There are plenty of astounding athletes in the winter sports industry, the thing is, you need to know just who to follow. With American athletes and Olympic 2010 Medalists like Shaun White, Gretchen Bielier, Seth Wescott, Hannah Teter, Kelly Clark and Scott Lago, it’s hard to distinguish who will come out of the wallpaper at any moment. One up and Coming Athlete is Tyler Flanagan, a sixteen year old snowboarder on the verge of professional and already picking up sponsors like they’re going out of style.
Tyler Flanagan at the Breckenridge Dew Tour 2010 photo courtesy of Alli
Flanagan was born April 21, 1993, grew up in N.C. and is now stationed in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. Flanagan began snowboarding when he was seven years old with his dad and Uncle and has been hitting the slopes every season ever since. Though this kid is small in stature, 5’5’’, and is almost ten years younger than his biggest competition, Shaun White, Flanagan he has already caught the eye of big sponsors in the Winter Sports Industry, including Volcom, Etnies, Rockstar Energy Drink, and Skull Candy. Flanagan began competing in 2004, taking first place in the USASA Nationals in Maine and N. M. for Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle. For Ski Season 2009/2010, Flanagan took to the terrain park at the Dew Tour in Breckenridge, Colo., and took first in the Men’s Snowboad Slopestyle. Keep your eyes peeled for this up and coming athlete, he just might be the next Shaun White!
“I actually hated it the first time I tried it, but then I fell in love with it.”-Tyler on Snowboarding
Alli and Transworld Snowboards have already had their eye on this kid for awhile. Go to his MySpace page to get to know a little bit more about Tyler Flanagan.
*above photo courtesy of Alli
Slope Savvy 