Profile... Stuart Brass
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Introduction...
Stuart Brass is one of the most widely respected snowboarders this country has ever produced. Internationally recognised through five years of continuous magazine, film, and television coverage, he is probably the person the younger stars aspire to be in the late 90's.
A freestyle rider with his eye on the broader, media-friendly world of cliff jumps and fast riding, he embraced hard work and the competition scene.
A born athlete, Stuart has been in the media's focus since performing on two series of KickStart (Trials Bike show) in the early 80's. He competed in numerous motorbike trails competitions culminating in a third place at the British champs aged 9, and furthered his teen achievements through canoeing, becoming under 14, u16, u18 and under 21 National champion. He later stepped up to international standard at Norway in 1992, with a fifth place in the world championships. He has also climbed up to French grade 7b+, plays golf to a reasonable standard and in his own words; "I've got enough swimming badges to cover hundreds of pairs of Speedo's".
Stuart has been concentrating his efforts in other fields, helping his many sponsors with their marketing strategies as well as being a massive help to the younger generation of snowboarders through his brainchild 'Soul Sports'. Career accolades like Bliss magazine's "Hunk of the Month" and the winner of Snowboard UK's "Favourite Male Rider 1998" only add to his portfolio.
Easily one of the most approachable stars of the snowboarding world due to his down-to-earth northern manner, he combines an inspiring mix of powerful riding with an organised and realistic view of the sport at which he excels.
This makes him more of an asset to his many sponsors and riders than many would realise, as Stu has a strong sense of anything that could give the sport of snowboarding a bad image. An easy going, hard working professional, Stuart at one time lived in Stockholm for a couple of years, studying Swedish part-time and enjoying the Continental way of life.
Now based in Brighton throughout the year, working with his business partner Spencer Claridge, strengthening their position as the pillars and ambassadors of British snowboarding with their events and rider management company plus the new Snowboard Club UK they have set up.
By CM
Surfer Questionnaire
How old where you when you first began surfing?
About 26, not soon enough, but better late than never!
What/Who got you into it?
The lifestyle got me into surfing, hanging out on beaches in the sun waiting for your next wave. A total contrast to snowboarding wrapped up in loads of clothing in the mountains.
What length board do you ride?
Just got a 7'8" single fin Retro board shaped by Bevis at Revolver in Newquay run by John Isaac. And a 6'8" thruster by Al Merrick.
What wetsuit do you use?
O'Neill Psycho 5/3 Salomon & O'Neill 3/2
Favourite surf spot in the UK:
Anywhere where there is waves... but I do like Cornwall and Devon
Favourite surf spot in the World:
So far I've surfed Sri Lanka, France, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, New Zealand and loved them all, but I think Morocco wins it so far.
What do you love about Surfing?
Everything... being in the water with friends having a laugh getting stoked on each others progression watching the sunset and catching a ride which just keeps going...
What's your goal within Surfing?
To stay stood up
What aspect of Surfing gives you the most satisfaction?
Being stood up...
What's you scariest Surfing moment?
anytime i'm paddling out behind Ivan or Ollie with their long boards
What's your top safety tips when surfing?
Dont follow Ivan or Ollie
Snowboarder Questionnaire
How old where you when you first began riding?
I was 16 when I first buckled in on a ski holiday in Alpe D' Huez with my brothers, we decided to hire out boards on our last day as we had seen some people ripping around on them all week. We ended up with some "Look snowboards" and used our Ski boots! We got on really well, managing to link turns and even ride the powder on the edge of the piste. (Simon actually struggled a bit as he was very young and he swore never to do it again! ha ha look at him now!) It wasnt for another 2 years until I bought my first snowboard from "Tip Top" in Bourg st Maurice whilst on a Kayak Training Camp. We went riding for the day and I decided to buy one as my brothers were getting quite good and we were planning on going to the local dryslopes after my Kayak competition. I would have started about a year earlier on the Dryslopes but due to amount of training I was doing for down river kayaking I was scared of breaking a finger or wrist on the Dryslopes which would have ruined my chances of doing well at the 1992 Junior World Championships.
