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February 1, 2022

How Slopestyle Gold Medalist Red Gerard Keeps His Cool

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 1:43 pm

Snowboarder Red Gerard returned to the United States from the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang at the age of 17 with a gold in slopestyle around his neck. The youngest person ever to win a snowboarding gold for Team USA, he garnered attention for his youth, talent, and laid-back nonchalance. A gifted athlete with a friendly, effortless demeanor, he made being an elite athlete look easy. There was a little time for the dreamscape to continue—riding a high from the hardware, A-list sponsorships, and ensuing late-night talk show circuits—before returning home to three of his brothers in Silverthorne, CO, who promptly reminded him to do the dishes and take out the trash.

We spoke with Gerard about what it feels like up at the gate before a race, the importance of family (he’s one of eight kids) in staying grounded, and how the 2022 Olympics have a different meaning this time around.

Red Gerard reacts to his results in the slopestyle Olympic qualifier at Copper Mountain
Red Gerard reacts to his results during the Olympic qualifier at Copper Mountain. Courtesy Image

Men’s Journal: How many snowboarders will be representing Team USA this year and who are your biggest competitors?

Red Gerard: Team USA will be four men and four women. As far as our biggest competitors, Canada and Norway always have pretty good teams. If I had to focus on someone specifically, I’d say Marcus Kleveland from Norway. He’s really good at what he does, and somebody I grew up watching and looking up to. He was the guy all my teammates watched too, even before we made the U.S. National Team. He was just this crazy kid who could do double courts—and we’re all, “Oh my God. I want to be this kid.” And now I’m up against him.

What’s also cool is that everyone in our sport is so nice. You expect people you grew up watching to be these big professional athletes, then you meet them and they’re just these nice, humble men and women.

What does family mean to you?

My family is everything. I feel so lucky to have such a big one and I love them all so much. There have been many times where they’ve helped me along when I’m stressed out, or just kept me grounded during little victories along the way. People ask me who my best friends are. They’re family.

You exude buoyancy and levity. How do you stay grounded as an internationally known athlete going into your second Games at the age of 21?

I go golfing with my cousin every day after he’s done working. I also live with my brothers. It’s the simple stuff: doing dishes, taking out the trash. I’m no better than them in any way, and that’s what helps keep me grounded. No matter how much I win, lose, succeed, or attract media attention, I’m still their little brother. So they’re always kind of beating up on me and keeping me in line. They never let me forget that I’m the little brother!

Also being around a large family, I roll easily with a lot of people. It makes being on the road easier for me than it is for athletes who’ve never had that constant movement and energy. There are a lot of people on the team from smaller families than my own, and I think they do struggle with being around a lot of people for that long—especially being on the road for months on end. A lot of times, you don’t really have a ton of personal space while traveling because we’re always rooming with someone. That doesn’t bother me at all because that’s just how I grew up—y’know, in a house where there were 10 of us.

Has Covid impacted your training? Is it a psychological hurdle at all for you?

No. Obviously, there’s always that scare of getting sick, especially so far away from home. I got it in August 2020 and was lucky it didn’t do much to me. That boosted my confidence about traveling. The rigorous testing and staying in a bubble is a little annoying but necessary, and by now I’ve gotten used to that.

How do you approach training physically and mentally for your runs?

At this point, I’ve been doing it for so long it just feels really natural. At the training camps, I’ll have a couple of tricks I want to learn and I’ll just slowly chip away at trying to reach my goal. After, it’s all about trying to treat my body for the next day because it does get pretty sore, especially if I’m training seven days a week on snow. After snowboarding, I stretch and get in the ice bath for maintenance. In the spring when days are longer, we have full days. It’s so fun. We’re linking up, snowboarding, then getting off the hill and going skateboarding, then ending it with golf. By then I’m so torn up.

How much coaching do you need if you’ve been on the snow since you were two?

My coaches are out there every day with me. I’ve been with Dave Reynolds since joining the U.S. team when I was 13. I have a really good relationship with him and consider him to be one of my closest friends.

All my brothers were into snowboarding when I was growing up and it was always more about getting in a good groove and riding with friends. That’s when you tend to learn tricks and snowboard better—when you’re just out having fun, so that’s how it is on the mountain. Obviously, it’s on a different scale now that we’re doing bigger tricks and all that. I think all of that makes me very coachable.

