Interviewer: Anthony Crute – Aussie Pro Rider and Head Coach of Pro Ride Snowboard Camp, Whistler, Canada.

Crispin Lipscomb has been coming up through the riding ranks of the Canadian competition circuit for many years now and has continually proven he is a force to be reckoned with. Two years ago he was moved up from the Canadian development team to the World Cup team and by the end of the year he was dominant. Last season he won the World Invitational Superpipe Competition at Whistler as well as the Canadian Nationals. Known for his huge airs and inverted manoeuvres – Crispin had earned the respect of his peers and anyone who happens to be standing on the edge of the pipe as he fly’s by above their heads.

I took an opportunity to catch up with Crispin in the fall to find out what his plans are for the winter and the lead up to the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Anthony; Hey Crispin so you were born Aug 7, 1979 – where did you grow up and how did you get involved in snowboarding?

Crispin: I grew up in Ottawa and in the countryside near by, a town called Perth. I was doing some skateboarding and I went for a ski trip to Jasper when I was 13 and saw some snowboarders and thought they were super cool. I convinced my lovely mother to get me a board rental and a lesson and I picked it up so easily. The next fall I had my first board and gear and went up about 45 times.

Anthony: What was your first snowboard?
Crispin: It was 1993. I first had a Burton Air 5.1 and some shitty “Hoarse Shoe” bindings, these baseless things that gave me the worst blisters, but I didn’t care at all.

Anthony: So you have been snowboarding for a while now what ever made you want to compete?

Crispin: I used to be a pretty good skateboarder and used to skate on the same team as Rick McCrank in Ottawa and we did a bunch of Halfpipe and street contests, but I didn’t compete until I moved to Vernon BC and the dudes I met there introduced me to the BCSA provincial series. I loved it. It was my first year ever riding in a halfpipe, but compared to skateboarding I found it super easy. That was where it started.

Anthony: From those early years of competing did you ever think that you would be on track to compete in the Olympics?

Crispin: No I didn’t think those days would be so important. I always wanted to be a “Pro” since I was 13, but I couldn’t even imagine how much an influence those days would become.

Anthony: As a member of the Canadian National Team what are the advantages you are experiencing from being a part of the team leading up to this seasons competitions?

Crispin: Having the support of team members, and the coaching staff and the trainers and physio's is just so amazing. I have known my coach for 3 years now and he really knows how to get me stoked, or mellow me out, and having all the hotels and transport sorted out ahead of time lets me relax and just work on my riding and my head space. The team is super strong this year, which means we are pushing each other as well as sharing amazing adventures and hilarious inside jokes. It is rad.

Anthony: What advice do you have for riders who want to take their riding to the next level and get involved in the competition side of the sport?

Crispin: My advice is first to go to the national snowboard association’s web site and see where and when the local contests are going to be held. Then work hard at whatever discipline feels the most fun and get better than everyone else around. There are coaches and teams now at every level so go introduce your self and join up. Then it is all up to hard work, miles on snow and dedication. Good luck to all!!!

Anthony: What do you think is your biggest challenge that you face day to day as a professional rider?

Crispin: Injury is the obvious answer to that question, followed closely by the task of staying motivated and positive. It is sometimes hard to get down to work training instead of riding off on the mountain or just having a mellow day off. But we are so lucky in snowboarding to have some many different ways of having fun, with so many disciplines and super fun aspects of our sport. So I it’s not so tough…

Anthony: What is your most memorable experience that you have of your snowboarding life so far and why?

Crispin: One my most memorable moments was winning the 2004 Ripzone World Invitational because it was at home and I got to share it with so many friends, and it was the first day I realised I could win any time I really try hard and apply myself. Another great moment was my first Helicopter trip. It was amazing to hover around looking for the right spot and then jumping out and riding the lines that were just spotted from above.

Anthony: What is your most favourite place to ride?

Crispin: I still say Whistler’s southern aspect in a place called McKonky’s Trees. Super hard to get to, but it feels like you’re in a video game just for you… Or anywhere in New Zealand because it is summer and all your friends are stuck in dirty summer.

Anthony: Any last words?

Crispin: I just want to take a chance to thank everyone who has helped me in the last 12 years, and I want all the riders out there to know that it is not all about getting Sponsored. Go out and have fun with friends and get good at what ever you want to. Good luck, have fun, and do a turn for me…

Anthony: Thanks Crispin – good luck with the winter.

Crispin Lipscomb sponsors are :
Salomon, Westbeach, Spy, Vans, Pryme Helmets, Chop
Headwear, Cardrona Resort NZ, POW Gloves. Big Thanks
to Summit Sports Whistler too.

If you want to hook up with Crispin then he will be dropping in as a guest coach this winter at Pro Ride Snowboard Camps – check out www.pro-ride.com - camps start in December and run weekly until April.