Nationality: American
City of origin: Carlsbad, California
Birthday: September 3rd 1986
Stance: Regular (+12 / -3)
Sponsors: Burton, Oakley, Volcom, Red Bull
Board: Burton Shaun White
Bindings: Burton Custom
Boots: Burton - "The White Collection"
Over the past few years Shaun White has risen to international stardom, launching snowboarding into the mainstream spotlight and becoming a media icon of the sport. Shaun however has been involved with snowboarding since he was just a kid, soaring above everyone’s heads at an early age and building a reputation to charge forward, progress and still have fun.
Shaun was originally inspired to snowboard by his older brother Jesse, who’s footsteps he followed closely. He was picked up by Burton at the early age of seven, and has since progressed into an athletic machine earning high respect from his peers and the media alike.
His success is undeniable, and it’s impossible to remain oblivious to the chain of wins he has collected, from numerous Gold Medals at the X- Games in both Halfpipe and Slopestyle, Gold at the 2006 Olympics in Halfpipe as well as the TTR World Snowboard Tour Championship Title at the end of the 06/07 season.
Most notably, Shaun has earned himself a strong collection of TTR Titles including the TTR 6-Star Nissan X-Trail Jam 2006 Quarter Pipe, The TTR 6-Star Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships 2006 in both Half Pipe and Slope Style, and The TTR 6-Star Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships 2007 in Half Pipe. He also won the TTR 5-Star Honda session at Vail in 2006 for the Slope Style, the TTR 5-Star World Super Pipe Championships 2007 and the TTR 5-Star Nissan X-Trial Nippon Open 2007 for Half Pipe.
In the 07/08 TTR season so far, Shaun has only entered a few TTR competitions. But the ones he has entered he’s either won or at least made the podium. He destroyed the competition at the Burton European Open claiming another first with the 6-Star BEO Slopestyle 08. However, Shaun’s reign in the Halfpipe was challenged by Burton teammate Kevin Pearce. Pearce edged out White in the very last run causing White to settle for second. This only fueled White to come back stronger, claiming another first at the 5-Star World Superpipe Championships 08. And he didn’t stop there. He proved he was the freestyle king at the 26th Annual 6-Star Burton US Open where he destroyed both the Slopestyle and the Halfpipe, soaring higher, farther, faster and more stylish than every competitor, bagging two more Titles and reminding everyone once again of his relentless hold on freestyle snowboarding competition.
Although it may not look it, Shaun is also expanding his presence in snowboarding by bringing more focus to backcountry riding and filming. Major projects you can see him in include First Descent in which leading snowboarders such as Terje Haakonsen, Dave Downing, Hannah Teter and Shaun himself braved the unknown in the last frontier of Alaska. Shaun also had a “feature” film starring himself titled The White Album which focused on his progression in the sport from when he was just a kid to the present, as well as other strong parts in Burton’s own projects such as For Right Or Wrong and Thanks in Advance.
Shaun has a strong influence in snowboarding and there is no question that he will continue to be a heavy competitor in the 08/09 season. Amongst all the studio photo sessions, autograph signings and product endorsements, he’ll still find the time to go back to snowboarding’s roots, remembering how the smallest hit or simplest line can still be oh so sweet.
