Category: Snowboard

Shaun Palmer in Outside Magazine – Feb 2009

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Shaun “Minishred” Palmer, 1985 World Championships, Soda Springs, Lake Tahoe

Shaun Palmer was recently interviewed in Outside Magazine on his goals for the Winter Olympics in 2010. Shaun has it in him to do really well at his last attempt and this story has great insight at where he is now. At 40 years old he competes with “other kids” half his age and it seems like so long ago that he was minishred in the photo above (24 years). Snowboarders, skiers, and mountain bikers everywhere owe Shaun a huge deal of gratitude for what he has brought to those sports in both equipment development and compensation for its athletes. So I’d say they should all be rooting for him in 2010.

Chuck Barfoot – Lake Tahoe

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Jamie Johnston, Chuck Barfoot, and Brian Judge at Carson Pass, Lake Tahoe, 1984

My first day of snowboarding was quite a challenge not even considering the camera equipment in a fanny pack on my ass. Chuck, Jamie, Brian and I hiked the flats at Carson Pass to reach a small ridgeline where the snow was fresh. Many failed
attempts that day at turning which made me want to try even harder on another.

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Jamie Johnston, Carson Pass, Lake Tahoe, 1984

Jamie had some good turns going. See the non-highback bindings and rubber surf leash … He inspired me to try again!

Snowboard Pioneers – Roadtrip 1985

Snowboard Pioneers 1985

Snowboard pioneers from a 1985 roadtrip from Lake Tahoe to Park City to Jackson Hole.

(l-r) Chris Karol, Evan Feen (with Grell prototype high-backs), Terry Kidwell (father of freestyle), Matt “Boy Aggro” Vining, Jeff Grell (high-back inventor), Jim Sechrist, Steve “007” Link and seated is Bob Klein (Octagon sports agent).

World’s Greatest Athlete – Shaun Palmer

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Shaun Palmer, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, 1989 Photo

Shaun Palmer was one of the first athletes I photographed and learned to respect. His drive, passion, and desire to win is matched by no one. Since this photo was taken at Lake Tahoe, Shaun has won nine gold medals at Winter X and championships in snowboarding, skiing, motocross, mountain biking and has even successfully competed in car racing and skateboarding. He was named the World’s Greatest Athlete by USA Today in 1998 and won the ESPN ESPY in action sports in 2001. In 1995, Shaun founded Palmer Snowboards (and Skis), who remain an innovative leader in snowsports to this day. Just turning 40 years old last November, Shaun still actively competes in several sports against other youth half his age.

Snowboarder Magazine Story (2008)

Terry Kidwell, Father of Freestyle

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Terry Kidwell, 1986, Donner Quarterpipe, Lake Tahoe

Terry Kidwell is the father of freestyle. He’s not old enough to be called the grandfather of freestyle, although some of today’s riders never knew his credentials! ‘Donner Ski Ranch’ was one of the first Tahoe resorts to allow snowboarding and remains very popular especially the east face which hides some cool stashes like the original ‘Donner Quarterpipe’ where Kidwell, Joel Gomez, Scott Clum, Damien Sanders, Keith Kimmel perfected freestyle before the big resorts joined in.