Are you planning any new tricks you haven’t done before?

For sure. Every time we go to those training camps, we always have tricks we want to do. Right now, it seems the trick in snowboarding is 1620s and figuring those out. That’s been the goal—to get those dialed. Luckily enough, I feel I’ve done a couple of them and now it’s just trying to get to that comfort level where I feel like I can do it in bad weather. I can’t be scared of the trick.

Do you also train on a trampoline or is it all open-air on the mountain now?

I did a lot of that when I was younger. Then as I got older I noticed that the trampoline started to hurt my body more, so I stopped. Now, it’s just all up on the mountain. You just work yourself up to it. There’s obviously a level of commitment when it comes to competing at this level. For me, a lot of it is mental. Picturing it in my brain and doing it in my head—a million times over and over, until it’s time to actually execute it. Then at that point, you just kind of go out and do it.

Have you ever had a major injury?

I’m lucky. Knock on wood, I’ve never broken a bone or anything. Last year, I did have a ligament issue and knee surgery on my meniscus. It was a six-month process, but it’s good now.

What have you learned about yourself since your last triumphant Olympics?

At the 2018 Winter Olympics, I was pretty young and I think it forced me to mature quicker than your average kid—which I was very grateful for. I got to meet a lot of cool people, and I was just put in this realm where I needed to mature very quickly.

Before the Olympics, I didn’t really care much about winning because it was just such a rush going to all these contests and competing with all of these people. But as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned that I really do enjoy being on the podium. If I’m going to compete, I want to give it my all. Another thing I’ve learned over the years is just more about myself and how my body works. Before the last Olympics, it was all just fun and games. And it still absolutely is, but there’s also a new sense of professionalism for me now.

A shift in your mindset?

Very much so—just trying to achieve something special. I’m a natural athlete, and I really like being fluid, in the zone, and being present. It’s what makes me tick and I never want to lose that.

Do you see yourself going for four Olympics?

I’m a pretty step-by-step guy. I try never to get that far ahead of myself. After these Olympics, maybe I’ll take a little break. I’m a big fan of filming snowboarding and making movies, so maybe I’ll take a year to do that. But I absolutely plan on coming back to competing because I really enjoy it. I think a lot of snowboarders don’t enjoy it as much. But for me, I like to put together these runs. It’s like nothing else.

Does competing in the Olympics feel different? Do you feel a patriotic pull?

The actual snowboarding part of the Olympics is no different than any other contest I do, but there’s a whole other aspect here obviously. A lot more media attention. A lot more eyes on you. And, of course, I’m representing my country and I have my family there watching. It’s bigger in many ways, but when I’m standing at the top I just try to think, “I’ve been doing this since I was two years old.” A lot of people ask me how I got to this level. Step by step. I’ve just been doing it for so long.

Some speed round questions for you: Favorite food?

I’m all about the sushi.

Favorite film?

The last Bond movie.

Do you have a favorite band?

I’ve always been a Rolling Stones guy.

Favorite place to snowboard with friends?

Powder resorts are the best. Woodward Park City just opened and it’s really cool.

Greatest snowboarding influence or mentor?

My brothers. Danny Davis has always been up there too—the way he treats people with kindness and carries himself with such integrity. I think he’s just a great representation of how snowboarders should be.

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January 26, 2022

Get the Look You Want (and a Better Fit) With Customizable Gear

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 11:44 pm

When shopping for new gear, you’re usually limited to the colors, patterns, and styles designed by the brand. Those shoes in electric blue might not be your vibe, but it’s either that or neon green. But by creating customization options online, some companies have begun to offer more ways for you to get exactly what you want in your gear. You can use these customizable gear platforms to unleash your creativity and make something completely unique. It’s not all aesthetic, either: In some cases, you can use the customization platform to get an improved fit and adjust features for the conditions you’ll face.

Whether you want something to match the gear you already have in your closet or you’re looking to stand out on the mountain, these nine outdoor brands will help you do it. The list below, including top custom offerings like Nike By You, will help you find ways to customize everything from shoes to ski goggles to pullovers.

