“I snuck into a bar where some of the older competitors from USASA worked to watch the 1998 Olympics. I was in awe of the entire thing. It was at that moment that I confirmed in my head and my heart that snowboarding would be the guiding force in my life. “ Do you remember the tipping point of when you knew the road to Olympics was for you? When snowboarding was first admitted to the games I knew at that moment that I wanted to be an Olympian. I snuck into a bar where some of the older competitors from USASA worked to watch the 1998 Olympics. I was in awe of the entire thing. It was at that moment that I confirmed in my head and my heart that snowboarding would be the guiding force in my life. Did you ever have a moment when you thought about doing something else? Snowboarding can be tough. Despite all of the awesome days of riding with friends and having fun it is also very demanding. You have to sacrifice a lot in order to be a professional snowboarder. Because of the stress involved I
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catch myself thinking about what is next. But I don’t think about doing something else YET because I truly love what I do. It is a gift. What was your earliest USASA Competition memory? My first contest! I remember it vividly. It was a Slalom and I went around all of the gates backwards. I got disqualified or DQ’d. I had no idea what that meant. I learned quick that finishes should have numbers not letters. It was one of the most fun days I have ever had on a snowboard. No expectations, no goals, just the thrill of going fast and riding with friends. Do you still keep in touch with your friends from early USASA days? Yes, a ton of them, one of my best friends Darren
photographs by Sarah Brunson
Justin Reiter