by Davey Coombs
5 Minutes with…Clifford Adoptante
Thursday, February 24, 2011 | 12:35 PM
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Clifford Adoptante was one of the OG freestyler riders. A fast racer they called “The Flyin' Hawaiian” (even though he was from Oklahoma), he was tough to beat in the between-motos PJ1 National Arenacross Jump-Offs, and he was fast enough to pull off the occasional race win too. Adoptante rode the first wave into freestyle and was there for some time before getting sidetracked. He was arrested in Ohio for driving someone else's rental van, which just happened to contain an illegal shipment of drugs in the back. Clifford took the rap, and now he's working to get his life back in order—he’s enrolled in community college and appears to be really taking care of himself. I ran into him at the Anaheim 2 Supercross and we started talking about life, riding, and just how much he wants to get back into the motorcycle industry. Always a charismatic man, Adoptante still has a great big smile and nice words for everyone.
Racer X: Clifford, I was happy to see you at Anaheim. How have things been going?
Clifford Adoptante: Things have been going really well for myself, in a sense. You know, it was good to be back around racing and the motocross industry. I know I’ve been kind of MIA for quite some time, and things are going well now that my little legal issue is over with and done. It’s been three years come April since my arrest, and just for the record, I definitely cleaned my act up. I kind of had no choice. I was facing the consequences of going to prison under my probation circumstances, so now that’s all behind me I’m completely off of probation, everything is taken care of, and now I’m clear and free and on a good path.
You look healthy and happy to be back at the races. Are you doing any riding at all?
Yeah, I’m really healthy right now, man. I’ve taken a break and life has definitely caused me to change my ways and my behavior and stuff. I train quite often now, and I’ve been doing a little bit of riding. I’ve been teaching some little jump schools here and there, but nothing really serious. But I have been on the bike and I have been riding, so I’ve still got that fun coming out of my blood. So yeah, things are good.
When you take a break for an extended period of time, how hard is it to hit a ramp again for the first time?
For me it was a little nerve-wracking. I took a year off, and then I went down to Argentina and did a show. It took me a while to get back in the groove. I did quite a few pre-runs up to the ramp and stuff and it was a little sketchy, but you know what? I manned up and just told myself that I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I hit the ramp and down-sided it smooth. I fired off a few dead sailors but then, boom, I was back in the mix with some seat grabs, cliffhangers, and supermans. It all kind of came back to me. It wasn’t like I was just killing it, but the nerves were gone after that. It was a good feeling; I was missing out on a lot of fun.
Adoptante is getting his life back, one step at a time.
Photo: Frank Hoppen
It’s like riding a bicycle, only if you rode a bicycle and did a superman seat grab off of it!
[Laughs] Yeah, yeah, exactly!
So what do you want to do next? I know you have motocross in your blood. I know you want to get back in the sport.
Yeah, in the last three years I’ve taken some time off with myself to try and reformat my life and the way that I live, and I came to a good happy medium with that. I’ve reached out, and I definitely want to stay in the industry and get with a solid company that would give me a break. I think a lot of people still kind of look at me like the Clifford of old, how they used to know me. I’m not that guy anymore. People change, and people change their ways, and I’ve done that for myself. I’m looking to turn over a new leaf. I love the industry, and I know a lot about it. I just want to find a home with a solid company that I can grow with and just move forward. That’s what I’m looking forward to doing right now.
In the meantime, what do you have going on?
I got myself into college, and I’m in my second semester. I’m going to a community college here in Riverside, and I’ve never been to college before. The last time I was in school and in a classroom was back when I was in high school, which was a long time ago. But yeah, I just want to get myself an education, and hopefully that’ll lead into something better down the road.
Clifford teaches how to do a cliff hanger.
Honestly, I think you’d be perfect for the Nuclear Cowboyz show that Feld is doing right now. My suggestion is to shoot a resume over there and see what happens.
It’s funny you mentioned that, because I’ve seen previews and it’s an awesome show. I talked to a few riders who were on the tour and they had nothing but great things to say about it. I’m bummed that I didn’t get a phone call for that tour, but it was probably because I was MIA. I just want to let people know that I’m back in action and I’d love to be on tour. I miss riding and miss being out there putting on a show. I’d be stoked on the Nuclear Cowboyz.
Well, hopefully people will see this and give you a call. It’s good to see you back, Cliff.
Thanks a lot, Davey. I really appreciate it.
If you want to get in touch with Clifford “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” Adoptante, drop us a line at [email protected] and we’ll forward your letter to him.
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Drugs are bad mmmk
snitch!
About 1 1/2 yrs ago I met Clifford with some friends down in HB at lunch. I knew he looked familiar and then I putt 2+2 together and asked if he was the Flyn Hawaiin. I told him I was a fan back in the day and I think he was happy to be recognized. I talked with him for a little while and I have to say the guy was super cool. Great to see an article on an OG like Clifford and wish him the best of luck!
“M’kay, kids, you shouldn’t do drugs, m’kay, drugs are bad. You see, I was at the bottom of the barrel, I was a wreck. Why, I didn’t even care about money. I was wasting my life… You boys need to listen up, m’kay, what I’m talking about might save your life some day… Drugs are bad. You shouldn’t do drugs. If you do them, you’re bad, because drugs are bad. It’s a bad thing to do drugs, so don’t be bad by doing drugs, m’kay, that’d be bad”
John DeSoto is the real "The Flyin Hawaiian" and will always be!
Yes! THE FLYIN HAWAIIAN! HE'S BACK! We need more personalitys like him in the industrie, I was a huuuge fan. He has that normal guy thing goin for him, and there is no better storey than the working class hero prevailing in what he loves to do. Legal battles or not, for me it just adds to his charecter, and in a good way. People make bad decisions due to the stress of trying to get by in this world, its human nature. I tip my hat to RacerX for doing this interview. Iv allways wondered what happened to the wild yet freindly and likeable Flyin Hawaiian.
