Catching Up with Jared Elston
P:Alport
Last month amidst a rather dry and warm January, we caught up with team rider Jared Elston to check in on how his season was going thus far, and hear what plans he has in store for the rest of winter. Check out what Jared had to say about how COVID has altered his travel and planning process for this season, the working relationship between rider and photographer, and what projects you can expect to see him in next Fall.
What’s new in the world of Big Air Jare?
Yo yo! Currently chillin’ at home waiting for it to snow somewhere. Dry spell across the states is putting a damper on things.
Yup! The new year started off warm and dry that’s for sure. Thankfully we had a great early season here in Oregon. During your downtime between traveling and shooting what do you do pass the time at home in Bend?
If I’m not in the mountains I'm probably chilling at home with my girlfriend or with my homies, standard procedure. Also been working on my truck a bit as well.
Rig work and garage time are important. I saw you crafting some tables or some sort of furniture back during the beginning of the COVID lockdown? What's the story with that? Also, your brother builds sled decks correct?
Yeah I was mad bored during quarantine so I started welding a bunch and made some coffee tables. Just a fun little hobby I guess. Yes, Jonah and a couple of his homies started Hoon Doctor sled decks. Hand made in Montana, got one on my truck right now and makes my life a lot easier.
P:AlportHave you been doing any traveling this season? How did COVID effect planning this year? Were there specific projects or trips that had to get put on the back burner?
A little bit out to Utah and Idaho but snow hasn’t been great, unfortunately. I sort of just came into this year with no expectations really, not gonna try and force a project to happen with the uncertainty of travel plans and budgets.
Who have you been riding with this season?
Been riding a lot with the Fergs, Mason Lemery, and Nik Baden.
When you guys are out hitting a jump or feature how do you decide who drops first or takes the initial test run in?
Most times it's a roshambo for the first hit, sometimes you’re hyped if you get to, and sometimes you’re shitting your pants.
Any highlight or stand out sessions from this season so far?
Yes, we actually found a new jump that no one has hit before. It's a pretty gnarly gap that you could seriously get bodied on. Gabe and I hit it and were working against a headwind on an already hard to clear jump but we made it out alive and both got a clip.
When you're home in Bend who do you shoot with a majority of the time?
I’m always going out with Pete Alport, he’s the best and you’re always laughing your ass off whenever you’re with him.
Pete has conceptualized and built some pretty amazing features over the years. How does he influence your outlook on a spot or feature? What's the split between the rider and photographer envisioning how a feature rides and looks on camera?
He’s not quite as hands-on with the feature process anymore now that we have a bit more experience. I think it ultimately comes down to the rider really. As cool of a photo as one spot could provide, if I’m not feeling it or there’s a chance I could get hurt, I ain't hitting it.
What are the key factors between a rider and photographer's working relationship?
There just has to be that good chemistry. Being able to be on the same page as far as goals for the day and knowing when to go crazy and when to step back a bit. Never very fun when you're going out with a photographer you've never worked with and doesn't know your program. I guess it's just about both having your program dialed.
P:Alport
Are there any specific projects you’re working on this year?
Yes! Kind of bouncing around a bit but Crab Grab does have a video we are working on.
I’ve never seen a Crab Grab video I didn’t like. Who all in the video and when can expect to see it released?
Working out the finer details at the moment but you can expect it in December 2021.
You and Zeb went head to head in round one of the Nitro Rider’s cup with a Rippey flip challenge. Are Rippey’s a trick that you kind of just have to have, or is it a huck and pray you land on your feet?
I was kind of into them a few years ago so I guess I kind of have them now haha. Kind of a huck and pray scenario, just throw the flip and let your limbs go dead.
Who is your bet on winning the cup?
Kleveland I guess, pretty sure he can do any trick he wants.
On the topics of snowboard tricks, what are your thoughts on front flips, and what is the most played trick in snowboarding?
I’m not crazy about front flips to be honest but if you have fun doing them that’s all that matters. Most played trick? Hmm, there’s a lot of taps and switch up rail tricks that the Instagram boarders do that are pretty annoying to watch for me.
If you could only do one rail trick and one jump trick for the rest of your life what would they be?
Shit dude I don’t know. Maybe a back lip and a backside 360?
Favorite Nitro board?
At the moment it is the Team 159, been riding shaped boards for so long that I forgot how dope twin tips can be.
Does getting back on a twin affect how you set up your stance? Do you still rock a positive positive stance?
I recently went to +12 -3 which is better for riding switch. I put the same stance on every board, those angles at 21 inches wide. Sometimes ill set a directional board up with the bindings set forward to give me a little more tail on the board.
P:AlportAre you on any new nitro gear?
At the moment I’m not, Covid complications are separating me and the new boards
Assuming we make it through the end of the season with no major COVID shake ups, what is on the horizon?
I’m just gonna try and travel and film as much as possible. Grind don't stop till the rail ends.
What if the rail is a 300ft quadruple kink with an elbow?
Grind. Dont. Stop. Til. The. Rail. Ends.
Last words? Shout outs? Random advice?
No fear. No complaining.
SHOP THE BRANDS JARED DEPENDS ON
