NAME: Jesse Johnson aka “Wetrat”
AGE: 33
HOMETOWN: Eugene, OR
LIVES: Eugene, OR
SPONSORS: Volcom, Smith Optics, Celtek, Jones, Yea.Nice, Tactics

Rider Photos

Retro Photos

• When did you first start snowboarding?
  • 1988. I was 10 years old and riding local hills like Willamette pass, Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo.

• What was your first big break in the industry?
  • in 1991 after placing the top 3 in both freestyle/racing in all the northwest contest i could do. I got my first snowboard sponsor. It was crazy i got picked up by Avalanche snowboards.At the time they were huge,they had guys like Damien Sanders/the hatchet brothers Dave Seone and the list goes on. Then around 1993 after more contest and good placings. I went to Japan for my first pro contest I got first in the pipe and second in the slopstyle. It was so rad for me. It changed my life. Then that summer up at Mt.Hood during camp where I was a pipe digger. I met Richard Woolcott the owner of Volcom. And things went so good/fun he put me on the team.

• Gnarliest slam?
  • Knee explosion at mt Baker in 98′. I blew out my ACL jumping a cliff with a really steep landing. I had too much speed and just keep falling further and further. Totally over shot the landing. When I finally did hit the ground my knee took the impact and just blew up. Definitely a wake up call.

• Fondest snowboarding memory?
  • My first heli trip in Alaska. It was back in 97′ on a filming trip with Transworld back when they were doing the “Transworld Video Magazine”. I was riding for Volcom at the time and the whole family was there, plus a few libtech homies. It was the trip of a lifetime, the stuff you dream about.

• What do you think of snowboarding now VS snowboarding 10 years ago?
  • The level of riding has blow up. Just the level of amplitude and style that kids have now. It’s like an official sport, with training in the off season, healthy living and over paid coaches. It’s crazy.

• Advice for the kiddies?
  • Respect your elders.

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