SHAUN WHITE
Home Mountain: Park City, UT
Board: Burton White Collection 156
Regular or Goofy: Regular
Boot: Burton SW Boot
Binding: Burton Customs
Career Video Credits: Earnest Goes to Camp, Dukes of Hazzard, and Ocean’s 13
Career Contest Results: *Snowboarder Magazine’s Answer: Shaun’s pretty much won it all.
Who do you feel is the most influential rider of the last 20 years? Why?
Terje pretty much laid it down. He took pipe riding from 5 ft airs to 10 ft airs and above. He progressed contest riding, pipe riding, freestyle and backcountry riding all at the same time.
When did you start riding?
When I was 6 years old.
What was the highlight of your career?
Winning the Olympics in 2006.
Most memorable session?
I have a couple of days that will always stand out: Filming in New Zealand for The White Album, winning double gold in the X-Games for the first time, the Olympics, and my first US Open pipe win. Those really stand out in my mind.
When did you realize that snowboarding wasn’t just a fad?
When I started, I was too young to even know what a fad was. The only thing I ever wanted to do was snowboard. When I was young there was nothing else that was as much fun, except maybe Pogs and Pokemon, but c’mon, that was just so cool, right? Guys? Was I the only one who thought that?............ Awkward.
What is your take on snowboarding and how far it has come? Did you ever think it would progress to the level it has?
The greatest part of this sport is progression. The sport is based on having the imagination to do what seems impossible. It’s all about being creative, and I hope that never stops.
Where are your favorite places to snowboard?
There are a couple places that are always fun. The Park City park is awesome. Riding in Colorado and Tahoe is always a blast. Japan is just fun to visit and experience. Overall, I try to have a blast wherever I am.
Which photographers captured your riding best?
Man, I don’t know. I think working with Adam Moran, Kevin Zacher, Dean “Blotto” Gray, and (Jeff) Curtes always seems to work for me. They love to get all artsy and put it down. It’s always great when you see Adam or Kevin with their shirts off, rubbing body paint on and getting weird; you know you’re going to get a great shot.
Favorite filmmaker to work with?
Dawger’s (Mack Dawg’s) crew is always perfect. They give 110% and will be out there filming no matter what the conditions.
Which product innovation had the largest impact on our sport?
I think pipe dragons have helped push the progression of the sport and what we are capable of doing. There are getting more and more consistent, which allows the riders to go bigger and bigger. Everything works together: The pipes are getting better, but so are the boards, bindings and boots; everything is evolving together.
Are the values that our sport was founded on still apparent in the riders today?
I think there are some core values that this sport will never lose. First and foremost, this sport is about having fun. Imagination is also very apparent and essential to the sport. Finally, I think dedication is an important value to the overall longevity of the sport.
What do you feel is your legacy in the snowboard world?
I want to be remembered as the first wizard snowboarder to ride in space. Everyone will say, “Hey, remember Shaun, the first wizard snowboarder to ride in space?” And the other guy will be like, “Yeah, he’s a totally cool dude.”
If you could change one thing about snowboarding today what would it be?
I would like to see more support for the riders at contests. I have been to so many contests that have freezing weather, but no warming tent for the athletes.
Who is the unsung hero of snowboarding that people should celebrate?
Tony Danza. He pretty much taught us all that if you are a man you could also be a maid in a house with a single mom. I think that is a lesson we can all learn from.
What has snowboarding taught you?
The greatest lesson I have learned is to trust myself and believe in the decisions that I make. You have to have confidence in yourself in order to take the risky route and come out on top. Oh yeah, and to pop, lock, and drop it.
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