For the most part Eric Enquist is normal. For example, if he sees a classified ad in the local paper that says “Computer Games, $5 OBO” he’ll hop the bus to the address provided and see if it’s a legit
deal. The other part of him, the snowboard one, is crazier than a shit-house rat. A few months ago the latter got the best of him and he packed up his car and left his hometown of Duluth, MN for
Breckenridge, CO, where it looks like he’s been taking care of business. Maybe not every day, but certainly the last three.

Filmed by Dylan Alito and Dillon James

Jonas is an artsy guy. Photo: Oli Gagnon

Back in my day if you were good at something you were expected to brag and exploit whatever special skill you possessed beyond a reasonable doubt. If you were lucky, others would see value in this talent and grant you some of life’s little amenities – like a seat at the cool lunch table or feeling a popular girl’s boob. Jonas has been doing pretty well with this snowboard thing for a few years now, but you would never know it, as he tends to keep his trap shut about such things - at least for this interview. Or maybe he’s just a loner and prefers the nerdy type.

What’s the most biggest, most expensive item you’ve ever stolen?

I was never very good at stealing. But I’d have to say Polaroid film - if you added it all up. I tried to steal a digital camera once from Best Buy but got caught by one of those guys that stand at the front door.

Do you ever see your buddies at the House of 1817 blog branching out into other areas of the industry, like accessories or outerwear? Maybe those creepy socks that fit onto your feet like gloves?

I don’t know about freaky socks or anything, but they’re in the making of their first movie as we speak. It should be out this fall, so keep those eyes open!

Riding concrete is a true Minnesota-bred skill. Photo: Oli Gagnon

What about the dudes you live with – who’s the house slob?

Viktor and Brandon - they always leave the toilet seat up.

Shanty stud?

Dan, if he doesn’t end up with a lazy eye by the end of the night.

Eater of everybody else’s food?

V-quick.

Midwest tree runs. Photo: Oli Gagnon

Does it bum you out when any of your so-called friends hit on your sister?

Luckily I don’t have to witness any of that. But go ahead, give it a shot and see what happens.

How about if a female friend hits on your brother?

I think it would bum out Jordan’s girlfriend more than me.

You ever ran away from home?

I’ve tried a few times, but I always ended up back at my house by the end of the day.

Enjoying the Minnesota sunshine. Photo: Oli Gagnon

When did you first begin to piddle about on a snowboard?

My brother and I started skating the summer before we went snowboarding - I was eight and he was eleven.

One of our friends had a sketchy Black Snow and he let us try it out. For as out of control as we were, we both thought it was the coolest thing ever. We started begging our dad to take us to Hyland Hills, which was only about a half mile from our house, until one day he finally did. That first run we rode up the lift with no feet strapped in. I was too scared to get off when we were supposed to, so I had to bail out when the chair started to turn around. It was only five or six feet, but it felt like I was falling for a good minute. Next run, we went straight to the high-speed towrope. Obviously, without being able to ride down the hill, I wasn’t going to be able ride up the hill either, much less while holding onto rope with a bunch of older kids yelling at me for getting in their way. Once I ended up grinding my cheek on the rope when I fell that left a scab the size of a baseball. I thought I was going to look like Two Face from Batman for the rest of my life.

How do you occupy your time on the days you hate snowboarding and your friends?

I visit my lady Rachel - she always cheers me up. Maybe go swimming, ride my bikes, read, and draw or take some pictures - something along those lines. If all else fails, I’ll just eat my problems away.

How long have you been riding for Academy now?

Pretty much since they started up - seven years or so.

Would you say you’re well fed, or tossed merely scraps from the master’s dinner plate?

Eh, it’s enough to live.

Name a band you pretend to dislike when your friends are around?

Chumbawamba.

Minnesota freshies. Photo: Oli Gagnon

Have you ever had a real job?

I worked at Michaels (arts and craft outlet) and delivered the Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune newspaper with my dad and brother.

To what heritage is your superior upper lip decoration owed?

I’m half Peruvian and half Scandinavian.

Do the mustache ride jokes ever get old?

I haven’t heard enough of them.

Did your parents make you go to church when you were a kid?

Yeah, a Mormon church, but I can’t remember the last time I was there.

Jonas goes fast. photo: Oli Gagnon

Have you ever seen that movie “Trading Places?” Let’s say you had to swap out lives with one of the Tech Nine guys - who would it be?

That’s one of my favorite movies! I would probably switch with Bradshaw - he’s the baddest dude I can think of.

Would you assume his identity or would you start dressing and acting like yourself?

Maybe just act like him; I think it would be pretty fun.

Obama or Nobama?

Obama fool! It’s funny to see people with bumper stickers against him – some of them are pretty creative.

What’s the worst you’ve ever hurt someone – mentally or physically.

When I freestyle battle anyone, I feel pretty bad for ‘em. Especially Brandon.

Has your Minnesota Nice ever prevented you from getting beat up?

Nah, I’m pretty good at weaseling my way out of a fight.

Thanks and/or raise requests?

Everyone - except guidos and juggalos.

Part bear. Photo: Oli Gagnon

Photo: Oli Gagnon

Meeting someone in person that you’ve grown up watching in videos or reading about in magazines can be a crippling mental experience – especially if it’s someone that you’ve held in high regards. It’s the first opportunity you’ll get to experience them firsthand, minus the ass-fooling effects of a media filter. Sadly, more often than naught, they will disappoint you with character defects that can include but are not limited to: delusions of grandeur, big baby syndrome, feelings of low self worth that require an overabundance of reassurance and praise and so on and so forth. Being fairly familiar with this type of letdown, I have to admit I wasn’t in any huge rush to meet Bjorn only to come to the realization that I had allowed some phony booger’s video parts intrude upon my morning pre-shred stoke routine for the past dozen or so years. But, sometimes you get lucky – and in this case, thankfully it was the home state dude.

How was the big hunting weekend?

It’s been kind of a new thing for me the past ten years - I didn’t really grow up doing it but it went pretty good and I got a couple of deer. I guess what I like about it, besides the actual hunt, is the organic meat and knowing it where it came from. It tastes so damn good all winter long.

Before you pull the trigger do you ever hesitate for a moment and consider the ruin your about to bring onto some poor deer family?

(laughs) Yeah, I have hesitated on shooting some does before but really does anyone else stop and think about where that hamburger or chicken sandwich came from that they just ate or how gross the process is? Hunting is just nature’s bounty so that’s what I like about it.

You’re a pretty clean eater then?

Well no, we’ll still stop at a Play Land for the kids when we’re driving across the country. I try to eat fairly well and stay active. I’m not some sort of crazy vegetarian vegan or anything like that.

Man shit. Photo: Oli Gagnon

I reading through some snow mags and came across a fairly recent interview with Peter Line. He said that you were the first person he picked to be a part of the Forum 8 squad. He also said you were kind of a cocky kid back then - any truth to that?

Well I was stoked (he called me.) I had never met him, but I obviously knew who he was. So when Forum first started I was super-driven and almost overconfident, and that was mistaken for cockiness, I guess. Eventually, I came to realize how it was being misinterpreted and just kind of watched my step with everything I did and started to just let my riding speak for itself.

You seemingly had it made over there with a pro model and travel budget, so what prompted the move? Did you quit or were you kicked off?

Basically, I was just not happy with the way The Program was being run. When Burton bought them it just changed the whole formula, who we were working for and who was behind what we were doing. I wasn’t stoked on that so I started looking around the industry and saw that Rome was this young brand that had a lot of passion and were really true to snowboarding.  I did a little research about the guys behind it and just saw that those guys love and actually go snowboarding and are the kind of people I felt I could really trust. I didn’t feel like I had a future being just another number at Burton.

How come you don’t have a pro model with Rome?

That’s kind of gone back and forth over the past few years but mostly we felt it just doesn’t make a lot of sense to have a guy on his own gear instead of pushing and riding all the product. And the way that the brand was set up in the past it wasn’t all super pro driven, like we have this huge sick pro team and they’re the shit! It’s more about the SDS (Snowboard Design Syndicate) stuff – that’s really the foundation of the company. It’s getting all the different aspects of riding and input from everyone - the shop kids, the team riders, sales guys, in-house guys - and using that feedback and collectively applying it to making a better product.

Tuck knee. Photo: Oli Gagnon

What possessed you and your brother Erik to start a glove company?

At an early age it didn’t seem possible to have long careers in snowboarding, judging from how company’s treated their athletes at the time. And it was still such a young sport. So when we started Celtek, the idea was to create an umbrella for our friends and family where we could produce products that we’re proud of and be able to sustain this lifestyle.

When it was first getting started did you feel any heat from the Grenade camp?

Yeah, I think we did feel some heat from Grenade because of the fact that they were one of first rider-owned and operated companies. And there’s also the parallels that Erik and I are brothers, the same as Danny and Matt. So, I don’t think they were too stoked right away. After a while things cooled off and when we see them now we throw out high fives. Really, we wish them nothing but the best – the same for any rider-owned, rider-driven company.

Who does most of the work around there? You guys ever get mad and threaten to fire each other?

Well, no - Erik definitely does the most work in the office. He decided a few years back to take on Celtek full time and head things up as the CEO and handle a lot of responsibilities. I made the choice to continue with my snowboard career and be the frontman for Celtek, making all those duties secondary to snowboarding. But it does make it tough for me when it comes to getting back at night or returning from a trip – you just kind of get on the computer and start punching away.

What do you think of the kids these days with their flannels, handrails and mustaches? A good handful of them are from Minnesota – the good ones anyway.

It’s funny how the trends kind of circle back and it’s rad to see people being a little more true to who they are with the flannels and the whole sort of rocker thing. I’m always stoked to see the Minnesota kids come up because it’s not easy back there. You can really see how motivated and appreciative they are when they get the chance – which they work hard for it you know? There’s a real Midwest work ethic to them.

Does it ever make you jealous seeing Joe Sexton hanging out with JP? Kind of like “hey I knew him first!”

(laughs) No, I’m stoked for Sexton. I’ve known him since he was like 15 or something it’s rad to see him make it to the mainstream.

I thought it was cool that when we were having the “Beers With Bjorn” event seeing him and Jonas (Michilot) being all kind of nervous and stoked out around you.

Yeah, those kids got skills too. I was just shredding with Joe over Christmas at Buck Hill for a couple of days and it was sick, man. I was just telling him to go out and get his fifteen rail tricks or whatever and then go out into the backcountry and start jumping off some cliffs and blow everybody’s mind because they won’t be expecting that. Who knows maybe he’ll pull it off – that would be sweet.

Kid’s stuff. Photo: Oli Gagnon

How’s it feel shredding with younger dudes – are you stoked or are you at an age where you don’t have room for any more friends or acquaintances in your life?

Not at all - with Rome it was like starting all over again and having a new family. The last three years LNP, Marie France and some other guys have been coming up and making films. Seeing them come up and reach the top, it’s sick. I’m stoked to be there with them because they motivate me with my urban snowboarding and beyond. They help keep me hungry.
Do you call LNP — LNP or has he insisted you call him Laurent-whatever-whatever?

(laughs) We actually call him Larry. He got hurt a little while back, I don’t know if you had heard but he broke his back.
How did that happen?

He was hitting a jump out in Colorado, doing a cab five and basically just kind butt checked but ended up compressing his vertebrae. My brother did that same thing and he was out riding again about eight weeks later, so Larry will be back in no time.

