LUCK OF THE IRISH

Pat Milbery has come along way in life. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Milbery has progressed from chattering down icy Midwestern hills to slashing Colorado pow. The grom who thought snowboarding was the best thing in the world has grown up to become the premier member of SINED Snowboards (his own pro model is hitting shelves this fall). So, between travel, releasing a pro model this fall and riding, Pat Milbery seems to have made it full-circle.

Ok, so every kid dreams of having their own pro model, how did you get so lucky?

Pat Milbery: I’m Irish! I love snowboarding! And I have been working my ass off for a long, long time. Riding for smaller companies can provide opportunities like making a pro model, which is so cool. SINED felt I deserved it and I guess I’ve earned it.

Tell me a little about SINED and your role at the company?

Milbery: I snowboard for SINED. I also do some art and guerrilla marketing, such as wheat pasting. I do my best to represent the family we have at SINED out of the heart of Breckenridge, Colorado. Because we are a small company, I get stuck washing Ron’s family’s dishes and other random stuff. He really works me hard, especially for my new pro model. He made me landscape his yard and pick weeds out of the garden for free. I had to work for days! Wait a minute; I guess I was just dreaming, oops, my bad, sorry. But for real, the owner Ron Bureta is like the nicest guy ever. He taught me a lot about how much fun bonking stumps and sliding logs can be.

Break down the technical features of your new pro model, The Celtic, and what she rides like?

Milbery: Yeah, ollie pop! It's got pop, that’s for sure. Super snappy, and fun off of lips! It's tri-directional, so it rips basically as an all around sick deck! I normally ride a twin, but this new shape is a great change! The Celtic has sidewall construction and makes you ride like a fighting Irish! I haven't broke one yet either, so that's always positive, right? I am stoked to endorse a product I believe in.

The graphics on your board are really unique. Who designed them and what’s the meaning behind it all?

Milbery: Unique, huh? Unique for a snowboard maybe. I’m Irish and I’m fascinated by and respect the preservation of my cultural roots and heritage. My grandmother really made me feel privileged to be Irish, so I guess it’s only fitting. The Celtic dragon is a source of strength, as well as representing a fighting mentality. The Celtic knots represent the connective ness of life and the interconnected ways our world operates. The Claddagh ring on the tail of the top sheet is a traditional ring of the Irish. It represents one's friendship, loyalty and love in life. My good friend Leif Nelson and I designed it together.

You seem to be a pretty positive guy. Every time we talk you are stoked, whether you are riding or just chilling. How do you stay so pumped?

Milbery: My mother Judy taught me a lot about how important it is to live with a positive attitude. She really believed in me, and has supported me through anything and everything. She got really sick with breast cancer and passed away May 3, 2005. I miss her everyday, but she taught me that life is too short to be negative and especially not to be living in/for the moment! She assisted Leif and I on The Celtic's design, so she rides with me in every turn of my travels. All credit and praise goes out to her!

What are your plans for the winter?

Milbery: Pray for snow. Shred a bunch on my new deck!. Buy a snowmobile and hopefully rally some beautiful Colorado champagne pow, pow! Get so gnar on some Satellite and SINED tours while filming for my upcoming video parts. Write more love letters. Smile a lot. Be thankful for any and every opportunity, and kill it for Josh Malay!

Describe what snowboarding means to you in 10 words?

Milbery: A Board Creates Dedication, Everlasting Freedom, Going Huge, Intensely Justifiable

Who are some of your favorite people to shred with?

Milbery: Mike Casanova, James Frederick, Ron, Andy Houston, RT, JG, Pinto, Slimer, Kern, Blum, Dodds, JD, Tucker, DoubleD, Pat A, Ed, Lehl, Sherm, AVAN, WartDoGG, JoNas, Bruce, and Darcy. Basically anyone down to explore, yeah, explore more!

I want to give a shout-out to my sponsors for all the support! SINED SNOWBOARDS, Von Zipper, Winter Park Resort, So Gnar Suspenders, Liquid Boardwear, Nixon, 32, POW gloves, SKullcandy headphones, SPACECRAFT and Satellite.

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