What kind of rider would you classify yourself as?

I pretty much ride everything, just depends on the day.

Competitions?

I used to compete in pretty much every comp there was in New Zealand but kind of gave that up about 5 years ago. Before that I had a lot of fun and got a lot of good results competing in big air, halfpipe and slopestyle comps. These days I pretty much just focus on the video and photography side of things

Where do you want to go riding in Hokkaido?

There are tons of places, I want to explore different terrain, not necessarily on ski resorts but stuff off the road and some urban jibbin stuff, can't wait!

Could you explain how you get ready for the season?

In the past I would do very little but now that I'm a little older I try and start a gym programme at least 6 weeks before riding starts. That entails cycling, spin bike training, cycling, hiking and weight work at the gym.

Are there different training requirements?

It really depends on what level your doing it at, if you're racing boarder cross in the Olympics for example there are certainly specific training regimes that will help you. I personally just try and have a decent level fitness and strength before I start doing anything to silly.

During the season do you also train?

Only if I need to because I'm not riding enough to maintain the level of fitness necessary.

What are the reasons for pre season training?

Injury prevention, and if you are fit enough at the start you can get straight into it and not have to deal with those first few days when after your first day riding in 4 months you can hardly walk let alone ride! You get more out of your riding if you are fit no matter what level you are at, instead of doing 4 runs and having to go chill in the cafe for a couple you can ride right through the day.

Do you use yoga or stretching?

I stretch a little, not much. I think there are two schools of thought on this one some people swear by stretching other people don't at all.

Is it possible to prevent any of these injuries?

Fitness, strength and wrist guards when you're learning. To keep your knees in good shape you need strength in your hamstrings, calves and quadriceps. Core strength also plays a big role in reducing all injuries. I think that muscles do about half the job in keeping your knees moving or not moving in the correct way and ligaments do the other half so to take strain off your ligaments get your muscles strong!

What are the major injuries that snowboarders get?

The most common injury snowboarding is a broken wrist and it usually happens in your first (ever) week of riding. This isn't so major the two major injuries are shoulder and knee related. Dislocated shoulders and stretched or snapped ligaments around the AC joint. With knees there are all sorts of things that go wrong, torn or ruptured MCL ligaments, PCL ligaments and the dreaded ACL ligament, tearing or squashing cartilage is also common.

What kind of injuries have you suffered?

Torn AC ligaments in my shoulder, a broken wrist, multiple whiplash injuries resulting in bone chips in my neck, snapped ACL ligament, ankle sprains, dislocated elbow, stitches, ankle sprains.

What other benefits are there of snowboarding?

This sounds pretty hippyish but I think you can elevate your mind particularly during riding mentally and possibly even spiritually. I reckon good snowboarding can be about one of the most satisfying things one can do. Satisfaction has got to good for the mind right. Those things and the fact that your outside and up a mountain rather than in an office or something. Comradery too I guess, always good hangin with ya bro's.

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