Ride fit: pro snowboarder J.P. Walker offers insight on the fit side of the sport

Professional snowboarding is becoming more "professional." As a result, the sports best athletes are struggling to keep up. With bigger money and bigger consequences than ever, pro boarders have become more focused, determined, and serious about their sport. We caught up with top rider J.P. Walker, a guy who has worked hard to stay fit as the stakes get higher, for a little Q&A.

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MF: HOW IMPORTANT IS FITNESS TO SNOWBOARDING SUCCESS?

JPW: It's not so much about how big or strong you are. It's more the strength of your mind and overcoming fear. That said, if I wasn't in good physical shape, I think it would be hard for me to find the confidence to pull off most of the tricks I do.

WHAT KEEPS YOU FIT?

I average about five hours of snowboarding a day. I also do lots of hiking, snow shoveling, building jumps, or getting out stuck snowmobiles. [Laughs]

WHAT OTHER THINGS DO YOU GO TO STAY ACTIVE?

I do some heavy surfing in the summer months. Not specifically for cross training or fitness, but obviously the physical benefits are huge. I like it because I get a similar feel to snowboarding but without the huge risks. I recently started practicing Bikram yoga. I go only about once a week. It breaks up all the board sports I do, and it's pretty low impact.

ANY SPECIAL DIET?

Lots of water, not too many sweets, and mass quantities of high-protein stuff, especially sushi. I also try not to let myself get too hungry. It helps me avoid eating something that I know l shouldn't. I always have a bag of raw almonds or a protein bar in my truck or backpack.

CAN YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR SUCCESS AS A BOARDER TO ANY ONE THING?

Just plain love of the sport. But also determination. Focus. Fear of failure.

WHO MOTIVATES YOU?

My close friends who snowboard always inspire me to step up my own game. And maybe Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part II. [Laughs] Talk about doing whatever it takes!

WHAT DO YOU TELL YOURSELF TO STAY FOCUSED?

I try to concentrate on the end result--and what it would mean to make an amazing trick. I fool myself into doing something that I'd otherwise be scared to try.

BEFORE YOU DIE ... 3 STUNTS TO MASTER

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THE BACKFLIP

1. First, visualize yourself tossing a backflip like you would on a trampoline. Use a steep takeoff.

2. Take a decent amount of speed off the lip of the jump, and leach over your head and look backward,

3. Stay committed. Don't try to change your mind halfway through. Stay compact and continue to rotate.

4. As you come around, spot where you are going to land, and let your feet come underneath you.

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THE BACKSIDE 360

1. Ride up a jump with some speed, start to twist your shoulders, and shift your weight to your toes on the takeoff.

2. Pop off the lip of the jump, and look over your shoulder, allowing your legs and board to follow your turn.

3. As you come three-quarters of the way around, look doyen and spot where you want to land and ride away.

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THE BOARD SLIDE

1. Approach a lower shorter box in the park. Stay off rails for a bit to avoid messy crashes.

2. Jump off the takeoff and turn so your toes point downhill and land on the feature completely flat.

3. If you are leaning too far back. you will slip and probably smack the back of your head. The trick is to lean further forward than seems comfortable.

4. Look toward the end of the feature, bend your knees and allow yourself to slide. Turn your board back straight as you come off the end and ride away.

COPYRIGHT 2008 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning