Jon Rusk Interview by Matt Houghton, editor, Snowboard Canada Magazine   It’s hard not to notice Jon Rusk (and his brother Andrew) while riding here in Ontario. Not only does Jon stand out due to his larger-than-average stature, his buttery style on jumps and rails is equally noticeable. Jon’s also known for always running a tight kit (check my last question for proof), and takes his colour matching very seriously. After a few too many delayed emails, I finally bounced some cyber-questions off to Jon amidst my stupid-busy schedule to find out what’s lurking in his brain at the start of the ‘07’07 winter.

 What have you been up to recently?
I have just been competing every weekend since October and working at Honda all summer to save up for the season.

 

Where did you go last season for trips and rail missions?
I made a few more trips then the years previous. I went to Whistler for the Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival. The Atomic team meeting was a blast; thanks to Rob Madill and all the Whistler shred dogs. I also took a trip to Mammoth because of the amazing conditions they have in May. God, I love that place… My road trips were all over Ontario; my friends and me did a lot of rail search and rescue. I also went to Quebec.

 

Would you consider moving to Mammoth or to another mountain town?
I have given many places great thought to move to, especially Mammoth. But I really believe more in traveling from place to place, and living somewhere for a couple of weeks and then move on. I think developing friends in multiple areas gets my mind set on how to step it up.

 

What are your plans for this season? The idea I have in my head is to travel from place to place, meeting new people, and riding my heart out. This year my brother and me are going to be the next big thing. I mean my brother is 6’1, and I’m 6’3, so… [laughs]   Speaking of how tall you and your brother are, do you consider your height an advantage or a disadvantage? I mean, a lot of pros are shorter people… I would say a disadvantage. Smaller riders definitely get the bigger bite of the forbidden apple. It is way easier for riders smaller than me and my brother to spin themselves off of jumps or transfer weight down a handrail. For example, smaller riders can get away with sample size, which is size large T-shirt or size nine in shoes. Any new outerwear I see is always sample size. The only advantage is I can beat up the smaller dude.   You and Andrew didn't ride together as much last year, but I know you’ve said that you're going to change that this year. Do you two ride better when you're together? We definitely know how to amp each other up, but when we’re together or separated we ride no different.

What’s the mark of a great rider? Is that what you aspire to with your own riding?
The mark of a great rider is his attitude and his style of riding. I definitely love to cheer people up with my humour, and I’ve been told it looks like I’m sleeping when I ride. [laughs] I ride when I’m happy, and I’m happy when I ride.

 

What's your most pro-struck moment you ever had?
It was back in the day when I was 18 and I got to meet Kevin Jones. I got a photo with him, Risto Scott, my brother and my buddy Andrew Skelhorn.

 

Ontario: How do you work the angles here to get photos and video shot? Can you keep up with Western riders and still get ahead as a snowboarder?
Angles for photos and video shots are my specialty. Photos are obviously all about the lighting and colours. I always plan what I’m going to wear before I go shoot. I watch a lot of snowboard videos not just to get stoked but to watch and get ideas from old and newer videos. I really do think I can get ahead as a snowboarder from not being a Western rider. Not to name drop, but look at Simon Chamberlain— probably one of the most showed faces in magazines. He is definitely my inspiration to make it far with snowboarding.

 

It seems like you can keep yourself amused riding nearly anything: boxes, mellow rails, fun stuff. Does this come from living in Ontario? Or are you just down to shred anything, any time?
Growing up in Ontario with the small features was definitely my roots, but I just like to shred anything, any time. It’s always good to back to your roots.

 

Toque or helmet?
Toque, bro!

 

Name five things you want to do this winter.
1. Compete with the pro stars.
2. Ride with the pro stars.
3. Become a pro star.
4. Travel, travel, travel.
5. Film rail bangers, not Boardslides in the park—I want to impress!

 

What's your current gear set-up? How long has it taken you to figure out exactly what you like? Does that make you want to stick with the same stuff now?
My gear set-up for the start of the season is a 155 and 159 Atomic Triarc with Technine MFM pro bindings. I use Atomic Tremor Boa boots with my three-year old liners—I love them. My outerwear is a lovely Billabong ensemble, the Borg Jacket and the Machine Pant. I will be wearing the Phenom’s made by Von Zipper, in assorted colours. Grenade has hooked me up this year with some killer gloves. Every year I’m always changing, but right now I think I’m stuck on my steez for life—sticking with the same stuff is what I do. The only thing that really changes is my colours; I’m always looking for the new colour. Riding the same board is definitely what I do each year, but if there’s a new board to come out I will try it before I knock it.