Betty of the Month: Mariah Dugan

Diana Sciandra


photo: Ben Birk

Age: 20
Home Mountain: Mammoth Mountain
Home Town: Originally from Sonora, CA currently living in Mammoth
Years Riding: 12 years total, 5 in the park
Contest Results:
TransAM Tour Champion 2012
1st place Volcom PBRJ qualifiers 2012
1st place TransAM @ Northstar 2012
1st place TransAM @ Big Bear 2012
4th place Volcom PBRJ Championships 2012
6th place Mt High Triple Air 2012
2nd place Roxy Chicken (Powder) Jam 2011
2nd place Volcom PBRJ qualifiers 2011
3rd place Volcom PBRJ qualifiers 2010
Sponsors: Arbor Snowboards, Outdoor Technology, Smith Optics, Steezie Beanies, Earth & Ocean Boardshop


What did you think of snowboarding the first time you tried it? How old were you? Who taught you?
The first time I tried snowboarding I was 8, I was the kid in the lesson that didn’t listen to the teacher and went straight down the hill as fast as I could, when it came time to stop I would just fall on my butt and do it over and over again. I fell in love with snowboarding, I just wanted to go bigger and faster every time I went.


What tricks are you working on right now?
Right now I am working on spinning my 3’s and 5’s all four ways and working on all my rail tricks switch. I try to learn something new everyday.


photo: Ben Birk

What’s your process for learning a new trick, any superstitions?
Superstition is just a false state of mind. . .when it comes to learning a new trick I just have to be confident and I go for it, 80% of the time it works every time!


Any super exciting plans for the summer?
This summer I might go to hood for a few weeks, other than that I’m just enjoying the sunshine and hanging with my friends and my awesome dog Murphy.

Where do want your snowboarding career to take you?
I dream of riding giant mountains and pow. My goal is to have a video part with all backcountry and urban shots getting super creative.


Most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you on a snowboard?
I did this contest, I was on the mountain all day and when I got to the car at the end of the day I realized the leggings I wore under my snow pants were ripped all the way down the butt. So I went the entire day with my butt hanging out and didn’t even know it!


If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
I would travel to Chile and Argentina to ride pow lines with my closed shred buddies. Heli drops all day!


What inspires you to give it your all every time you strap in?
My inspiration comes from my passion to ride. You only live once but if you do it right once is enough. My favorite quote is from my father, “Never give up, never give in and never quit!”


Pirates or Ninjas?
NINJAS! All black everything!


photo: HUGGY

Would you be more likely to survive ; a grizzly bear chasing you down the hill while you ride deep pow through trees or a crazy hyena chasing you through the park?
I don’t think a grizzly bear or a hyena stand a chance against a Ninja

Most awesome thing about snowboarding?
The most awesome thing about snowboarding is the feeling of flying and being free. Snowboarding ALWAYS puts a smile on my face.


What do you do when you’re not snowboarding?
When I’m not snowboarding I’m out skating, wake surfing, hiking, pretty much anything outdoors.


If you could run your own Non-Profit Charity what would it be for?
I would create a foundation for skateboarding, I would build skateparks in urban areas to help kids stay out of trouble and have fun. 


photo: Beau Kelsey

It’s Mother’s Day this month - give us a memory of your mother that helped make you the person you are today.
My mom being a single mother since I was 10 did everything she could to take care of me, we are best friends and always help each other when we are in need. My mother gave me a lot of freedom and always gave me an honest answer. The freedom I was given and all of the things we went through together, the good and the bad, made me who I am today. I love you mom and Happy Mother’s Day!

Favorite -
Phone app: Draw Something
Lift snack: Candy
Park feature: Lift towers
TV show: Family Guy, How I Met Your Mother
Movie: Zombieland
Inspiration: Life


Videos:

 

  Follow Mariah’s adventures on YouTube

Posted by Diana Sciandra on 05/08/2012