From our latest issue, 22.1. Photos by Simon Berghoef.
Gibson “Gibby” Cochran is a perfect candidate for a first draft. When we called him up he was winding down after his first summer at Hood. This is after his first season committed to his first major film project and it is also his first print interview with us. A lot of firsts. Another in the line of impressive talents hailing from the Mitten State, we caught up with the up-and-coming Never Summer rider as he gears up for a winter bouncing around the U.S. looking to make his mark on the industry. Oh, he also had to stop the interview to help a camper up while working at MHSSC, so he is a good guy too. Enjoy.
DOB: 3/26/2005
Sponsors: Never Summer
Stance: Goofy
Home resort: Cannonsburg
Where are you from?
Grand Rapids, Michigan.
You recently ditched “Gibby” on Instagram for Gibson?
Yeah, my older brother and some friends started that nickname in Kindergarten and it just stuck. Gibson sounds way more professional. A little more serious for the old people having me do their landscaping work.
And this is your first summer at Hood?
Yeah. Took long enough! I normally landscape in the spring and make my money for the year. Work slows down in June so I had the time finally. Was talking with my mom one night and she just asked why I hadn’t gone out before and then Kaden Rusinko called me about going out to work with MHSSC. Then it happened, I guess.
You guess? Are you guessing you are at Hood?
Haha, no, I am here. It’s pretty chill! I’m just in the kitchen, making food. After camp ends I’m going to go surf the coast for two weeks then cruise back home.
Favorite meal that you’ve made at camp?
Thanksgiving dinner.
You guys are doing full turkey dinner?
Pretty much, but we substitute turkey for chicken. We do like lemon pepper chicken. It’s really good.
That doesn’t sound like Thanksgiving, but okay. You got some stuff coming out soon, yeah?
Yeah, first time ever committing to a project! I filmed with Sinister all winter. It has been my dream since I was little to film. We did a mid-length video for this fall. Sam Anderson, Bobby Stitt, myself, Colton Carroll, and a few cameos.
Where did you guys go?
It’s basically all Midwest. We did quite a bit of Michigan, Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay… they went to Kansas City, but I was hurt at the time. And then Ottawa.
How did it feel to be with kind of a hometown crew that has found so much success the past few years?
Epic. None of us flew at all this past winter. We drove everywhere, which was super nice. The biggest trip I had to do was like drive four hours to link up with them.
Favorite spot you rode this winter?
Got to go back to my middle school and hit this kink I’ve been dreaming about since I grew up eating lunch right next to it. I just 5050d it but I finally got to cross that one off.
Favorite snowboarder?
Derek Lemke. I think he’s the best snowboarder in the world right now. Honestly, I take a lot of inspo from surfing. I think like Mikey Wright is my favorite person that rides the board.
How is surfing on Lake Michigan?
Best thing ever.
Cold and terrible waves?
It’s all I got.
So what would you rather have, a powder day or a perfect wave on the lake?
One good day of surfing equals 50 powder days probably.
You know this is a snowboarding magazine?
I’ve never had that good of a powder day haha. I should probably spend more time out west.
How did you get linked up with Never Summer?
Sam Klein and Emily O’Connor were in Grand Haven surfing actually. We met up, friendship just clicked and a month later they asked if I wanted to try a few boards out.
Where do you want to see your career go?
I don’t know, just film more videos. I’m obsessed with video parts.
Alright, that’s it!
Thank you!
