Nial Romanek For Shred For Life

1. What is your name and where are you from.

Nial Romanek and I am from Hibbing, Minnesota

2. Where did your interest in Snowboarding start/ how did your adventure with snowboarding start

It all started when I went on a school ski trip to the local mountain. I think I was in fifth grade or so, we all had to go skiing and we were told that we could only go on green runs. That didn’t last long and a couple buddies and I went over to the terrain park to check it out. While we were there I saw a kid do a boardslide on a rail. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. It wasn’t till a couple years later that I was able to actually try snowboarding, but I knew from that moment when I saw the boarslide that that was what I wanted to do.

3. Who is your sponsor at present/ who is sponsoring you at present

Smokin Snowboards, iNi Cooperative, Rad Gloves, Wend Wax, Outdoor Tech

4. What are you doing in your day life outside of snowboarding, what is your job

Well this summer I was a coach up at Mount Hood at Windells. After the summer snowboarding stopped there I ended up heading to the East Coast were I have been doing some construction work for the fall.

5. Who is your snowboarding mentor

That one is really hard. Probably the older kids at my local mountain that built the terrain park when I was growing up. They were a huge influence and really helped me out and showed me everything about snowboarding.

6. Your favourite trick

Probably a nosepress.

7. Your favourite

To snowboard and why…

I don’t have a favorite spot, I think the main thing is just having a good time riding with my friends.

8. Tell us a little bit about your new project Think Thank’s „Thethods Of Predicition”

Well this year was the funnest year yet. It just seemed like luck was on my side the whole year. We had a horrible snow year in Tahoe but I managed to get a few shot early in the year before hitting the road. I have also been on the hunt for a few specific types of spots for the last couple years and this year was the year that I finally ended up being able to find them all which seemed like a miracle. Besides myself I think that everyone else also had a great year too. It seemed like everyone took things a little less serious and it ended up working out for the better. No one was really stressing about getting shots or trying to rush things and then everything seemed to fall into place. It’s crazy how that works out. We also have a little zine that comes with the dvd if you buy the hard copy. It is compiled of drawings, stories and photos of our travels to make the movie. If you haven’t seen it you should definitely check it out. It’s my favorite Think Thank movie that I have been able to be a part of!

9. What‘s your thoughts on this years HDHR competition

I thought it was super fun to ride in. It wasn’t the easiest course to ride, but that’s okay though… I’m always down for a good challenge. I also think it’s crazy how much work they put into that event to make the two different lanes so long with so many features, especially seeing how it’s basically still summer in Southern California then.

10. What are your plans for this coming season

Haha not quite sure right now, most of the time the plan is to not have a plan and just see where the cards lie and roll with the punches.

11. What would you say to encourage people to take up snowboarding

It’s the one thing in life that gives me pure joy. I’m always have fun while I’m boarding. It’s not about competing, it’s about going out and enjoying your experience.

12. Do you know anything about Poland? If yes, what is the first thing that comes to mind

I haven’t been able to visit Poland yet but I hope to make it there someday. It seems like a rad country with a lot of history, culture, and awesome food. I would love to eat some authentic Polish pierogi!

Nial Romanek from "Think Thank Almanac" 2014 from Think Thank on Vimeo.

Thanks

Nial Romanek