Profile... Ed Leigh
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Introduction...
One of the more gregarious globetrotting characters in the UK scene, Ed can be seen either presenting, riding, commentating, reporting or socialising at most of the world's big snowboard events. Ed's presence both on and off the mountain have made him a popular face, voice and brain in both the world of snowboarding and the wider freesport world.
Snowboarding since 1988, after seeing the fledgling sport on TV, it's no surprise to hear that he Ed financed his first board by saving up his paper round money and then getting a job at the local dryslope. Such a story speaks volumes about Ed, who's many qualities: his determination and blind optimism in this case have led him to his current enviable position as a self titled 'freesports media broadcaster'. God only knows what this entails but Ed seems to enjoy his work. With this in mind it's difficult to get across a description of Ed's infectious personality, but he's a boy who makes an impact on whoever he meets.
As a result he boasts a diverse CV, highlights of which include presenting snowboarding for the BBC at the 2006 winter Olympics, fronting the only dedicated freesport series on terrestrial TV with Freesports on 4, freelance writing for anyone who requires his knowledge, team managing the Red Bull skate and snowboard development teams, presenting the annual Gumball Rally TV show, being a dad, surfing, skating and playing football regulary and finding the time to develop his already impressive artistic talent.
In snowboarding terms, Ed's been equally successful. A love of backcountry riding led him to travel to Alaska, to take part in the world's premier extreme contest, The King of the Hill. To even get invited to take part was no mean feat, but Ed managed to hold his own amongst the world's best and finish in an incredibly strong twelfth place. The experience also left him with a love of Alaska and it's imposing terrain. Although not primarily known as a contest rider, Ed still manages to place in the top ten at every contest he enters and this was recently proved when he decided to ride at the first British indoor Championships and managed to secure first place against some strong competition.
Ed is now working on this summers Freesports on 4 series for Channel 4, which will be going out on Sunday mornings at 8.30 and MC'ing a few of this years festivals and skate events with long time friend and stooge Christian Stevenson as Laughing Gear. Somewhere around the end of July he will be squeezing in the birth of his first child.
Sadly fans of Satan Whoppercock will be upset to learn that he has tragically been killed when he drowned in a bath of his own spunk so he will not be competing at this years Air Guitar Championships.
By Dave Whoppercock
Snowboarder Questionnaire
How old where you when you first began riding?
14 at Gloucester dryslope.
What/Who got you into it?
I was watching high 5 with my brother and there was a two minute flash of snowboarding on it. My brother managed to get a video into the antique of a recorder that my parents owned for the last minute and record it. We watched it religiously everyday after school because we couldn't quite believe you could skate on snow. About a month later the ealry Grnad Prix road show came to Gloucester dryslope and we got our hands on some boards. I got on a Nitro Pyro with rear entry hard boots, I can still see it today.
What sort of board do you ride?
A Rome Anthem 161 or 163 usually, lovely piece of schmutter it is too. Every now and again if I can get my hands on one I jump on a Solution because they are such a nice ride, really stable and forgiving, great park board.
What length board do you ride?
Usually something between 161 and 63, I've been experimenting with some of the fish design boards and 157 or 158 versions of those seem to be working quite nicely. I had a really fun mess around on a 158 this spring and it was so much fun, I'd heartily recommend trying out a board 5cm less than your normal board choice just to spin your noggin off.
Do you ride Regular or Goofy?
Regular
Stance width?
Usually between 21 and 22 inches, I went to 23 for a while this winter and it was hilarious I had almost no control, I don't know how anyone can ride like that (hamish Duncan?)
© James McNeverfail
From Ed's Action Gallery.
Stance angles (front and back)?
I've been messing around with my stance angles a lot recently, anywhere between 18 and 27 on the front and +3 to -9 on the back
Favourite resort?
There are too many good ones to pick one, but I've got a soft spot for Val d'Isere in January. I think after that it would have to be Alaska. But I like the idea that there are still lots of places to discover. The Olympics was quite a mad one because I had a pass to get up the mountain, everyone else up there was working so after almost a metre of fresh I had the resorts of Sestriere, Sauze D'oulx and San Sicario to myself for a couple of mornings, I put down so many turns it was ridiculous. But there was a hitch, for most of it I was alone and no matter how good it is it's always nice to share it with someone because it felt a bit empty in places, but it is still one of the best days I've ever had
How many seasons have you done?
Ten I think, about seven based somewhere and then three while I was working for White Lines just travelling around.
Where and when did you do your seasons?
Val d'Isere for the first 4 then Meribel for 2 and since then I have travelled each winter. I spend more time MC'ing now than riding but every now and again I get to dust off the skills. I had three days playing 4's with Hamish Duncan in St Moritz this year and it was brilliant, he was hitting kickers for the first time since his vertabrae exploded and I am just shit so we battled each day, Cheryl Maas whipped us both and I think Bezza had the better of me as well. I may have been shamed as an old has been but I had so much fun.
What was your favourite trip and why?
Alaska 97 because I got to enter the King of the Hill contest and go Heli boarding. It's closley followed by a week in Spain with Matt Barr, Jonny Barr, Duncan Carr and James McPhail, we got some of the best snow I've ever ridden and it the empty terrain was incredible, add in a lot of banter and you have a great recipe for fun.
What do you love about snowboarding?
All the great friends I have made and all the amazing place I've been able to visit.
What's your goal within snowboarding?
To draw the perfect line down a face
What aspect of snowboarding gives you the most satisfaction (powder, kickers, halfpipe, competitions, big air, cliff drops, etc.)?
Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder, Powder.
What style of snowboarding best describes your riding (include a couple if you want)?
Slack
What's your favourite trick?
Frontside 360's, Backflips and perfect powder landings off anything.
What's your scariest snowboarding moment?
Any situation where nature gives you a even a whiff of her immense power.
What are your top safety tips when riding?
Ride with friends and remember if you're not sure it takes more guts to walk away.
What advice have you got?
Always focus on the positive and ride to the beat, if there's no beat...don't ride.
Ed's Results/ Achievements...
Year | Event | Discipline | Category | Position |
| 2002 | World British Indoor Champships | Big Air | Senior Men | 1st |
| 2002 | UK Air Guitar Champs | Cock/Rock/Metal | All | 1st |
| 2001 | UK Air Guitar Champs | Cock/Rock/Metal | All | 1st |
| 2000 | UK Air Guitar Champs | Cock/Rock/Metal | All | 1st |
| 1997 | King Of The Hill Alaskan Extremes | FS/BA/EX | Men | 12th |
