Passionate about board sports and snowboarding for almost 10 years, Tanguy is our reference in this field. He left competition behind to devote himself fully to freestyle and freeride snowboarding. This winter, he'll be making us dream through his riding sessions in the French Pyrenees and Alps. Get ready, it's going to be a blast! @tanguy_chaminade
Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from?
My name is Tanguy Chaminade, I'm 24 and I'm originally from Lot et Garonne. I grew up in Tahiti in French Polynesia until the age of 12, when I returned to France. I discovered Toulouse, a very friendly town close to the Pyrenees, where I lived for a few years. On my return to mainland France, I discovered snowboarding, a discipline that immediately appealed to me because of its sliding sensations and its environment.
I then decided to go and practice my passion (snowboarding) in the Alps at Le Grand-Bornand, for 5 years. During these 5 years, I practiced snowboard cross at a high level, joining the French team for 2 years. After these years of competition, I decided to devote myself to freestyle and freeride snowboarding, with a view to riding for brands and producing video content.
I now live in Bayonne. The proximity of the ocean and the Pyrenees allows me to practice my two passions, snowboarding and surfing.
What's your best advice for those who want to take up snowboarding?
To start snowboarding, I advise you to try complementary sports such as skateboarding, wakeboarding, surfing and so on. These are board sports that will give you a certain balance, making it easier for you to learn to snowboard. What's more, it's important to be surrounded by people or friends with snowboarding knowledge to help you learn. The secret of snowboarding, in my opinion, is balance and center of gravity.
What are your top destinations? Your favorite spot?
Europe is blessed with world-class mountains and ski resorts. The French and Swiss Alps are among my top snowboard destinations. The snow is very good, and the infrastructure - snowboard cross courses, snowparks and lifts - is top-notch. On the other hand, the Pyrenees are the mountains I feel most at home with, despite the lack of snow compared with the Alps.
What are your goals for this season?
This season, I'm aiming to make as much snowboard video and photo content as possible. I'd like to go to the Alps to ride different parks during the winter season. Finally, I'd like to explore the Pyrenees on a splitboard to discover faces and couloirs I've never seen before.
What does snowboarding mean to you?
Snowboarding is a real passion for me, if not a way of life. Indeed, the sensations it gives me, the contact with nature, the landscapes and the fact that my friends also practice it, make this sport a real passion.
