Profile... Josh Birch
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Introduction...
I was properly scared the first time I witnessed Josh Birch launch off Wycombe Summits funbox. The boy had obviously been blessed with balls of steel, but he had left his style and technique behind at the joke shop! I have some awesome memories from our Sunday freestyle sessions, nailing new tricks, bailing old tricks, and above all the laughs we used to have. Back then I would never have thought that in a few years Josh would be competing against the best freestyle skiers in the UK , and winning. These days he has swapped A&Es for steeze in a big way. All those hours spent trying to land a 5, and now the git does them switch and mute!
By Matt Peiris
Skier Questionnaire
How old where you when you first began skiing?
First went skiing on a family holiday when I was six.
What/Who got you into it?
My Dad! He persuaded my Mum that we should try a family skiing holiday and we hit Morzine for a week.
What type of ski's do you use?
Currently I am rocking Scott P3s
What length ski's do you use?
168cm, good size for me
Favourite Resort:
I really like Avoiraz/Morzine, its pretty much my winter home, i go there alot. I like it because of the number of parks and the good backcountry routes. I also like Laax alot because of their dedication to the park. But for the summer Saas Fee is so sick. I really want to go to New Zealand at some point, the place sounds brilliant.
How many seasons have you done?
Almost done one the amount of times i go out but no i plan to when i finish 6th form, will take a gap year and then i might go on to university... not so sure of this though will want to ski
Where was you favourite trip and why?
I have a few, i really enjoyed the Brits in 2007. Two summers ago (2008) was a great summer for me. I went to Canada for the Momentum Ski Camps which was a really cool experience and then I went to the British Freeski Camps in Saas Fee for a month, which was equally as good. Last season, 08-09, I had a good few trips as well, including going to the European Open, the Brits and Saas Fee in the summer.
What do you love about Skiing?
The scene, the way all the riders look out for one another, whatever their ages. The buzz of trying new things and new tricks and just the fun to be had on and in snow. The guys i ride with are always there for support when trying new stuff
What's your goal within Skiing?
To achieve the most I can, to progress and compete in Europe as I gain more experience and maybe even further afield. To stay in the sport, to gain qualifications and teach others and to always enjoy it!
Airbag @ the Grom Camp © Vanessa Webb
From Josh's Lifestyle & Portrait Gallery.
What aspect of Skiing gives you the most satisfaction (powder, kickers, Halfpipe, Competitions, Big Air, Cliff drops etc
I love it when youve had a 2 foot dump of snow and its a bluebird day, you cant beat that on the mountain!!
What style of Skiing best descibes your riding (include a couple if you want)?
Slopestyle, I like both kickers and rails and l like slopestyle a lot because they are combined in one run. I am really getting into half pipe though, so i would like to become better that especially if that may become an olympic sport. Lastly, powder shredding of course when i can.
Favourite Trick:
This year, i have worked a lot on my switch stuff. I guess i really like spinning switch, but I also really like doing stuff like stalled 180s
What's you scariest Skiing moment?
Seeing my Dad tumbling past me out of control on the wall in avoiraz and expecting to find him in bits at the bottom - he was fine after a bottle of brandy!! And watching my brother fall down the side of the mountain head first was worrying.
What's your top safety tips when Skiing?
Protection, protection and protection - no matter how good you are, one day youre gonna need it as you take a big tumble.
Give someone some advice:
Go shred on the slopes, dont always hit the park. Work on your general skiing as well, shred a lot
General Questionnaire
What are your other interests?
Football, trampolining, hockey, listening to music and bridge jumping.
Where would you like to see yourself in the future?
To be enjoying the sport.
Realistically, what will you be doing in the future?
Competing, challenging, pushing myself, enjoying myself and helping others to progress. I would like to stay in the scene for as long as possible...
Street Rail © Joe Webster
From Josh's Action Gallery.
Who are your idols?
Pk Hunder, Andreas Hatveit,Sammy Carlson, TJ Schiiler, Tanner Hall, Henrik Harluat, Jossi Wells, Colby West, Tom Wallisch, Shane McConkey and many more. Representing the UK like Pat Sharples, Warren Smith, Andy Bennett and Paddy Graham
What music are you into?
Bit of everything
What's your favourite book?
I rarely get the time to read books
What's your favourite film?
There are a lot of good films i havve watched recently, for example: The Hangover, Role Models, Step Brothers etc.. I like action films a lot too, like the Die Hard Series. I am also very into the 24 series on TV.
What's your favourite quote?
Im not really sure to be honest, Homer Simpson has a few good quotes.
Best cocktail, shot or drink?
Whatever really, im easy...
What's your most prized possession?
Macbook Pro and my Iphone
Thanks to:
Matt Peiris for his brilliant, brilliant, enthusiastic, teaching at Wycombe on all those Sunday afternoons. , Dad for all the ski trips and all the driving UK-wide, Pat Sharples for his camps, enthusiasm and helping me with so much over the past few years, Warren Smith for his general help and helping me with promotion, Andy Bennett for helping me with coaching and tips, Martin Carr for his camps in tignes and his general support, Lee and Mark at Scott, for their help and support for the season just gone, Sally and all the guys at Bartletts for their financial help and deals. Grant at Uniserve for his support over the last season. Stu, Spencer and all the guys at Soul Sports for all their help and support over the years. Ali and Steve at Snozone, Rick Hutchings for all his help in the previous years, Ludo for all his help with driving me places and putting me up, And my Mum for everything.
