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*rider info and bios below are compiled from various sources and are not directly from the riders themselves.
category arrangements and names listed are a work in progress with no difinitive reasons for the category or order they appear in. thus, this page doesn't represent the finished product at this point in time - but we're working on it.
additions & adjustments will be made accordingly as input is received. PLEASE SHARE SIGNIFICANT RIDER NAMES, DETAILS, corrections, etc. in short, we attempt to keep things as accurate as possible, but in the end it's all unofficial and for fun. we'll continue to gather and present as much accurate information as possible.
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chigan snowboard museum
legends & pros autograph board
-Bob novack-
-steve link-
-morgan lafante-
-kyle mack-
-jeff frazier-
-david seelbinder-
-todd van belkum-
-craig gietzen-
-scott ray-
-jake vedder -
- danny davis -
- GREG FLOWERS -
(ISO: karly shorr, nick baumgartner, zoe kalapas, kevin workman, eric beauchemien,
terry peirson, chris englesman, chris forrest, hunter north, jackie lammert, david phelps, mike naturkas, others...
legends & pros autograph board
-Bob novack-
-steve link-
-morgan lafante-
-kyle mack-
-jeff frazier-
-david seelbinder-
-todd van belkum-
-craig gietzen-
-scott ray-
-jake vedder -
- danny davis -
- GREG FLOWERS -
(ISO: karly shorr, nick baumgartner, zoe kalapas, kevin workman, eric beauchemien,
terry peirson, chris englesman, chris forrest, hunter north, jackie lammert, david phelps, mike naturkas, others...
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MICHIGAN LEGENDS
Danny Davis (Highland/Milford, MI)
from Highland, mi & Milford High School, danny davis is the most influential snowboarder to come out of Michigan. His Super Pipe are legendary and he reigns as a great ambassador of the sport. His energy, smile, and paying it back with a pose & sign for any kid that asks, rival his on-snow accomplishments. Beginning in the USASA Michigan series Danny progressed through the Grand Pre Series, DEW Tour, Vans Cup, Gravity Games, Burton Euro Open, Burton US OPEN, X-Games, and missed the sochi olympics due to injury. Along the way he’s been named rookie of the year, followed by a top 10 world rider of the year - all this despite his share of injuries attest to his ironman longevity. Although partnered with Burton, Mountain Dew and others, Danny’s annual Peace Park, Friends Crew work, and regular skins into the backcountry, is helping move snowboarding back to its collegial grass root beginnings and away from comps. He’s also a musician & organizer of the ongoing “friendly GATHERing” music Festival in vt, not to mention driving the THE most rugged truck on the planet. Danny got his start at Alpine Valley and in the USASA Huck Finn Snow Series (now Great Lakes Snow Series).
from Highland, mi & Milford High School, danny davis is the most influential snowboarder to come out of Michigan. His Super Pipe are legendary and he reigns as a great ambassador of the sport. His energy, smile, and paying it back with a pose & sign for any kid that asks, rival his on-snow accomplishments. Beginning in the USASA Michigan series Danny progressed through the Grand Pre Series, DEW Tour, Vans Cup, Gravity Games, Burton Euro Open, Burton US OPEN, X-Games, and missed the sochi olympics due to injury. Along the way he’s been named rookie of the year, followed by a top 10 world rider of the year - all this despite his share of injuries attest to his ironman longevity. Although partnered with Burton, Mountain Dew and others, Danny’s annual Peace Park, Friends Crew work, and regular skins into the backcountry, is helping move snowboarding back to its collegial grass root beginnings and away from comps. He’s also a musician & organizer of the ongoing “friendly GATHERing” music Festival in vt, not to mention driving the THE most rugged truck on the planet. Danny got his start at Alpine Valley and in the USASA Huck Finn Snow Series (now Great Lakes Snow Series).
