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Becoming a Pro

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BtBaM_Selkies
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
Hey, I'd kinda like to know what it takes to become a pro like Simon Dumont and TJ schiller, Besides the fact that they are amazing skiers.  Obviously becoming a Pro takes hard work, getting really good such, but is it more of winning a lot of competitions and getting noticed , or just being at the right place at the right time for a big name sponsor to find you?
Mar 20 2008 11:15PM
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R-Bertsch
Posts: 4719 - Karma: 20
you must be young... you don't just become a pro over night. all of them started small, got a few small sponsors, won small comps, and moved their way up to bigger sponsors/winning bigger comps.
Mar 20 2008 11:17PM
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BtBaM_Selkies
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
we'll im 16, im not the best right now, but getting small sponsors and getting into competitions by 18  would still give me a chance at becoming someone?
Mar 20 2008 11:18PM
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JaphyRyder
Posts: 1766 - Karma: 113
...you have 2 posts. First of all youre gonna need to get more involved with the skiing world. And if you're not sponsored by 16 your chances of going pro are pretttty damn small
Mar 20 2008 11:20PM
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General_Shredgnar
Posts: 3024 - Karma: 34
I would say start by getting hype and establishing connections through video parts, competitions, and sponsor me videos. Once you get recognized by a company, you can continue moving upwards and ski bigger comps, get more sponsorships, and keep working hard in the ski industry, and you start getting recognized. If you start winning major comps, you get invited to x games and other invitational events, and you go big time. I mean you can do it basically through competitions, or video parts. Depends on your style.
Mar 20 2008 11:20PM
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NickMartini
Posts: 7761 - Karma: 8,356
If the only thing your concerned about is becoming a pro stop skiing. If you ski well enough and promote your self (with out being annoying) good things will come.
Mar 20 2008 11:21PM
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JaphyRyder
Posts: 1766 - Karma: 113
don't listen to this kid...he's only tearin up the US Open, etc., Superunknown winner (callin it now)
Mar 20 2008 11:23PM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 150
The people that matter need to SEE or HEAR ABOUT you..

Whether that be through PR, Competitions, Sponsor-me videos etc.
You can't live under a rock and expect companies to come to you, you need to get out there so that your name goes to THEM.

Comps are an excellent way to do this - company reps are always out looking for new talent. Get a few good results in decent comps and people will start talking.

As martini says though, if becoming a pro is the reason you ski, you are probably doing it for the wrong reasons..
Mar 20 2008 11:25PM
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BtBaM_Selkies
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
I want to do it for the love of skiing. Since I started skiing thats all I really wanted to see myself doing. 
Mar 20 2008 11:26PM
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MadSteezin
Posts: 4572 - Karma: 936
The way you typed that almost made it seem as if you were crying. haha!
Mar 20 2008 11:30PM
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BtBaM_Selkies
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
lol, I wasn't
Mar 20 2008 11:34PM
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alaskakid
Posts: 5540 - Karma: 430
Well...how good are you? And can you grab anything?
Mar 20 2008 11:40PM
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The_Oakley_Kid
Posts: 3128 - Karma: 179
uh becoming a dumont or hall or shiller is probably impossible cuz your already 16

