To be sponsored as a snowboarder what should you be able to do?

Question

Tricks?

Answer 1

Well...tricks, yes.

The best way to get noticed by a potential sponsor is to get into a contest. The US Open would be a good place to start.

Sad to say, but pix of you on the rail aren't gonna cut it...unless it's a really cool picture. Then you can send it into one of the magazines and pray they publish it...and pray some more you get a call. If you are an athiest, this is not the way to go. It does take divine intervention.

However....if you want to get out of the half-pipe and boneyard mentality and either A) ride BIG mountain or deep Pow or B) get a race board and start winning...then your chances of getting picked up are a bit better because you have less competition....there's still a lot of people trying to get a hook up...but it's not as bad as dealing with every joker who thinks he's the bomb because he rules his local terrain park and now Burton wants to sponsor him.

If all goes well...You might end up as a local level rider. Basically, this means you get your crap for free and you get hook-ups for lift tix..in exchange, you go ride and look cool.
(My buddy did this for Elan Skis, Tyrollia Bindings, and Dalbello boots for a few seasons....snowboard companies do the same thing.)

If your local hill has a demo team...try out for that. In addition to getting to work with pro-photographers you'll also get some back door access to the industry. In the end...even if you have a s*h*i*t load of talent, it boils down to who you know...if you are old enough...who you bought drinks for at the bar the night before.

The lucky few get full rides from the Big Companies and also get a salary to do this. However, if you have a lousy personality and hate to be in front of people and can't give an interview or hate to make speeches...then you can forget that too. The top end riders (and skiers) are all personalities. They have fans and have to mug for the camera. Likewise, they are the pitchmen for their sponsors...so all of that "I hate Corporate America B.S. some riders and skiers have HAS to go out the freakin' window because you are now a talking head for Burton, or K2, or whatever and you go where you are told, do what you are told, and say what you are told.

That will last for a few years. Then you'll retire from the front line because some 19 year old hot shot is the next sweet thing.

Answer 2

Depends if you are a guy or a girl. It is a lot easier to get sponsored if you are a girl. If you are a guy, you have to be pretty damn good.

It also depends on what level of sponsorship. Do you mean making a comfortable living snowboarding, or just getting some free stuff?

If you are a guy, and want to make a comfortable living snowboarding, you better be pretty damn good. If you want to know what you should be able to do, check out Standard's or MDP's films from this year or the last couple years.

Answer 3

I'd say cork 9's would be a good place to start.. or if you don't wanna be like all the other losers doing those these days.. start trying those onto a rail, and then again off it. That should definately get you some attention. I'd give it a week before you have every major snowboard sponser wanting you to ride for them. So there you go ;)

Answer 4

I have no idea what it would take for a girl to get sponsored. Winning a rail jam comp after just 3 years of riding is awesome. keep it up and hope you get a bitchin sponsorship.

Answer 5

impossible to get sponsored by the big guys
you have to be the sh!t (contests, all mountain riding whatnot)

even with your local board shop its hard
tricks?
...yeah.....about those....you gotta be Jesus at them


AND THEN

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
stay true and dont give up dammit!

Answer 6

get a b owjob going down hill at 50 mph....on a snow board