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Steve Link (Midland, MI)
Hailing from Midland, MI, Steve was an iconic snowboarder at a time when many ski areas didn't allow snowboarding. Steve began participating in Snurfing competitions in Michigan during the 1970’s. Steve’s snowboard accomplishments include third at the 1983 US Nationals, and second at the 1984 World Cup. Beyond these accomplishments, Steve may be best known forever as a snowboard stunt double (along with Tom Sims) in the James Bond Movie “A View to a Kill” filmed in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Steve’s signature aerial moment in the Filming of the Movie was a low angle shot, shooting off the edge of a towering snow cornice. Sometime after filming Steve received a letter that read “Many thanks for the splendid work you did, it looks absolutely great on film – I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so brave”... signed, Roger Moore (the original 007 himself). Six weeks filming on the glacier with Tom led to Steve joining the Sim’s team on the hill, and off the hill in sales and promotions. He then founded his own company Summit Snowboards in 1982. Summit began in Steve’s garage with a $1,500 press and router. he went on to invent vertical core block snowboard technology. In 1991 Steve rented press time, space and knowledge to get the originators of Never Summer snowboards of the ground. steve, jeff grell and michael troppman have played with board making in their colorado hide out ever since.
Hailing from Midland, MI, Steve was an iconic snowboarder at a time when many ski areas didn't allow snowboarding. Steve began participating in Snurfing competitions in Michigan during the 1970’s. Steve’s snowboard accomplishments include third at the 1983 US Nationals, and second at the 1984 World Cup. Beyond these accomplishments, Steve may be best known forever as a snowboard stunt double (along with Tom Sims) in the James Bond Movie “A View to a Kill” filmed in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Steve’s signature aerial moment in the Filming of the Movie was a low angle shot, shooting off the edge of a towering snow cornice. Sometime after filming Steve received a letter that read “Many thanks for the splendid work you did, it looks absolutely great on film – I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so brave”... signed, Roger Moore (the original 007 himself). Six weeks filming on the glacier with Tom led to Steve joining the Sim’s team on the hill, and off the hill in sales and promotions. He then founded his own company Summit Snowboards in 1982. Summit began in Steve’s garage with a $1,500 press and router. he went on to invent vertical core block snowboard technology. In 1991 Steve rented press time, space and knowledge to get the originators of Never Summer snowboards of the ground. steve, jeff grell and michael troppman have played with board making in their colorado hide out ever since.
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Kyle Mack (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
Born in Royal Oak, MI. From Bloomfield Hills, MI. Kyle’s home hill since age 5 is Alpine Valley in White Lake, MI. Sponsored by Burton at age 7, and invited to join the US Snowboard team in 2011, Kyle has been atop many pro event podiums in the US and Europe. His top accomplishment to date is a Silver medal in the first Olympic BIG AIR competition at PyeongChang, South Korea in 2018. He also won Gold in Slopestyle at the Burton US OPEN in Vail, CO 2016. It's no surprise then that Kyle's specialties are Slopestyle and Big Air. Kyle got his start in the USASA Great Lakes Snow Series. the photo here was taken at a milford, MI skatepark fundraiser. kyle graciously makes time for charity and is a great ambasador for the sport.
Born in Royal Oak, MI. From Bloomfield Hills, MI. Kyle’s home hill since age 5 is Alpine Valley in White Lake, MI. Sponsored by Burton at age 7, and invited to join the US Snowboard team in 2011, Kyle has been atop many pro event podiums in the US and Europe. His top accomplishment to date is a Silver medal in the first Olympic BIG AIR competition at PyeongChang, South Korea in 2018. He also won Gold in Slopestyle at the Burton US OPEN in Vail, CO 2016. It's no surprise then that Kyle's specialties are Slopestyle and Big Air. Kyle got his start in the USASA Great Lakes Snow Series. the photo here was taken at a milford, MI skatepark fundraiser. kyle graciously makes time for charity and is a great ambasador for the sport.
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karly Shorr (Milford, MI)
Born in Commerce Township, MI and a graduate of Milford, MI High School, Karly has earned podium finishes at the Burton US Open and the US Grand Pre circuit. Karly’s most recognizable experience is competing in the 2016 Olympics in Sochi, Russia for team USA placing a very respectable sixth in Slopestyle. Carly got her start in the USASA Middle Earth Snow Series (now Great lakes Snow Series).
