Feb 11, 2009
Author: Katie Bailey, intro by Dwayne Wiebe
"A few years ago, a friend of mine was telling me about this kid he
was coaching named Nash who was killin’ it and learning crazy fast.
Right then, this skinny little kid rips the hugest Back 7 over a jump
that was close to 70 feet, stomps it clean-ass, then just rides
straight up and tosses a 5. That was the first time I met Nash
Lajeunesse. Since then, he's melted my brain in many different ways.
The kid is one of the most solid jibbers I’ve seen and could probably
do any trick you told him to try. He can jump just as well and puts 9s
down all four ways while being one of the most approachable, modest
riders out there. He doesn’t brag about who did what and how sick he is
or anything. He’s super inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what he puts
out over the next couple of seasons. New shit! Nash for Prez!" —Dwayne Wiebe
Age: 17
Years riding: 12
Years sponsored: 5
Sponsors: Ride, Cappel, Von Zipper, I-Found, The Source
Board and bindings: Ride Crush board and Beta bindings
Stance width: 22 inches
Angles: 15º front, –15º back
Hometown: Redwood Meadows, AB
Current residence: Redwood Meadows
Vehicle: Looking for a truck
Snowmobile: Polaris RMK 800
Preferred terrain: Powder
Off-snow activities: Skateboarding, biking, boating, partying, climbing
Crew: Kael Hill, Tanner Davidson, Jed Anderson, Ryan Hall, Dwayne Wiebe, Todd Williamson, the Sudermanns, my brother Spencer and all the C.O.P. locs
Shred hero: Devun Walsh
Favourite trick: Too many to choose
Ideal conditions: A sunny day with fresh snow and good friends
First setup: A 132 Vision board with Vision bindings
Last trick stomped: A Backside Slash at Camp of Champs
Best album of all time: 1 by The Beatles
How was your summer? Any highlights?
My summer’s been amazing. I’ve been able to spend a lot of time in BC traveling with my friends. So far I’ve made it out to the Okanagan, all throughout the Kootenays, Columbia Lake and Whistler for my fix of summer shred.
You’ve had a big last couple of years. When did it all started coming together?
There have been a lot of factors coming together in the last two years. Changing high schools to National Sport School definitely gave me more time to travel and ride. I’ve also gained a lot of support from my parents and sponsors.
What was it like filming with Sandbox last year?
I had a lot of fun filming with Sandbox last year. It was difficult to make it on all the trips because of school and money, but I made the best out of the trips that I went on and managed to film a decent part.
What stokes you out about snowboarding right now?
I’m really looking forward to riding backcountry this year. I have a lot of new tricks I want to try in powder that I’m afraid to try in the park. I’m also looking forward to riding new street spots in the city.
Of all aspects of snowboarding, do you have a favourite?
That’s a difficult question. I always have fun riding rails because they’re the easiest for me to access living in Calgary. I think I’ve had the best days riding freshly groomed jumps with my friends.
Luke Sudermann told me that you two had an epic trip to Whistler when you were 15. Care to tell us about it?
It was a gong show. The trip wasn’t planned out very well. We weren’t really sure where we were going to stay, how we were going to get lift tickets, or how we were going to afford everything. After a long night of partying, we left my house and slammed into a car on the way out of my driveway. This was just the beginning of our bad luck. On the way there we got lost, the first night in Whistler our car got towed, and to top it off, halfway through the trip we both lost our wallets.
Are you done school now?
I haven’t quite graduated yet. I took a lot of time off this year to ride and basically didn’t do any school work for three months. I have to finish up two online classes next year while I’m living in Whistler.
Is college in the cards? Or just straight shredding for a while?
Next year all I want to do is snowboard. I’m going to finish up high school with some decent grades so the doors are still open, but if I can make a career out of snowboarding, I don’t see the need to go back to school.
Do you have to live in a place like Whistler to "make it"?
No. There are riders coming out of almost everywhere in Canada. It would definitely help to live in Whistler because of the connections you can make there.
Tell us about your name. It’s kind of unusual, but it’s cool. Don Johnson played a character named Nash Bridges.
[Laughs] I like the fact that my name’s original. That way people can just call me Nash and don’t struggle with my last name.
What would your ideal pro career look like? Filming? Contests?
A bit of both. I would do lots of filming but still make it to the bigger contests. It would be cool to own a company as well. A career similar to Danny Kass’s would be amazing.
What motivates you to get out there and ride day in, day out?
Ever since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to be the best snowboarder I can possibly be. Unless I’m hurt, I can’t think of why I wouldn’t want to go snowboarding.
What trend is wack in snowboarding?
When people purposely leave their pants rolled up above their boots. I just don’t get it.
What is the best trend in snowboarding?
Twenty-seven-inch stances.
Frontside 540 Tail in Quebec. Photo by Oli Croteau
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