Skiboarding Lifestyle's Interview with Mike Nick

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Interview with Mike Nick
Skiboarding Lifestyle: What is making all of the skiboard companies move to longer boards? eg: Jedi is 94cm, not 89cm?
Mike Nick: "Basically I would have to say that most skiboard companies are lengthening their boards to offer better performing boards. Personally before the season started last year i had thought a 90.5 would be the width of the pro model. the jedi was actually going to be the 98. i tested both lengths in combination with a million sidecuts and radiuses and ended up falling in love with the 98. For two years I had been telling myself and everyone else there is no need for longer boards. But all I have to say is try them and you too will be a believer. They are faster, more stable, much better for big landings and just overall much smoother riding. They help keep your speed in the pipe a lot better also. It's all about advancement."
SL: What does this year's Pro Model offer that last year's didn't?
MN: "This years pro model offers a thinner waist, higher tip and tail, longer length, even flex pattern again and a kick ass graphic. I swear when I ride theses boards you feel like you can ride a million times faster and you will still be just as stable. They carve like no other and perform top notch. It basically opens doors to new speeds and bigger hits. Exactly what I need."
SL: The design of the new model is sweet. Who drew it?
MN: "Noone actually drew the graphic, it was manipulated from a few photographs on "photoshop". Matt Levinthal did all the work on it. Matt is the youngest of the three Levinthal brothers and is our team photographer. Every shot of a line guy was basically taken by matt. He's super talented."
SL: Where do you see skiboarding going this year with the rapid interest in the sport? Do you think it will become a major development like snowboarding?
MN: "We've already devoloped to where we are at a quicker pace than snowboarding did but snowboarding has been around five times as long. It basically took snowboading ten years to get where skiboarding did in three. We have a national tour set up already, the USS, and it will hold six events in the U.S. in addition to 1 or 2 out of the states. I think we are gaining a lot of respect form skiing and snowboarding but there will always be some bickering between the three. I don't get it but noone ever wants to get along. We are making ground rapidly and will keep on keeping on if I have anything to do with it!!!!!! "
SL: What was it like for you to be in SB1, SB1 1/2, and TPKD?
MN: "Starring in SB1, SB1 1/2 and TPKD was easily the best experiences of my life. I was able to meet riders from aroud the world, see all of the U.S., some of canada's best mtns. and even japan. When I watch those films it basically makes me smile each time...it's like seeing the best years of your life on film. It's relaxing and fulfilling to be able to do what you truely love to do for a living, especially when all I do is play in the snow!!!!!"
Mike Nick can be reached at: mikenick7@hotmail.com