Born in Commerce Township, MI and a graduate of Milford, MI High School, Karly has earned podium finishes at the Burton US Open and the US Grand Pre circuit. Karly’s most recognizable experience is competing in the 2016 Olympics in Sochi, Russia for team USA placing a very respectable sixth in Slopestyle. Carly got her start in the USASA Middle Earth Snow Series (now Great lakes Snow Series).
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Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI)
From the frozen tundra of Michigan’s far north ”UP”, to the US Pro SBX Team, came Nick Baumgartner out of Iron River, MI. As one of the best all-around athletes Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has ever produced. nick was also an all-state hurdler, all-state football player, and the 2000 state champion wrestler in the 189 pound class. In addition Nick competed in the Summer X-Games in Stadium Super Truck Racing. He added Olympian to his impressive resume in 2010, 2014 & 2018. a podium on the sbx fis world cup stage, X-Games gold, and that third Olympic appearance in 2018 where he placed 4th, highlighted a decade+ of strong racing. Baumgartner’s goals are typical Yooper… “the first one down the hill, the first one around the track, and the coolest dad on the planet”. His favorite quote to kids is “follow your dreams, dream big, make your own opportunities in life, play hard, and become”. Nick is bad ass!
From the frozen tundra of Michigan’s far north ”UP”, to the US Pro SBX Team, came Nick Baumgartner out of Iron River, MI. As one of the best all-around athletes Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has ever produced. nick was also an all-state hurdler, all-state football player, and the 2000 state champion wrestler in the 189 pound class. In addition Nick competed in the Summer X-Games in Stadium Super Truck Racing. He added Olympian to his impressive resume in 2010, 2014 & 2018. a podium on the sbx fis world cup stage, X-Games gold, and that third Olympic appearance in 2018 where he placed 4th, highlighted a decade+ of strong racing. Baumgartner’s goals are typical Yooper… “the first one down the hill, the first one around the track, and the coolest dad on the planet”. His favorite quote to kids is “follow your dreams, dream big, make your own opportunities in life, play hard, and become”. Nick is bad ass!
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Eric Beauchemien (Grand Blanc, MI)
Reigning from Grand Blanc, MI and Mt Holly, Eric began snowboarding later than most. As loosely translated from his US Snowboarding Bio… I visited my grandparents in Pennsylvania for Christmas at age 12 and my cousin Michael asked me if I wanted to try snowboarding with him. We went to the local mountain and I’ve been hooked on it ever since. When we returned back to Michigan I started riding on weekends, and then bought a season pass several years later and rode every day after school. Eric is a member of the US Snowboarding Pro Team specializing in Slopestyle. His best finish thus far in his career is a 2ed in Slopestyle at the 2016 Burton US Open.
Reigning from Grand Blanc, MI and Mt Holly, Eric began snowboarding later than most. As loosely translated from his US Snowboarding Bio… I visited my grandparents in Pennsylvania for Christmas at age 12 and my cousin Michael asked me if I wanted to try snowboarding with him. We went to the local mountain and I’ve been hooked on it ever since. When we returned back to Michigan I started riding on weekends, and then bought a season pass several years later and rode every day after school. Eric is a member of the US Snowboarding Pro Team specializing in Slopestyle. His best finish thus far in his career is a 2ed in Slopestyle at the 2016 Burton US Open.
