Sasha Cambon

Sasha Cambon, it’s in the blood.

Hailing from Albi, near Toulouse in the South of France, Sasha has been riding BMX bikes since, well – ever. The son of French pro BMX rider Nico Cambon, who first put Sasha on a bike when he was three, Nico has never been far from Sasha’s side, not just teaching him the technicalities of the sport, but more importantly the nuances of the culture. Fast forward to present day and you’ll find Sasha riding at the intersection of park, competition and street with no hesitation to the way he approaches spots - just speed, commitment, and a constant drive to go bigger. Sasha is still only 17 but is already turning heads across Europe, representing a new generation coming up fast, blending technical precision with an effortless, all-terrain mindset. Now on Vans, we gave Sasha a call to talk beginnings and the importance of family as well as of course, BMX. 

For those of us that don’t know you, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Sasha Cambon, I’m 17 years old from Albi in France and I ride BMX!

Talk us through your journey in BMX?
I started BMX when I was 3 years old. My father was a pro BMX rider, he still rides now - so I started super young. My earliest memories are BMXing with my father and a few of his friends at my local skatepark. From there I never really looked back, my whole life has been riding and having fun on bikes. I’ve really grown-up hand in hand with BMX, for me it’s easier to ride a BMX than it is to walk… 

I used to do a lot of competitions, starting in one my father used to run in Albi where we live, from there I progressed to more competitions in France and then onto the European stage.

Now I’m more focused on street riding, but I still really enjoy competitions, I really want to keep doing both. My dream is to go to X Games, Battle of Hastings and competitions like that and to keep filming at the same time. I’m really in love with all parts of BMX.

Talk to us about the father-son dynamic you have?
It’s great, honestly most sessions I have I ride with my father and I’m really proud of that. My father is my inspiration, I started riding with him and without my father I wouldn’t be where and who I am today.

My father really helped me, he taught me every trick I know but more importantly he taught me the mentality and essence of what BMX really is. Although I will say nowadays, I can teach him a thing or two…

Describe your local scene?
The local scene is really good. My father teaches BMX so there’s a lot of kids learning BMX and carrying the scene forward. Everyone is friends, there’s no bad vibes at all. Just good riders pushing each other forward.

Most days we ride together, I ride with my friends and we film a fair bit with the crew and trying to push each other in the best way forward.

How is your average day in your home town?
Well, I am still at school so that keeps me pretty busy in the weekdays. Afterwards I’ll try and ride some street or in the park. On the weekends, we usually leave Albi and go on missions to new street spots or new skate parks. We spend quite a lot of time in Toulouse or other cities in France, and if there are jams around France we will usually hit those. We try and go to Barcelona as much as possible, at least three times a year.

Where else do you like to ride away from home?
Honestly, everywhere. You can put me anywhere and I’ll do my best to ride and have fun. I really enjoyed riding in Munich for a competition, as well as Tallin in Estonia which was amazing. There’s also so many great cities to ride around France, especially in the south; Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille… My favourite place to ride is really Barcelona though, the streets are amazing – it’s like the whole city is a park.

What have you been working on recently?

I am filming for my Vans part, a Welcome to the Team part. I’m filming with Will who’s an American filmer living in Barcelona. We have been filming in Albi and Toulouse and it’s only street riding, I think we will release it soon….

 Any specific crews you ride with?

I ride with the friends in Albi, when I am travelling, I always find people to ride with. I like to ride with different people every time but it’s great to have the friends at home to ride with. It’s great to learn from people riding different styles, across different lines and spots.

 How do you feel about the BMX scene in France?
There’s a really good scene. We are all friends, there’s only good vibes going around. I feel we could have more riders but the scene is really strong. I feel it’s like the global scene, we are all good friends. There is no hate in BMX, just love.

 How would describe your style of riding?
I would say I am Polyvalent; I love riding everything; park, street, dirt jumps, competitions, there’s no difference for me – I just love to ride.

What and who inspires you in BMX?
Dennis Enarson, Kevin Peraza and Gareth Reynolds and the main three that have inspired me. I’m also of course inspired by my father, as well as all the crews out there across the world who are out there doing their thing.  

And outside of riding? What inspires you?
Honestly, my life is BMX - I love it so much. That’s it for me. I live and breathe BMX.

What are your interests outside of BMX?
I like to draw as a creative outlet, I find it really peaceful. In the winters I love to snowboard as well.

How would you describe the vibe in the Vans BMX team?
It’s sick. There are so many different styles, we have it all – and we are all friends. That’s a complete team.

What are your goals in BMX?
I want to be able to make a living as a BMX rider, as well as to film more street projects and hopefully make it to the X Games. I guess my goal overall is to have fun on my bike and see what happens!

Favorite Vans shoe to ride in?
Tough question, I would say the Peraza pro model. They are the best ones for me.

Any last words? A message for the internet? A message to your former self?
Keep having fun with it. That’s the most important. Friends, fun, family. That’s it.