Todd Richards - #19

TODD RICHARDS

First of all, Todd Richards is pretty pissed off that his hero and idol, Chris Roach, did not make this Top Twenty list. Back in the late eighties, when Richards was still melting ice off the flatbottom of East Coast vert ramps in the dead of winter, Roach was on the West Coast perfecting tuck-knee grabs and Chris Miller-esque tweakings in pathetic little snow halfpipes. In Todd’s eyes, Chris Roach is the benchmark of proper snowboard style, then and now.

LEGENDARY INFO:

Home Mountain: Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort
Sponsors:O-Matic Snowboards, Quiksilver, DC, Spy, Nixon, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Boost Mobile, Bluebird Wax and Grenade.
Board:O-Matic Todd Richards is awesome.
Regular or Goofy:Regular
Boot: DC Phantom
Binding: Burton Custom
Career Video Credits: Videos by Whitey (McConaughey), Fallline films, Mack Dawg, etc.
Career Contest Results: 1989-90 New England cup Halfpipe Champion

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Who do you feel is the most influential rider of the last 20 years? Why?
For me, Chris Roach was the biggest influnce. He was, in my opinion, the first to really change the direction of snowboard style and tricks. Over the years, traveling with (Mike) Ranquet, Peter Line, (Noah) Salasnek, Tucker Fransen, (Shaun) Palmer, (Terry) Kidwell; they have all been heard saying that Raoch has been a big influence over their riding styles. I can remember multiple conversations with Ranquet about how sick Roach was. Noah Salasnek's style was a direct result of riding with Roach all the time.

When did you start riding?
I first started riding in 1984.

What was the highlight of your career?
Winning the US Open in 1994. It was such a dream of mine and it felt so good to accomplish something big like that.

Most memorable session?
It was probably way back in the day, The Vision Pro in the snow at Squaw Valley in like 1990. It was the first trip that I ever took with the Sims team. I was given my team jacket, team boards and was riding around Tahoe with my heroes of the time. Kidwell, Palmer, the Roach brothers (Chris and Monty), and Tucker Fransen. We went to Donner Ski Ranch one morning, it had just dumped, and I went with the Roaches, Devun Ryerson, Chris Swierz and Tucker, they showed us around the hill, all the jump lines etc. It was like going to school for me, I studied every move.

When did you realize that snowboarding wasn’t just a fad?
It's not ? Oh the sport is solid, but dressing like Rod Stewart is the new fad.

What is your take on snowboarding and how far it has come? Did you ever think it would progress to the level it has?
I like where snowboarding has gone.There have been a few bumps in the road, but that always comes with the growth of something. I never thought that riders would be endorsing department stores though.

Where are your favorite places to snowboard?
Tyax Lodge Heli Operation, Japan, New Zealand, and all over the USA.

Which photographers captured your riding best?
Trevor Graves, Chris Owen, and Embry Rucker

Favorite filmmaker to work with?
Pierre Wikberg, no contest

Which product innovation had the largest impact on our sport?
The highback binding. Thanks Jeff Grell !

Are the values that our sport was founded on still apparent in the riders today?
No not even. These kids have it so easy. You can learn how to ride in 10 minutes. It took years to even learn how to link turns back then. There is also no reverence for the history of the sport. Its not like surfing or skating where the kids are actually interested in the pioneers of the moves and the styles. It seems that now, its whoever has the longest t-shirt or the tightest pants.

What do you feel is your legacy in the snowboard world?
Man, who knows? Have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously

If you could change one thing about snowboarding today what would it be?
All the sour puss attitudes and sh*t talking that happens behind the scenes. I am just as guilty of this as the rest, and I am trying to cut down. However, riders are still fair game.

Who is the unsung hero of snowboarding that people should celebrate?
Jeff Grell. Without the highback, we would really suck.

What has snowboarding taught you?
That you can fly the bird in the face of all the jock dipsh*t douches at your high school that called you a skater fag, that are now still in the same town working for the city, while I am doing the thing that I love. Follow your passions and if you stay with it, doors will open that can keep you happy for the rest of your life.

CLICK BELOW FOR MORE TODD RICHARDS ARTICLES, PHOTOS AND VIDEO :

SUPERPARK DAY 2
BOY SHREDDERS IN PLAYBOY
SHEEHAN AND ANDERSON CASH OUT

Reader Comments

Posted Sat Mar22, 2008, 10:09 PM — By Mike Levine

Todd Richards is the man. Myself and a few friends got to meet him at killington during the half pipe competition (2008). He actually did a group shake ya face pic with is. Epic. He also did a solo pic which is the best I have seen from Todd himself. There is a ripple up his whole face. the coolest athlete I have ever met. He chatted with us for like 15 min. Whenever take the chance to meet him.

Posted Mon Apr14, 2008, 9:11 AM — By maria jose

God hes so handsome! i want to meet him! he is a star

Posted Sat Apr19, 2008, 12:01 AM — By Skip

A legend in his own mind.

Posted Sat Jun21, 2008, 4:39 PM — By dirty n' stinkin'

todd seems a real chill dude, and i have to agree w/ his opinions on wether the values are in still in snowboarding. Being a farily young rider, i was born in 90, i definitly notice big douchism in a lot shredders i see at my local mountain, keystone. It has become who has the longest tee or tightest pants. But at the same time it hasnt. I know tons of ppl who ride for the right reasons, who dont have to match their whole kit or whatever. There are true shredders and there arent, just the same with people. There will always be core dudes to keep the "scene" in somewhat check. And if not? so what if snowboarding is what you make of it

Posted Fri Sep26, 2008, 12:28 PM — By Lance Gilman

I was at the 1990 Vision Pro as an AM on tour. I was probably the oldest AM out there! I did not make the final. My buddy Jeff Miller and I rode there free all weeklong giving out Chums to the lifties it was sick! Taught Big Tony how to carve a toe turn and is to this day the only time I ever rode Squaw. The pipes were hand dug back then, as the first ever pro competition Pipe Dragon event was not until Snowmass later on. Chris Roach Dominated the pipe that day but got robbed in the finals with second or third. His legendary Frontside pokes are still etched in my mind as what a REAL frontside air in the pipe should look like. I patented my methods as much like his and Monty's as possible. Style masters for certain. One thing that often goes un-noticed is his style in the moguls. It was like he was skanking to Black Flag...Epic!

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