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Todd Van Belkum (Grand Rapids, MI)
during the 80's, prior to modern parks and twin boards there was racing. todd turned pro in 1984, competed in the us open, throughout north america, and even the all-japan national championships. TODD eventually EARNED A #3 RANKING oN THE WORLD CUP SNOWBOARDING CIRCUT IN 1988. during this time he caught the eye of jake burton who offered a sponsorship. impressed with his off hill skills as well, jake offered him a job at the head office in burlington, vt. todd went on to becoem a National Dealer Sales Manager at Burton. todd remains a west side michigander to this day. |
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morgan lafonte (boyne falls, MI)
Originally from northern Michigan, and now back in northern Michigan, Morgan Lafante grew up flipping off the top of the cheboygan, mi lighthouse, back flipping the mackinac island ferry dock, and sail surfing freighter wake in the straights of mackinac. her hiatus out west began with a duffle bag, $400 and a bus ticket to colorado. it led her to become the national and world extreme female snowbaording world champion where she became the top female rider on the planet during the 90’s. the first female ever to nail a double back flip. she pioneered big mountain riding in alaska... alongside the best men in the sport. morgan has jumped out of choppers, tumbled down pitches most would pass on, been swept down avalanche chutes, fallen off broken cornices, and wrapped herself around trees. in comps she went all out - taking either first or last. She was sponsored by K2, Roxy, oakley, quicksilver, arbor, dakine, arcteryx and hele-hanson. she appeared in adds and commercials for mountain dew and minuite maid. Her snowboard film resume is too lengthy to list. feature articles on morgan appeared in harper's and vogue. and nbc dateline featured her in a segment on adrenaline junkies. There's a legendary video on Utube involving a cowboy hat which likely had many boys of that era in awe. As an X-Games competitor, Morgan along with 7 other legends of the sport, were featured in ESPN’s EA Sports 1998 digital game “XGAMES PRO BOARDER”. in short, morgan accomplished all that snowboarding to offer. |
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terry peirson (?) skullcandy... |
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jeff frazier (?)
pro rider for joyride... |
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Chris Englesman (Spring lake, MI / Caddillac, MI)
1990's, Sponsored by K2, Appeared in many Snowboard Magazines, and films such as Technical Difficulties. Started Evolution Snowboards. One of the greats of his era. |
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Chris Forrest (??, MI)
Sponsored by Burton, US Open Slalom Champion 198? |
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scott ray
pro rider for joyride. one of the pioneers of "chopping" board ends down to reduce swing weight, enhance spins and freestyle. owner of blueroom surfboards. skate deck craftsman. |
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Hunter North -
pro rider for Kemper |
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Jake Vedder (pinkney, MI) From Pinkney, MI and Mt. Brighton, Jake has been racing snowboards since age 8. He is currently on the US Snowboarding SBX Development Team. with strong finishes on the rev tour, fis junior world championships, canadian junior championships, 2016 was a breakout year for young Jake winning multiple Nor-Am podiums, and Gold at the Youth Olympic Games. Jakes dad Rob built the first ever indoor electronic SBX starting gate with down ramp, rollers and an m-snow run out, measuring pull strength and initial quickness, they conduct training sessions on and off the hill for aspiring local SBX kids. |
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Zoe kalapas (beverly hills, mi)
raised in michigan and focused on half pipe zoe is an accomplished professional rider. 2016 world snowboard tour - 8th 2017 burton us open - 8th 2017 world snowboard championships |
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Craig Gietzen (Rockford, MI) - 1980's Burton Sponsored Pro. original "burton usa team" jacket.
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Bob Novak (Muskegon) - 1981 National slalom Snow Surfing Champion. early Burton Team Rider
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Kevin Workman (Muskegon, MI) - 1981 National Snow Surfing Champion
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greg flowers (fenton, mi) - sponsored by JOYRIDE AND airwalk. president of michigan high school snowboard association. director great lakes snow series division of usasa.
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jackie lammert - GNU SPONSORED. TRANS WORLD SNOWBOARDING 2016/17 WOMEN OF THE YEAR. boyne mt. park team.
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david phelps -
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Mike naturkas - harbor springs, mi
big mountain pow chaser late 90's - early 00's. mike has ridden some wicked lines alongside some big name pros who trusted his skills as a ride partner in sketchy couloirs. |
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Todd De Koker - born in royal oak. pro rider... more info soon
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MICHIGAN MAJOR SPONSORED
(or otherwise)
(or otherwise)
DRAKE WARNER - ROHM SPONSORED; ADDIAS SPONSORED; PEOPLE SPORTS TEAM; 3RD 2015 HALF PIPE USASA NATIONALS; 3RD 2018 BURTON QUALIFIER CHAMPIONSHIP. 1st place burton qualifier championship 2019.
brian snabes - joyride team member, kyle mack's snowbaord coach, alpine valley director of marketing & freestyle terrain, created michigan's first wakebord school wakeboardclinic.com. brian's been involved with boards his entire life.
