At 13 years old, Valentino Guseli is carving a fierce path of achievement. His riding is a potent mixture of youthful spirit, athleticism and resilience. Guseli’s most recent display of these traits working in tandem? The Australian snowboarder just landed his first 1440 in Sass Fee, Switzerland. For Guseli, three days of relentless pursuit was a life lesson in perseverance: “It was a pretty long process but I knew if I kept working and giving it my all I would eventually get it,” Guseli told Snowboard Magazine.

After stomping a 1440, not to mention a slew of other accolades, including two consecutive 2nd place finishes in the U.S. Open junior jam, Guseli is taking a break to surf in Portugal. Yes, it’s a rough life to be a 13-year-old maverick.

Edit by Phootstep Films.