Imagine if you were a historian and given the chance to interview a war veteran about their experiences in World War Two. Now if you want to know how I felt interviewing Dennis Bannock, simply switch "historian" for a washed-up shred kid, and the "war vet" for someone that's been a part of the snowboard world for almost as long as it's been around. I'm not saying Dennis is exceptionally old, but he does remind me of a fine wine. You know, not one of those bottles you wouldn't drink because they're so rare or expensive, but rather a big bottle of average-priced vino that would be served at a holiday dinner with your family and friends. Why you ask? Simple: He's a big guy and enjoys a bit of a buzz around good company. Dennis is originally from Stoufville, Ontario, but moved west before I even knew what a snowboard was. He now happily lives in Squamish, BC, and shreds Whistler on the daily. I hope you enjoy reading about one of my favorite people in snowboarding.

It's pretty obvious that the snowboard industry has undergone some changes since you first started. In your eyes, how has the industry changed since you started? Is it better or worse?
The equipment has gotten better. The talent has gotten phenomenal. Skateboarding takes care of their pioneers... I'm waiting for the non-core snowboard brands to be weeded out. At the same time there are some non-boarding products that are paying pretty well. So it's a little bit of both. I'm pretty happy where I'm at.

Your married right?
I've been with my wife Libby for 12 years and married for six.

How is it that you're still able to shred at such a high level? You're in shape, you shred everyday, and you're still learning tricks... What's the secret?
Well, when it's all said in done, I'm not going to be able to trade this body in, so I'm just going to drive it into the ground. The key is to not think too much and let your instincts take over. I'm also very lucky to be able to ride with top-notch shreds whenever I like.

Back in the good old days, I remember you riding a Powderstick snowboard and chain link leash over at Lakeridge Resort.  Do you still remember those days?  
Wow, the Powderstick... I got that bad boy from Chris Nicholls at the end of my first season in Lake Louise. Every hill had this ridiculous leash law, so I attached a dog collar to my boot. I guess the lifties at Lakeridge called me "Gravedigger." Ah, wrestling fans...

Who were you were riding with back then? Do you still keep in touch with them?
I need to back-track... I started skateboarding the summer after grade 7 and snowboarding the winter of grade 8 with Tommy and Jeff Oldham, and Rick Shea. We all skied until that fateful night, riding the Big Daddy chair at Dagmar, when we saw these dudes riding snowboards. Tommy and Jeff moved to Stouffville, and I met Brandon Timmons, Drae Glover and Seb Templer. There was a guy by the name of Stu Berry who went to my high school who was a couple years ahead of me and was the epitome of a skateboarder... he had a 12-foot high vert ramp and was the catalyst to the skate-style snowboarding movement for us.

I met Anthony Vitale skating at the Terrace, Kew Beach and the Skatezone. Brandon, the Oldhams, Drae Glover, Rick Shea and I had a posse called Team Booney because we lived in the country. Steve Lahei and Lang Bang [Brian Langhorst] were my little brother's buddies. I skated and rode with them a bit before I moved out to Lake Louise. I was sucking in school, Jeff Oldham had already finished, I think, and we went to The Lake. I made a deal with my mom that if I got into trouble at school again, I was kicked out of both school and my parent's house. Sounds harsh, but it was awesome... I hated school and I couldn't wait to shred and live out west.

Lang Bang ran back to Ontario with wife and children in tow. Brandon runs a huge construction firm, The Oldham's own an irrigation company in Ontario. Drae, Seb and Twanner [Anthony Vitale] are all living out west, doing fantastic!

Cliff drop, circa 1993.

What was a typical day like for you back when you were in Ontario, as opposed to now, living in BC?
Skateboarding and bush parties in the summer, as well as banging nails for my Dad at our cottage... Rough life, eh? I only did the first month or two of winter in Ontario in those days, but in those two months it was mostly banging nails with my pops during the week, then I'd party and shred with the boys on the weekends.

I've been living in Whistler since ‘92 and it's been the same thing since back then: work a bit, party a lot, shred every day. When I first moved to Whistler I worked at the Camp of Champions - thanks, Ken Achenbach - and I knew that's where I wanted to be. I was snowboarding in the summer, then heading down to the skatepark and ending up out on the town at night.

You coached the Canadian Junior Team then took a break, and now you're coaching the Canadian National Team. What do you get from that?
I'm stoked to see the riders on the team do their best and overcome the obstacles in front of them.

How important is coaching? What makes a good coach?
It's important for some, not so much for others... A good coach can see what each person needs at any given time, and give them the support they need when they need it. Everybody is different. There is no cookie-cutter approach to guiding them.

What has snowboarding given to you that other sports have not been able to do?
If it weren't for surfing there would be no skateboarding or snowboarding... These activities keep people young at heart. I'm 37 and I still get the same stoke as I did when I was 16. I saw the same thing in my grandparents who skied every day they could into their golden years, right up until they died. My grandfather had smashed both his knee caps, had them removed, and snapped his Achilles tendon. My grandmother skied for four years on an artificial hip. My mom was my biggest influence: She taught to me that pain is only a reminder we are alive.

What's your biggest accomplishment in snowboarding?
Do you really have to ask? Still being here after 20 years! There have been so many awesome people that have come and gone, and then you have me... A familiar lingering odor.

What's left for you to do in snowboarding?
Brad Martin says I have to learn Cab 9s this year. I wouldn't mind hitting a handrail at 60 years young...

Check out Gnarcore.com to see a shot of Dennis stil ripping at the '09 Billabong Ante Up contest.