LESSONS | PAT MOORE
This is a series where we talk with riders about lessons they've acquired through a life lived snowboarding.
Pat Moore is an uncontested godfather in snowboarding. Not the type that’ll tear into a room, shoot you up, do some blow, and then cut off a rat’s finger to get vengeance, but the trustworthy type. He is very thoughtful, gentle, and genuine. Anyone can see it in his eyes. At least I could, when we did this interview over a candle-lit table for two at around 11:30 pm - bowchicawowow. But actually, and with the most respect, Pat is awesome. He has been around for a long time. This is why he is perfect for this advice series. So, sit back, wrap yourself in a blanket, grab a green tea, light an organic candle, maybe touch an old hardcover book, and prepare to get reflective as Pat explains a couple of things that snowboarding has taught him over the years. ––William Fraser
1: Communication in Relationships
“One of the biggest things snowboarding has taught me is communication, especially when filming. It is key when in a big group and everyone is thinking different things. You know, you get out there and everyone has separate ambitions, ideas for tricks, features to hit, and expectations. There can be a lot of thoughts in one space. At times, you have to pull yourself back and reconnect with the group because your goals might be getting exaggerated. Or, they might not align with someone else’s. If you’re not communicating what you want out there, you can end up getting in a bit of a tug-a-war with people. I think that it’s the same with a relationship. In a strong relationship, you are supportive of that other person working along-side you. You want to help them with their goals and ambitions, while also being supportive of your own. You have to work to catch that balance of being there for someone and making sure to ask for support when you need it. I find if I’m not communicating, that becomes very hard to do. Simple things like asking a question, being clear, or even stating what feels like might be obvious, has become important to me. Those things help me gain that larger perspective, that 30,000 foot view, which can help me get an idea of the other person’s feelings, and my own.”
2: Tomorrow Will Come
"With snowboarding I have found that I can get tunnel vision. It’s like if I don't get this trick I’ll be devastated. When I’m in that mindset, I find it gets really hard to think about how there is a tomorrow, or that it’s only February 17th, and that there's a lot of season left. This happened especially when I was younger. It was hard for me to see the future. However, I have been through so many seasons and had so many injuries, that I’ve now come to recognize when it’s a good time to bookend a session and start again tomorrow. I’ve learnt when to let go of or relax that immediate need. Things don't have to happen right now because the next day, or a week later, there could be a better jump, then I’ll regret that I forced it earlier. These experiences have really helped me in life. They taught me to consider that there will be more “jumps.” For example, when I am going through a bad time, with whatever might be happening, I try to remind myself that there will be a tomorrow. What I am going through will end and there will be something else to look forward to. Even on the other side, when things are good, I’ve come to know things won’t always be good—life can change quickly. This has pushed me to work hard to make sure that I take time to appreciate the good days, knowing that they won’t last forever either."