even becoming a lesser known pro is gonna be tough... look at walker or spriggs or kruger, there names are out there and they kill it, but they arnt close to being a dumont any time soon
Mar 20 2008 11:44PM
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BtBaM_Selkies
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
180
switch 180
360
switch 360
Mute grab
safety grab
Cross...stuff like that
but I end up try to learn a new trick and get it down every couple of times I go, I end up going about twice a week.
Mar 20 2008 11:44PM
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huckaberry
Posts: 993 - Karma: 14
get good
know the right people
ski alot
Mar 20 2008 11:47PM
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chazz.
Posts: 2721 - Karma: 23
Hey! thats my trick list! can i become pro with you?
Mar 20 2008 11:52PM
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BtBaM_Selkies
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
ok well, thank y'all for the help!
Mar 20 2008 11:56PM
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scratchskier321
Posts: 2571 - Karma: 1,313
u have plenty of time to go pro, ur ONLY 16! u have so much time, keep looking ahead. hardwork pays off.
Mar 20 2008 11:57PM
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JaphyRyder
Posts: 1766 - Karma: 113
dayum, i dont know too many kids who can throw mutes...youve got a shot
Mar 21 2008 12:00AM
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alaskakid
Posts: 5540 - Karma: 430
Well I'm gonna come off as a total dick but whatever. Look becoming a pro in skiing is incredibly hard, the talent pool is huge but the sponsers and money isn't. Next generation pro's are kids that can pull the stuff your doing at the age of 11 or so. There's so many crazy kids you've never heard about before, like this kid your age http://www.zapiks.com/gus-kenworthy-jon-olsson-sup.html
MAYBE if you can have come amazing progression you can get sponsored, but don't ski for that. Ski for the love; I've heard its funner anyways. If you do really want to get sponsored, start locally and start to make a name for yourself. Sorry if I was harsh.
Mar 21 2008 12:01AM
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Bloom.
Posts: 3541 - Karma: 13,307
im assuming you love to ski. so keep doing what you love to do. if you get good enough then people will pick you up and you will start to make a name for your self. however the only way to do this is continue skiing passionately
Mar 21 2008 12:01AM
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ShredtillURdead
Posts: 2024 - Karma: 93
haha wow NS, im actually suprised it took this long for someone to make a mean post to this kid. 

this is not meant to be mean dude, just maybe to motivate you to work super super hard at your skiing because its obviously something you enjoy and thats awesome that you want it to be a big part of your life BUT....youre not even close to being not even close.  there are litterally 50,000 kids within a year or two of you that have all the tricks you have X3 rotation wise with grabs...there are probably (can we get an official NS member count on this one?) 100,000 dudes on this website that have the tricks you have.  i personally know a 6 year old who has the tricks you have...again, im not being mean, just straight up honest.........WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.......get yourself a pass next season at a mountain with night skiing and go EVERY NIGHT.  also, get yourself a trampoline so you can get used to different rotations in the air and a PVC rail set-up so you can practice rails all summer.  when you can spin a 7 both to your left and to the right switch and forwards (all 4 ways) with a grab the whole time on a 50 foot table....maybe you can get sponsered....to be at the level of tanner, simon, jon, colby, tj, you need to basically have natural ability. yes those guys work super hard, but they started head and shoulders above everyone anyway, simon used to be a gymnist for fucks sake. 

so Xgames?  prolly never.  local sponsorships by the time your 20?  maybe.  just get out there and work on trick after trick after trick 12 months a year.  that will keep you at least at pace with 50,000 other kids looking for the same thing as you...
Mar 21 2008 12:11AM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
one time i threw a whole 180 on the ground while i was standing still.  it was the coolest.
Mar 21 2008 12:24AM
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raddar
Posts: 681 - Karma: 65
dude i fully support your dedication to skiing and your strive to be a pro, but this is basically what next generations pros look like now:

<embed src="http://www.level1productions.com/flash/flvplayer.swf" width="375" height="230" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"flashvars="file=http://www.level1productions.com/superunknownvids/03-14-2008_Benoit.Morissette_Benoit.Morissette.flv&logo=http://www.level1productions.com/flash/embed_watermark.png" />

benoit, you are going to destroy us all soon
Mar 21 2008 12:28AM
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quebecfreestyler
Posts: 13040 - Karma: 1,419
I started doing that fresstyle thinger when i was 17-18.

It simply didnt exist in a form were I would enjoy it beofre that time.

Iwas already a decent all aorudn skier  at that time but yea I dont think age is/should be a matter for anyone.
Mar 21 2008 12:29AM
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
Actually, Colby James West is a great example of a kid who really couldn't see himself doing anything else. At High North, he told me that at my age (17 then) he was as good as I was. I had about the same trick list you had with the exception of the switch stuff. He's the epitomy of the hard worker, and it CAN be done. It takes enormous mental strength, and a very good work ethic. Colby doesn't even drink or smoke, which is weird in the ski culture because skiers normally like to party hard. He's the man and is a very good influence to look up to. Keep working hard. Follow your dream kid. Your goal is the same as mine. Given enough mental strength, and devotion, it's doable.
Mar 21 2008 12:37AM
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raddar
Posts: 681 - Karma: 65