The Best Customizable Gear

Fjällräven Kånken Me Pack
Fjällräven Kånken Me Pack Courtesy Image

1. Fjällräven Kånken Me Pack

Last fall, Fjällräven debuted Kånken Me, the brand’s personalize-able iteration of its classic Kånken pack. Introduced in 1978, this particular pack featured an innovative design that redistributes the bag’s weight to help reduce back problems. Previously available only in bright solids, fans can now choose the colors of the pockets, straps, panels, buckles, and interior—14 color choices on 15 parts of the pack, which equates to over 100 billion possible combinations. An online configurator lets you experiment with the design before deciding on your final product. With this tool, no two packs will be alike.

[$140; fjallraven.com]

Get it

Nike By You customizable gear
Nike By You Shoes (Metcon 7) Courtesy Image

2. Nike By You Shoes

First, pick the shoe. High tops? Cleats? Air Force 1s? Then, customize nearly every part of the shoe with your choice of colors, graphics, and materials. Before dipping your toe into designing, explore Nike’s compilation of tips and tricks from top designers. They’ll teach you how to avoid decision fatigue, envision yourself as a shoe, and focus on function. There’s no wrong or right way to do it, they say. The only catch is that you need a free Nike membership, which requires creating a login and downloading one of the brand’s apps.

[Prices vary; nike.com]

Get it

customizable gear customized Chaco Z/1 Sandal
Chaco Z/1 Sandal Courtesy Image

3. Chaco MyChaco Sandals and Accessories

With the MyChaco platform, you’ll start with a blank canvas: an all-white sandal that’s just begging to be customized. You can choose to makeover a pair of Chillos, Flips, or one of the company’s four Z sandals. Opt for solid colors or one of Chaco’s many patterns, including everything from sunflowers to tie dye. When you get to designing the footbed, an extra $10 will upgrade you to Cloud for an added layer of cushioning. Lastly, you can even get them embroidered with your name or another message on the heel straps. Already have sandals? Chaco also lets you personalize accessories like belts and dog leashes.

[Prices vary; chaco.com]

Get it

Misty Mountain Custom Harness
Misty Mountain Custom Harness Courtesy Image

4. Misty Mountain Custom Harness

This western North Carolina climbing company launched a harness builder in 2017 to give climbers more of a say in how their gear gets built. Select your belt and leg loop style, interior and exterior colors or patterns, and size from XS to XXL. You can also add or remove loops for gear management. Use the online platform to get a 3D view of your design before adding it to your cart. Just keep in mind that some add-ons cost extra, Misty Mountain won’t let you exchange or return your personalized harness, and producing it may take up to four weeks.

[Starting at $140; mistymountain.com]

Get it

Swift Industries Custom Bandito Bag
Swift Industries Custom Bandito Bag Courtesy Image

5. Swift Industries Customizable Baggage

Seattle-based Swift Industries makes some of the sleekest, most ergonomic bike bags on the market. The brand also has a customization feature: You can select the bag’s body color from 21 bright shades like spa blue, saffron, and black heather. For some pouches, such as the Peregrine Randonneur Bag and Zeitgeist Bag, you can even choose the pocket and flap colors. Now you can match your Bandito Bar Bag with your bike frame, jersey, socks, and the rest of your cycling kit.

[Starting at $108; builtbyswift.com]

Get it

Enlightened Equipment Custom Revelation Quilt
Enlightened Equipment Custom Revelation Quilt Courtesy Image

6. Enlightened Equipment Custom Revelation Quilt

This backpacking quilt is the Winona, MN brand’s best-selling product for a reason: Customers can personalize it to their height, width, color, and temperature preferences (down to zero degrees Fahrenheit). The company caters to long-distance hikers, and it provides thorough size charts and spec sheets so you’ll be fully informed on the weight, fit, and measurements before ordering.

[Starting at $215; enlightenedequipment.com]

Get it

PolarFleece Andover Shearling Pullover
Courtesy Image

7. PolarFleece Andover Shearling Pullover

You can really go nuts with color when designing a PolarFleece pullover. Even though the body and sleeve color options are limited to ivory, black, heather gray, and midnight blue, there’s a wide range of options when it comes to the pocket, ribbon, collar, button, binding, and thread. Every fleece is made out of 100-percent Polartec Thermal Pro shearling with brass snaps, and you can even watch how they’re cut, sewn, and finished in the company’s New England factory.