Anything else you want to say?
Dont get caught up in the hype! Push yourself but remember to enjoy yourself. And treat the mountains with some respect - dont leave your crap all over it - its our future!!!!
Josh's Results/ Achievements...
Year | Event | Discipline | Category | Position |
| 2009 | The Brits | Slopestyle | Overall | 10th |
| 2009 | The Brits | Big Air | Overall | 11th |
| 2009 | British Snow Tour (Castleford) (British Championships | Slopestyle | Junior | 1st |
| 2009 | Phat Rotations | Slopestyle | Overall | 1st |
| 2009 | Phat Rotations | Slopestyle | Overall | 1st |
| 2009 | The Mini Brits (British Championships - Norfolk) | Slopestyle | Overall | 1st |
| 2009 | The Mini Brits (British Championships - Norfolk) | Slopestyle | Under 16\'s | 1st |
| 2009 | British Snow Tour (Castleford) (British Championships | Slopestyle | Overall | 1st |
| 2009 | The Brits | Slopestyle | Under 16\'s | 2nd |
| 2009 | Farmers Jam | Slopestyle | Overall | 2nd |
| 2009 | The Brits | Big Air | Under 16\'s | 3rd |
| 2008 | The Brits (Laax) | Halfpipe | Overall | 11th |
| 2008 | Westbeach Freestyle Series FInal (Nouex Les Mines)ยง | Slopestyle | Team Event | 1st |
| 2008 | Farmers Jam (Norfolk) | Big Air | Overall | 1st |
| 2008 | Farmers Jam (Norfolk) | Slopestyle | Overall | 2nd |
| 2008 | British Snow Tour (MK) | Big Air | Youth | 3rd |
| 2008 | Westbeach Freestyle Series FInal (Nouex Les Mines) | Slopestyle | Overall | 3rd |
| 2007 | Westbeach Freestyle Series (Warmwell) | Big Air | Under 16\'s | 1st |
| 2007 | Westbeach Freestyle Series (Warmwell) | Rails | Team Event | 1st |
| 2007 | Jumps, Bumps & Two Smoking Turntables | Slopestyle | Under 16\'s | 1st |
| 2007 | Jumps, Bumps & Two Smoking Turntables | Big Air | Under 16\'s | 1st |
| 2007 | Farmers Jam (Norfolk) | Slopestyle | Under 16\'s | 1st |
| 2007 | Westbeach Freestyle Series (Nouex Les Mines) (Finals) | Slopestyle | Team Event | 1st |
| 2007 | Westbeach Freestyle Series (Nouex Les Mines) (Finals) | Slope Style | Under 16\'s | 2nd |
| 2007 | British Snow Tour (Warmwell) (Championships) | Big Air | Under 16\'s | 2nd |
| 2007 | Britsh Snow Tour (Chatham | Big Air | Under 16\'s | 2nd |
| 2007 | Brits | Halfpipe | Kids Men | 2nd |
| 2007 | British Snow Tour (Norfolk) | Big Air | Under 16\'s | 3rd |
| 2007 | British Snow Tour (Braehead) (Championships) | Big Air | Under 16\'s | 3rd |
| 2007 | Brits | Slopestyle | Kids Men | 3rd |
| 2007 | Fist Full Of Dollars (Busc Invitational) | Rail Jam | Overall | 5th |
| 2007 | Brits | Halfpipe | Overall | 9th |
| 2006 | Orange Aim Series (Warmwell) (National Champs) | Big Air | Overall | 11th |
| 2006 | UK Snowsports Tour & Faction Young Talent Search | All disciplines | Overall | 1st |
| 2006 | Orange Aim Series (Warmwell) (National Champs) | QP | Kids Men | 2nd |
| 2006 | Natural Born Riders (CAS) | Slopestyle | Juniors | 3rd |
| 2006 | Orange Aim Series (Bracknell) | Big Air | Kids Men | 3rd |
| 2006 | Orange Aim Series (Bracknell) | Slopestyle | Kids Men | 3rd |
| 2006 | Orange Aim Series (Warmwell) (National Champs) | Big Air | Kids Men | 3rd |
| 2006 | Orange Aim Series (Bracknell) (National Champs) | Slopestyle | Overall | 7th |
| 2005 | Orange Aim Series (MK) | Skier X | Kids Men | 1st |
| 2005 | Orange Aim Series (Warmwell) | Big Air & QP Combo | Kids Men | 2nd |
| 2005 | Orange Aim Series (Rossendale) | Big Air | Kids Men | 2nd |
| 2005 | Orange Aim Series (Warmwell) (National Champs) | Big Air | Kids Men | 3rd |
| 2005 | Orange Aim Series (MK) | Slopestyle | Kids Men | 3rd |