Mar 21 2008 12:45AM
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MadSteezin
Posts: 4572 - Karma: 936
oh my god! one time i actually did a 720! On flat ground! OMG! And then i did it even more times!
Mar 21 2008 1:11AM
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saucer_boy_lives
Posts: 498 - Karma: 39
hahahaaha asshole
Mar 21 2008 1:28AM
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saucer_boy_lives
Posts: 498 - Karma: 39
uh.... you must be talking of another colby that i have not heard of...
Mar 21 2008 1:29AM
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kenevil
Posts: 1309 - Karma: 31

Straight up rediculous.....

Mar 21 2008 1:36AM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
holy shit... that kids 12
Mar 21 2008 2:22AM
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bradf0real
Posts: 200 - Karma: 12
haha nice
Mar 21 2008 2:24AM
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danetudor
Posts: 178 - Karma: 1,325
oi u dont need to have lots of posts on ns to become pro. what kind of ridiculous comment is that...
Mar 21 2008 2:34AM
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three6steeze
Posts: 484 - Karma: -3
its a very typical NS comment.
Mar 21 2008 2:50AM
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carbon.pulse
Posts: 3348 - Karma: 22
What are you talking about?

It is mandatory to be an @th733t or have 20,000 post to enter the x games and you have to have less than 100 to enter superunknown.


Mar 21 2008 2:52AM
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Abc567def
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 801
lol thats great
Mar 21 2008 3:14AM
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mski
Posts: 4791 - Karma: 3,803
the funny thing is his description of how to become pro is pretty right on....its all media and competition based...I know too many skiers that are deserving of sponsors but just dont have them, while others just know reps and get flow for nothing.
Mar 21 2008 2:18PM
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shredwards
Posts: 417 - Karma: 68
you cant do anything on rails? you will never be sponsored
also you probably didnt need to state that you can do 180's, i mean even the gappiest of gapers can usually spin that much
Mar 21 2008 4:02PM
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Boodje.
Posts: 1394 - Karma: 21
that kid staright' rips.
Mar 21 2008 4:23PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13083 - Karma: 18,725
just amazing, Le relais has a pretty good park now


Mar 21 2008 4:48PM
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emokiller
Posts: 191 - Karma: 10
easy: win contests
Mar 21 2008 4:50PM
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wordzofwizdum
Posts: 476 - Karma: 448
do gay things
Mar 21 2008 4:56PM
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Federation
Posts: 430 - Karma: 17
most people can do this.
Mar 21 2008 6:14PM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
Adam Delorme is 24 and is still blowing up.
Mar 21 2008 6:41PM
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Piste.Off
Posts: 11586 - Karma: 1,860
you have a long ways to go
Mar 21 2008 7:08PM
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saucer_boy_lives
Posts: 498 - Karma: 39
or just do what mski here does, sponsor himself.
Mar 21 2008 10:48PM
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Roy
Posts: 1982 - Karma: 1,240
Yo dude thats mint you wanna do that. I Started doing tricks when I was 16 I ended that year with triple twisters daffies and spreads. That summer I got a ski video then shortly after twin tips for the next season, I did my first 3 thats year. Im 22 now, and as far as park twicks are conserended I can spin all 4 ways up to 5s (hopefully 7s tommorrow, just got sw unnatty 7s left but its hard when your home mountain has only 15 foot tables) I can do sw 10's when I go away to hit bigger jumps, I'm gettin better on rails and I almost got a quad kink urban a few days ago. And I didn't even work that hard cuz I just like to go out and ride the hill, I could be better, so if you push yourself theres no reason why you can't be there too.
Mar 21 2008 10:55PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13083 - Karma: 18,725
Well, the best way to become a pro is not to do it for money. Its to do it for yourself. Sponsors just help you support your passion. To become like Dumont and Hall, get a coach. Practice year round and expect some injuries.

I have been skiing for 17 years now, I went through that phase of wanting to become a pro. But reality set in pretty fast. I started getting better when I had fun and did it for myself and the rush. My fame rose in my ski center so as my performance. Every time I get on my skis, I know im going to have fun.


Mar 21 2008 11:05PM
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