[$140; polarfleece.com]

Get it

Made Custom Technical Apparel
Made Custom Technical Apparel Courtesy Image

8. Made Custom Technical Apparel

The key advantage of custom clothing over store-bought apparel is that the garments are designed to your body’s exact measurements. Made is trying to bring the tailored concept to the masses through its innovative line of ski apparel. It works like this: After selecting the features you want in a shell jacket or pants, you’ll scan your body through Made’s AI-based measurement tool. The tech records more than 75 measurements that are fed into the brand’s patterning software for a specialized fit. Once you get your item in the mail, Made will make adjustments if it isn’t perfect.

[Prices vary; madeoutdoor.ca]

Get it

Smith I/O MAG Imprint 3D customizable gear
Smith I/O MAG Imprint 3D Courtesy Image

9. Smith I/O MAG Imprint 3D

Goggle makers have a hard job building a pair that matches every face. To make the job easier, and the customer happier, Smith introduced its new Imprint 3D Technology that maps a person’s face to create a goggle with an improved fit. To use it, choose your lens and strap, then get the Smith app to upload the dimensions of your face, which the company uses to craft your custom goggles. The precise frame paired with a thinner DriWix face foam reduces light leaks, air gaps, fogging, and hot spots. Frames are 3D printed, assembled by hand, and delivered within 14 days.

[$450; smithoptics.com]

Get it

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January 14, 2022

Olympians Shaun White, Red Gerard, and Dusty Henricksen Talk 2022 Beijing at Mammoth’s US Snowboarding Grand Prix

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 11:29 pm

Mammoth Mountain recently set the stage to host the US Grand Prix—the last US Olympic Snowboarding Team Qualifier event before the US Olympic Slopestyle Snowboarding Team is announced and athletes head off to the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Having hosted the Grand Prix more than a dozen times, Mammoth has run final qualifying events in 2014, 2018, and now in 2022.

A famed stomping ground for Olympians since 1998 (the first year the Olympics hosted Snowboard Halfpipe as an official event), Mammoth’s long list of snowboarding regulars includes Kelly Clark, Danny Kass, Tommy Czeschin, Shaun White, Greg Bretz, Jamie Anderson, Maddie Maestro, Chloe Kim, Red Gerard, and now Dusty Henricksen. All can attest to Mammoth Mountain’s Unbound Terrain Parks setting the bar.

Full image of Mammoth Mountain with its snowboarding park in the lower left
Aptly named Mammoth Mountain. The Superpipe and Main Unbound Park (lower left) is a prime training ground for Olympic snowboarders. Chris Wellhausen

The staff at Mammoth Mountain is no stranger to being Olympic team players and pulling off Gold Medal performances under pressure. Less than a month before the Grand Prix, snow resources were low and came way too close to jeopardizing the opportunity to host these Olympic hopefuls.

“This year marks the 9th US Grand Prix I’ve been a part of to see the evolution of Slopestyle courses—and trying to come up with creative ways to challenge not only the athletes but also the builders year after year is an extremely tall order,” says Scott Cherry, Mammoth’s Director of Slope Maintenance and the Unbound Terrain Parks, who adds that ultimately it all comes down to Mother Nature. “With such limited resources, warm temperatures, and minimal snowmaking, we were really concerned about being able to pull off an Olympic quality event.”

Thankfully, the snow arrived just in time—a lot of it—over the last two weeks of December. “With 160 inches of snow and working 24/7, we were able to exceed our own expectations and build two venues worthy of hosting an Olympic quality event,” says Cherry.

It took ten snowcats to build the Grand Prix, five snowcats on the Superpipe, and another five for the Slopestyle course. According to Cherry, Mammoth worked 1,900 hours on the course builds. That included 12 Unbound park staff and 14 snowcat operators. There were also consultations with the athletes themselves.

“The Unbound department has very personal relationships with all of these athletes—and an open door policy to encourage their feedback,” says Cherry. “Brock Crouch and Dusty [Henricksen] helped us test the courses, and we all got together to discuss any necessary changes. Our product reflects the relationships we have with some of the best riders in the World. It’s extremely rewarding to see our local riders do so well on an Olympic level.”

Men’s Journal caught up with three of the biggest names in US Olympic snowboarding during the intense lead-up to Beijing 2022 at Mammoth: Gold Medalist, Red Gerard, who has been training at Mammoth most of his career; Olympic rookie and Mammoth Lakes local, Dusty Henricksen; and three-time Superpipe Olympic Gold Medalist, Shaun White, who could be headed to his fifth Olympics.

