Many people ask me from time to time why I
choose snowboarding as the sport that I wanted to do. Why I
choose to work so hard at it, and why I managed to achieve a
degree of success in doing so. The answer is simple, and it is
the reason why many people do well at different sports. The
answer is desire and love for the sport and that is what I had
in abundance for snowboarding, before my accident.
When it came to choosing a sport, I thought long and hard when I
came to a cross-road in my life. What should I do? Should I do
snowboarding or skateboarding? This was really hard for me as I
loved both sports, but I was having to train for both of them,
and therefore wasn’t dedicating enough time to either. That is
why when it came down to it, I decided that skateboarding was
only going to be a hobby and that snowboarding was what I wanted
to do with my life. The reasons that I preferred snowboarding
were not clear cut, and to say I had anything less than love for
skateboarding is also not true. But I think I loved the way that
snowboarding was a whole different world. Do you know what I
mean? When you choose to go skateboarding you can just jump out
of bed, and skateboard down to the shop, Ollie over a step and
grind down a pole. Is that fun? Yes, of course it is. But when
it comes to snowboarding you are entering a completely alien
environment. Let me explain. When you live in Atlanta you hardly
get snow every day of the week, nor do you get hills and slaloms
caked in it! That is why, whether I am boarding on snow or
synthetic snow the feeling is the same. It is like, boy I am on
snow!
When I choose snowboarding there was also another reason that
really helped to make my mind up for me, and that was my
friends! My friends who done skateboarding were not as close
friends as my friends that done snowboarding and as you can
imagine this had an impact. The thought of getting to spend more
time with Collin, Justin and the lads was just to much to miss
out on! We had such a good laugh, and had so much in common. We
would always feel the same about snowboarding, and we were able
to really help each other out on issues. When we noticed a flaw
in each others technique we would always point it out to each
other so that we could all improve together. This worked great,
and was one of the reasons that I chose snowboarding over
skateboarding when it came down to it!
Now I suppose I should tell you the sad part - the reason why I
am no longer able to pursue a career in either, snowboarding or
skateboarding. The reason for this is a terrible accident that
ruptured my leg muscle, and has resulted in a six month time-out
at such a crucial time. You see others will improve in fitness
whilst I deteriorate and that is why my sponsor has now dropped
me as well. What I am hoping to do is try my best to get back
into the sport, because my love for it and my ability at it
should be enough to make me come through. Collin and Justin are
doing really well, but it is hard for me to spend as much time
with them when they are always down the slope or working out.
One of my friends called Blair, has also recently won the Junior
USA championship, and although I am happy for him it makes me
sad to think that I could have been their competing for that
trophy. All I can do is try my best, and hopefully luck will
fall on my side.
