Shaun White Q&A
Dew Action Sports Tour, Summer '05

He’s got pro-models, contest titles, video game characters, and his own feature film. That’s a lot to accomplish in one sport. But Shaun White’s done it in both skateboarding and snowboarding. Read on to find out what makes this kid tick, and why he’s so darn good at what he does.

How do you maintain a professional skateboarding and professional snowboarding career?
I like to do both because they are so much fun. They allow me to push myself and be creative in new ways. I can’t imagine what I would be doing without them.

You were a pro snowboarder by age 12. How has it been growing up in the public eye?
I don’t really notice it. I have been concentrating on trying to do my best at whatever I do. I am stoked to have fans that are so supportive of me.

Who do you skate with?
I try to skate with my friends as much as possible. Most of the time I am snowboarding, so when the summer comes along I am stoked to skate. I try to skate with whomever is around when I am home.

Who do you snowboard with?
I am always traveling, so I ride with whomever I am hanging out with at the time. I travel with my brother Jesse a lot, so most of the time I am with him.

Is college in your future?
Maybe down the line, but I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

How did you balance competing and filming for your snowboard video The White Album?
It was a really tough year making The White Album. I ended up getting hurt in January, right in the middle of the season. I was ready to pull the movie, but Dave Seoane pushed me to keep working on it. I am stoked on the way it came out, but it was a tough road to get there.

Top 5 skaters?
Tony Hawk, Bucky Lasek, Bob Burnquist, Allen Young, and Alex Chalmers

Top 5 snowboarders?
Danny Kass, Pat Moore, JP Solberg, Travis Rice, and Jeremy Jones

Is there music that gets you amped to skate?
I like to listen to a lot of rock and roll before I do anything. Bands like Led Zeppelin, ACDC, The Sounds, and Modest Mouse.

Are you excited about the Dew Action Sports Tour? Why?
It should be a great event. I am stoked to see all the skaters backing this tour. This contest series would mean nothing without skaters like Bucky Lasek, PLG, and Bob Burnquist. This is going to be really fun, oh yeah, and the prize money is pretty good too.

What are you going to be doing at 35?
I am really looking into the field of specialized microbiology with an emphasis on single cell organisms...or I will be a taxi driver.

How many decks do you go through in a month?
I would say that I go through 4 or 5. I'm not really a board breaker.

Describe a day in the life of Shaun White.
I wake up underwater, because I have gills like Kevin Costner in Waterworld. Then I surf into breakfast and chill with my man Frankenstein for some waffles. Then I make a bunch of collect calls while I wait for my dentist to bleach my teeth on the shore of Miami. Then I will try to find some time to either snowboard or skate.

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