Close up of Red Gerard at the base of the slopes holding "National Champion" certificate
Red Gerard won the US Grand Prix Slopestyle—and was also recognized as the 2021-22 US National Slopestyle Champion. Chris Wellhausen

Red Gerard, 21, Silverthorne, CO
US Olympic Slopestyle Snowboarding Team
Gold Medalist, 2018 PyeongChang Olympics

Men’s Journal: How does it feel to be here in Mammoth for the US Grand Prix?

Red Gerard: Awesome. Just getting back in the circle with everything that’s been going on and all the unknowns feels great. Having contests planned and knowing where you’re gonna be throughout the season is massive right now—and being in Mammoth has always been cool. I grew up watching Brock Crouch, Gabe Ferguson, Judd Henkes, and all those guys riding here—you’d see them at the end of the season here hitting these huge jumps. There’s always a lot to do here and a ton of progression going on.

Red Gerard performs a backside 270 over the chain links during his US Grand Prix run at Mammoth
Red Gerard starts his winning run with a Backside 270 over the chainlinks to the downbar. Chris Wellhausen

You’ve already been through one Olympic ringer—pulled out with the highest success—and now you’re coming back for your second one. How does it feel to be heading to Beijing as the reigning Gold Medalist for Olympic Slopestyle Snowboarding?

It feels good, to be honest. Not so much with where we’re standing right now with the virus, but other than that I’m feeling really good and ready to go over there and snowboard my best. I had such cool peers during the last Olympics. I really had no clue what it was gonna be like, how big it would be, all the media and everything else, and they really watched over me. The US team is a different one this time, with new kids coming in. Now I want to be that guy who they can put their trust in and ask me anything about the Olympics—because they don’t really teach you much about it going in and it can be pretty surprising.

With all of that Olympic experience behind you from 2018, do you have any expectations for the Beijing Olympics?

PyeongChang [South Korea, 2018 Winter Olympics] was a really creative course for its time. That was when the side hits were really starting to come around. That course was probably one of the more creative Slopestyle courses I’ve snowboarded to date. I think China and this year’s Olympic Committee will be holding themselves to that standard at making a solid, creative course. There’s been a test event over there and I’ve talked to some friends who said it was insane—just massive snow sculptures built. So I think it will be quite cool.

As far as our team goes, the is the strongest one I’ve ever seen for US Slopestyle. We had two months over in Europe early season where I was constantly impressed. Every single person was learning a new trick. We were all riding constantly, pushing each other, feeding off each other in really good ways. We’re all about the same age going in this time, so I think it’ll be a lot of fun. The really cool thing over the past two years has been seeing all of us grow. It is about us, but it is also about this team, and we’re all supporting each other nonstop to the top!

Red Gerard hugged by his father Conrad at the end of his winning run
A big congratulatory hug from Red Gerard’s dad, Conrad Gerard, at the end of the run. Chris Wellhausen

What do you love the most about Slopestyle?

The great part about Slopestyle is that you never have the exact same features in any contest. It’s always different. There can be transition features involved, an array of jibs and rails, side hit take offs, and just a line of classic jumps. When you’re going into to a Slopestyle competition, you really have no clue what’ll show up until that first practice day. That’s where I find Slopestyle snowboarding so cool. You’re dealt whatever cards are given—and then you’re like, okay, well I know maybe this doesn’t really suit my riding the best but I have to make something up so my run works on this course. The way I look at it, I take my time through it. We get a good chunk, two days, of time for practice, weather permitting. Before going, I have ideas of tricks that hopefully will work. After that, I look around the course, see what’s unique in a way that speaks to me, suits my riding the best, and go from there.

Close up of snowboarder Dusty Henricksen at the base of Mammoth Mountain
Dusty Henricksen: The Mammoth Lakes-based, teenage snowboarder heads to his first Olympics in less than a month Chris Wellhausen

Dusty Henricksen, 18, Mammoth Lakes, CA
US Olympic Slopestyle Snowboarding Team.

Dusty—you’re based here in Mammoth. It’s quite the hub for breeding talented Olympic snowboarders. How’s your season been so far?

Dusty Henricksen: It’s been fun going to all the contests. We’ve been kind of getting worked with the weather but I can’t complain. We get to travel around and snowboard. It’s the life for sure and it never gets old. Yesterday in Mammoth was actually the best day I’ve had all season. It was phenomenal weather and we’re riding on this amazing Slopestyle course for the Grand Prix. It was so fun.