Wheeler, Gendle, Si & Me
From Stuart's Lifestyle & Portrait Gallery.
What/Who got you into it?
Together with my brothers we started but it was the scene at Rossendale Dryslope which really got me hooked riding with the likes of Steve BAiley, Chris Moran, Danny Wheeler etc...
What sort of board do you ride?
Salomon's since 96!
What length board do you ride?
161 - 164cm usually
Do you ride Regular or Goofy?
Goofy
Stance width?
22"
Stance angles (front and back)?
27 degrees on the Front 6 degrees on the Back
Favourite resort?
Jackson Hole had it all for me, but I think if I wanted to ride just Park/Pipe I'd choose Whistler, but if I was wanting to Ride Powder and some challenging terrain it would have to be Chamonix, mind you Verbier comes a close second. (I would have choosen Les Arcs as my number 1 resort for everything, as it was the best place in europe back in 94/95 when no one was there, but now every man and his dog is there which has kind of ruined it for me. We used to get fresh tracks when ever we wanted and could build a kicker where we wanted! Now you are lucky to find a spot which hasnt been used a day after a fresh dump)
Where and when did you do your seasons?
I did my first 3 in Les Arcs (94/95, 95/96, 96/97) and then moved over to Meribel for 97/98. After that winter I decided to base myself in towns and travel where ever was good, so I spent the summer of 98 through to the Autumn of 99 in Sweden, then I lived in London September 99 to April 2002... Now I'm in Brighton but not riding anywhere near the same amount as before or at the same level.
What do you love about snowboarding?
I guess its the freedom of being able to ride where you want in a beautiful enviroment. I also really like the lifestyle of snowboarding espcially as I came from other sports which were very strict regarding training etc..(we all know snowboarding is more booze than getting up at 6am to break the ice so you can go canoeing!). The other part I really enjoy especially when I was younger was meeting lots of new people from different places with different views and ideas...
What's your goal within snowboarding?
I think I achieved most of my goals within snowboarding, but now I want to enjoy the sport as an interest and pass on what I have learned to others and see them enjoy it and hopefully help them achieve their goals!
What aspect of snowboarding gives you the most satisfaction (powder, kickers, halfpipe, competitions, big air, cliff drops, etc.)?
I would have to say all of them! but as the years have passed I have gone through most of the stages, I would have to say that I am settling into the freeriding and cruizing the pow mode!
What style of snowboarding best describes your riding (include a couple if you want)?
intially, BIG, scary and ballsy whether it be kickers or cliffs. Nowadays its more of a cruizing style (Cowboy indy's rule..hahaha) that doesn't push my limits too much, that sounds like an old man...which I feel sometimes)
Brits © Sang Tan?
From Stuart's Action Gallery.
What's your favourite trick?
Most of all landing a good trick is a favourite, but I generally like getting big air so cliff drops and back country kickers provide me a basis for my favourite tricks. Indy's are my favourite grab closely followed by a stalefish.
What's your scariest snowboarding moment?
I've had few close calls from avalanches, but the most scary incident was when Steve Bailey got caught in an avanlanche back in 97? Check his portfolio out for the details but this was a scary time as we didnt know if he was dead or alive for about 5 minutes...
What are your top safety tips when riding?
Always where an avalanche transciever, never ride alone and whatever kit you're carrying make sure you know how to use it. There is nothing worse than having a potentially life saving item of kit that you haven't got a clue how to use.
What advice have you got?
Ride for fun!, if your not having fun, do something that is. Also ride for the love of snowboarding not because you want to be sponsored...If you are any good this will develop but don't force it!
General Questionnaire
What are your other interests?
Through the years I've been heavily into swimming, motorbikes, canoeing, windsurfing, climbing, and then snowboarding... I've had a set of Taylor Made golf clubs which Salomon gave me as a signing fee back in 96 but dont get to use them as often as i'd like but hopefully that'll change. Just recently i've started trainign again after having had a few operations on my ankles so at the moment (5/6/03) i'm in training for the Brighton Triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k cycle, 10km run) on the 6/9/03 which is fun cause i'm doing a variety of sports... And lastly I'm going to do more surfing this summer cause I've just been dabbling the past few years but been getting a bit better recently so well up for doing more...