Let’s talk a little bit about your family life - has you wife ever thrown anything at you out of anger? My mom threw a bible at me once.

(laughs) I don’t think so - she’s pretty collected most of the time. Except when the Packers lose.

Now that you’re a dad do you ever second-guess yourself before hitting something big?

You know, it actually adds to the motivation factor of it. If anything it helps me to assess the risk factors and try and minimize them. It’s kind of like I feel this is who I am and this is what I want to do. There is risk in it, but I’m providing for them just by doing it. It’s just the nature of the beast.

Do you believe in spanking or are you one of those parents that’s more apt to let their kids push them around and berate while out in public or at the grocery store?

Oh no, I spank - but only if I have to. We give them some time-outs and stuff too, but sometimes they just need a little corporal punishment. Way back when they used to spank in school, but at least the kids stayed in line.

Next level snowmobiling. Photo: Oli Gagnon

Who’s helping you keep the lights on these days?

Rome, Volcom, Celtek, Smith eyewear and I-Path footwear. That’s just kind of a bro deal at this point but hopefully it’ll hook up beyond. And Power Balance. They make holographic medallions and bracelets that tune into your body’s frequency. It’s kind of like this new technology. They have a bunch of different athletes like Shaquille ‘O Neal -it’s huge in hockey right now.

If you could go back in time and punch any historical figure in the stomach, whom would you sock?

Well, Hitler for sure. And George Bush – man, I would punch him as hard as I could.

Who lights a fire under your ass – somebody that motivates you to keep going big?

Danny Way has always really inspired and stoked me out with just how much he’s always persevered through pain, how huge he goes and just how talented he is. I think about him a lot when it comes to that.

Is there anything that’s different in your career now than say ten years ago?

No matter how much I would’ve told myself having a family wouldn’t ever slow down my career, I realize now that it has in some aspects. But it’s a choice that I made and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Pretending is fun - just ask our federal government, they do it all the time. If pressed to pick one scenario in particular as a favorite, it’s nearly impossible because there are so many mind-blowing instances to choose from. But if you had the rifle they used to kill JFK to my head, I would have to go with 1969 – the year we made storybook history by blasting a couple of men into the land of make believe via a tiny tin spaceship. While there, they would eventually happen upon the moon and (thanks to the effects of slow motion) bounce around for a bit before loading up the ride and heading back to earth.

Being a paranoid enthusiast of all things conspiracy, I was extra specially excited to see the theme chosen for this season’s Danny Kass Double Tongue boot was that of space travel. I can distinctly remember a youthful nostalgia hitting me like a bag of bricks after viewing the first few leaked images of them. I was instantly transported back to my days as an exploratory lad – a time when I was much more ignorant but had way more fun. Back to an adolescent world where property rights, taxes and feelings of guilt for hurting other people’s feelings didn’t exist. It was a nice, if not short visit home.

I think it’s safe to say that aesthetically speaking, the boot is awesome. There’s plenty of details that’ll keep even the most novice of stoners entertained for a decent block of time, whether it be the moon’s lunar cycle stashed behind the left tongue or trying to decipher the alien looking language visible through the clear blue crystal sole. Of course most obvious is the removable American and Canadian flags that I’m assuming are an ode to either Danny’s heritage or his preference of biscuit. Long story short, if it’s attention to your water-resistant foot coverings you desire these are your doggies. One such example finds me sporting them after work on the bus ride home due to the twenty-some below wind-chill. I’m talking “aaaaaah shit, what is thems!” all around that shit-wagon. And if there is anyone whose fashion sense I trust, it’s that of my fellow public transients. Mainly due to the fact that they spend all their spare cash on clothes and accessories conceal the fact that they’re poor. Like it or not, these folk know legit when they see it.

Performance-wise, my biggest concern was that the tongue was going to be a real pain when it came to buckling in my heel strap, since it adds a little bulk up in those parts. In my instance this wasn’t the case but you just may want to bring your binders in with you during the courting ceremony to make sure they’re properly compatible. As you’ve probably gathered from your parent’s constant bickering, shitty one-sided relationships suck. For the most part the boot was good right out of the box –a good fit and not too stiff. The only discomfort I did experience was the combination of two things 1) the inner liner and upper lacing system’s mix of nylon laces and Velcro straps and 2) my old shitty back. The system, although unique and allowing for a good custom fitting, takes a hot minute to set up, whereas my poor ailing spinal cord only allows about 30 seconds worth of bending before the alarms sound and multiple stabbings break out back behind the old barn. But if you’re a young buck or fancy yourself a Patient Peter you should be all good - senior citizens and those with high intakes of fructose corn syrup, beware.

Two certainties – DK is a pretty tight dude and if there’s one thing Nike is good at it’s competing. So, an ode to the old space race era only seems logical if not just a sweet ass and creative idea. If anything hopefully it’ll re-spark an interest into NASA and our government’s shady inner-dealings. I mean really, who authorized the firing of a massive missile that blew the fuck out of the moon’s alien surface to look for water that may or may not have ever been there? I certainly don’t recall any sort of town hall meeting or opinion poll regarding that shit. For all we know the moon is made up of nothing more than Elmer’s school glue and paper machete – perhaps a father’s day gift constructed eons ago by Jesus for his old man.

Dear Santa,

Hey man, what’s new? Not a lot here, just watching my poor, naive children write wish lists to an obese false idol that doesn’t exist (you). But whatever –hope is free and it’s keeping them quite for the time being. Anyway, I figured that since we’re in the spirit of selfishness and I’m slightly buzzed on the old lady’s expired pesticide / eggnog concoction, I may as well seize the opportunity to make a couple of demands in regards to snowboarding for myself:

•    Immediate removal of my coward bone.

