round 6

    2014

  • First Female dirt bike frontflip

  • First Female BMX double backflip

  • First Female big air 40ft BMX frontflip

  • BMX & General Performer - Live Action Sports show "Nitro Circus Live" Australian Capital Cities Tour

    2012

  • First Female backflip combo trick, one-hand backflip, NCL European Tour

  • BMX and General Performer in Live Action Sports show "Nitro Circus Live" Australian Capital Cities Tour

  • Record for fastest land speed record on a motorized toilet

    2011

  • FMX & BMX Performer - Live Action Sports show "Nitro Circus Live" NewZealand Tour

  • Filming, Main Cast member in the Nitro Circus 3D Movie

    2010

  • X-Games 16 Women's Supercross 7th

  • First women to backflip a full-sized dirtbike, ramp to ramp

  • FMX & BMX Performer - Live Action Sports show "Nitro Circus Live" Australian Capital Cities Tour

    2009

  • Filming, Main cast member of the Nitro Circus TV show on MTV

  • Out from X-Games due to surgery

    2008

  • Guinness World Record for First Female to backflip a dirt bike

  • Guinness World Record for Longest Female backflip

  • Filming, Main cast member of the Nitro Circus TV show on MTV

  • Walton TransCan Grand Canadian National, Ladies Champion

  • CMRC Women's Canadian National Championship, 3rd

  • First Female to jump at MOD FMX show in Austria 

    2007

  • CMRC Women's Canadian National Championship, 2nd

  • Walton TransCan Grand Canadian National, Ladies Champion

  • First Female to backflip a dirt bike into Grand Canyon 

    2006

  • CMRC Women's Canadian MX National Champion, 1st

  • Setting a female backflip distance record, 60ft ramp to dirt 

    2005

  • First women to backflip a full-sized dirtbike, ramp to dirt

  • Walton TransCan Grand Canadian National, Ladies 2nd

  • CMRC Ladies Ontario Provincial, 3rd

  • WMA Pro National Series 16th