Q & A with Andrew Geeves
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From Winnipeg front boards to Whistler switch methods, Andrew Geeves has been constantly progressing since he stepped foot on his first snowboard. Persistent on his path forward, Andrew decided to forego the rail riding that put him on the map and venture into the BC backcountry, bringing with him the style and attitude that first caught the industries eye. This has kept everything that Geeves does interesting, because you don't know what he's going to be doing next... but you DO know that what ever it is, he's following his heart, and we're thankful that he's followed it back to DWD.
DWD - You're back! How does it feel to have a Dino deck back under your feet?
AG - Feels right man! Just how I remember!
DWD - What's different about the Geeves that first rode for DWD, and Geeves today?
AG - I think i have "found" myself as a snowboarder and person now. I was pretty fresh on the scene back then as well as young and dumb. Still a bit of both of those things now but I definitely feel like I've become my own person. I don't really take any shit and stand my ground and I'm not afraid to speak my mind, which I think a lot of snowboarders are. Bunch of chameleons.
DWD - What do you think is the main reason for those changes?
AG - I think just growing older and having to deal with this bullshit corporate industry that were all involved with really wore me out. I just kinda had enough one day and snapped.
DWD - From growing up in Winnipeg to living in Whistler now... Could you have predicted the path that you took?
AG - I donno.. everything happened real quick. I knew I was gonna move to whistler.. just not as fast. haha. I was 16 and got the boot from high school. I was getting into some bad shit and I knew if I stuck around I was gonna end up into some more serious stuff, so I took off. And like not even a year later was filming with Sandbox. So that happened real quick too. Eveything happened fast for me, It was kinda crazy. I've been living in pemberton for the past 3 years though. I Don't think I'll ever be moving back to Whistler. Fun times, but not for me.
DWD - Was spending your days filming in the Whistler backcountry always the goal?
AG - Backcountry was always the major goal for me. I always looked up to the wildcats, and the majority of shredding in those videos was powder and party footage. Couple of my favorite things to do.
DWD - What do you think it takes for someone that mainly rides street to make a legitimate go at it in the backcountry?
AG - There is a lot that goes into backcountry that I didn't realize when I first started. It's very easy to get pissed off and discuraged when shit doesnt go your way, which is a lot. Weather, bomb holes, snow conditions MONEYYY!!!! Money is the huge one. You better have some cash saved from your summer job or hopefully your sponsors are down to help you out, cause shit is not cheap! haha. But the pay off is awesome. Can't beat a good day in the backcountry.
DWD - As someone that's done both, is it a totally different approach, or would you say it's the 'same shit, different pile'?
AG - Completely different. You cant get kicked out of the backcountry. Limited tries to land your shit. Weather can fuck your day up too. Can't (shouldn't) go sledding solo (unless your Gaetan) haha. Don't need a beacon shovel or probe for the streets and you also cant get buried jibbing.. haha and I could go on but you get the idea.
DWD - For you, what is the upside and downside of each?
AG - Well the upside of jibbing is you can be broke as fuck and still go do it. So thats cool. Downside of that I guess is no pow turns?... I donno. I dont even really like jibbing that much, so there's kinda no real plus sides for me, hahaha. The downside of backcountry is how expensive it is. But i mean what beats a powder day?? Definantly not a kink in the park or streets. haha.
DWD - Let's point something out for everyone that's watched the edit... You thought that switch method off the cliff in your part was small, didn't you?
AG - Yea, I wasnt too stoked on it, but im glad you guys put it in though. Good to have one of those in your parts, big or small.
DWD - Do you realize how hard of a trick that is to make look that good?! Do you have a spot in mind to get a bigger one on video for this season?
AG - Yea took me a while to figure out but once you got em theyre easy. Everyone always comments on my switch methods which is nice. Not a lot of people do them, so its cool to have it in my bag for sure. As for features, I usually like doing em off cliffs so ill try and find a nice big one of those to do it on. I've also been wanting to do it on the hurley gap... just cause it's the infamous road gap. I actually got one first T up at triconi cliffs last year but my homies forgot to film it... which woulda been the better one for my part, but oh well. The photo is sweet though. (DWD - Check the photo on Geeve's facebook profile pic)
DWD - You've been testing out a new board haven't you? How big of a difference is this going to make for you?
AG - Aghhh, dude cant fuckin wait to start charging on in! I think its gonna be a big game changer for me. Last year was tough on the 59. It's quite a bit skinnier and obviously not as long as the 62 Din-oh. It was hard to stomp things on that for sure. Was a sick board for playing around on the mtn for me though.
DWD - We're glad to have you back Geevzy!
AG - Thanks to have me back guys! So happy :) ! DWD OR DIE !!!!
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