•    Legalization of beer helmets and swords on resort property

•     A pair of Holden Standard snowpants with two custom made stash pockets - one for my pet frog Wiggly and the other for the tire iron I use to protect him.

•    Backyard foam SuperPipe with matching rails.

•    A lengthy, time consuming application for any snowboarder wishing to name their dog “Marley.”

•    An Airblaster “My Grandpa’s Jacket” to replace the one my Grandpa mistook for own. Also, a Ninja Suit for my imminent showdown with the neighborhood cat-burglar.

•    Steep fines imposed on anyone caught hugging after landing a handrail trick. I think it’s high time we get back to restoring a little manliness up in this pile.

•   Two Rome Mod’s - a 151 for me and a 158 for my friend Sam who threw it all it away to marry some chick, who in the end, ran him over with her car.

•    In fact, how about a round of life altering moments of clarity for all the homeboys considering such an act of quackery?

•    Total annihilation of anyone better that me.

Okay, I’ll just assume we’re good to go then and that all of this will be wrapped up come Christmas morning. I think the fact that my children have not yet been shuttled off to a foster home speaks for my overall behavior this year.

Looking forward,

Jack

I’ve spent the last decade of my life employed under the depressive, fluorescent lighting of the snowboard retail environment.  Four of those years were served as a mortal, expendable employee and the last five as an un-fireable, power drunken co-owner. During this tenure I’ve been forced to interact with consumers from all walks of life, regardless of if they’re ugly or not. Though it’s certainly a far cry from some of my former occupations (wiping butts of the crippled, mopping up pee and coffee, etc.) it’s not always all kid farts and bubblegum. So, for those of you  missing out on “the sweetest job ever!” here’s a rundown on the best of the worst.

Self-Esteem Spender

There’s one thing this jerk’s money can’t buy – friends. In order to fill this Goliath sized void they usually spend most of their time working. The extra coin affords them the allowance of new clothes, shoes and ultimately a conversation with you. Be warned, as they will eventually develop a false sense of kinship with you and fellow staffers. Regardless, play it cool and find comfort in the belief that they will soon be the problem of some poor over-worked, underpaid waitress.

Awe-Inspiring Outta Towners

Oh, how my hate for ye burns. The main objective for this migrating moron is to 1) get directions to that one handrail 2) serve as the authority on all things “wack” 3) enlighten you and your clientele with boasts of a close affinity with local state-level shred celebrities. Usually, so as to prevent myself from jumping over the counter and choking them to death with my bare hands, I instead picture them in a compromised position – like lying naked on their front lawn with a boner while the neighbor’s dog shits in their mouth.

The Online Try-It-On’er

This waste of space displays a total lack of self-awareness. So much so that they have no second thoughts when it comes to confessing that they are simply here to check out the gear first hand to ensure their online purchase isn’t made in haste. In this subject’s delusional realm suggested retail prices do not exist and no sales clerk is exempt from their desperate pleas for a bargain. Long gone are the days of bartering being reserved for rummage sales and animal shelters. Thank you Brooke Geery, inventor of the Internet (not really Al Gore contrary to popular belief).

The Cowardly Crook

This one’s an easy spot mainly because of their sketchy demeanor and erratic travel patterns as they navigate the grounds in search of a convenient nook. Other characteristics include beady eyes, sweaty armpits and an over-abundance of kindness and praise regarding the store’s décor. As you can imagine the only thing sweeter than watching such a dopey display of theatre is busting them. As a retail employee you have an abundance of options at your disposal, including the right to inflict bodily harm during the course of confiscation. Personally, we prefer to get the public involved and make a spectacle of the event. You’d be surprised at how much a simple act like kicking someone in the ass up an entire city block while exposing their intentions to surrounding citizens via megaphone will curb shoplifting in your business district.

The Other Shop Shopper

Typically, this is either an employee of a competing establishment or one of their close friends or companions sent in as a decoy to scout prices and customer service. Quite possibly this could be the only living thing on the planet capable of matching the annoyance level of a phantom mosquito. Usually as they buzz about the store they will do one of two things: 1) ask a shitload of questions while showing no genuine interest or common knowledge on the products or services in question or 2) attempt to draw you into a pissing match by pointing out your shop’s lack of everything cool and their store’s over abundance of all that is awesome. Do your best to remain calm and remind yourself that the customer is always right. Then again this asshole isn’t buying anything anyway, so you may as well spit in their ear and send them home crying.

Injury Dude

This lame Larry usually comes limping in around mid-afternoon after the pity well at home base has run dry. Chances are they’ve been spinning the same yarn on repeat, leading their friends and/or roommates to severe all communication with them for the duration of the healing process. It’s also a high probability that their lover has seized the opportunity and made a break for it into the arms of another. Your best bet for dealing with this lonely, wounded soul is to pretend you don’t even notice the spoiled limb(s). In the event you are forced to observe and recognize, keep your comments vague and minimal relying on words like “shitty” or “that sucks dude”. Eventually, they will leave your midst and commence feeling sorry for themselves elsewhere.

Lonely Shred Mom

There’s actually nothing wrong this one at all – she’s perfect. From the time you first meet, she becomes the highlight of your week – the one that makes dealing with all these other sorry yokels worthwhile. The real problem presents itself when her lousy kid comes of age and receives their driver’s license, thereby revoking any further need for a chaperon. Then, if you’re lucky, you might see her a few times a year for a birthday or Christmas. Unfortunately, by then she’s usually in company of a new, dickhead boyfriend she met as a result of all her newfound free time.

Chad called me on the phone one night out of the blue and drunk.  Never even met the kid and he says, “When you gonna put me on Bluebird?” I’m like “Are you fucking kidding me - right fucking now.”  That was a long ass time ago.  Homeboy has been throwing down like a real man shredder since way before you little shits were suckin’ on your mom’s busted ass tit. Chad is a major commodity in snowboarding.  So, hopefully this industry will continue to give him the respect he deserves.  – Willie McMillon

Jack: Do you make it a point to call all your potential sponsors shit-faced?

Chad: Actually, I don’t drink much anymore. I think it was (Nic) Drago that made the call.  He had a t-shirt on or something and I had always thought Bluebird was a sweet company.  But yeah, I should try and make a point of getting sponsors like that, since Bluebird is my longest standing sponsor so far.

You’ve been at for a good decade now, so could you tell us exactly how you came to progress without the aid of a late-release limited boot colorways or the technology of a reverse camber board?

Simple - spin until ya hit and know how to eat it.  No, I don’t know?  I just snowboard a lot and that’s what I live for.  If you go out and have fun everyday you’re going to get better. You just have to have what is or isn’t a gimmick. In the end it’s you blowing it, not the board.

Vail Pass. photo: Davelehl.com

You dropped out of the Academy a few years back and now the Rossignol deal is done too. Are you that difficult to work with?

Academy was having issues a few years ago, so I had to leave.  I couldn’t ride for them for free.  No hard feelings there though, I think they’re still going at it.  After that I decided to ride for Rossignol since it’s pretty much a sure thing that a big company is going to pay their bills.  But that didn’t work out either - I just quit a couple months ago. When Quiksilver sold them, which they told me wasn’t going to happen when I signed, they decided to make major cuts. I could of stayed on for another year but decided it was best to just leave.  I don’t like riding for someone when I don’t see a future in the company.  It was awesome before then. I actually got paid on time and we were getting a lot of coverage in the mags and videos. It seemed like we were doing a good job and things were looking up.  But whatever, they hooked me up for two years and I thank them for that.  Just gotta move on and find a snowboard company that doesn’t have dirtbags attached to it.

So are you even making a living off of snowboarding at this point?

Every two years my board sponsor either goes under or has financial issues and I have to find a new one.  I have no board sponsor right now – I’m riding a Miller beer board at the moment. It says “Miller Time” across the base, but it’s cool since that’s my girl’s last name (Miller).  Anyway, I guess if I do find a new board sponsor they can expect to go under in few years. I still ride for Bonfire, Copper Mountain, Bolle, Bluebird, I AM, Remind Insoles and I get free gloves and sweet camera backpacks from Dakine. ( check out Chad’s photos here)  It’s enough to keep the dream alive – that’s all I’m really looking to do.

Before all of that weren’t you on Forum for about eight seconds there?

Yeah, I rode for them for about a year after M3 gave us all the boot.  Then they started having financial issues so I bailed from them and went to Academy.  Since Burton ended up buying them (Forum,) they seem good to go.  Their movies are still amazing. Peter Line is the best snowboarder ever, and I think the team is just as good as when they were the “Forum 8.”

Showing the snow who’s boss. photo: Davelehl.com

How much input do you have in the engineering and design of your pro model wax?

I took a picture of myself holding a popsicle for the (Bluebird) ad.  I chose the white wax because I collect old snowboards and I wax them before I hang them and the white kind makes ‘em look all new.  I also use it in the spring and summer cause it’s the warm weather kind.  But Willie designed it – he’s pretty creative when it comes to that stuff.

Have you ever threatened a boss or co-worker?

Kind of…I’ve been bartending in Breck and one night the cook wouldn’t pay for his drinks because he was so drunk. I called him out pretty hard but never threatened him, just kicked him out.

What do you think of the world ending in 2012 - getting nervous or what?

My girlfriend is really scared – it’s gonna be crazy, kind of like when the year 2000 was about to hit.  Personally, I can’t wait. Maybe there will be some new mountains somewhere because of it.

pre-Apocalyptic. Photo: Davelehl.com

What’s the best video part you’ve filmed – personal favorite?

Technical Difficulties or The Revival.  I had the best year that year. I got to travel a lot it opened my eyes to snowboarding, especially being from Minnesota. I think I filmed most of that stuff in April and May.  I’ve probably had better parts then that since, but those were the first I ever liked - I’ve been trying to match them for 10 years.

Are you still in touch with Whitey (McConnaughy)?

I saw him on a plane to New Zealand a couple of years ago and talked to him a bit then.  He seemed pretty out of the snowboard scene, just doing commercials and Jackass stuff.  My friend Kurt and Brad Kremer filmed most of my footage from the Whitey movies and all the skit stuff was filmed with Whitey – those are what made his movies awesome.

Worst slam ever?

I’ve had 10 concussions, but my worst slam has to be last January when I hurt my foot.  The fall itself didn’t hurt but it took me out for a long time.

When you go upside down, sometimes you hit your head. photo: Davelehl.com

Do you have any projects or sinister plans in the works?

Bluebird is going to make another movie this winter - same with Role Model. I learned all of those double-chuck moves last year on small jumps right before I got hurt.  I kind of want to try those on bigger jumps this year.  I have a couple unexplored spots in Colorado I want to go to as well. Besides that, I just bought a new camera, so I want to film and take a lot of photos on the side.  I don’t really want to do anything stock, keep doing new stuff.

What kind of other crud are you into aside from snowboarding?

All kinds of things lately. I’m really into shooting pictures and filming. I’ve been bartending and coaching at the Copper Woodward during the off-season. I’ve got a sweet girlfriend and I skateboard.  I’ve really gotten into golf - you can catch air, hit trees and not get hurt.  I also like driving my El Camino.  Mostly just into active things. I can’t sit around or I go nuts.

One final, foreboding question – being one of the top freestyle riders for the past decade and seeing how far the tricks have progressed since you came up, do you ever feel like your career is winding down - that the end may be near?

