NZSnowboard.com - The home of New Zealand Snowboarding

12th July 2009

NAME:     James Hamilton
AGE:     19
SPONSORS:     Flow / Sessions / Smith / Halfpast
BOARD:      Flow Team Board
BINDINGS:     Flow M 9s
BOOTS:     Flow The One
OUTERWEAR:     Sessions
GOGGLES:     Smith
HELMET:     Smith

Tell us about your snowboards set up, binding angels, stance, width etc?
Board 157, Angle   + 15 6, ride with a bit of forward lean

Do you tune your boards regularly?
Not that often only when I have to

Any waxing tips?
When you do wax loosen your binding screws otherwise youll make dints in your base from the heat of the iron.

Where did you grow up?
Albany, Auckland

When did you start snowboarding?
At about intermediate school level. But I started riding Pipe and Park seriously in 2006

Is being a competitive snowboarder what you expected?
Yeah, most people think that everyone is real competitive but all the overseas riders are real good friends and are just out to have a good time on and off snow.
How hard is it going to be to qualify for the Olympic snowboard half pipe event:?
Well I have just finished the qualifying year and I got my quota spot for the Nation
Have you qualified yet? Its not set in concrete yet but NZ have spots for the top guys and girls riding pipe.
 
What are your plans for after the Olympics?
I want to keep competing and do some more filming / photo stuff.

What was the biggest contest for you in 2008-09?
World Cup finals Valmalenco 2008 and the US Open 2008

Have you be filming at all over the past year?
Yah, just got back from filming with the International Flow Team for their video in Mammoth. It was fun I got to ride with all the Top Flow guys like Antti Autti and Scotty Lago.

What is a normal day like for James Hamilton when you are traveling overseas?
Well its kinda like your in either a plane a train a hotel or a car all the time except when your riding. But all the different places I get to shred and all the people I meet makes up for all the travel for sure.

Are you superstitious?
No not really. I have this necklace that Ive worn for about 7 years straight, and Im a bit of a nervous flyer but thats about all im superstitious about..

Do you have a pre-snowboard ritual?
I like to have a big Bacon and Egg breakfast, have fun and I dont let the pressure get to me.

Got any lucky socks or any thing like that?
No, just like to keep that necklace on!

Who or what inspires you outside snowboarding?
Other athletes  like surfers, skaters,  Music and Movies all kinds of things.

Best trip ever?
Team Flow shoot in Mammoth, and I always love going to Italy to compete

Have you been on a snowmobile in the back country yet?
No, Im yet to do that but it is on my to do list

Last words and thanks?
Have fun all the time, and BIG thanks to Flow, Sessions, Smith, Halfpast  and Mum and Dad.