Profile... Spencer Claridge
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Introduction...
Now prefers the comforts of an office and flat in Brighton to the snow-clad mountainous regions of the Alps. Who we trying to kid, his hand was forced and he now, as others before him, resent youngsters just embarking upon a career as professional athletes in the winter wonderland. And so, feeling it was time to grow up and take on some of lives reponsibilities, Spencer now heads Soul Sports with Stu and both play a huge part in the future of UK snowsports. Founders of the AIM Series, he could also snowboard himself apparently.
By someone who cares
Snowboarder Questionnaire
How old where you when you first began riding?
21 years old
What/Who got you into it?
I loved skiing, well the surroundings really, and the idea of a holiday where you're active. I had a burning ambition to travel the world but upon consultation with the penny jar, was advised to reconsider and chose a winter season in France. You see.. money doesn't buy you happiness
What sort of board do you ride?
I was a sponsored rider for Lib Tech's back in the day, and have recently been kindly supplied a K2 Wille Louma, which as Han Solo once remarked, 'she's fast enough for your old man'
What length board do you ride?
between 157 and 163
Do you ride Regular or Goofy?
regular
Stance width?
20.5" / 52cm
Stance angles (front and back)?
21 front, 0 back
Favourite resort?
Verbier
How many seasons have you done?
8 in the Alps, 1 in NZ
Where and when did you do your seasons?
94-96 in Val Thorens, Les Trois Vallees 97-99 in Val D'Isere, Espace Killy 2000/1 in Meribel, Les Trois Vallees
surfing
From Spencer's Lifestyle & Portrait Gallery.
What was your favourite trip and why?
Canada 1998. I replaced an injured Stu Brass and joined a Whitelines trip with Sascha Hamm, Chris Moran and Nick Hamilton. I got the call in the early hours of the morning on returning from a club whilst seasoning in Val D'Isere. Next day I was on a plane, the following day I was in a double-roll car crash, the following day hitting some monster kicker riding switch faster than I'd ever ridden forwards. We rode some of the best resorts in Canada, had epic conditions. I received my front cover shot for an interview in Whitelines and scored a shot which made its way into Transworld. A lot of good things came from that trip and I thank Stu for having the good grace to fall injured.
What do you love about snowboarding?
The awe-inspiring effect of the mountains, that feeling of insignificance, a sense of escapism perhaps. The fear, the ecstasy, the adrenalin, being incredibly focused and clear-headed, the all-consuming nature of something for which you feel so passionate. yep, you could say I'm still keen.
What's your goal within snowboarding?
It's no longer a career for me so I just wanna get away each year and have at least one day that arouses any of the emotions listed above
What aspect of snowboarding gives you the most satisfaction (powder, kickers, halfpipe, competitions, big air, cliff drops, etc.)?
When your knees ache every morning, you become very powder hungry. Quite frankly, I was turning that way towards the end of my career anyway. It's great to enjoy all aspects of freestyle because conditions so often dictate what you will be riding. I've never experienced anything to rival the intensity of standing at the top of an exposed face, with a technical route ahead. True, I am blessed with an appalling sense of direction, which may increase the odds, but the stakes are high irrespectively, and when my safety depends upon something that much i somehow summon that extra bit of concentration. It's a cliche but it gives an incredible sense of feeling alive.
What style of snowboarding best describes your riding (include a couple if you want)?
I wasn't naturally talented or particularly stylish, and compensated with going bigger than most. It's not something I recommend but it helped me. Therefore I'd say I had a lucky style
What's your favourite trick?
Backside 180's, any or no grabs
What's your scariest snowboarding moment?
Avalanche fall. It wasn't that significant in retrospect but it certainly introduced me to my primal survival instincts. It was shortly after this incident that i was forced to release previous heroic notions, that should i ever be unfortunate enough to suffer a plane crash or similar disaster that i would selflessly usher women and kids to safety with an utter disregard for my own. Nonsense... OUT OF MY WAY, COWARD COMING THROUGH!!!!!!!!
What are your top safety tips when riding?
Helmets, protective clothing and knowledge. If you're off-piste, furnish yourself with as much avalanche awareness information as possible. Take all equipment with you, peeps, shovel, probe etc. You don't have to have lived in the mountains for 10 years to read the conditions, you just ask the people that have, i.e. the pisteurs or equivalent, they'll tell you where it's dangerous. Why be a hapless statistic
What advice have you got?
enjoy something every day
General Questionnaire
What are your other interests?
Directing Soul Sports with Stuart occupies the majority of my time these days and so i'm thankful it's something we care strongly about. Since i get less and less time on snow, i've dedicated my time and energy toward being terrible at surfing, and i'm pretty successful. God damn it's frustrating but that's much of its appeal i guess. I've rather surreptitiously substituted night clubs with restaurants and comfortable bars, and you'll often catch me relaxing with a glass of vino watching Grand Designs with lofty thoughts of one day too, throwing myself into a housing project that will doubtless financially cripple me...
From Spencer's Action Gallery.
Where would you like to see yourself in the future?
I have come to the conclusion that this is only a cool question for a youngster. So I'll say in a rather mature and conservative fashion, starting a family, embarrassing my kids, renovating a house and generally being content.
Realistically, what will you be doing in the future?
Signing on, eating out of bins. It's very hip in Brighton
Who are your idols?
different people for different attributes, but most are peers or friends, oh and Burt Reynolds obviously
What music are you into?
Rock, Metal, Indie, Breaks, Soul, Funk, Latin American, Classical, anything but Country & bloody Western.
What's your favourite book?
I don't read enough to say that I have a favourite book, but I'm currently enjoying 'Inca Kola', a travellers tale of Peru. Books that inspire the imagination i suppose... and p**n of course.
What's your favourite film?
I have to name 3 that I feel strongly about: Pulp Fiction - pioneering / Twin Town - No hollywood budgets, just pure genious black humour / The Empire Strikes Back or Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom - any time any place, anywhere
What's your favourite quote?
I think it has to vocalised in a welsh accent really: "This glue's for my submarines, and not for sticking up your f***ing noses. And don't think I don't notice, 'cos I do. Buy your own f***ing glue" - Fatty, Twin Towns.
Best cocktail, shot or drink?
Staple diet of strong lager, perhaps a Sambuca for a livener, Hoegarden when I feel like drinking something flavoursome, red wine with a meal, green wine in Portugal, spirits when I want something light, champagne if someone else is buying, I like a good martini, manhatten, black russian. I've not the fussiest palate
What's your most prized possession?
10 metres swimming badge. Typical seasoned snowboarder... bugger all but some fantastic memories
Thanks to:
Mum and Dad, my friends, hard work and lady luck
Me, Ness, and the Paps
From Spencer's Lifestyle & Portrait Gallery.
Anything else you want to say?
Ciao for now
