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Ultimate Boarder competitor: David Burright |
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Written by Paul Raymore
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Wednesday, 09 April 2008 |
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One week, three boards, one champion — the first ever Ultimate Boarder™ competition kicks off on the snow April 13 at Squaw Valley USA with local riders, including David Burright of Truckee, in the hunt.
David Burright
• Age: 35
• Hometown: Born in Sacramento and went to high school and college in San Jose
• Current residence: Prosser area of Truckee (has lived in Tahoe area since college)
• Home mountain: The backcountry around Tahoe
• Favorite skatepark: San Jose park
 • Favorite surf break: 4-mile (outside of Santa Cruz)
• Strongest discipline: “I’ve always tried to keep them pretty well balanced throughout my life. But I have been skateboarding a lot more in the last year than I have been doing any of the others. I competed almost as a pro-am in snowboarding for many years and hit some money up and got some top threes... I was on the podium with Ross Powers [in halfpipe], right before he went to the Olympics. So as far as competitiveness, I’d say I’m more prone to being a snowboarder. Skateboarding and surfing have always just been hobbies.”
• Why did you sign up to be a part of this? They had trials here last year that he took part in: Snowboard comp at Squaw and skate comp at Truckee. “This was all supposed to be a reality show at first. It was supposed to be like the ‘Ultimate Fighter’ show where we were supposed to be training with professionals. I didn’t really get involved with this thinking that I’m a professional and I’m the best in the world, you know. I got involved with it thinking this was an opportunity to get in there and train with professionals like Omar Hassan and some of these guys that I’m going to be competing against now. But whatever. I just want to have a great time, meet the people who are involved in the contest, and take advantage of the opportunity fully.”
 • How long have you been skating, surfing and snowboarding? Surfing and skating since about age 13, and snowboarding since age 18 or so.
• Favorite trick skating, surfing and snowboarding? “If there was one trick that would cross over to all three disciplines I’d have to say alley oops. I can’t think of too many maneuvers that would cross over to all of them other than frontside airs or backside airs.”
• What sport is the most difficult for you? “Surfing, because you have to be a waterman and be in shape. I’m not in the water a lot — I probably do about eight or 10 days a year when the waves are good. So as far as my health goes I’d have to say surfing because you really do have to be in the best shape.” David did surf Tahoe last week during a big wind storm though.
• What makes you a good all-around rider? “I guess just experience; time on the board. You just start doing things naturally that might be difficult for other people, but it just becomes second nature.”
 • In what sport have you hurt yourself the worst? Has had his knee reconstructed from snowboarding and skating. He hasn’t ever injured himself surfing.
• Ever competed in anything like this? No. Snowboarding comps, but nothing combining multiple sports.
• What do you think your chances are for winning the whole thing? “I’m shooting for top 10 in all three. And if I can do better than that, I’ll be super stoked. But if I can get somewhere close to achieving that, I’ll be good with it.”
• If it’s not you, any other bets on who might be the best all-around riders? “I’d have to say Todd Richards, who is pretty well rounded. Shayne Pospisil and Andy Finch... I’ve skateboarded with Finch and know he’s a good skateboarder, and obviously a phenomenal snowboarder. I’ve never surfed with the guy, but with those kind of cojones I don’t see him being afraid of water. And Aaron Astorga is an insane surfer/skateboarder combo; and I know he used to snowboard up here with Rocket Reeves back in the day, so I’m sure he’s a good snowboarder too.”
Photos courtesy of David Burright
Check out other local riders in the Ultimate Boarder competition:
• Andy Finch (Truckee, Calif.)
• Ryan Wichert (Incline Village, Nev.)
• Dave Brumm (Alpine Meadows, Calif.)
• Rick Gravesen (Alpine Meadows, Calif.)
• True Love (Kings Beach, Calif.)
• Or, go back to the main story about the competition
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 April 2008 )
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