I'm going to spare you words on what kind of person Andrew Hardingham is.  Now, I don't mean to sound negative, but I just don't think that anything I'm actually able to write will be as powerful as you opening a web browser and typing "Andrew Hardingham" into Google. From video parts scored with his own music to snowboard tricks looking way better when he does them, one thing is for sure: Andrew is sure going to leave a mark on the Canadian snowboard scene.

Last year Andrew was given the chance to hit a fully certified "kicker" at Mt Norquay (outside Banff) with fellow shredder Dustin Craven. Much like a hung over rodeo clown, Andrew was unable to avoid the horns and was forced to take some time to recover with his best friend: his mind. The words you're about to read will not only educate you on his serious accident but will hopefully give you an accurate glimpse into everything that is Andrew Hardingham.

How did you end up in your situation, like what the hell happened that caused your accident?
I guess my time had come. Karma is a damn busy guy and he had been ignoring me for quite some time. Karma and I have never really gotten along and I think we had both been grinding each other gears a bit too much that finally we just fought it out, punch for punch, and he won. It's all good though because I got him back by littering, not moving ‘til the light turned yellow, steeling peoples tips and pushing old people over.

Were you with anyone when the accident happened?
Hells yeah! I was at Norquay riding a fully certified snowboard jump. Dustin was there as soon as I crashed. My pelvis exploded into a bunch of pieces and my wrist dislocated a bunch. When Dustin rode up, he knows I hate fussing so he offered to get the car and drive me himself. I said that was a good idea because I didn't want to take an ambulance. At the time I thought my hip was just dislocated. I self diagnosed myself with a dislocated hip and a hairline fracture in the wrist. I even asked the ski patrol to kick my hip back into place. He said we better wait. Glad he did!

What was the first thing that came to your mind once you realized what happened?
Well when I was in the hospital with a guy who got shot twice in the lung in a drive-by, and another dude who got t-boned in his truck, broke every rib in his body and now takes him two hours to get up for a piss, I guess I felt pretty good. I was all about just getting a quick fix and getting back on the board for the last few months. I knew it was serious, but I believe that injuries are all in your head. Sure, if you can't walk, than you have to wait, but I'm not into bitching about it and trying to blame it for all my problems.

What did the doctors have to say about your accident? Did you take their advice?
I had a whole bunch of doctors. One of them who came in to see me that I'd never seen before came in to answer my questions and check me out before the surgery. I asked her if this is the kind of accident that people make full recoveries from. She looked at me and sighed. She then told me that I wasn't taking this injury seriously and that it was very serious. I looked at her and said "that wasn't the question I asked." She said I'd be lucky to walk and I'd never ride again. Everyone in the room was all bummed out, but I thought it was fucking hilarious, like a comedy. I didn't believe her because she seemed like a weak kind of person. I also believe doctors tell you the worst-case scenario so that you never get let down. The day my real doctor said I could put weight on the leg I walked out of the hospital. I took all of their advice that they gave. They know best in most cases, so I think it's good to listen to your doctor. Just not if she's talking all dumb-like.

How did you deal with it while being out of your element? Any crazy situations arise?
I fell asleep watching Rambo 4 and I seriously thought I was in the action for like five hours. The nurses were holding me down when I woke up. I probably got a good work out that night.

Did your sponsors help you out once they found out about the accident?
Oh yeah. Ride Canada sent me a get-well Texas mickey of JD. That was killer. Me and two friends polished it in one sitting the day I got off my meds. Eesa also sent a ton of weird shit for me to play with when I was on the couch for three months. One of the toys they gave me I made the "Fear Stick" movie with.

How long did it take you to get back to normal health and able to shred again?  Anything different now?
I was riding the first week of this season. Mellow speed runs on hard pack ‘til the muscles strengthened. Now I feel good, I just need to get my quads going full force or I will end up blowing a knee. You gotta know your body or you're doomed.

How do you feel now, and were there any permanent injuries from the accident?
I'm sure I will always feel it in my pelvis. It is the body's main pivot point. But I don't really give a shit. We are here for a short time so I may as well push this bitch ‘til it shuts down. Then I know where the shut down points are and my limits end. 50 more years with a sore hip to remind me of all the killer times, ya know?

Where can we see this accident?
It'll be in the new "Thunder Mouth" film. Kinda documentary style, along with some great shots making fun of cripples like me. Look out for it.

After it's all said and done, what did this accident make you realize?
Nothing. Well I know if you like watching TV you should hurt yourself so you can spend tons of time on the couch. Killer!

What's next for you with shredding?
Film a ton of cool shit. Some snowboard, some personality. Stay tuned.

-------------------------
Related:
Sharing Wisdom with Andrew Hardingham
Panty Throwing
Hey Hardingham...how was Japan?