JP Walker interview

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JP Walker has been on the snowboard scene for the best part of two decades. Yet while other pros have fallen off the radar or migrated into leisurely freeriding, he still manages to stay relevant, constantly pushing himself and the sport on all terrain going.

HUCK caught up with him to find out how he does it.

HUCK: You are currently appearing in The Bearics, how is that all going?
JP Walker: It's all done now. It was just a few days at Bear Mountain with the ThirtyTwo and Etnies team. ThirtyTwo has a deep connection to skate and we were able to get a go ahead from Berra to do The Bearics. It was a good time. Joe [Sexton] and some other dudes got to go skate the new Berrics and meet all those guys.

You rode switch throughout your part in StepChild's This Video Sucks, what was the story behind that?
I've had lots of video parts. I love filming them but it's helpful after so many to come up with something for extra motivation. It's also something that has never been done and I'm all about that. It was a beast of a commitment but it was the best feeling making it through the whole season switch.

Rodney Mullen has been noted for trying to eliminate the idea of stance in skateboarding? Is this something you would try for snowboarding?
I've never really thought about it like that but this year going back to riding regular feels kinda weird. Now it's like there is a lot of stuff that I am more comfortable with goofy foot. Both ways just feel right now.

THIS VIDEO SUCKS jp walker credits twsnow from Stepchild Snowboards on Vimeo.

I understand you always want to 'one-up' your video parts each year, so how do you top that?
I don't know man. People started to ask me that same question after my first Decade part. That was 12 years ago. There is always room to upgrade, that's why snowboarding is so great.

Do you go into a season with any specifics goals? Or do things just happen naturally?
There are always tricks or features I have ideas for but you don't always come across those opportunities throughout the season. You just need to have tricks on deck so when the time is right, you can put them up. Sometimes, the unexpected pops up and ends up being some of the coolest stuff. You just need to be open to new ideas.

How have you managed to remain relevant in snowboarding for so long?
You tell me. I'm just doing what feels right to me and what I think is progressive snowboarding. I guess the result is the reason.

You been on the snowboarding scene for a long time, do you see a generation gap between yourself and the younger riders?
Yeah, there are a lot of  differences. Mostly these new cats are pretty lazy. Ha ha ha. It's all good though, it makes my job easier.

A lot of riders seem to migrate away from the park as they get older but you still seem to be jibbing? Why's that?
For me, a park is just a park, no matter where it's at: could be Utah, could be Russia. It just always feels the same and I don't like the same thing over and over. I like to go to a spot in the backcountry or street and get creative, and put myself and board in unusual places. It's more fun and stimulating - not start here, take off here and land here. It just feels to regimented. Park is still ill and I have fun riding them every now and then, but I also think they are just boring to watch on video so I don't really focus on riding them.

What things annoy you about the snowboard industry?
Matador snacks, energy drinks, Danny Davis, Nick Dirks, bitters, message board haters and companies throwing a ton of money at young kids before they've earned it.

Finally, what is your game plan for when you finish riding professionally?
Its hard to make plans for something that I've never even yet considered.

JP Walker and the rest of the Etnies and ThirtyTwo snow teams are currently appearing on The Bearics.

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