Where would you like to see yourself in the future?
Playing Golf and surfing in a hot place, with someone running the day to day of Soul Sports
Who are your idols?
No one in particular, but anyone who pushes boundary's impress's me!
What music are you into?
An eclectic mix
What's your favourite book?
Their is a lot of books which I have read and like, but generally books I read are based on true story's.
What's your favourite film?
I am a bit the same with Films as I am with books, I mostly like films based on true stories such as "ALIVE", but then I also like a wide variety from Star Wars to Patriot Games to Fight Club to American Pie. My all time favourite film is Shawnshank Redemption, love Morgan Freeman films in fact I watched Lucky Number S7even the other day...brilliant. I would like to see the 3 Amigo's purely because Tim Warwood had me in stitches re enacting a scene from the film, the bit where he is on the wall saying "look at me, Look at me..." if you've seen it you know what it is, if you haven't then going off what I've heard I can't miss it, so I want to see that.
What's your favourite quote?
I read an interview that Gabe Davies did with Kelly Slater in Freeride magazine and Kelly was talking about a guy who told him..... "A basketball in my hands is worth $20 but a basket ball in Michael Jordans hands is worth over $100 million!, A golf ball at my feet is worth $2 but at Tiger Woods feet its worth $50 million (and the rest)..." you carry on making analigies but the fact remains "life is what you make it!"
Best cocktail, shot or drink?
Sambuca for shots Sea Breeze for cocktails San Miguel for beer Camomile & Honey for tea
Dawn Surf
From Stuart's Lifestyle & Portrait Gallery.
Thanks to:
My Parents for their endless support in everything I have ever done, they went beyond parenting in many instances to which i am indepted to. My brothers who without them I don't think any of us would have got as far as we did in the sports we tried due to our sibbling rivalry. Thanks to my all my snowboard pals, and in particular Nick Hamilton who I've been shooting with and working with since day one, Chris Moran, Steve Bailey & Danny Wheeler who pushed me in the begining (those days at Rossendale Dryslope were pretty special when you look back), Christian Stevenson to whom gave me many breaks and assistance in my career with Odd man Out and his other video's and TV/ magazine hook up's, and then sorting me out with Salomon back in 1996!. and Spencer Claridge who has been a great friend and business partner.
Anything else you want to say?
Then their is everbody else I have met who have helped me achieve so much with my life and made it fun!, cheers.... (I hope I have given the same back to you and others...) Oh yeh... did you know that the theme tune to KickStart was called "Be My Boogie Woogie Baby" by "Mr. Walkie-Talkie", composed by Renate Vaplus. Just found that out and thought i'd share it.
Stuart's Results/ Achievements...
Year | Event | Discipline | Category | Position |
| 2009 | Snowboard Industry Poll | Best Snowboarder | All Time | 13th |
| 2005 | Orange British Championships | Boardercross | Masters | 1st |
| 2003 | South Coast Classic (Brighton) | Triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) | Olympic | 2hr 20mins 05secs |
| 1999 | British Championships | Big Air (Snowboard) | Overall | 1st |
| 1998 | British Championships | Halfpipe (Snowboard) | Overall | 1st |
| 1998 | Snowboard UK | Readers Poll (Snow) | Rider of the Year | 1st |
| 1997 | British Championships | Big Air (Snowboard) | Overall | 1st |
| 1992 | World Championships | Downriver (Kayak) | Junior (U18) | 5th |
| 1991 | & 1992 British Championships | Downriver (Kayak) | (U18, U21) | 1st |
| 1990 | Obsession, Malham Cove | Sport Climbing | 1st Redpoint | French 7b+ |
| 1985 | & 1986, TV\'s Kick Start | Trials (Motor Bikes) | Youth | . |
| 1984 | British Championships | Trials (Motor Bikes) | D Class (Under10) | 3rd |
