This interview took place on March 3th, the first day of Core-X at Naeba.When I visited the room after the quarter pipe public practice, Kia seemed to be busy as usual, saying, "I came directly from Europe. It's hard to collect laundry." When I asked, "What is your enthusiasm for tomorrow?", He laughed and answered, "I don't want to fall."Contrary to aggressive riding, I hope you enjoy it! An interview filled with Kia's precious stories about being afraid of heights. -keyhole
Can you tell us how you first started snowboarding?
I was born and raised in a small country town in Pennsylvania.
I started skiing when I was 4 years old, maybe when I was 11 years old, I came across snowboarding when I was thinking of something new and more fun.I had two friends who were older than me and they always took me to see the tournament, but all of them started to come out.As I improved every year, I started to go to tournaments around the world.
How did you get sponsored by Burton?
When I was 16 years old, maybe it was 7 years ago, I think I'm old (laughs).I was advised to go to a trade show in Atlantic City and get on a Burton agency.From there everything started.
I remember Kia riding the 94/95 Burton Twin 139.The one with two girls' faces on the sole.
That was the first board the agency gave me.It was my favorite board.
Even so, isn't 139 cm too short?
No, I was very small. When I was 16 years old, it was only 158 cm or so.After that, my height grew steadily.
Who are the fun friends to skate together?
My friends Luke, John Summers, Trevor Andrew ... they're all on trips with me all the time ... but I'm always having fun with my friends who go on trips with me.It's fun just to slide and slide together.
John has been on the Allian team since last year, but are you still skating with him all the time?
I didn't have much chance to meet last year, but we're very close friends and it doesn't matter if we have a lot of time to hang out or not.
Where are you slipping now?
I moved to Mammoth Mountain in California this season.But actually, I haven't spent about two weeks yet.
Yeah?
I thought I'd have more time to calm down and skate, but I'm too busy to go home.But my house is over there now, and I'm happy to finally be able to move to the west coast.Until last year, I was based in my parents' house in Pennsylvania, and I basically lived in a suitcase (laughs).But when spring comes, I want to spend some time in the mammoth.
From this year, the sponsor of goggles has become Electric.
Arnette split into two, half of them started Von Zipper and half started Electric.Some of the people who were close to me came to Electric, so I thought I'd start something new around here ... Peter (Line) too.
By the way, as John (Summer) said, is it true that Kia will compete in everything?
Haha, yeah.Of course it depends on who you are with.When you're with John or your friend Luke, it's ridiculous, for example, who gets in first when you get in the car, who gets down first when you're slipping, and so on. I'll do it.Doing so will make your life a little more enjoyable.Of course, I don't really do it, it's all play.In the sense of adding a little flavor to your life.Not everyone is good at that, so it depends on the other person.
So, are you addicted to gambling these days?
When it comes to gambling, I'm just trying to make money (laughs).
Have you ever won?
I won $ 12,000 in Las Vegas last year.
Yeah!That's amazing.why?
black Jack.I've won several other times.Of course I lost a lot.
In Vegas, I've heard that if you win a big amount of money, you'll soon be surrounded by security.
I think it's for those who win by betting a bigger amount.The amount I bet wasn't too big ... but it was cool because the hotel staff came to my room to congratulate me and all the hotel charges were free.It was an expensive hotel.I usually don't bet that much. Bet $ 500 and if you lose, that's it.That was a lucky night.
Kia seems to be good at basketball, but are there any other sports you were playing?
I wonder if it's about a skateboard.I used to play basketball with elementary school and junior high school.But I haven't improved from a certain point ... So I ended up longing to be a basketball player.But I still do it all the time.Besides, cliff jumping, surfing and water sports are fun.After that, I play chess and play at home.But basically, relaxing on the beach is my favorite thing.
Which beach do you like?
Everywhere I went to Hawaii a year or two ago was beautiful.You may live in the future.
Have you ever done a banji-jump?
I've done it in New Jersey if it's as small as 30m.But once is enough for me.My friends always invite me to go skydiving, but ... I don't really like it.I'm afraid of heights.
eh!You're always flying so high on a snowboard, right?
It's not like snowboarding.If you stand on the roof of a building, you'll be scared and stuck.But when I'm slipping and flying, I'm just doing it innocently.
What is the interesting thing you experienced in Japan?
Hmmm.I don't know if this is something that can be included in the interview, but I did XX with Trevor Andrew in Roppongi, went to Shibuya and XXX ... (laughs).But when I came to X-TRAIL the other day, I used to play at night in Roppongi as usual, but I went to a very small club.So, when I suddenly looked at the table over there, there was a girl who looked exactly like Christina Aguilera, and when I looked closely, it was real. Being with two guys who don't know what their security is.
Hey, didn't you talk to me?
I won't do it.Oh, but by the way, he was with Mike Rankett at that time, and he's a very interesting person, isn't he?Mike came to me when Christina was about to leave the store.So, screaming from behind, "Hey, Christina!", She thought she would be picking up Mike, she turned around as soon as she was waiting, and then she said Mike? "Where do you live?" (Laughs) ... That was the most laughable event I've ever had.
What are your plans for the future?
After this tournament (Core-X), I went to the US Open, and that was the end of this season's tournament.After that, it's time to shoot a video.Next season I'm going to qualify for the Olympics. I wish I could get out (at the Olympics) ... If I couldn't get out, I don't mind if I couldn't.Once that's done, I don't think I'll be in the tournament anymore.I want to focus on shooting video.I think the video is more impressive.All kids watch videos.Over and over again ... Contests and video shoots are completely different, and while there are plenty of opportunities to practice new tricks and experience different things in the meantime, the same is true in contests. Repeat.I don't think it will improve if there are only contests.But I think it's fun to have a tournament like the X-TRAIL at the dome.
By the way, I've heard before that I'm addicted to stocks, but what about?
It's the worst right now!I bought a lot, but the stock market in the US is the worst now, so I'm too scared to check what's going on with my computer, so I haven't seen it for a while.
How much did you buy
At first I bought only about 70 minutes, and when the market was good, it went up to about 500 million yen.But maybe it has dropped to about 100 million yen now.When I was climbing, I was happy to say, "Life is the best!" ... But it's a good experience.I became a good student.
What is your goal for Kia?
Well, I just want to continue to find happiness while being satisfied with what I'm doing.So I'm grateful to be able to trip more.Trips aren't always fun, sometimes the schedule is too tight and often difficult ... but since last year when two of my friends died, I realized it's important to live hard now. rice field.It is important to enjoy what you have and what you have been given.I always want to be happy no matter what I do.I don't have a specific goal, but I'm not too worried about my future.
Then, are you thinking that you would like to do this when you retire?
I don't want to think too much.The situation will change at that time.When I was in high school, I was thinking that I wanted to be an architect, and the teachers all said, "I'm wasting my life on snowboarding," but I realized my dream since I was little. There are really few people there.It depends on how much you can snowboard, but ... starting a company, studying architecture, studying design, becoming a shareholder ... becoming a professional gambler (laughs).
