Last winter Damian and Chris Sanders had a chance to hook up in Vail, Colorado.
Perhaps unlike some family members, they were stoked to see each other. Chris
brought Damian what was at the time one of his new boards, the Sanders Design
164. And then they rode. Things had changed since the last time Damian rode
an Avalanche board.
"Chris' board design triggered what's happening now," Damian explains. "I
told Chris, I've never ridden a board like this before. This is what I've
been waiting for ever since I started riding.'"
For Damian "ever since I started riding" was a long time ago, so why would
the thrice voted Most Extreme Snowboarder' decide to take a break from the
sport until technology caught up with him? "Club Rubber and my other side
projects had become priorities because they were more fun, riding had become
too much of a job," admits Damian. "On the other hand, I was shopping the
snowboard market for a company to invest in on my terms, but I hadn't thought
about becoming a full time rider again until I rode Chris' board back at
Vail. That board put the fun back in snowboarding for me."
Damian Sanders has rejoined Avalanche not only as a primary team rider, but
as a front line designer and owner of the company all because it's fun again.
"There are sponsored riders and there are pros. Damian is a pro," professes
Chris Sanders, Senior designer. "We're all better at what we do now. Damian's
an accomplished, mature rider and now we both have an understanding of board
design that we didn't have ten years ago. Although we're going back to our
roots with Damian, the direction is forward and the ideas are fresh."
Bev Sanders, Marketing VP and former team manager, shares her thoughts on
Damian's return. "I think he's tweaked, he drives a hearse, builds human
catapults. I'm glad I don't have to deal with him, we have Julie for that
now."
Julie Yarbrough, Director of Inside Sales, has also agreed to take on team
management, but without apprehension. "I think Damian's the normal one, it's
everyone else that's whack."
"Bottom line," Steve Holderfield, VP of Sales, "This kind of drama is what
we need around here. We need a shit disturber. Damian's good for that."
One big, happy family. |
