Profile... Chris Southwell
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Introduction...
I met Chris during the winter of 03-04 in courchevel. Even without seeing him ride I knew that he was what we were after, a proper snowboarder. His passion for the lifestyle and the backcountry is what appeals to me and Allian, and is what sealed the deal for us and our first sponsored rider.
Chris's aim for the next 2 seasons is to develop his skills to a level high enough to receive an invite to the verbier extreme comp in 2009. Where his mix of big mountain balls and backcountry style will surely have the effect we are all after.
The plan for 2007 is backcountry, heli, backcounrty and a bit more heli. Invitations for the Zinal Freeride, Quicksilver International and The Stimerol Freeride are arriving and preparations are under way for what will be the best season yet.
He is also busy working on the Davos Klosters Ride 07 and Kamchatka 08, where he will lead a team of riders to explore the unexplored volcanic slopes of Kamchatka.
Watch this space!
By Joe Holtham, Allian
Snowboarder Questionnaire
How old where you when you first began riding?
I was 10. Started riding on a Ellan hot junior. As their where no soft boats big enough for me i had to ride on old ski boots...those where the days!!
What/Who got you into it?
I got myself into it! Bored of skiing and all in one outfits.
What sort of board do you ride?
I ride Allian snowboards, which are the weapon of choice for all conditions. I simply size up or down depending on the terrain.
What length board do you ride?
All round: Allian Kale Stephens 159. Big Mountain: Allian Peter Strom 163. Big Mountain: Allian Kale Stephens 165/Peter Strom 163. Jib: Allian 157 Pro Series.
Do you ride Regular or Goofy?
I am Goofy
Stance width?
21 Inch!
Stance angles (front and back)?
Front: 18 Back: 6
Favourite resort?
Verbier, Super Awesome Pow! Good Park!
How many seasons have you done?
5 Seasons.
Where and when did you do your seasons?
1st Davos/Klosters 2nd Serre Chevalier 3rd Laax 4th Verbier 5th Verbier
© Y Garneau-www.g1photo.com
From Chris's Action Gallery.
What was your favourite trip and why?
Heliboarding in Chille! Fresh Pow and heli what more does a guy neeed!
What do you love about snowboarding?
The F R E E D O M!
What's your goal within snowboarding?
Kamchatka 08, watch this space....
What aspect of snowboarding gives you the most satisfaction (powder, kickers, halfpipe, competitions, big air, cliff drops, etc.)?
Cliff Drops (not rock drops) Powder, Not Slush!
What style of snowboarding best describes your riding (include a couple if you want)?
Aggressive, ballistic energy, floaty lite, and MASSIVE Cliffs.
What's your favourite trick?
Corked BS Seven TAil Grab. But nothing beats flying of a cliff, the feeling of freefalling is second to none....
What's your scariest snowboarding moment?
Mammoth Mountain, 2002. A bit to eager on the BIG Kicker, mach 10 approach, BS 5 Tail grab.......Missed the landing......Hospital, Memeory Loss, Face like 10 rounds with Tyson, Drip for my Kidney! All is good now though.
What are your top safety tips when riding?
Always ride with people who know what they are doing, especially off piste, carry all the necessary safety gear. Avalanches are to be taken very seriously and there impact on your life should not be undersetimated. Take a backcountry safety course and learn the mountain.
What advice have you got?
Grip it and Rip it and enjoy. Thats what snowboarding is about...
General Questionnaire
What are your other interests?
Outdoor pursuits, football, cricket, chilling with mates, ragging the red BARON!
From Chris's Lifestyle & Portrait Gallery.
Where would you like to see yourself in the future?
Started up a company with my brother, www.southwellenterprises.com so I am just working on really pushng forward with that.
Realistically, what will you be doing in the future?
Will all be about southwell enterprises
Who are your idols?
Russel Crowe, Britney Spears, Jeremy Jones (BIG Mountain), Kelly Clark, Ingemar Backman.
What music are you into?
Anything with a decent tune
What's your favourite book?
Watership Down
What's your favourite film?
Gladiator, Pink Panther and Old School
What's your favourite quote?
Freedom is an expression that you have to belive in to be turely free on the mountain. (Nick Southwell season 2004 at the top of a massive drop, i of course belived him and went first!!!!)
Best cocktail, shot or drink?
Old Speckled Hen but in verbier is has to be the Farinet Collins with vodka and Raspberries, its so good.....
What's your most prized possession?
Red Barron,
Thanks to:
Joe at True Distribution Stu and jermery at OAKLEY, Rob at Casbar Verbier, Mr Nike at John Nike Leisure, Brother Nick, Mum and Dad, Ian Harvey at Selwood, Olli Cox at Pencilwood, And all my riding buddies in Verbier and else where
© Y Garneau-www.g1photo.com
From Chris's Action Gallery.
Anything else you want to say?
See you on the Hill!
Chris's Results/ Achievements...
Year | Event | Discipline | Category | Position |
| 2007 | Scandenaven Big Mountain Champs | Freeride | Senior Men | 3rd |
| 2004 | Playstation 2 Air Games | BIG Air | Senior Men | 3rd |
| 2004 | British Champs | Boarder Cross | Senior Men | 3rd |
| 2003 | Cham Jam | Slopestyle | Senior Men | 6th |
| 2002 | NADS Jam | Slopestyle | Senior Men | 1st |
| 2001 | Salomon Air Games | BIG Air | Senior Men | 9th |
| 2000 | British Champs | Overall | Senior Men | 10th |
| 1999 | British Champs | BIG Air | Youth Men | 2nd |
| 1999 | British Champs | Overall | Youth Men | 2nd |
| 1999 | British Champs | Halfpipe | Youth Men | 3rd |
John Nike LeisuresportCasbah Verbier
