[BEST OF '08]

Who would've thought that in a span of eight years, Ontario-born Simon Chaimberlain would go from living in a one-bedroom apartment with three other friends in Whistler, to becoming an internationally marketed, professional snowboarder travelling the world with the very same people he once idolized.  Seriously, though: imagine how you'd feel if you were Simon and you picked up an issue of Transworld Snowboarding, only to see your childhood hero JP Walker on the cover riding your own pro model snowboard. Stoked, right?

In all honesty, everything that Simon gets involved with inside and outside of snowboarding has shaped his life to where he's at now.  "Big Break" is a new column designed to give professionals the chance to talk about how they felt when they finally "made it" in the industry. Simon's abilities, as both a professional snowboarder and a businessman, have allowed him to create a name for himself in the snowboard industry. And by making the right decisions along the way, his dream of becoming a professional shredder came true. Enjoy the interview.

QUICK HITS

When did you first get sponsored?
I think I was around 15 years old.

What's your definition of "making it" in the snowboard industry?
I guess being able to get a pro model; that's a huge accomplishment.

What did you do with you first paycheque?
I paid my rent for sure.

What did you do with your last paycheque?
Put it in the bank; into my savings, man.

What would you be doing if you weren't snowboarding?
Dishwashing somewhere, trying to get somewhere with snowboarding.

Do you miss the good old days of sharing a one-bedroom with three other people?
Sometimes, man. I miss those dudes.

What haven't you done yet that you want to do with snowboarding?
I would love to get a cover of a magazine, and also there is tons of stuff I want to do on my snowboard lingering in my mind.

What's the best part about being a role model?
Trying your best. Also, seeing the kids smile when you stoke them out.

What kind of pressures do you deal with as a professional snowboarder?
There is tons of pressure, like trying to get your video part done, and designs done on time, but I try not to let it get to me, you know? I am pretty laid back, man.

What's your relationship like with Stepchild founder Sean Johnson? Have you learned a lot from him?
Sean and I are like best friends now, man. But yeah, totally, I have learned tons from him, but I think he has learned a lot from me as well! [laughs]

SPONSORS

Some of your milestones with sponsors include: Starting out in the early days with Stepchild, Leaving DC for Nomis outerwear, getting your own Dragon goggle, and most recently signing with ThirtyTwo boots.  How important is the depth of your relationship versus the size of a paycheque with your sponsors?
For me it's all about relationships, man. At the end of the day I want to look back on my career and be stoked on who I worked with, and how we all helped each other out. I don't just want to ride for the money to get myself ahead, but I want my friends around me to get ahead, too. They also allow me to be who I am, so I can try to be the best example as I can be out there.

CONTESTS

With past wins at both the Nixon Jibfest and the Hard Rock High Roller Jam in Vegas, it's safe to say that you seem to do well at contests. Do you still enjoy them as much as you used to? What do you like about them?
I do enjoy them when they are organized well. It's too bad that most contests these days have so many people in them, so it's hard to get a rhythm going. All in all though, it's snowboarding so, yeah it's fun.

VIDEOS

In the past few years you've filmed for, and had stand-out parts in, a handful of snowboard videos. What was the difference between filming for movies like Derelictica and the Mack Dawg People video?
Filming with Stepchild and Johnson [for Derelictica] is like family, because I know all those guys so well. Filming with Mack Dawg was something new and refreshing, and now they are all my tight friends. They were both amazing opportunities.

END NOTE

Care to comment on anything else I forgot to ask about?
Well, I just got engaged to my beautiful girl Megan. She is the best, so that's pretty dang exciting. My bros and family are all killing it. And God bless everyone. Jesus loves you...

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Related:
Trailer for Mack Dawg's Down With People