How many times has that trip been emulated since? While the case was pending, a judge required Craig to ride his Burton boards without graphics, which spawned the genius marketing of his first pro model, The Mystery Air, which became one of Burtons all time best-selling boards. Hed be the living legend Id introduce my kids to some day, and theyd know immediately who he was because Id have already told them his story: Craig Elmer Kelly was born on April Fools Day-April 1, 1966. All rights reserved. Its also where my own snowboarding career began nearly 30 years ago when Craigs legendary status was already cemented. Woodward PC, Big Bear, and Woodward Copper with The Dust Box! With beautiful sunshine and over 14 inches of fresh, cold smoke after weeks of warm slop, the few of us who showed up knew he was there in spirit. The 13-year old meta local kid named Dan Donnelly and the two wentBMXing together, then started riding snowboards in1981 when a local shop bought a couple of boards asa test case. All rights reserved. Other . The film made it onto TV the firstsnowboard film on the Discovery Channel. Maybe there wasa market for people who enjoyed exploring the backcountry, as brandslike The North Face and Patagonia had pioneered in climbing? He was incredibly diverse in his abilities and thats just comparing him to what others were doing. In 2003 Warren Miller dedicated a segment in his film titled "Journey" to Craig. A true legend, Jason "J2" Rasmus turned his persona into a professional "Snowboarding was born, lived, and died in the mid 1990s." Near Sporthotel Gudari in Caucasus Mtn, near Tblissi, "Soviet" Georgia, ISM magazine trip, 1990. Thank you for signing up. Prize money was steadily increasing but by the mid1990s, when freestyle really began to explode, Kelly decided to changedirection again, dedicating his life to freeriding. First to go is the key to the door at work. Among the findings: Non-boaters have been hospitalized slightly more than boaters (14% to 11%) and tend to be more overweight; boat owners experience greater self-esteem (plus 10%); a better sex life (plus 7%); feel more useful (plus 8%), less lonely (plus 7%) and less fatigued (plus 4%). "Craig Kelly embodied the sole of . When I finally met him he turned out to be the best possible role model. Site Navigation. To otherswhod known Craig or had been influenced by hisriding, it was a shock and a reminder that no matterhow talented, gifted and hard working we are, lifeis a precious gift that can be taken from us withoutwarning. Craig was a four-time World Champion, a three-time U.S. Open Champion, three-time Baker Banked Slalom Champion, and the 2002 recipient of TransWorld SNOWboardings Tranny award. Having tasted victory, Craig fell into a focused regimen of school and snowboard training, an almost Zen-like technique that his mother Janet likened to the BMX days when hed take his entire bike apart and put it back together the night before a race. If my riding doesnt feel technically perfect, exactly the way it should, I concentrate completely on the problem. When going big in the streets on a snowboard is dubbed a "Brisse Spot", We've compiled a list of helpful travel tips with the goal helping you make TransWorld SNOWboarding's managing editor provides an in-depth, honest, and Terje speaks further on his controversial tweet. By the end of his first season of competition, Craig had taken second place in two additional events and was itching for a win that came the following March at a Hyak, Washington banked slalom and then again in a slalom at the soon-to-be prestigious World Snowboarding Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado. Soon you have to get a day job because youre not making enough money at night. Craig appeared in Warren Miller movies for several consecutive years. His parents supported his decision wholeheartedly, and he went on to earn world titles in every aspect of the sport (racing, moguls, and freestyle). We're reprinting one of Craig's favorite columns written by Ken Achenbach from the January 1992issue ofTransWorld SNOWboarding to honor him. Craigs career recently evolved into backcountry guiding where he was based primarily in British Columbia. While speeding by you start thinking about the guy you just passed. Watching him ride was like watching water flow down a river. Craig had found the historical novel based in Iran at a second-hand store somewhere in the States. Then he said, Maybe you could help me out? I was flattered, because not only was Craig a longtime snowboarding hero of mine, he was also one of the few snowboarders I felt really had something to say. When I saw Craig snowboard, I knew he was special. He preached it and so do I. Craig Kelly was the first true professional snowboarder. Craig Kelly was a competitive force, a true soul-driven freerider, and a passionate and highly intelligent mind behind Burton product development. Jason J2 Rasmus, 1972-2019Gone Tooz Soon. This cool kids outdoors club will introduce you to L.A.s best asset, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, its last major COVID restriction, Burbank aborted landing was latest close call for U.S. flights. Box 2759. Kelly took snowboarding professionalism to a new level in the early1990s. Not Done the information below is content from Wikipedia. Olivia has been around snowboarding her whole life and has been close with the Carpenter's (Jake, Donna, and their sons) for as long as she can remember. Craig Kelly: April 1, 1966 January 20, 2003 A timeline of Craig Kelly's snowboarding accomplishments and life courtesy of Burton Snowboards. