Fulltankmagazine.com is stoked to bring you the latest from Burton pro rider Dave Downing. With the collaboration of Snowboarding.com, we got the chance to ask Dave about the newschool, Craig K and life after riding.

Being a pro who's been in the business for a while, what's your take on all the young pros out there?

There are a lot of really good kids in snowboarding right now. Most of them are really good at riding the snowboard park, Pipe and Rails. There seems to be a lot of rail kids that can do any trick on a rail, but haven't really developed into a good all around snowboarder yet.

How was being a pro surfer similar to being a pro snowboarder?

Well, first of all I wasn't really a pro surfer,,.I kinda’ was, because I did pro surf contests for a few years,, but I didn't feel like I was a pro; more like a dork. But being a pro snowboarder is much easier than a pro surfer. You can be a pro snowboarder after two years of riding a snowboard park in Mammoth, but in surfing you have to spend like 15 years paying your dues to get to the level where the top pros are.

You're someone who spends a ton of time in the backcountry. Last season's tragic accident involving Craig Kelly rattled the snowboard community. How has that incident affected your travels in the backcountry?

Loosing a friend and mentor like Craig was really tough. Craig was one of the safest and most knowledgeable people in the backcountry. It just shows you that the backcountry is a really dangerous place no matter how educated you are. I know Craig died doing something he really loved and believed in. It hasn't stopped me from going out in the backcountry and riding powder. I know Craig would be pissed if I stopped.

What input did you have in developing the split board at Burton?

Actually I had a lot to do with it being made. I begged Burton for like three years to develop one and they finally caved in and invested in it. We hired an outside designer and we worked on it together. It was really fun and rewarding to make that.

How often do you use one?

I use it all the time. I usually have two boards strapped to my snowmobile when I go out. One is my normal Custom 58 and the other is my Splitboard. If I have to hike a lot I use the split for sure, there is no better way to go.

*Please read the rest of the Dave Downing interview at www.fulltankmagazine.com >>