Profile... Andrew David

Age:
30 years
Birthday
16 October, 1979
Height / Weight:
168 cm / 65 kg
(5ft. 6in. / 10st. 3lbs.)
Hometown:
Nottingham
Occupation:
Freeskier, Director of Storm Skis

Skier Questionnaire


How old where you when you first began skiing?

I was in my early teens when I had my first sliding experience on a dry ski slope.

What/Who got you into it?

During my later school years and time at college I used to go and ski at a local dry slope on the edge of Nottingham as a hobby. Then at the age of 18 when I finished college , I felt that it was high time for a change of scenery , so I headed off to California to do my first season with my older brother. I had the time of my life! I had such a good time that I decided to go straight on and do a second season down in Australia. It was there then that my focus changed from wanting to teach to wanting to compete , as I met up with several guys from the Australian and Canadian Freestyle Ski teams. That was it then . Seeing what they were doing and what lives they were leading , resulted in any last ideas of going back to study going straight out the window. Until last year I never looked back and had been doing two winters a year following my dream of one day representing G.B on the World Cup tour and at the Winter Olympics, that was until I blew my knee which terminated my chances of qualifivation for 2006. Having spent the last summer then doing rehab work in the gym I decided that I would refocus my efforts towards competing on the European Big Moutain Tour which is what I did an what I intend to carry on doing as long as my body will allow. However until such a time I intend to continue to develop and push my skiing in all areas and I want to have as much fun as possible doing so.

What type of ski's do you use?

I have recently starting Storm Skis Ltd www.stormskis.com. We are a young dynamic freeride ski brand run by skiers for skiers. Our products all have a fresh new feel with a Storm related theme throughout. I currently use the Stormforce Pro 190cm which is a sick big mountain ski that I designed myself. My other fav from our range that I use a lot is the Strike...which is a fat freestyle ski. Its a true twin and real wide so great fun for jibbing around in the backcountry.

What length ski's do you use?

190cm fats 180cm fat freestyle 174cm twins

Favourite Resort:

Verbier Switzerland

How many seasons have you done?

20th and looking forward to many more.

Where have you done your seasons (including the year)?

Sierra Summit - California. Mt Hotham and Perisher Blue - Australia. Verbier - Switzerland 10 seasons.

Where was you favourite trip and why?

That would have to be Australia a few years ago. There was a group of nine of us from the British Team went down there for the season to train and compete together. We had an amazing time living and working together in a massive house with a spa. We just had such a laugh all season ! However I am very excited about this winter now....pushing hard to get the skis established will be a whole new challenge.

What do you love about Skiing?

The adrenaline rush of ripping down a mountain at speed , or busting a new move off a kicker or cliff. Also the unspoilt natural beauty and peace that you can experience while hiking off in the back country. There is so much more ... but I would be here all day telling you .

View this picture in the gallery
From Andrew's Lifestyle & Portrait Gallery.


What's your goal within Skiing?

Just to keep pushing my own skills to the next level, while having fun with friends skiing and shooting in fun locations. Comps wise things are starting to have less focuss now for me and I am looking to have fun and put back into the sport in other ways!

What aspect of Skiing gives you the most satisfaction (powder, kickers, Halfpipe, Competitions, Big Air, Cliff drops etc

I love all aspects of the sport and it just depends on the snow conditions on the day. Back country days are always the ones that I seem to remeber though. Big exposed lines with long steep verticle is where it's at for me! Chuck in a few cheecky drops shoould they get in the way!

What style of Skiing best descibes your riding (include a couple if you want)?

I would like to think , hard and fast!!!

Favourite Trick:

Anything styled and floaty which I land on my feet lol!

What's you scariest Skiing moment?

Starting a big slab avalanche in Verbier on New Years day 2006 , nearly shat myself ha ha ! Got some sweet photo's from it but it was not good for anyone's health so would not condone that sort of carry on lol!

What's your top safety tips when Skiing?

Know your own limits !

Give someone some advice:

Always when going off into the back country make sure you are with other experienced skiers who know the area and what the conditions might hold. "If in doubt back out".

General Questionnaire


What are your other interests?

I enjoy many other sports and outdoor activities. Paragliding , golf , Photography occasionally when I get the time to chill out.

Where would you like to see yourself in the future?

On top of the world, on any untracked peak with wide open powder fields below me. Skiing in Alaska would have to be my ultimate dream !

View this picture in the gallery
 © www.skiingsomewhere.com
From Andrew's Action Gallery.


Realistically, what will you be doing in the future?

Working doing something I enyoy ski related somewhere nice in the Alps , like Verbier.

Who are your idols?

Ski wise it would have to be Seth Morrison for general freeride skills and free spirit nature , the guy is F#####G mental !

What music are you into?

All sorts really , just depends on what mood I am in and what I am doing. My cd collection or Ipod sounds can turn a few heads in suprise...ha ha!

What's your favourite book?

Lord Of The Rings.

What's your favourite film?

21

What's your favourite quote?

Shit Happens........

Best cocktail, shot or drink?

Beer..............

What's your most prized possession?

My health !

Thanks to:

I would like to say a huge thank you to all my friends and family and everyone that has shown me support over the years through good times and bad. A special thank you has to go out to all my current sponsors for all their continuing support.

View this picture in the gallery
inversion © pally
From Andrew's Lifestyle & Portrait Gallery.


Anything else you want to say?

All new photo content was shot over the years mainly on lacation in Verbier by Henry Hardy, Pally, Alex Murphy and Ross Martin (rgmphoto.co.uk)

Andrew's Results/ Achievements...

Year
Event
Discipline
Category
Position
2005 Redbull Snowthrill Quals Big Mountain male 6th
2004 Verbier Ride Big Mountain male 2nd Brit.
2003 Continental Cup Australia Moguls male 7th
2003 continental Cup Finals Australia. Moguls male 8th
2002 British & Danish Championships . Moguls male 1st
2002 British & Danish Championships . Skier X male 2nd