We all deserve a second chance in LIFE!!! keep God first kid.
I remember watching his videos in bodyliharm.com
Hope we could see soon some cool videos with his stylish fmx. And please, aboard a Suzuki instead of Yamaha! :-)
Im the real flyin hawaiian!!! Or maybe just Hawaiian hahaha!!!!
Thats cool that he cleaned up and I hope someone gives him a chance. I know how it feels to have to start all over. Drugs took me there too. Ended up homeless and in prison for 6 years. Someone gave me a chance when alot of people didnt. Now Im doing great staying straight and own my own home here in paradise!!!!
Go Clifford!!!
just to make mention. the one who gave me that second chance was JESUS!!!!!
Go Trey Canard!!! REPRESENT!!!
jesus loves us all. drug dealers, rapists, murderers, molesters. just repent and its all good!
I remember Clifford from back in the day when the X-Games were in Philly. Clifford seems of the right path but I guess when you get pulled over with a box van and I think I remember it being 14 pounds of weed and your nickname is the Flyin Hawaiian it's a tough rap to beat. Glad he is well and hope he is welcomed back into the industry and agree Nuculear Cowboys would probably be a good fit.
I had wondered what happened to the Flying Hawaiian 2.0. He was an innovator much like Metzger and the other OG FMX crew. As for drugs, my CD is 12-7-87, haven't looked back since and yeah, DEAD...drugs end all dreams. The lucky ones get a second chance, dont waste this second chance Clifford, someone out there is just as deserving and wont get it, YOU got it, use it Brah. We'll be looking for ya.
Welcome Back Flyin Hawaiian ! So glad to hear the past is behind you.Everyone makes mistakes,Your 1 bad dude on a Moto bike,Keep moving foward It WILL happen for you, Aloha.
what?i cant beleive weed is even a crime,do us all a favor and get the meth off the streets!
Clifford, you might remember me, I judged you in many freestyle contests. I wish you the best of luck. I'm proud of you for making great changes in your life and striving for excellence. Life has changed for me as well. I've been in college for several years now, and just found out today that I have the highest GPA in the program at the University, so like you, I'm trying to reach for a new future, and life feels better now. I'm the president of the honor society and have a 4.0 GPA in the program. They've even talked about having me come back to teach at the University. I hope you'll find a way to stay in college and get in a degree program.
If not, you can always become an FMX judge. ;-)
Brother has got a LOT of catching up to do if he thinks he can get back in the industry now, what with all the trick progression.
Look at the YouTube clip. Seriously, a cliff hanger???
Sorry, bro, but theres local kids at my track who can do cliff hangers, its not a really gnarly trick anymore.
Throw a back flip in there and maybe you have a chance........
Happened to be driving someone else's rental van full of drugs? CHILD PLEASE! Wow Davey...shame on you for even putting those words together. You've fallen a few notches in my book.
Best of luck to Clifford. Acknowledge what YOU did, get your **** together and best of luck to you!
Haha, what was the video game he was in with Metzger? I played it at a local Target and then my neck got tired and I left.
It might have been Freakstyle, but I could be thinking of something else. Realism was not the game's primary objective, if I remember correctly.
Good Luck Clifford!!! There are a lot of guys that would like to see you back in the business. Shaka Bra.
wats with all the jesus bull, do people know him personally? im a clifford fan also so best of luck in the future.
Jairtime, nice job with the 4.0 at DeVry...or maybe it's Phoenix. A former freestyle motocross judge is now in the honor society. I believe hell just froze over.
He wasn't given a second chance, he made it for himself with work and maturity, and it's up to him to keep it up. Good job so far bro. I'm also going back to school after spending too many years f'ing off, and it's amazing where a sense of direction and good outlook will take you. Hope everything keeps looking up for you dude!
Funny, I was just talking about Clifford to my wife. We were watching the Idol show and one of the singers was dreaming about being able to shop on Rodeo Drive. I told my wife, one of my dreams came true on Rodeo Drive. I hung out the side of a van shooting Clifford riding on one wheel all the way down Rodeo Drive with all the shops and shoppers in the background, on his dirt bike in full moto gear! In fact, Clifford did that for us all over Los Angeles that day. Not sure if it was the best thing for moto reputation, but what a rush! We thought he, or we all, would be arrested for sure. We even had the bail money and all our plans to get him out ready to go. I’ve worked with well over a hundred riders over the years and Clifford is very high on that list! He’s a great guy and glad to hear he’s on a good path…
Come on back Clifford. Metz is still killing it. Sucks Because clifford would prolly have to backflip to be on Nuclear cowboys. I'm not into the ramp ballerena's. clifford made a name racing arenacross and doing half time shows. He's not just a trickster. Him and Mad MIke Jones used to win races as well as jump shows. Clifford has bike skills all day, could wheely circles around these ramp kids. Show em' how an OG does it. Metz did
What's the matter, stosh635, did you do a sticker kicker, case a landing, hesitate, do a fetal air, flatland, not pull full extension on anything, do a supercross air and not get the score you thought you deserved? ;-)
Clifford, keep your head up and eyes on the prize. Everyone makes mistakes, and luckily you have both the drive and opportunity to seize that second chance. Don't waver! Get back in the mix and you will be successful. Brrrrraaaaaap!
love ya cuz very cool to see ya on internet tell family we said hi ma is doin good
we love cliff he will be great at what ever he does it would be cool to see u ride again i know u will its in ur blood haha what a rush i still have all ur posters u sent to me check out my web page when ya can cuzzzz