Nah, I still feel like I’m gonna shred for a long time to come. Snowboarding is my life and I’m going to keep on doing it whether people (companies?) are supporting me or not.  A lot of people always ask me, “What are you going do when you’re career is done?” and I always tell them “I’m gonna snowboard.”

Back for more… photo: Davelehl.com

Be sure to check out the gallery of photos Chad took himself here.

Cooking is for girls. Cole Barash photo.

Interview by Jack Boyd

One of the nice things about conducting and writing a feature on a female snowboarder is that you know everyone is going to read it. Dudes are a given because they have a penis and those little dinks have minds of their own. Girls are definitely reading it because they hate other girls (yes, even their friends – sorry friends) and want to find reasons to hate another one. So as you can see for me, the writer, it’s a win-win situation.

Despite this already awesome state of affairs, the deal is further sweetened as Laura and I go way back. We climbed a building together once – about a six story.  Sure it may not sound like a big deal but I can assure you a change in perception about two stories up when you’re clenching onto the rung of a rusty-ass ladder hastily bolted to the side of a crumbling edifice. Surely, my trembling legs and cowardly demeanor on the climb up ruined whatever prospect existed for a rooftop romp but it wasn’t a total loss as I did manage to get a couple of cigs and conversation with a view alongside one of the finest female shredders in the business.  This however is not the conversation that ensued – that my friend is between Ms. Hadar and myself. In the meantime here’s one you can borrow until tracking her down and finding your own damn building to climb.

YoBeat: Do you think the Nike 6.0’oers ever get bummed that they don’t get to ride for the good one (Nike Snowboarding)?

Laura: I think for the most part the 6.0 kids are kids, except maybe for Mason, which I have no contact with whatsoever with so I don’t know if he’s bummed or not.

Speaking of, how’s the Nike thing going – they ready to boot anyone off yet?

Ah, funny you should ask. No comment.

I was thinking about it the other day that, if say for instance, Tiger Woods became a drunken, womanizing slob who took to wiling out in public or during tournaments, chances are Nike would drop him in a heartbeat. Yet, on our end of the spectrum where that sort of behavior and lifestyle are glamorized, they’re overly anxious to latch onto and become identified with it. Kind of a crazy, ass-backwards situation isn’t it?

Well yes Jack, it is. But the thing is, the bad kids are always the cool kids in the end. And Nike is just down for the cool kids. Plus, they’re not all bad. Annie is pretty a straight-laced chick, so as far as our team, we’re kinda balanced. Nah, that’s a lie she’s like the odd chick out.

Modeling, only when necessary. Photo: Mikey Leblanc/Holden Outerwear

I think you stand out in most people’s mind because you’ve never played up the cute little snow bunny image. Do you think it’s hindered you at all sponsor-wise?

Hell no. I think if anything it’s helped me. I always explain it to people who have no clue about sponsors or the industry like this: I am the bad girl - they love me because they can market me as the edgy one. They put extra black eyeliner on me and don’t dress me up like a doll. Not being just another cute girl sets me aside from all the other chicks, which makes me different. And different is marketable.

When it comes to your career is there anything you would change - deals that you turned down or went with that make you wince in agony?

Nope, not a thing. I’ve always done what I think is right and believed in my decisions one hundred percent. And it’s not like people have ever been knocking down my door in the first place. I’ve just always gotten by. I’m a snowboarder’s snowboarder. Not an Olympian or X Games medalist. If you are not into the subculture of snowboarding chances are you’ve never heard of me, and I like it that way.

Dropping. Andy Wright photo.

You got yourself a boy-toy or you still perpin’ on the young Mormon shreds?

Six weeks today. I think this is a new world record for me. If any of you want to send me a congratulations card, just hit me up.

How’s the store (Fice) doing? Do you and your partner hate each other’s guts yet?

The store is awesome. I just got promoted and demoted at the same time. I am now in charge of “Events Coordination.” I guess they think I’m good with setting up the parties - go figure. My partner Corey and I are doing great. Sometimes we have to sit down and have talks, but he’s proud of me if I can communicate at all without any booze in the system.

Do you ever get asked if you have a snowboard team?

Not too often. Most people are unaware that I even snowboard. But then again I’m not in the shop all that much. I’d be open to getting some sort of team together to spread the word though. Maybe more of a street team anyway.

Let’s say the shred career and store suddenly disappeared - did you graduate from high school or have any type of other job skills to fall back on?

Well no. I graduated from an alternative high school, but really all I learned there was front fives and boardslides.  I think I would be perfectly happy just getting some crappy job making coffee or serving people food. That’s what all my friends do and they have great lives. Plus my resume is great - Village Inn, Cup Of Joes, Radda Cafe, Video Store something.

Action shot! Photo: Mikey Leblanc/Holden Outerwear

What made you want to start riding and how did you get your start up in this pile (the industry)?

I was skiing behind this snowboarder and he was doing these little turns and I was just thinking, man that is so much cooler than skiing. And so eventually I got more into it and went to the USASA and got to the World’s for boarder-cross! Fuck yeah! It was there I met the Oakley team manger at the time and it just snowballed from there.

What was your family background like growing up – were you dirt poor or well–to-do?

Not dirt poor. We lived in trailer with four kids and my mom worked four jobs until I was sixteen if that says anything.  I got the clean end of the stick (as opposed to “the shit end”) though because I was the youngest. So, by the time all my siblings were gone mom and I were eating salmon and having Nutella on our bagels.

What do your folks think about your snowboard career?

My parents are so hyped. My mom gets on me a lot about staying healthy and strong (thanks mom!) and my dad is like my number one fan. He goes to the store and gets all the magazines and then calls me and lets me know if I have any ads or photos in them. The best story though is the other day my dad was in some board shop and there was a COAL poster up of me and he goes, “Oh that’s my daughter” to the dude working. So the guy goes “Oh yeah what’s she like?” and my dad replied “a mix of Tony Robbins and Mick Jagger.” I’ve never had anyone nail it on the head so perfectly.