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Hes still there. After dominating the freestyle titles for three years, Craig tired of the negative energy and stress associated with competition and decided freeriding was his next focus. Socially Awkward: Terje Haakonsen addresses the tweet heard round the action sports w Gretchen Bleiler with Conan O'Brian Tonight Show, Socially Awkward: Terje Haakonsen addresses the tweet heard round the action sports world, R.I.P. Over the weekend, Craig Kelly was guidinga group of skiers and riders in the Revelstoke area ofBritish Columbia, explained an email from Burton.The group was caught in an avalanche. He set a standard that many emulate today. Tragically,Craig Kelly and six others did not survive.. Durrand Glacier near Revelstoke, British Columbia in 2003. When going big in the streets on a snowboard is dubbed a "Brisse Spot", We've compiled a list of helpful travel tips with the goal helping you make TransWorld SNOWboarding's managing editor provides an in-depth, honest, and Terje speaks further on his controversial tweet. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Over his 15-year professional career, he won 4 world championships and 3 U.S. championships; he won the Mt. Ill just get this little night job so I can buy gas, you hear yourself saying. From freestyle to freeride to guiding, Craig brought the spirit of snowboarding with him wherever he went. Angela Sun has been named lead correspondent for Fox Sports Nets action sports show, 54321, which debuts Monday at 5 p.m. Leeann Tweeden, Chad Towersey and Kip Williamson are co-hosts of the first daily program devoted entirely to the five core, or action, sports: skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and motocross. A true legend, Jason "J2" Rasmus turned his persona into a professional "Snowboarding was born, lived, and died in the mid 1990s." Embed. Then he retired from racing and concentrated on the halfpipe (thus giving up his overall title). I will miss Craig very much, but I will always remember the sound of him riding down a powder-filled mountain. Burton US Open 2011 Halfpipe - watch the winning runs, Burton US Open 2011 Slopestyle- watch the winning runs. A graduate of Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington, the professional snowboarder was a force to be reckoned with, as he has been dubbed by the great Terje Hkonsen as the best snowboarder of all time. I know so many people who go into the backcountry totally ignorant, but Craig knew what was going on, Downing said. Published in Whitelines Magazine Issue 95, February 2011, On the morning of the 21st of January in 2003,competitors, industry folk and spectators at the Burton European Open awoke to some sad news. By that time he was Burtons poster boy (after leaving Sims) with a couple pro models under his belt, and more to come. The store had ordered a few all-wood Burton Backhills. I dont know anybody else that lovedmountain riding as much as he did., Filmmaker Jacques Russo was someone who met Kelly at thattime, when the pair worked on 1989s The Smooth Groove. A place where he found inner peace. Craig didnt like the publicity from that stunt, says Ken. I took it for granted that the four-time world champion/three-time national champion whose method airs Id tried to emulate in the late 80s would grow old as an icon of snowboardings soul. I almost feel bad telling others how idyllic Mt. But everyone knew the mysterywas Kelly. Host Lynn Neary talks with Jake Burton, owner of the Burton Snowboard Company about Craig Kelly, a champion snowboarder who was among those killed in an avalanche in British Columbia this . The future of progressive snowboard designs is alive and well. You need a place to change and store your stuff. This multiple award-winning film portrays the world's most iconic, charismatic and philosophical snowboarder, Craig Kelly, and traces the first moments in the history of snowboarding. Not just because of his snowboarding, but also for his lifestyle and love for the mountains. Its you. Details: www.vans.com. How to find the best blooms without the drama, Nature-curious? In 1983, says Tom, there were only about a dozen really good riders in the entire country. