The amount of snowboarding talent under the age of 20 in Australia and New Zealand right now is overwhelming. It’s safe to say, we’ve never seen such an influx of promising talent, with pro careers well within their reach. On any given day, in Perishers Front Valley Park – you’ll witness a number of next-gen riders putting down runs that would have landed them a podium at X Games not all that long ago.
While there’s plenty of correlation between the success of coaching programs, industry and parental investment along with access to world-class ‘freestyle’ facilities at Resorts – the bottom line is that the ‘kids’ are on a tear. They know they can compete on a global stage now and no longer see the glass ceiling that once held riders back from making an international name for themselves.
There was no shortage of inclusions in this Transfer Top 10’s with many riders not mentioned here that are certainly worthy, however here are a few we’ve been keeping watch of and are sure bets when it comes to world-class boardin’.
Luka Simic
@Big__smoothie
Age: 19
Hookups/Sponsors: Fyve, Tombstone Eyewear
Hometown: Mansfield, VIC
Home Resort: Mount Buller
Years Boardin’: On my 4th full Australian season, until then I’d do 1 week a year with the family.
How would you describe your snowboarding?: I mostly jib and only jump when the cameras are out.
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: I want to do snowboarding films, I love being behind and in front of the camera but I also want to compete and just try and be the best I can possibly be.
Crew Shoutout: The crew I ride with goes by the name milkless and I also hang out with some of the TAB crew, a massive shoutout to Ben Masterson and Ryan Tiene who have coached me in recent years and also the homies Ben Kropman, Cooper Veitch, Charlie Tanner, Cruz McKee, Brock Ibbotson, Archie Borcherds, Taj Curran and plenty more
What Transfer says: Although at the more mature end of our list, Big Sim’s riding has gone from strength to strength over the last season and now includes some of the most stylish pulls, along with proper tweaks always. We’re thinking he’s in a perfect place between having plain fun and pursuing pro snowboarding at this age.
Charlie Tanner
@charliedtanner
Age: 17
Hookups/Sponsors: Boost Mobile, Electric, Captia, Rad Gloves
Hometown: Thirroul, NSW.
Home Resort: Thredbo
Years Boardin’: 4 Years
How would you describe your snowboarding?: I just try to giver the beans, more energy, more passion, more footwork.
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: I’d like to continue traveling, visiting new countries and eventually move into the back country. Ultimately I’d love to film back country parts.
Crew Shoutout: Turn n Burn and coach who is Hank
What Transfer says: Ryan Tiene’s influence is strong in this one, with Charlie being able to ride pretty well anything, well. His presence in our feed is probably the most consistent out of our riders on this list, and we’re being constantly entertained especially with that Thredbo slack country front 3 that stopped the thumbs of the nation.
Hayden Jacobs
@haydenjacbos2011
Age: 12
Hookups/Sponsors: Rhythm Snowboard Shop, Quicksilver, Modest Eyewear, Le_bent, wearefeelgoodinc
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Home Resort: Perisher
Years Boardin’: 11 Years
How would you describe your snowboarding?: Technical
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: On the road Olympics and X games
Crew Shoutout: Thanks Stu and Cam from PWSC and Malcolm from Whyaintyou and Mikey Williams
What Transfer says: This little man has a huge appetite for all types of terrain, and isn’t afraid to have it large. From joining the ‘dub club’ to holding his own amongst Front Valley’s rail heavies, Hayden’s got one of the brightest snowboarding futures ahead – and Rhythm, with their track record is backing him, meaning favourable odds.
Beau Goodwin
@yeahbeauy
Age: 9
Hookups/Sponsors: Burton, Rhythm Snowboard Shop and Modest Eyewear, Mum and Dad
Hometown: Port Stephens, NSW
Home Resort: Thredbo
Years Boardin’: 4 Years
How would you describe your snowboarding?: Non-stop
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: Keep it fun and hopefully make it pro one day
Crew Shoutout: My brother Nate for always showing me new tricks, my coaches Ryan, Ben, Briege and Waz @ Turn and Burn and Mum and Dad for letting me ride instead of going to school
What Transfer says: If Bluey! ever made an episode about snowboarding, it’d have to include Beauy! There’s something about this kids snowboarding that’s highly entertaining, whether it’s his age and his repertoire of tricks, or just the sheer pop and energy that he puts into every aspect of his snowboarding – we’ll be bingin’ this kids boarding for years to come.
Zephyr J Whitelaw-Holmes
@duh_homie_z
Age: 16
Hookups/Sponsors: Capita, Union, Modest, WhiteroomSnow, Stinky Socks
Hometown: Torquay, VIC
Home Resort: Hotham
Years Boardin’: 14ish
How would you describe your snowboarding?: I feel like i’m jamming, Bob Marley X Fisher
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: Wherever it needs to go. For now, I’m hyped to do the Jindy szn. I’m keen to do some more competing in the Northern Hemi szn.
I would also love to get some clips in the streets and have my own rope tow in Japan.
Crew Shoutout: Shoutout to the OG TAB crew, Rozza, Josh, Rono, Maxy, Allen, Sleepy, Gus and all my new homies. Aswell as Ryan Tiene and Andy James.
