Team Members

Crispin Lipscomb
Halfpipe

Full name	Crispin Lipscomb
Date of birth	August 7, 1979
Age (as of January 1, 2010)	30
Birthplace (Birth)	Edmonton, AB
Hometown (Grew-up)	Ottawa, ON
Residence (Currently reside)	Pemberton, BC
Snowboard/Ski Club	Head Coach of BC Snowboard Team
Current coach	Tom Hutchinson, Kris DeCoste
Training center	Pacific Sport Training Center - Whistler
Board Company you ride on	Graphic free custom
Stance on board	Regular
Sponsors	McDonalds Canada, RBC, K2 Boards OGIO Travel Gear, Pow Gloves Ipath shoes, Hoven Eyewear, Sport Canada
Years on National team	8
Language you speak	English, French

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Have any of your relatives played sport at a high level?

First in the family in any respect...

Why and how did you start snowboarding?

I started snowboarding because it looks really cool and impress of what I saw, replace skateboard in the winter.   Started by taking lessons in Marmmot Bassin Jasper and I applied myself to the sport, I suppose. Skateboard and snowboard came in together pretty handy.

What is your first memory of snowboarding?

Using one of those black snow legends from Canadian Tire at my school ground. First time I saw that happen was at school while on a ski trip. They have these weird little straps. I had skied a little bit before, a couple of times a year.

Why is snowboarding so much fun to you?

It’s been part of my life for so long; I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. It’s so much fun. I’m goal oriented, so it’s just full of opportunities to step in a achieve goals.

Who has had the most influence on your snowboarding career and why?

Tom Hutchinson, rider Mike Makulchuck, and my teammate Brad Martin. I didn’t meet Mike Makulchuk until a few years after I made the national team. As he left, I basically took his spot, I guess. When we were introduced, we became fast friends. The last couple of years, he was on tour and we travelled very closely. Now I live a few km away and he’s of my close friends. We talk everyday.   Steve Podborski was a big influence when I signed on with McDonald’s. He helped me a lot to develop my reputation, as I was developing in my professional career, specifically in public speaking and presentation, more in the subculture than the snowboarding itself. We met through McDonald’s events and that type of things. Every time we get a chance we chat.

What is the most memorable moment you had in your career?

Coming home from my Canadian Snowboard Federation with my first pay check would have to be one of those moments.   Qualifying for the Olympics in mid-December 2005 was a moment when it was clear that “it had happened”. I was in the start gate, about to go and I remember – whoever it was in front of me fell, which guaranteed me the Finals and gave me my spot to the Olympic team. I had great results previously and going after a third result to qualify. When the guy fell, it was a moment of realization.

Do you currently support a charity of any kind?

Ronald McDonalds House Charity, for which I hope to be involved in for the rest of my life.   I started a society called gosnowboarding.net. The goal was to the get gear from all levels of snowboarding and transfer it to children in need. I was able to fully gear a young lady called Emily Cavallin, which lost her leg to cancer when she was 12. We met when she was 16 and talked about her pursuit to snowboarding at a higher level. She’s won back to back gold medals at the Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Championships in the last two seasons. It’s been so fun to watch her improve and progress She’s been an inspiration to me for what she’s accomplished.

Do you do competitive sports other than snowboarding?

Skateboarding, lots of contest. I qualified for the Warp tour at 17. I love tennis now, and snowmobiling is getting to be a new passion.

Did you win any awards (athlete of the year, etc)? If yes, which ones (in details)?

4-time snowboarder of the year and Ottawa Athlete of the Year. I am sure I am forgetting wonderful plaques that people put so much effort into making.

What do you do in the summer?

Typically I spend in New Zealand. I bought a boat last year, and ride in Anderson Lake. It’s like a ski boat form the 70’s.   I used to go to New-Zealand from June to September, from 2000 to last season.   Kendal brown and Mitchell brown are I met when they were 11. They qualified for the 2006 Olympics. I was so proud. They are now charging on the World Cup Tour. I worked with them about 5-6 years.

How would you describe your style of snowboarding?

Pretty precise and technical I would guess. As previous coaching experience helped me, I clearly understood what I was going to do. It’s always been my pursuit.

Are you married? Any kids?

Nope, Nope.

What was your first job?

Shop sweeping around the woodworking shop. Snowboarding instructor was the real first job, and I lied to the association at Camp Fortune in Chelsea, QC, saying I was older to get the free season’s pass. First season I instructed for about 7 hours because I was always riding the mountain.

What was your first car?

Old Toyota pick-up from the 1980’s. It was rusty, two wheel drive with a bed in the back...

What is your highest level of education?

Grade 12, Glebe Collegiate, in Ottawa, ON

Do you play a musical instrument?

I know how to use my mouth well. I sing well. I love music, huge part of my life. My sis and bro are both musician in the family.

What’s on your Ipod right now?

Hip hop artist Calib kali. I listen to some old hip hop from the 50’s 60’s. I used to DJ when I was younger, and now I collect vinyl.

Favourite musical type?

Hip Hop

What music do you listen on race or contest day?

Hip Hop

Favourite band of all time?

Impossible to say.

Favourite movie of all time?

Either Two smoking barrels, and the Big Labowski

Favourite food/meal?

Toro Nigiri, it’s a fatty tuna Sushi.

Favourite book/reading material of all time?

I read a lot as a kid. I haven’t too much lately. “The Alchemist” is a book that every single person should read, by Paolo Coelho. I grew up reading rag dolls children’s book.

Favourite World Cup region/location to compete?

Japan is always the best place I like to compete. The Swiss Alps are also a very beautiful place to compete.

Favourite travel/touristic destination?

UK. I visit family.

Any superstitions?

I used to touch wood all the time. Typically no, I don’t. I believe that consciousness creates reality, so you just keep up on what your paying attention to and create your own reality.

Who’s your hero (actor, athlete, etc)?

My mom is a big hero for me, having changed. Positively so any lives over so many lives. She’s designing and developing projects to create long term sustainable projects in my different countries throughout Asia.   From a very young ago I was introduced to some amazing character out there. I don’t you don’t need to be close to someone top know that they love you from a very young age.   I was eight months old when my parents divorced. My dad a stepmother had been in a partnership from that time. I spent time back and forth with each of them. With my mom oversees, we discussed from a very young age various social and political concepts. As I was able to understand them, it became a huge influence for me. Bu really the biggest thing is that someone can change the world and millions of people’s lives.

Do you have any hobbies?

Snowmobiling with my friends in C Backcountry snow, Skateboarding, Renovations on my old house. Hanging with my little dog Avi.