Becoming a sponsored snowboarder is a dream for many riders. You can get free gear, increased recognition, and even financial compensation. It’s challenging to do, but it’s still possible with some hard work, world-class ability, and a little luck.
I’ve been snowboarding most of my life and have worked as an instructor for the last ten years. I’ve never been sponsored myself, but I have some friends who have been. I asked them and a few other professional riders I know for advice with this in mind.
In this post, I’ll give you some tips on how to get sponsored snowboarding. I’ll be honest – it’s not easy, and there is more competition than ever before.
Time to get on your board and get after it.
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Quick Thoughts on Sponsorship
There are a few different degrees of sponsorship. It involves getting paid to snowboard at the highest level by some of the top brands in the industry. But it can also mean getting some free equipment or even promotion from lesser-known brands.
Regardless of what level of sponsorship you might receive, anything is pretty sweet. A free board will bring a smile to your face, and if you are lucky enough to get some money, you have made it near the top of the sport.
How to Get Sponsored
Getting sponsored is the goal for many snowboarders. That means you’ll be up against some serious competition. Don’t let that fact keep you from trying. Just make sure you understand the realities of today’s snowboarding world.
Here are some steps to keep in mind to help you get sponsored. There is no surefire way to secure money or equipment, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. The only way you can reach the top is if you shoot for the stars.
1. Perfect Your Snowboarding Skills
The first step to becoming a sponsored snowboarding is to have superior skills in the snow. You need to be in the upper echelon of riders in your age group or style. If you are a beginner and your goal is to get sponsored, you’ve got a long road in front of you.
You need to get out on the mountain as much as you absolutely can. The best way to become a world-class rider is to snowboard as often as possible. There is no other way to replicate the skills required other than putting in the hard work.
You should also work on your all-around snowboarding instead of just one area of focus. If you are outstanding in just one area of the terrain park, you should explore others to not limit your options.
The more skills you have all over the mountain, the more possibilities for sponsorship you will have. Many companies like riders can do a little bit of everything, so there are multiple methods to increase promotion.
2. Develop Relationships
Developing relationships is another crucial aspect of earning a sponsorship in today’s snowboarding atmosphere. There is a lot of competition, so knowing someone who works directly with a snowboarding company can pay off.
You can work on developing key relationships in a few different ways. If you know another sponsored snowboarder, they might be able to connect you with someone at the company they are involved with.
You can also go into your local snowboard shop and see if the owner would be willing to put in a good word for you with any of the connections they might have. Sometimes shop owners know the reps at various companies and can hook you up if you have a good relationship.
It always pays off to be humble and friendly, even if you are a really good snowboarder. Arrogance is a good way to rub someone the wrong way who might otherwise be able to help you out. Developing relationships can take time but can be effective.
3. Promote Yourself
If you can develop a solid social media following based on your snowboarding skills, companies will be more open to sponsoring you because you already have reach. This is something every snowboarder should focus on if they want to get sponsored.
Make sure to get good footage of you riding and post it to your Instagram, YouTube, or any other social media channels that you use. The more followers you have, the more opportunities you’ll have to promote yourself and attract sponsors.
You can also work on developing connections and relationships through social media. Once you have a good following, you can reach out to snowboarding companies directly to see if they might want to sponsor you.
4. Be Unique and Be Yourself
Showing a little uniqueness and flare can also help. You want to stand out from the crowd of other snowboarders. This might mean putting your own spin on a popular trick or simply having a fun and ongoing persona in your videos.
You don’t have to be completely wild and crazy to be unique, but you want to avoid coming off as dull. Be yourself, have fun, and become the best snowboarder you can while letting your amazing personality show who you are as a rider and a person.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t one clear-cut way to getting sponsored as a snowboard. But you do have to be one of the best riders in the world. Working on your abilities is sometimes the only real way to improve your chances.
Are you a sponsored snowboarder, or do you know someone who is? Let us know if you have any tips to becoming one in the comments below.
About Lorraine