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Subscribe to SNOWBOARDERs Newsletter to receive stories like this straight to your inbox. You have to take care of them. Craig was the first in his school to ride ramps on his skateboard, to race BMX bikes, to surf, and eventually, to snowboard. Part of the Vans Triple Crown of Snowboarding, it will feature some of the worlds top slopestyle and superpipe specialists. It's time to rejoice, for Ullr has answered Mammoth Mountain's prayers. Craig Kelly was the first snowboarder to appear in an IMAX movie. She wants you to hang with her once in a while instead of going boarding all the time. Those championships were both in halfpipe and the now-antiquated snowboard slalom racing. The skiff Porpy brought in a 100-plus pounder on four consecutive days. TransWorld SNOWboarding and the entire Burton family deeply mourns his loss and extend our. The Bike Factory Owner Bob Barci told Sims Founder Tom Sims that he should check out Mount Baker for all its natural gullies (which would be perfect for a natural halfpipe, or perhaps a banked slalom) and a talented local snowboarder named Craig Kelly. Baker Banked Slalom snowboarding competition in 1988, 1991, and 1993. Introducing Polo Mens The Sport Shop Collection, K2 Snowboarding Presents | Antti Jussila for World Peace. Vernon, Washington. Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions. And no one did it better than Craig Kelly. SNOWBOARDERs Newsletter to receive stories like this straight to your inbox. I'm not sure of the year, but I think it was around 1998, Craig set up a Burton trip to North Cascade Heli in Washington with Joe Curtes, Jeff Curtes, Dave Seoane and myself. Craig was the epitome of core: to be World Freestyle Champion four times and rule the sport the way he did was a huge accomplishment, but to retire from competing and go on to become a backcountry guide says far more about him. Okay, next time put more weight on your rear foot.'. Woodward PC, Big Bear, and Woodward Copper with The Dust Box! If Craig got into it, says Fulton, all the kids would get into it., Jeff took them up to Mount Baker, and they rode powder off the side of the road because Mount Baker Ski Area didnt allow snowboarding in 1981. Craig spent a lot of time at the Pac West ski area (Hyak, WA) in 198586. Our ability to see through the snowpack, and see what is happening everywhere with the snow in a given month is not possible.. Without even knowing it, he led by example and showed several generations what to avoid but even more importantly, where it was possible to go. Press play for a hell ride through Helsinki. We tracked out Gunners Bowl until we moved onto the Arm, and we hiked to some of the most incredible alpine terrain that one can find by foot. Box 2759, Revelstoke, B.C., Canada, V0E 2S0 or via the web at http://www.avalanche.ca in the sales and products section. You cant give her the key to your heart because snowboarding put a combination lock on it and only your snowboard knows the number. Your mind keeps wandering back. 1991 craig kelly, jean higgins. The Gatekeeper: Craig Kelly (April 1, 1966-January 20, 2003)By Eric Blehm, February 12, 2000: Powder, sunshine, and six-dollar lift tickets, said Craig Kelly as we slogged upstairs to our hotel room at the end of a perfect day of riding in Iran. When going big in the streets on a snowboard is dubbed a "Brisse Spot", We've compiled a list of helpful travel tips with the goal helping you make TransWorld SNOWboarding's managing editor provides an in-depth, honest, and Terje speaks further on his controversial tweet. Annett remembers a soft-spoken, spiritual man who loved snowboarding almost as much as he loved his infant daughter. Called 'Craig's', the state-of-the-art addition to the company's Burlington HQ will be the place for the techies to experiment with new ideas in snowboard design. He returned from his journey with his new baby Olivia, as a "souvenir" he said, from his trip. He wanted to do it all, says photographer and friend Mark Gallup. Subscribe to our free newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest from Runtime: 90 minutes Let it Ride is a tribute to the former 'Godfather of Freeriding' Craig Kelly. He spent the remainder of his life riding for Burton Snowboardsowned by Jake Burton Carpenter. His dad Pat explained that he could dealwith the loss because Craig had lived as much in 36 years as most ofus do in 80, which was a very fitting obituary. Although Craig was quiet and analytical, he was an amazing athlete and quickly became known as the house snowboarder. During Hell Half Hour (the houses nightly stress-release study break), Craig would crank up The Scorpions or Judas Priest and jump on his bed with his snowboard. You simply didnt walk away from competing and expect to continue being paid to snowboard back then. Wise, poignant words from a man who lived, and eventually died, staying true to a passion for the mountains that was only matched by his talent as a snowboarder. He blew out dozens of mattresses and broke boards monthly. Not just because of his snowboarding, but also for his lifestyleand love for the mountains. In his interview, Craig showed the first signs of his upcoming switch from overall racer/freestyle guy to dedicated freestyle champion. He returned from his trip cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing.... Maybe there wasa market for people who enjoyed exploring the backcountry, brandslike. 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