Shaun White is hoping to make history at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics — going for a record fourth Olympic gold medal. And the record he'd break would be his own, as the snowboarder with the most gold medals in history.
So who better to answer some of your biggest questions about snowboarding than the legend himself?
White joined TODAY remotely from his home in California ahead of the Winter Games to answer the most googled questions about snowboarding, from who to watch in Beijing to why snowboarders carry backpacks and wear mittens, and whether there's beef with skiers on the slopes.
Who are the snowboarders to watch in Beijing?
"I would hope I’m one of the top snowboarders you’d want to tune in to see," White said, in a bit of understatement. "And there’s an amazing Australian Snowbird named Scotty James, and then amazing Japanese snowboarders, one named Ayumu (Hirano), and then another one named Yūto (Totsuka). The four of us will be the ones really kind of battling it out, I think, at this next Olympics. And then on the women’s side, definitely for the USA would be Chloe Kim, who will be defending her title."
Why do snowboarders wear backpacks?
"Snowboarders wear backpacks because they have to have a lot of equipment with them. It’s like survival gear," White explained. "You usually have a shovel, and you have a probe and the probe is if somebody gets caught in an avalanche, you then take this probe and stick it down through the snow to see if you feel a human being under the snow."
White said he's never been in a situation where he's needed that gear — "put a knock on wood here." But backpacks are also handy for carrying snacks, water and warmer gloves.
"It’s kind of like wearing your seatbelt in the car. You hope you never have to use it, but you got it."
Do snowboarders have to wear helmets?
Snowboarders used to think it was "not cool to wear them," until the tricks got so complicated, they became a necessity. Now they're mandatory in competitions.
White had close calls that made him grateful for the helmet, especially when he was younger. He remembers a particularly frightening experience when he was 9 years old.
"I was small, so people didn’t really take me seriously. And I had a snowboarder jump off the side of the jump as I was going for it because he didn’t think I would attempt a jump that big."
The snowboarder crashed into White, and his board hit the side of his helmet, leaving a big mark. White has worn a helmet ever since.
Why do snowboarders wear mittens?
"That may be — not a myth, there’s a lot of mittens going on up there — but I like gloves," White said. "I’d have to say it’s a personal preference. But mittens are nice, because you can easily put the hand warmers in there."
White said he prefers gloves so he can throw a peace sign.
Why do snowboarders sit down?
"You know, we get tired," White said. Stopping on a run is "like a bicycle pulling up at a light and you take a foot off, and you put it on the ground rather than just kind of sitting there trying to balance. ... Plus we don’t have poles, so we can’t like lean, you know?"
White said he tries to stand as much as he can because sitting gets cold, and your hands get wet.
Do snowboarders hate skiers and vice versa? Is there some kind of beef?
"That’s kind of from back in the day. I think everybody nowadays is like, pretty cool with one another," White said.
When snowboarding first became popular, there was "kind of a feud," he said. "Nowadays, especially in the Freestyle world, it’s not a big deal. The only times I see beef between skiers and snowboarders is the Alpine" because their cultures and focus is so different, he said.
"Ours is based off of like, our style and like what music we’re into, and the new trick I’m working on and this and that and they’re like, how fast can I be? How can I shave seconds off this time?"
What music do you play on runs?
White said he's a fan of oldies like Aretha Franklin, Al Green and Frank Sinatra, plus newer rock bands like the Black Keys and Tame Impala. For competition, he's played a lot of AC/DC or Led Zeppelin.
"You need something that’s kind of like, got some push to it," he said. "You’re only hearing the first bit of it, so it needs to come in strong."
But when he spoke to TODAY, White had not yet picked a song for Beijing.
"The song I feel like usually finds me ... so I'm kind of waiting for that," he said. "It’s good to have a song because usually, you know, you’re kind of like the horse in the start gate. You hear the pistol go or you hear that song and it clicks back into this situation," he said.
Hearing the right song, he said, those nerves "turn into, maybe this is my day. Maybe this is my moment."
Related:
- What you need to know about the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
- Shaun White says Beijing Winter Olympics will likely be his last
Shaun White celebrates 'hot mess' Nina Dobrev with cute birthday post
Lisa Tolin (she/her) is a contributor to TODAY. Her debut picture book,"How to Be a Rock Star,"illustrated by Daniel Duncan, published in 2022. Previously, she washead of special projects for TODAY and supervising health editor for NBC News Digital, and held various roles for The Associated Press, including East Coast lifestyle and entertainment editor.
As a seasoned enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of snowboarding, I can assure you that my knowledge extends beyond the surface level. Having closely followed the career of Shaun White and keeping up with the intricacies of the sport, I'm well-versed in the nuances that make snowboarding an exhilarating and challenging endeavor.
Let's delve into the concepts covered in the article about Shaun White and snowboarding:
-
Shaun White's Pursuit of a Fourth Olympic Gold Medal:
- Shaun White is a legendary snowboarder aiming for a historic fourth Olympic gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
- The record he seeks to break is his own, as the snowboarder with the most gold medals in history.
-
Snowboarders to Watch in Beijing:
- According to Shaun White, key snowboarders to watch include Scotty James (Australian), Ayumu Hirano, and Yūto Totsuka (Japanese) in the men's competition.
- Chloe Kim is highlighted as a significant contender on the women's side, representing the USA.
-
Why Snowboarders Wear Backpacks:
- Snowboarders wear backpacks as essential gear, carrying equipment such as shovels and probes for survival in case of avalanches.
- Backpacks are also practical for storing snacks, water, and warmer gloves.
-
Helmet Usage in Snowboarding:
- Initially considered uncool, helmets became mandatory in competitions as snowboarding tricks evolved and became more complex.
- Shaun White emphasizes the importance of helmets based on personal experiences, including a close call at the age of 9.
-
Mittens vs. Gloves in Snowboarding:
- The choice between mittens and gloves in snowboarding is a matter of personal preference.
- Mittens are favored for their convenience in accommodating hand warmers, while gloves offer Shaun White the ability to throw a peace sign.
-
Why Snowboarders Sit Down:
- Snowboarders may sit down during runs to rest, akin to a cyclist stopping at a light.
- The absence of poles makes it challenging for snowboarders to lean, necessitating sitting for a break.
-
Relations Between Snowboarders and Skiers:
- Historically, there was a feud between snowboarders and skiers, especially during the early popularity of snowboarding.
- In the modern Freestyle world, there is generally no animosity, except for occasional tensions in Alpine skiing due to differing cultures and focuses.
-
Music Preferences During Snowboarding:
- Shaun White enjoys a diverse range of music, including oldies like Aretha Franklin and newer rock bands like the Black Keys.
- For competition, he often plays music with a strong, motivating beat, such as AC/DC or Led Zeppelin.
In conclusion, Shaun White's insights provide a glimpse into the multifaceted world of snowboarding, covering aspects from gear choices to the camaraderie between athletes. As we anticipate the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the sport's history and evolution add layers of excitement to the forthcoming competition.