Jason Pata
Punter for the Raiders, sometimes snowboarding

Accomplishments: Completed the Kessel run in four parsecs.

Residence: North Lake Tahoe

Age: Twenties

When I’m not going huge I’m…(hobby’s, outside career goals)
Breeding hybrid charcoal, so no more digging involved.

What tunes get you psyched?
For sure progressive jazz.

What is your Favorite place to shred, climb…?
Anything around Tahoe basin backcountry.

Where is your favorite place to kick back, relax, and forget about everything?
Usually under any bridge.

At what age did you begin your sport?
Snowboarding since 1984.

What was your worst sport related injury, and how did you get it?
I was doing a huge snowangel and slipped a disk.

What was your biggest influence that got you where you are now?
Low levels of radiation with a spider next to me.

What pisses you off?
Cats that play head games.

In what ways has the popularity of extreme sports changed the way you operate?
It shows you how other people operat, and how you should operate just the opposite.

As the popularity of your sport grows, are there any issues for newcomers that, as an experienced professional, you feel need to be addressed? What types of actions and attitudes are going to effect your sport in positive ways?
Yes, this young kid from Vegas, Wayne Newton was very positive for the sport. As for actions affecting the sport, the clickers are finally on their last tour to mount one more strap so that they can become a full binding once again.

There must be some negative issues surrounding your sport (i.e. safety, land management). What sticks out in your mind and do you have any suggestions to control or minimize these circumstances?
Yes, quit using spam on your base during spring skiing.

What do you see in your future, and the where would you like to see your sport be at in 5 to 10 years?
I see a horse bucking for some reason, and that’s how I would like to see the sport go also.

If you could relate one idea to the world, related to your sport or not, what would it be?
Snowboarding is like having a bar tab: It’s fun while its there but when you have to pay, it sure hurts.