Who is the most respected rider in snowboarding? Probably Terje, but as I read the latest Transworld snowboarding articles I notice one rider with interviews that seem to get more positive comments and ‘big ups’ than anyone else.
Scotty Wittlake.
Why? Because he’s not afraid to be himself. He’s doing exactly what he wants to be doing.
Sure, part of it may be that a lot of people like to jump on the bandwagon because he’s come to represent the anti-mainstream rider, but the main reason everyone respects him is because he doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
In 2004, Scotty Wittlake basically dropped off the face of the planet when he decided to quit pro snowboarding and just do what he enjoys – snowboard for himself.
Whether it’s those guys in the park who cut you off because they’re ‘better than you’ or the guys who want to wear helmets, but won’t because it’s ‘not cool’, there’s a lot of pretending to be something we’re not.
Be real. Be exactly the person you want to be and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Not many of us have the balls to do it, that’s why we look up to people like Scotty Wittlake.
– Jed