When you think of brotherly duos in snowboarding, plenty come to mind. The McMorris brothers, Luke and Jack Mitrani, Ben and Gabe Ferguson, Hans and Nils Mindich, and the pipe dominating Hiranos are all surnames that come to mind.
Closer to home you have legacy names like Clint and Mitch Allen, Dane and Ryan Tiene and Ben and Freddy Fawcett – all riders that have made their mark on Australian snowboarding and paved the way for the next generation.
It seems the rivalry between siblings, in any sport, is a healthy recipe for success. They push each other in ways few others can – growing up together and builds a foundation of friendly competition and constant motivation, with each driving the other to improve. They share the same influences, often the same resources (parents), and develop similar values around fun, style, discipline and resilience.
As the youth snowboarding evolution curve gets steeper and steeper, maybe having your brother there to help you progress is a secret weapon in your quest for success.
Hailing from the mid-north coast of NSW, Nate (12) and Beau Goodwin (10) are the next crop of talented young brothers coming through the ranks faster than most kids scroll TikTok.
Both kids are genuine, respectful and supremely talented.
At just 10 years old, Beau has turned heads ever since he strapped in at aged 6 and continues to raise eyebrows, including those of Mark McMorris and Mons Roisland, as he adds trick after trick to his repertoire. He is one of those kids with boundless natural talent and a style that’s evolved well beyond his years – and with the guidance of the Turn and Burn program has learned that progression comes from having really strong foundations. Best of all, as cliché as it sounds, he just loves to ride – he’s confident, funny and respectful – yet fiercely determined with a cheeky sense of humour that makes him very well liked within the wider snowboarding community.
Despite his more mellow demeanor, his older brother Nate is just as talented – with a style that is effortlessly mature and a natural connection to his equipment. Watching him turn his snowboard, particularly around a banked slalom course, you can see just how in control of his riding he is, and it shows in his tricks as he does the simple things incredibly well. Always smiling and uplifting those around him, Nate’s a pleasure to be around, and taking his younger brother under his wing is on a path to great things, what ever that looks like in his eyes.
What I find interesting, and somewhat refreshing about the Goodwin boys, is that both kids have a foundation in both skateboarding and surfing – in my opinion somewhat of a lost art and an underrated set of skills that have a huge influence on young riders’ style, creativity and trick choice in snowboarding. You look at many of the top riders in snowboarding, at home or abroad, so many of them are wildly talented at riding a skateboard or a surfboard. Historically, our sport is built on a love of all board-sports and as the coaching world focuses more toward air-bags rather than air-reverses, Nate and Beau are a welcomed reminder that standing sideways on different boards can be a real path to success.
We caught up with both kids – asked them to interview each other to learn a bit more about them.
The Goodwin Brothers Interview Each other
Transcribed from a phone recording
OK how are we going to decide who goes first
Scissors paper rock
…1 to Nate
…1 to Beau
…Tiebreaker
…Nate’s first
Nate asks, Beau answers
- What’s the best trick I do?
Cad 2 Pull - What trick do you do better than me?
Front board pretzel - What’s the most annoying thing I do?
Scream and stuff - What is your nickname for me?
Natalie - Who is better at skating, me or you?
You - What about surfing?
You - Who’s my favourite snowboarder?
Liam Brearley - What board do I ride?
Burton Good Company - What’s my favourite song right now?
“I like big butts and I cannot lie” - What does Mum not want to know about?
That you got our phones for me when mum said not to
Beau asks, Nate answers:
- What’s the best trick I do?
Front board pretzel - What trick do you do better than me?
Back lip - What’s the most annoying thing I do?
Punch me - What is your nickname for me?
Beauloony - Who is better at skating, me or you?
Me - What about surfing?
Me - Who’s my favourite snowboarder?
Mark McMorris - What board do I ride?
Burton Custom - What’s my favourite song right now?
Let it Go from Frozen
“No Its not is ASAP Rocky, but I forgot the name” - What does Mum not want to know about?
That you stay up and watch your iPad until 10 oclock
Nate does that – I went straight to bed last night
Both boys – what’s your favourite thing about snowboarding? - Beau: That I get to ride with my friends and I love it and have fun
- Nate: I get to ride park and all mountain