Elementary school kids beware. Andy Wright photo

You’re finally on CAPiTA - what took so long?

Fuck, ask Blue! I had a crush on CAPiTA for years but the timing just wasn’t right. Now we’re together and I couldn’t be happier. CAPiTA is the real shit, no jokes.

List the three lamest sponsors you’ve had and why?

Ah, shit. Flux because they had no idea what was going on and were somehow owned by Carmate, USA. I have no idea what that is but I’m going to guess it has nothing to do with snowboarding. Second, there’s only one other one and I really can’t say because if I hurt the dude’s feelings I’d feel horrible. Everything was set to be awesome and I really believed the company had a chance but it was like everything they did seemed retarded to me. Then again, I have no idea what it’s like to run a snowboard company, so whatever. They had really good intentions but their boards were like atomic bombs - and not in the good way. But seriously, all my sponsors have been awesome so thanks guys!

Smokin! Photo: Mikey Leblanc/Holden Outerwear

Tell us about the most embarrassing moment of your entire life.

I was taking this oil painting class with my dad at this local studio in Colorado from this pretentious foreigner guy. I was the youngest person in the class by probably forty years and one day during the break I went to the bathroom and just exploded diarrhea all over the toilet. I went to flush it and it started to get backed up. This guy from the class was waiting for the bathroom and I had to be like “Can you go get my dad?” while watching my little mini-turds flood onto the bathroom floor. They didn’t have a plunger so my dad had to go to the coffee shop next door and borrow theirs. Good thing everyone in the class was old and had probably already had that happen to them at least once in their lives.

Right now there are thousands of men reading this thinking, “If only she met me she would like me.” What traits could be found in your ultimate male companion?

Ultimate huh? Well he would able to build me a house or at least fix up my shit-hole. He could skate better than me but still think it’s hot and badass that I skate too. Has the ability and know-how to work on cars, trucks and motorcycles. Reads books and is somewhat smart with a good taste in music. Doesn’t look like a douche. Wears the same thing at least three times a week. Likes the outdoors and is adventurous, independent has goals and works hard.

Right now there are thousands of women reading this thinking, “this bitch thinks she’s sooo cool”…what traits do you look in your ultimate female BFF?

Some confident in who she is and isn’t weird, petty, jealous or high maintenance. She skates and snowboards better than me and has a good sense of humor. Likes to go outdoors and pee on stuff. Isn’t prissy, can hold her liquor and drags me over to her house for grilled cheese and a movie. She’ll trade clothes and go out of state together. And that doesn’t have lame boyfriend or one that is really nice or hot either.

Good landings (and knees) are overrated. Andy Wright photo.

Photos by Mike Thienes. We don’t know who they are either.

By Jack Boyd

Thursday night marked the release of Bald E Gal’s ninth shred flick, Tiller.  For those of you unfamiliar with the production company, they’re responsible for jumpstarting and documenting the early careers of Midwest shreds gone good such as Joe Sexton, Ezra Jacobson, Dan Brisse, Ricky Tucker, Zac Marben, Jonas Michilot, Jake Olson-Elm and so on.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make the premiere, because well, I’m a responsible adult who can no longer afford the luxury of driving across state with a carload of friends whose only aspirations are to watch a (hopefully) kick-ass video, get drunk and maybe make out with someone of the preferred sex. No, today I had better things to do – like unpacking Rome gloves and refolding items in the sale box. And of course there are parental responsibilities that await me after the workday, being that the state requires children to fed and looked after at least twice a week. And being that I blew the previous five days, I’m blaming my absence at the premiere on my stupid job and stinkin’ kids. Just kidding - I love my job.

So, like any stalker forced to watch from a relatively safe distance, I decided to rely upon someone who could get me closest to what I so badly sought. Enter Mike Thienes, one of the founders of the ‘ol Eagle. Here’s his take (or what he remembers) of the night and some other odds and ends thrown in for proper measure.

Headache morning after? Good turnout?
I went to sleep at around 4am and woke up at eight to go downtown to get my truck before it was towed, visited my grandma and then worked at the shop from 11-8.  My head hurt the whole time, but you gotta man up!

Is this your best video yet or do you feel like they’re getting worse as time goes on?
I think all the videos have always got twice as good as the release before it.  I have never been satisfied with any project we have done yet, but with no budget, I think the collective has really grown into something…  I am just not sure what that is yet.

Did you feel like the applause, if any, was genuine or pity?
Kids in the Midwest are always stoked to see a guy from their local shop or spots they can identify.  We try to keep the riding level at a pro level, but these kids are just up-comers or homies that have made it and are down to help contribute to the projects.

Whose part seemed to be the favorite?
Ryan Paul, Dan Brisse and Cody Beiersdorf’s. Matty Faust’s part was really enjoyable too with Victor’s brother Riff Raff throwing down the music as Matty got thrown off a bridge. All the parts are solid.

If you your parents took you to the adopt-a-shred and you could only pick out one of the following three orphans from the cage - Jake Olson-Elm, Viktor Simco or Jordan Michilot, whom would you save?
Damn, that’s a tough one. All those dudes need a father figure to set them straight.  I would have to say Jake O.E.  He is a fellow beer ponger and St. Cloud State White Capper.

Does Ally still owe you an assload of money like it owes the rest of the world?
Ally owes us money from Smorgasbord and Trees Please.  We paid for everything – the filming, production and copies and they just sold the videos. Yet, we never got paid.  They stole from the whole crew.

If someone had a rifle to your head and you had to choose one part to drop from the video whose would it be?
I can think of a few shots that could be dropped but other than that I would have to say shoot me motherfucker.

