Canadian snowboarder Crispin Lipscomb finished 11th in the half-pipe at the 2006 Torino Olympics in February. (Canadian Press)
Feature
Being Crispin Lipscomb
Quirky Canadian snowboarder talks music, movies and video games
By Dan Tavares, CBC Sports
Even in a sport as colourful as snowboarding, Crispin Lipscomb stands out.
A late bloomer, Lipscomb didn't start competing until age 18. Now 27 and after four years on the national team, he's starting to make his mark on the snowboarding circuit and is determined to challenge the sport's big stars, like Shawn (The Flying Tomato) White and Danny Davis.
The reiki master/snowmobile enthusiast/Canucklehead /independent filmmaker is as fearless with his opinions as he is on the half-pipe.
The reigning Canadian champ talked to CBC Sports Online just before he headed to the snowboarding world championships in Arosa, Switzerland, and gave us a glimpse into world of Crispin Lipscomb.
What music are you listening to?
The Audience's Listening
Cut Chemist's debut album is one of Lipscomb's current favourites. "It's really good, forward-thinking stuff," he says. The eclectic hip-hop album blends samples from Brazil and Eastern Europe, jazz, funk and rock on what the Cut Chemist calls a "world palette."
Diplo
Diplo's fusion of South American beats and North American sound is music to Lipscomb's ears. "Everybody's going to know about Diplo, if they don't already."
Gnarls Barkley
The collaboration between DJ Danger Mouse and rapper Cee-Lo Green produced the catchy tune "Crazy," one of last summer's biggest songs. "Anything Danger Mouse touches goes to gold," praises Lipscomb.
DJ Shadow
"The best DJ of all time," proclaims Lipscomb. "I love anything from him. I have four or five albums of his that I listen to all the time."
What are your favourite movies?
Snatch, Lock, Stock and
Two Smoking Barrels and Revolver
"Anything by Guy Richie," Lipscomb says when asked about his taste in movies. Lipscomb says he has all three Tarantino-esque movies on his computer. No word on whether the universally panned Swept Away, starring Richie's megastar-wife Madonna, makes Lipscomb's cut.
The Big Lebowski
The outlandish odyssey of two layabout L.A. brothers in the bizarre world of loserdom is also on Lipscomb's list of top flicks. "It makes me laugh," he says matter-of-factly when asked about the Coen brothers' cult classic. "It's a really funny, great movie."
Being John Malkovich
Written and directed by two of filmmaking's most creative minds, Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze, Being John Malkovich was praised as an innovative — or weird — masterpiece. "It challenges me," Lipscomb says. "I don't go for the basic anything. As a filmmaker, I'm trained in the classic scenarios, so I prefer to be led along somewhere."
Filmmaking is another of Lipscomb's passions. Last year he made a movie, called Pipe Dream, which chronicled his trip to the Olympics. (Getty Images)
What are your favourite video games?
Goldeneye
Lipscomb misspent a good chunk of his youth playing the James Bond-inspired video game on his Nintendo 64. "I spend hours and hours and hours on the game," he says.
NHL '07
Like most Canadian kids, Lipscomb is always up for a game of electronic shinny. "It's all I play nowadays. I always play with the Vancouver Canucks."
Amped 3
Not surprisingly, a snowboarding video game makes Lipscomb's list. "It's snowboarding training without having to fall." But don't expect to see the video tricks on real half-pipes anytime soon. "It's beyond reality, but fun," Lipscomb says. "There's no applying Amped to real life."
What are your favourite sports teams/athletes?
Vancouver Canucks
Lipscomb isn't shy about his love for the hometown Canucks. He reportedly wears a Canucks jersey under his jacket during competitions. "I've been working with the Canucks charity. They always hook me up with games. I'm pretty loyal to them."
Tana Umaga
During his time in New Zealand, Lipscomb developed a soft spot for the country's national rugby squad, the All Blacks, and their most fearsome tackler, Tana Umaga.
Wayne Gretzky
Lipscomb says the Great One is a fitting moniker for Gretzky on and off the ice.
"I got to work with him two years ago," Lipscomb remembers. "What a cool guy. He really is a good dude."
Mike Michalchuk
"He's one of Canada best half-pipe riders ever," says Lipscomb. "He's one of two guys to have a trick named after him in our sport. That's super good."
Steve Nash
"Nash is a role model for all of us in sport and as a Canadian. I work with his sports (psychologist), and hearing some of the stories of that guy … he's amazing."
About Crispin
Birthdate: Aug. 7, 1979
Birthplace: Ottawa
Hometown: Whistler, B.C.
Height: 5'8" / 1.73 m
Career Highlights
- Started the 2007-08 season ranked third in the world in the FIS points standings.
- 21st in half-pipe at the World Cup event in Saas Fee, Switzerland.
- First in half-pipe at the 2006 World Cup in Furano, Japan.
- 11th at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics.
- Eighth in half-pipe at the 2006 World Cup event in Murau, Austria.
- Seventh in half-pipe at the 2006 World Cup, Whistler, B.C.
- Second in half-pipe at the 2005 World Cup in Sungwoo, South Korea.
- Ninth in half-pipe at the 2005 world championships, Whistler.
- Gold medallist in half-pipe at the 2005 Canadian championships, Big White, B.C.
- Sixth in half-pipe at the 2004 World Cup, Bardonecchia, Italy.
Getting his start:
Lipscomb's snowboarding career took its baby steps during a family trip to Alberta's Jasper National Park. A 13-year-old skater boy, Lipscomb was captivated by skateboarding's winter counterpart. "I took a lesson and I was hooked," Lipscomb says.
Late bloomer:
Lipscomb didn't start competing seriously until he was 18 years old. Most snowboarders on the World Cup circuit start much earlier.
Reiki master:
Before every competition, Lipscomb draws a series of spirals in the snow.
He then reaches down and punches pattern, before bringing back a handful snow
and pouring it down the front of his jacket. The routine comes from reiki,
a Japanese holistic health regimen. Lipscomb says it clears his mind, allowing
him to focus on his run.
Coaching Kiwis:
Lipscomb coaches the New Zealand junior snowboarding team during the off-season.
Skill and style:
"Big and smooth is what I do," Lipscomb says of his technique. "I do have the big tricks as well, but I really work on fluid, big, slow moves that are stylish."
Pipe Dream:
Last year, Lipscomb made a movie, Pipe Dream, which chronicled his journey to the 2006 Olympics.
Olympic experience:
He was the only Canadian to make it into the half-pipe final at the Torino Winter Games, but an uneven routine relegated him to 11th place. "Having made it to the Olympic finals last year was one of the greatest achievements of my life, but I made mistakes," Lipscomb says. "That was frustrating."
Rising in Japan:
A month after his disappointing showing at the Olympics, Lipscomb redeemed himself winning a World Cup event in Furano, Japan. It was his first on the circuit. "[The World Cup victory] was definitely a confidence builder and it affirmed for me that I could do it, and the Olympics experience didn't sum me up."
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