You’ve snowboarded the world’s best resorts and parks. What is it about Mammoth and it’s Unbound terrain parks that pushes you to ride at peak level?

This is where my family moved [from Big Bear, CA] when I was about 12 because I needed to snowboard bigger jumps. Until then, my dad was driving us up here every single weekend to do the USASA contests. Mammoth pretty much in every way shape or form is perfect in my opinion. With Main Park especially, It’s just one lift and I like those laps. They’re fast. You have plenty of speed to do what you need to do on the jumps. Everything is so big and crazy, but it’s all pretty flowy so it works well and isn’t too scary. Plus you have everything at your fingertips here. Six terrain parks, plus awesome freeriding terrain and huge backcountry. Whatever you want to do to get rad. Snowboarding Mammoth is a pretty easy decision to make.

You battled it out on the Slopestyle tour to land on the Olympic Team with such skill, talent and style. Speaking of which, at the 2020 US Open of Snowboarding—how did you pull off that backside Quad Cork 1800?

That was a last second decision, honestly, I had no plans. I closed my eyes and I was just was like—oh, I got it. I was so baffled to get the 4th rotation around but I butt checked. I’d been doing Triple Corks all week and that was the only time I really felt like I had enough airtime for the Quad Cork. In the final round at The Open, I landed the whole run before the last jump and felt it was Go Time. That was kind of the deal for me.

Dusty Henricksen doing a hand drag pull back on Mammoth's rainbow rail during his US Grand Prix run
Dusty Henricksen throws down his signature trick—a Hand Drag Pull Back on Unbound’s rainbow rail Chris Wellhausen

Have you done another once since then?

No. I’m trying to learn other tricks that are a little more unique in the lesser degrees while focusing more on style. There’s so many other possibilities of things that can be done before four rotations.

Any specific snowboarders who inspired you to push for the podium in Slopestyle?

I grew up looking up to the people I rode with in Big Bear. That was Lucas Magoon and Chris Bradshaw. They were the heavies, the big dogs on campus. I rode with Bear Mountain’s Sunday in the Park crews whenever I could. They were super welcoming and wanted to help me learn as much as I could. After we moved to Mammoth, contests kicked in, and then it was my friends Judd Henkes & Brock Crouch who were my mentors. They were doing the Slopestyle thing. I feel the reason I switched over was because I was riding Slope one season, learned a bunch of double cork spins, and was super-stoked.

How about snowboarding with Red Gerard on Team USA?

Red is the man. He’s been an idol of mine ever since first watching him snowboard. He’s accomplished so much so early on in his career—and that’s what motivated me to make it to the Olympics by age 18. He’s helped unlock so many possibilities in my mind about snowboarding. Being on the team with Red is nothing but great times and good vibes!

In a nutshell, what does the chance to represent US Slopestyle Snowboarding mean to you?

It’s been one of my dreams since I started this whole mission when I was five. I never really believed it until recent years, but that’s always been the goal. Those USASA contests qualified me for the Rev Tour. Then the Rev Tour advanced me into the World Cup. And now to be going to the Olympics is hard to believe. When I’m on the flight to China, I think that’s when it’ll hit me. It’ll be wild to perform on that stage and reach that amount of people especially from a career standpoint. Shaun [White] has been able to make a full career out of it. He’s a super nice guy, and living large. He created that for himself and I really look up to him in the way he managed his whole career. I feel super-blessed to be going to the Olympics.

Snowboarder Shaun White stands at the top of the run
Shaun White aims to represent Team USA at his 5th Olympics. “I had a weird start to the season … and it’s been a whirlwind since then.” Chris Wellhausen

Shaun White, 35, San Diego, CA.
Three-Time Olympic Superpipe Gold Medalist

Shaun—you’ve been to four Olympics; Torino 2006, Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018. You’re still battling for your chance to ride in the Olympics for a 5th time. How is snowboarding going for you these days?