Check out the teaser for Tiller here.

A normal dude, sitting on a normal trash can. Photo Mike Theines/Bald E Gal Productions

By Jack Boyd

I’ve only met Dan on one occasion and that’s when he saved my life.

Ok, not really. Except the meeting him once thing, that part is true. It was at a premiere party a few years back for Capita’s “First Kiss” flick. The show had just wrapped and we were standing in a bar making the type of awkward small talk that only a dude built like a brick shithouse (Dan) and a short, skinny twerp (me) could make. Aside from pondering about how easy it would be for him to slaughter me, I was more impressed with how genuinely nice and down to earth the guy was. I guess I figured that if some 17-year-old dude that whippersnappers a measly eight-stair on film could be a pompous prick, then the guy that gap back-lips a gravel truck would be the iron-fisted ruler of the entire dickhead universe. Luckily for me that’s not the case. “He works harder than anyone and doesn’t give a fuck about image,” Mike Theines, longtime friend of Dan and founder of Bald E Gal productions, says of Dan. “I think everything comes easy to him but he also works his ass off to get better. Wait until you see his part in Neverland.”

So it’s settled then - while the shred gypsies are busy setting up their harmonicas and synthesizers for the on-snow jam session chances are Brisse is out there getting paid to do what he does best – act bat shit crazy on his snowboard.

Apparently one of the magazines is sitting on every photo of Dan from this year, so all we got where these lousy screen grabs. Thanks to Bald E Gal. Seriously. thanks.

Jack: You don’t have a moustache, wear women’s snowpants or maintain a shitbag image – what’s your angle? How do you expect to stand out in this industry?

Dan: My angle is being myself and acting like I would regardless of if I have an image to pull in snowboarding. I am not trying to stand out, I am having fun snowboarding and focusing on being a real dude. In my opinion there are too many snowboarders focused more on their image and standing out than their quality of snowboarding. I will probably stand out by fitting in to the “normal” category, because almost everyone wears girl pants and acts like they are homeless.

Jack: Where did you grow up shredding and with whom?

Dan: I grew up shredding at Powder Ridge in Minnesota with Ezra Jacobsen, Brian Olson, Mike Roeder, Mike Theines and Tony Conrad.

Jack: Are you missing the crusty Minnesota hard-pack yet? It must get boring trudging through that Utah powder.

Dan: Ha. I love Minnesota snowboarding. I like to have some Minnesota and Utah in my winter – Minnesota is the place that speaks street while Utah has the pow.

Jack: How often do you make it back home?

Dan: It’s been a couple of times a year for the past few years. Usually it’s once in the winter to shred and then again in the summer to hang out on my parents’ lake.

Jack: Were your parents bummed on you leaving to pursue snowboarding instead of attending college, getting a lousy job and settling into a mediocre existence?

Dan: No, they were very encouraging actually. They told me to do something I really enjoy in life and I am really grateful for that!

Jack: The rooftop gap (above) is getting some heavy rotation on the web – are you afraid of becoming known as a one-gap-man?

Dan: Nah. If people actually want to get to know my boarding they will see Absinthe’s film, “Neverland” - it shows the full picture of what snowboarding is to me.

Jack: What was your first thought after riding away from that beast?

Dan: “That shit was really fun.”

Jack: Do your sponsors ever make you do horrible things like telling you to stop smiling and look more hardcore during a photo shoot or pretend like your blown away finding the secret stash pocket on your jacket sleeve?

Dan: No, there is none of that.

MN’s finest terrain. Photo: Mike Thienes/ Bald E Gal productions

Jack: How’s it been shooting with the Absinthe dudes as opposed to the hometown Bald E Gal crew?

Dan: Shooting with Bald E Gal was awesome! Those guys are my good friends and I am very appreciative for all they helped me do along the way. Shooting with Absinthe has been unreal because we go to some amazing spots around the world with awesome dudes. One of the filmers, Shane Charlebois, is straight comedy and makes you laugh all day. Then Hostynek was real open with the editing side of things and let me have some say in how my part ended up; real stoked.

Jack: How has the Absinthe premiere tour been going?

Dan: It has been insane, just so many stoked kids at every premiere, which is rad! Volcom has this massive RV that is driving from stop to stop so it really feels like a tour.

Jack: Are you satisfied with your part or do you lie awake at night bummed and thinking that you could have done more?

Dan: Yeah, I am pretty happy with how it turned out. I would have liked to get a few more real solid jump shots and some rail tricks but overall I am stoked.

Jack: Do you like Shaun White? Honestly now.

Dan: Sure. The dude rips and does his thing really well and I think that is what counts. That is about as much as I can say cause I don’t personally know him well enough to talk about him. Saying “Hi” at contest here and there is not really knowing someone.

Big man. Big tricks. Photo: Mike Thienes/Bald E Gal Productions

Jack: Do you ever worry that CAPiTA is going to give you the boot for not being artsy enough?

Dan: Ha, I try not to worry about lame things like that. I think solid people like the ones behind the scenes at CAPiTA can see past having to act an exact certain way to fit the brand. I know snowboarding is a lot like high school with being “cool,” but I think a brand needs variety on the team. If we were all the same we would only speak to one type of shredder. I hope our CAPiTA team speaks to all shredders out there and gets them stoked.

Jack: Who else is picking up the tab for you these days?

Dan: Volcom, VZ, Union, Deeluxe, Celtek, DVS, Nixon, Skullcandy, Park City, Milo Sport and The Youth Shelter Supply.

Jack: Had you ever heard of Yobeat before this interview?

Dan: No.

A Yobeat fan for life now!

Jack: Any thank you’s or death threats you care to throw out there?

Dan: Thanks to my parents, brother and wife for all they have done and do! Thanks to all my sponsors and Absinthe Films.