Keegan coming in hot in Minnesota | Photo: Chris Owen

Chris Owen sits down with Burton team rider Keegan Valaika for a quick interview on what he's been up to. From attending school full time in Boulder to traveling around the world filming for Burton and his new project Givin', Keegan has a full plate. Check out how he pulls it all off and then some.

Let's start this off on a negative note. What do you hate?

Haters. I'm working on hating nothing though and it’s pretty hard

Why do you get so angry when you snowboard? I know you have a good time, but you seem to snap when you get frustrated.

It’s just a way to vent I guess. I just want it to work so bad sometimes and it just won't. So maybe throwing my snowboard and crap like that is just my way of letting it out. It usually ends up all good but I've definitely sustained some injuries in the process.  Don't forget to wear your helmets kids!

Ollie big 5 in Minnesota | Sequence: Chris Owen

What makes you happy?

Good vibes

What makes you sad?

Haters

Where would you most like to live?

Paradise, or space with my friends and family.

What are you going to be when you grow up?

I don't want to grow up, but maybe an artist. I like painting and other creative stuff like that. I've always loved surfing, skating and that shit too so who knows what I'll do.  I just started working on a happiness project.

Who's the best new guy out there right now? Don't say Ethan Deiss, because everyone already knows him and I want some real insider knowledge.

There's a lot of good ones.  I don't really know if there's a best.  Everyone gets there time to shine.

Keegan behind the lens | Photo: Chris Owen

Top 5 favorite riders of all time.

Nico, Terje, Mikkel, Luke, Wyatt, Forest and my dad.

You make a decent living at this snowboard thing, so why are you going to college? Most people would just put school off, but you seem to be taking a full load of classes and still making the snowboard thing work.

I was going just to gain a little extra knowledge and get schooled because I guess I can really only snowboard for so long; or maybe not, hah, but then recently I just decided I'd rather just snowboard with my friends, be with my family and do what I love. Painting and stupid shit like that.  Maybe I'll go back to school later.

Can you give me a little break down of Givin'? What are your goals and dreams for this project?

Just to give back real snowboarding to real snowboarders.

Keegan putting in work on a long down-flat-down in Minnesota | Photo: Chris Owen

Keegan sequences by Chris Owen

Gap to backlip 270 out

 

Gap to board 270 out

 

Front-side lipslide

 

Nosepress to back-side 180 out