Shaun White: I had a weird start to the season at the US Grand Prix at Copper Mountain in December—having to deal with those first competition nerves that we pretend not to have. It wasn’t the best, but I did accrue some points. Moving onto the next contest, I was super fired up for the Dew Tour event before the holidays. Things were going great, my practice runs were on point—and then in the Finals practice I broke a binding. We switched to a new pair. Then I felt another crack in my binding. This never happens and it happened twice, which just kind of threw me. Ultimately, I was left to focus on my third run, asking myself—“What’s most important right now? Go for the win by putting in a riskier run or put down something solid, get some points, and move on to the next.” I came together with my US Snowboarding coaches JJ Thomas and Mike Jankowski at the top of the pipe and we went with the latter. Bur whenever I’m holding back, it’s never as good as when I’m going for it. Since then, It’s been a whirlwind. Mammoth was supposed to be the last Olympic qualifier event technically, but apparently now the Laax Open in Switzerland will have bearing on who’ll be on the US Olympic Superpipe team. This last Grand Prix is a major one for the US but it’s good to know there’s another chance.

Is your mindset any different these days—battling for a position on the US Team for Beijing 2022 compared to being a lock leading up to Olympics past?

My goal is the Olympics. It doesn’t matter to me how I get there, as long as I get to where I’m going and do what I want to do. When I was younger, if I lost a single event it was the end of the world to me. Now, I’ll take the third and move on. I’m just getting what I need. This isn’t the big day. This isn’t the big show. That will happen in China. I want to peak when I get there.

You’ve had a lot of fun and success in Mammoth’s Superpipe. What sets this place apart?

It’s Mammoth—we love Mammoth! It just feels like home court here. This is my turf, where I grew up riding, and y’know sleeping in a van in the parking lot to just still being here and competing. There are a lot of roots here. I even owned part of the mountain for awhile. Mammoth is just a special place, and I’m excited about being here. Frank Wells is cutting the Superpipe and he did a really good job. We’re all looking forward to getting in there to snowboard.

Shaun White in his first run in Qualifiers at Mammoth
Shaun White in his first run during Qualifiers. Chris Wellhausen

What are you seeing elevate the progression in Superpipe snowboarding? Tricks? Style?

I’m always trying to push the envelope to do something new. Doing the 1440s is still really hard. Riders are still struggling to master these tricks, and do it in their runs. I’m pretty sure two 1440s and two 1260s in the last Olympic run would have won those competitions, or at least taken second place. The progression has moved but it hasn’t dramatically jumped. Obviously with the triples it’s really incredible—something I tried in 2013, and the first attempt didn’t go so well. I came back, tried it like three more times, and got close to dialing it in. Then a fellow competitor does a DoubleCork 14. Okay, well, why go triple when you can kind of do this double and it’s the same amount of spinning? I mean obviously doing the triple is insane, and it’s where the sport’s going, but you have to put in a run, under pressure, when it counts and that’s not easy to do. I remember having seasons where I was trying the new big trick and kept falling while everyone else kept winning because I was going for something new. I think going big, doing clean tricks, and landing smoothly on the walls—all those things still come into play.

What kind of training regimen keeps you fit for this level of competition?

Lots of people think it’s about going crazy in the gym. I don’t really feel it’s about that. It’s about finding a consistency. I didn’t realize that for a while because I used to hate the gym. I’d go in there with a trainer and think I have to beat myself up. I’d be so sore the next day to go skate or surf. I wouldn’t be able do the things that I wanted to do for fun. I realized If you actually have a great trainer who eases you into it with lighter workouts to build up strength over time, it helps with other things in life. I think subtle course corrections can get you to where you’re going and achieve more than you think. You don’t have to make this dramatic change, but just know that you’re going to stick with it. The biggest change for me is just to consistently work out.

After having multiple Olympic experiences What does another shot at the Olympics mean to you now?

I’ve obviously been there, done it, and did it again and again. It’s been amazing. I think it’s something special just to go to the Olympics, be an Olympian, and play a part of history. The fact that I can potentially go again is amazing. It’s like the Rocky movies. He doesn’t win the first time. It’s all about who he becomes. It’s all about the journey. Also, it’s the Olympics, so you just feel like you’re part of this bigger thing. In snowboarding there’s no team really—until you go to the Olympics and now you join not only the rest of the snowboarding team but the entire U.S. Team. All of these people who are best in what they do. You’re a part of that group, wearing the same outfit. I’ve just related it to movies. It’s like that scene where the astronauts are walking out. Like Bruce Willis in Armageddon heading out to save the planet. It kinda feels like that. It’s just such a fun experience.