What Transfer says: At age 16, style usually is reserved for the sub-conscious as trickery takes place. Not so with Zephyr, with every execution of his very riding absolutely dripping in the stuff – an influence obvious of the crews he knocks around with.
Juan George
@juan.in.a.milion
Age: 15
Hookups/Sponsors: Volcom, Vans Sims Snowboards, Modest, Skull Candy, First Tracks Boardstore, Thredbo Junior Ambassador
Hometown: Cronulla, NSW
Home Resort: Thredbo
Years Boardin’: 10
How would you describe your snowboarding?: Ah that’s a hard question to answer um always working on being stylish and clean.
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: More riding, more backcountry, progress, get better, filming and comps… everything more I just want to do everything.
Crew Shoutout: TAB Crew, Panxto, TJ, Milo, Gartho all the boys are cool to ride with.
What Transfer says: Juan’s been on our radar for years, with a few Transfer Banked Slalom podiums to boot winning a trip to Mt Baker in the process, from here the international snowboard world has welcomed him, and he’s been making waves ever since. Keep an eye out for his latest Volcom Ad, it’ll be the first of many. Pure juice!
Ellie Lee Stevens
@lilelliesb
Age: 11
Hookups/Sponsors: Burton, Bordertown
Hometown: New Plymouth, Wānaka for winter
Home Resort: Turoa till I was 7, Cardrona from then on
Years Boardin’: 7yrs
How would you describe your snowboarding?: Snowboarding for me is all about the park, and I do love a good mini pipe session!
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: The Olympics and X Games
Crew Shoutout: Nick Lamont @nicklahh, Aaron Jamieson and the @platinum.crew and my bro Fletcher @fletchostevens for always being my riding buddy and pushing me to try new tricks!
What Transfer says: It was hard to miss Lil Ellie in our feeds a few months ago, where a pint-sized ripper wearing all pink was shredding those matching pink Mammoth rails. Although we’d be informed of her talents prior, nowadays this little Kiwi Shred is a force to be reckoned with.
Vaughn Hardwick
@vaughno88
Age: 19
Hookups/Sponsors: The North Face, Skullcandy, Modest, Lamoral Boards, Up State
Hometown: Mona vale, Sydney, NSW
Home Resort: Perisher
Years Boardin’: I’ve been boarding for around 12 or so years and have been competing for around 4 years.
How would you describe your snowboarding?: I’d describe my snowboarding as being flowy and play fall rather then aggressive, somewhat surf like as I love to ride big mountains and deep pow, as that is what I love most about snowboarding and what I compete in.
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: I want to take my snowboarding to the freeride world tour as well as explore bigger mountains and more remote areas of the world such as Alaska.
What Transfer says: The Hardwick DNA runs strong in this one, as son of Australian Snowboarding legend Neil – Vaughn is an all-terrain ruler. With undoubted freeriding skills and a style that compliments big mountain terrain, it’s a sure bet we’ll be seeing this 19-year-old tearing down the biggest descents in years to come. Natural Selection here we come …
Zephyr Lovelock
@zephyrlovelock
Age: 19
Hookups/Sponsors: Volcom, Burton, Jack Links, Anon, Skullcandy, Pit Viper, Mum and Dad
Hometown: Auckland, NZ
Home Resort: Snowplanet
Years Boardin’: 12
How would you describe your snowboarding?: If a monkey could snowboard …
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: Represent my whanua and country at the highest level as well as showcasing my style in my own way.
Crew Shoutout: Platinum Crew and Ngāti Awa
What Transfer says: Like a frog in a sock, Zephyr is the most entertaining snowboarder in the Southern Hemisphere right now, he also happens to be one of the best. With a viral aura, assumed stardom is no doubt approaching and we’d be hard-pressed to ever imagine the kid sitting still. For Zephyr, the snow is lava and he must possibly trick-off everything in sight.
Louis Tarasenko
@louis_tarra7
Age: 11
Hookups/Sponsors: Dragon, Rad gloves, Le_bent, wearefeelgoodinc, Skullcandy, Cherri Pow Boardstore
Hometown: Ingebirah, Snowy Mountains, NSW
Home Resort: Perisher
Years Boardin’: 3
How would you describe your snowboarding?: I like going big. Working on the steeze. I can throw a mean snowball.
Where do you want to take your snowboarding?: Travel the world! I just did my first Northern Hemi season and it was epic. Mammoth was the GOAT, I can’t wait to go again. I want to be the best in the world.
Crew Shoutout: Massive shout out to my coach Cam Hoddle (@youre.sunburnt), Perisher parks, my sponsors and my family.
What Transfer says: Watching Louis’ riding is like watching some nostalgic footage of a pro as a kid. There’s the right mixture of bouncing-off-the-walls type energy and big-balled snowboard antics that makes you feel like you’re watching some wonderkid – which he probably is.
Know a kid who’s worthy of the cut?
As we mentioned, our shortlist here is limited to ten spots and with no shortage of talent under the age of 20 – we knew riders well and truly worthy of this list would miss out. It’s a good problem for Southern Hemisphere Snowboarding to have. For those not yet featured here, we’re having the Transfer community at large nominate their know rippers, and hell, we might do something about it! Let us know your nominated kid-shred in either the comments here or over on our Instagram …
