Athletes
Danny Davis
Michigan is known for all things great, like big lakes and, now, professional snowboarder Danny Davis. From out of nowhere, Danny first burst onto the professional snowboard scene in 2004 and quickly solidified a reputation as the snowboarder to beat at every contest he enters. Considered a triple-threat competitor who snowboards to the beat of his own drum, he consistently stands on winner’s podiums in Superpipe, Quarterpipe, and Slopestyle events around the world.
GABRIEL VILLARAN
Gabriel Villaran is the lead man in the latest charge of Latin American surfers. Starting at age seven, this young Peruvian from Lima honed his surf skills in the best waves The Americas have to offer and, today, the world is his stage. Showcasing big-wave prowess beyond his years, progressive aerials, photogenic style, and an ability to succeed in any contest format, this quadruple-threat is willing to attack any wave. Furthermore, Gabriel’s model good looks and magnetic personality make him a favorite choice for freesurfing photo trips and features in major men’s fitness and lifestyle publications.
SOFIA MULANOVICH
History books were rewritten when this Peruvian wonder woman emerged onto the professional surfing circuit and immediately established herself as a consistent competitive force and world championship title contender. Within a single year, Sofia qualified for the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT) and, after winning three consecutive WCT events in 2004, went on to win the coveted Women’s World Championship at the mere age of 21. The first South American, male or female, to win a World Championship Title, Surfer Poll Award, ESPY Award and inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach, CA, Sofia proves her country’s motto, “Si Se Puede”, Yes, You Can.
LUKE MITRANI
At the young age of 21, Luke Mitrani has already lived a lifetime in snowboarding. As the youngest member to join the US Snowboard Team at 12-years-old, Luke grew up on his board and is ready to make use of years of experience as he flies into the snowboard world’s spotlight. The youngest Frend finds inspiration and motivation everywhere, from his brother Jack to fellow Stratton Mountain School graduate Ross Powers and the tight-knit group of Frends he shreds and travels the globe with. Luke is climbing podiums worldwide in Halfpipe, Big Air and Quarterpipe.
KEIR DILLON
For several years, Keir dusted the competition at professional invitational Halfpipe and Quarterpipe events around the globe with a fluid style and hardcore competitive drive, and earned vast amounts of media coverage and notoriety for his accomplishments. Today, Keir holds the respect of both his snowboarding peers and industry leaders thanks to his superior level of professionalism and magnetic personality and has parlayed his pro ranking into a career as an action sports television host and correspondent. Combining an entrepreneurial drive, quick-witted humor, and a familiarity with the gamut of board sports, Keir has established himself as a natural and sought-after talent in front of the camera.
JACK MITRANI
Jack Mitrani is ready to blast off. A little brotherly rivalry from Luke, who is also his roommate and best Frend, keeps pushing the 22-year-old to go bigger. With that effort, Jack is soaring out of the pipe and off stadium scaffolding higher than ever, even claiming highest air at the Innsbruck Air and Style. With teeth cut on the icy slopes of Stratton, VT, shredding is in the Mitrani blood. The Vermont native honed his skills at the Stratton Mountain School before heading west to Mammoth Mountain, where he shares a house with Luke in Mammoth Lakes, California.
GREG BRETZ
US Men’s Olympic Halfpipe Team Member Greg Bretz sealed his place in snowboard history and confirmed his Halfpipe skills to the world stage. Bretz took the snowboard world by surprise as he went from just traveling with the U.S. Snowboard team, to winning a World Cup, finishing second in the overall standings and eventually being named to the Pro Team in less than a year. While his name may be fresh, snowboarding is rooted in the DNA of the U.S. team’s newest member. Bretz hopped on his first snowboard at only five years old while growing up in the snow alongside his dad.
ELLERY HOLLINGSWORTH
Ellery Hollingsworth has stepped onto the professional snowboarding scene with no plans of going away anytime soon. This tenacious and talented young lady from Connecticut was awarded the 2006 “Rookie of the Year” award by judges and event organizers of the 24th Annual US Open of Snowboarding Championships in Stratton, Vermont, for being the only female to earn final berths in the Quarterpipe, Superpipe, and Slopestyle events. First taught to snowboard by her two older brothers, Ellery now combines determination, natural athleticism, and a great sense of humor to make each day on the mountain productive, progressive, and fun.
KASSIA MEADOR
“After seeing a short film of Kassia do her thing in the surf, I knew that I wanted to be in her company. Whether it was surfing, dancing, or hanging out on the corner I knew it was my duty to find her. Kassia’s combination of provocative grace and genuine humility drew me in like a kid. I guess it’s rare to find someone so skilled and still so down to earth…when we finally got in the water together it became clear to me that she is a surf angel and a catalyst of true energetic elation (also known as stoke). Some people have a way of putting you at ease, making you laugh and reminding you that life is a beautiful thing.
Charles Reid
Fresh off an impressive start of the 2012 Season with his 3rd Place Finish at the Winter Dew Tour Breckenridge stop, this well-rounded transitional rider grew up snowboarding in Mont-Tremblant, Québec. After getting his first snowboard at five years old, Charles quickly started competing at local events at the age of eight and made his international debut at 15 during the US Open. Charles now travels the world as part of the new force of young French-Canadian Snowboarders.
TYLER FLANAGAN
Tyler Flanagan was born in Georgia, raised in North Carolina, and first learned to snowboard at age seven. Quickly recognizing his innate boarding abilities, his supportive parents took a chance and moved the family 3,000 miles away to Mammoth Lakes, California so Tyler could hone his skills at one of the best training grounds in the nation. The gamble paid dividends and today Tyler is maturing into an amazing snowboarder who excels in the Slopestyle, Big Air and back country arenas. Whether hitting 75-foot jumps, making powder turns, or slaughtering handrails, Tyler does it all with ease and style.
Christopher "Chippa" Wilson
Christopher Wilson... Humble, wide eyed, and soft spoken. “Chippa” Wilson... Explosive, tattooed, and wild. They are one in the same. No alter egos, just one amazing surfer. Hailing from Cabarita Beach, Australia, 23 year old Chippa Wilson blindsided the surf community with a series of surf film edits, which displayed maneuvers that are redefining the sports progression.
Cristobal de Col
18 year old Cristobal de Col began surfing at the age of three with his father, two – time Peruvian National Surfing Champion Titi de Col. The elder de Col, mentor and coach through the years has had the sweet success of watching Cristobal become one of the stars of the future. In 2006, Cristobal won his first International title becoming the World Champion of the Rip Curl Grom Search Championship in Bali, Indonesia in the 14 and under division. Since then Cristobal has continued to amass several National titles for Peru and overseas in Hawaii.
Josh Kerr
Progressive & performance are the words that are most frequently used to describe the #6 World Tour ranked professional surfer, Josh Kerr. From Coolangatta, Australia and now residing in Carlsbad, California, Josh brings a unique approach to competitive surfing. Whether it’s stomping a signature crowd-pleasing “Kerr-upt Flip” or any variation of his tweaked grabs, his heats guaranteed highlights of any competition.