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May 1, 2021

Snowboarding Meets Mountain Biking in Season-Bending Freeride Session

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 2:01 pm

As seasons change, our outdoor passions blend from one right into another. Of the activities that complement one another best and mix the most smoothly together, there’s a particular alignment between mountain biking and snowboarding. The way the two sports feel, the approach to terrain, and the mindset of flowing with speed from snow to dirt: I’ve certainly discovered the commonality between the two seemingly different sports. A longtime passion for snowboarding led me to become a professional photographer. Being a resident of Southern California, a little ways from fresh snow, means that maintaining fitness between snow adventures is a must—so I can hang with the athletes when I’m on assignment back at altitude. Thankfully I discovered how to balance the yin of mountain biking to the yang of snowboarding. The endurance benefits are only one factor, though. The shared feelings for both sports only multiply when you factor adrenaline.

And I recently discovered I’m not the only one after this recent photo assignment in Snowshoe, WV. In deep Appalachia (about midway between Charlottesville, VA and Charleston, WV) I meet up with two mountain bikers and two snowboarders, each who have been embracing this same joint pursuit—discovering another sport to spice up their lifestyle committed to one or the other.

This particular vision spawned from the mind of pro mountain biker Carson Storch, of Bend, OR, motivating him to approach his drink sponsor, Red Bull, to bring an ambitious idea to life: build a custom bike slash snowboard park that weaves in and out of the other and allows an ultimate collaboration where slopestyle meets freeride. Red Bull obviously takes to innovative projects like this and they partnered up to invite fellow teammate Jaxson Riddle (mountain bike) and snowboarders Luke Winkelmann and Sean Fitzsimmons to showcase the possibilities. The crew chose Snowshoe for its location, known in the mountain bike world for its world-class downhill course (and on the seasonal flip-side, regarded as a wicked fun resort to snowboard). Additionally, since winter out East begins to melt sooner than most ranges in the West, Storch and company approached Snowshoe’s mountain manager, who crafted hybrid dirt-snow terrain park that was more than up for the challenge.

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January 20, 2021

What Happens in the Air When a Pro Snowboarder Sends a Jump

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 7:53 am

Whether it be at the Olympics, X Games, or Dew Tour, watching a snowboarder launch massive jumps is awe-inspiring. Of course, these airs are also filled with ridiculous flips, spins and tricks.

But how exactly does that happen? What is going through riders’ minds when they are mid-air, upside down? This fascinating new video from Red Bull sheds some light on the physics, the technique and the mindset required to achieve that magic sensation of flying.


 

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January 14, 2021

Terrifying GoPro Footage of Snowboarder Getting Caught in a Massive Avalanche

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 3:04 am

With no crowds and pristine untouched snow, backcountry snowboarding may sound like an epic wintertime experience. But while carving down a winter dreamscape is enticing, it’s essential to remember the importance of being prepared and cautious. A dream session can turn deadly in the blink of an eye, and understanding how to read snow conditions and packing the right gear could save your life.

For a perfect example, check out this terrifying GoPro footage from snowboarder Maurice Kervin, who gets caught in a huge avalanche on Colorado’s Loveland Pass.

After dropping in a making a few turns, the snow on the steep, open face gives way and triggers a massive avalanche. With nowhere to go, Kervin’s only option is to deploy his inflatable pack and get ready for a wild 1000-foot ride down the mountain.

Thankfully, the inflatable pack kept him above the snow and saved him from being buried. Let this serve as a dramatic reminder that if you do choose to go into the backcountry, there is no substitute for the right gear and experience.

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December 8, 2020

Watch: Victor De La Rue’s Radical First Descent in the Pyrenees Mountains

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 2:53 am

First descents are nearly always a sketchy endeavor––no matter the sport. However, this first descent from professional snowboarder and 2019 Freeride World Champ, Victor De La Rue. just seems to elevate the stakes to towering new heights.

As one of the most innovative riders in the sport, Victor is constantly searching for his next big challenge. The big mountain rider is known for charging some of the steepest and most radical faces on Earth––including a 55-degree slope on the north face of the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix.


Back in May, De La Rue decided to do a first descent of the north face of Taillon––located in the Pyrenees mountains. The treacherous descent featured variable snow conditions and a radical pitch––just watching his FPV perspective made us squeamish. In addition to the challenging riding conditions, getting to the top required some very technical ice climbing.

Put it all together and this was one radical mission.


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