Tucker Vest - Sponsored by ROME Snowboards, skaters advocate, REV Tour
Derek Lemke - Sponsored by ( ). rev tour competitor
Dominic Palarchio - Burton Knowbody. People Sports sb Team.
Savannah Shinski - Rev Tour Competitor
Drake Michigian - Rev Tour Competitor
Brent Behm - 1st at 2018 burton qualifier championship. rev tour, people sports sb team
jack harris - people sports sb team, worked at “craigs” burton proTotype lab in vt, digger high cascade, initiator hawk island sb park lansing, MI and master of inner city film hits and edits in detroit.
Paul Dorby - people sports sb team
alec ash - people sports sb team
brandon ash - people sports sb team
dusty miller - boyne mtpark
luke patrick - boyne mt park
david seelbinder - one of the first snowboard pioneers in michigan. burton advance equipment tester. still riding today. period.
tim bean - early and still active snowbaord ambasodor
Ali hoxie - TC ?
john mcdougall - ?
mike greenway - ?
logan hill - sbx world cup competitor(?)
mckinsey edwards - howell, mi, pinkney sbx team - sbx world cup competitor
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MICHIGAN SPONSORED SHREDDERS
(or otherwise)
(or otherwise)
grace warner - burton soft sponsored
Tate Gardner - Grand Haven
Chris Hoffman -
sara mayhew - Sponsored by Airwalk. 1st in freestyle (slopestyle) and Half Pipe 16-17 age group at 1996 USASA Nationals. long time snowboard instructor at nubs nob.
Liam Severson - 10th in the Nation 15 & Under at 2016 USASA Rail Jam Nationals.
Owen Drawbaugh - sponsor Nichols Snowboard; 10th in the Nation 2017 usasa rail jam nationals 16 & Over.
Doug Wyndyker - Sponsored LaMar rider, "dw" summered in a microbus At mt hood glacier laTe 80’s.
matt dunn - pine knob park manager
???
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other mentions
BRETT "COWBOY" KOBERNIK - HAILING FROM MICHIGAN, BRET DEPARTED FOR THE ROCKIES FOR POWDER. BRETT BECAME THE INVENTOR OF THE (AT LEAST IN NORTH AMERICA) IN 1992 AFTER AN INJURY SIDELINED HIM FROM WORK FOR A WEEK. HE THEN FOUNDED COWBOY SPLITBOARDS WITH VOILE SKI COMPANY AS THE MANUFACTURER. BRETS MOST IMPORTANT WORK IS IN THE FIELD, EVALUATING BACKCOUNTRY SNOW CONDITIONS FOR THE UTAH AVALANCHE CENTER.
DAVID ZEMENS - DURING A 24 HOUR PERIOD BEGINNING 9:00 PM JANUARY 11, 2019, MICHIGAN RESIDENTS DAVID ZEMENS AND SABATO CAPUTO BROKE THE NORTH AMERICAN RECORD OF SNOWBOARDING THE MOST RESORTS IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. THE 430 MILE JOURNEY within michigan began at boyne highlands, included nubs nob, boyne mt, treetops, otsego club, schuss mt, shanty creek, mt holiday, hickory hills, crystal mt, caberfae peaks, snowsnake, mt. holly, alpine valley, pine knob, ending at mt. brighton with 30 minuites to spare. in all they hit 16 resorts besting the prior record of 12 set in vermont, but shy of the world record 17 set in hokido japan. david is owner and editor of www.angarchy.com established in 2009, publishing reviews & NEWS ABOUT ANYTHING RELATED TO STANDING SIDEWAYS ON SNOW.
JASON WAGNER - HALFPIPE RIDER EXTRAORDINAIRE FROM NORTHERN MICHIGAN IN THE 90'S. JASON's real claim to fame is his excellence and cONTRIBUTion TO THE SPORT AS ONE OF THE BEST halfPIPE CUTTERS IN THE world. HIS CURRENT EMPLOYER IS SCHneestern, a german builder of engineered action sport park systems for snow, skate, bike, and wake. . Their level of expertise in snowparks is olympic caliber.
chris smith - pinkney sbx hs coach. developed and tested first youth sbx race board specific for donek. snowbaord co.
