This post is part of a series of interviews with pro riders.
The focus is predominantly on snowboarding gear (this is a website all about snowboard gear after all!) but there some other questions just for fun.
This week’s pro rider gear profile features Michael Ravelson (aka Mike Rav).
Capita have a new video coming out featuring Mike, but in the meantime, take pleasure in checking out some of his other films, like his part in Defenders of Awesome 2 below:
Mike Rav as MIke Rav in Defenders of Awesome 2
Michael Ravelson Interview
Who was your snowboard idol growing up?
I don’t really think at first I had an idol. At first it was more a collective lifestyle thing. The colors really appealed to me. My idols were guys I saw ride at the local hill, who would call me “buckey” cause I had these teeth…
What was your favorite video part to film over the years ?
The video I just filmed for this winter. It comes out in a few months through capita. It was a great year…
Sounds sick. Can’t wait to see it, when it’s released! Snowboarding Profiles is a gear site, so that’s what we care most about here – how important do think it is to get your gear right?
Most important. It’s gear. It’s vibe. It’s the vibe of the gear….
And for those young riders out there aspiring to be professional snowboarders, what do you consider the most important thing to being successful? Practice? Belief? Desire? Confidence? Gear? Good coach? Good physical shape? Likely a combination of the above, but what would be the single most important thing in your eyes?
That depends on what you think success is. I don’t think I’ve done much of success just yet… but I’m trying my hardest to get there someday. But I imagine it’s finding your truths and going towards them. Unapologetically…
Love it! Getting back to gear, what do You think is the most important part of your equipment to get right? Snowboard? Bindings? Boots? Outerwear? Safety Equipment? And what would be your 2nd and 3rd choices as to what’s most important?
The overall everything. What you wear and use out there is you. It’s all extensions of you. Find pieces that help represent you. Kinda like… everyday is Halloween out there… it’s a freak fest
But having gear that is sized well is very important. I’d say just find stuff you actually truly feel comfortable in. And something you feel looks good. A board is important but if I don’t have good outerwear or feel cool I won’t snowboard as comfortably. It’s like the universe. We’re all connected. All your gear is connected. And will either help or hinder…find nice colors too
In terms of the snowboard, what do you think is the most important factor or factors – the thing that can make the biggest difference to the feel and performance of the board? Camber Profile? Length? Width? Sidecut? Effective Edge? Flex? Weight? Base? Graphic
All of the above… at first I think finding a board you can maneuver properly is really important. Once you get the fundamentals you can apply it to any board from there…
Size everything good. Board somewhere around the chin, boots don’t hang too far over the sidewalls. Binding stance is about shoulder width. These are good places to start and then from there you can adjust. Everyone runs different set ups and styles from here. That’s the beauty. There’s no perfect. Get familiar w the screw driver and wax kit.
What gear is your go to right now? Board? Bindings? Boots? (can choose multiple)
Capita snowboards
Vans boots
Volcom outerwear
Union bindings
Crab grab gloves
Volcom eyewear
And finally, where is your favorite place to snowboard?
Anywhere with no lines and snow
Keep up with what Mike’s up to on his instragram
Really appreciate Mike taking the time to answer our questions and for keeping it real! Can’t wait to see the new Capita film. Keep your eyes and ears peeled.
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