Tara Dakides
Kelly Vance
Tara Dakides
2007 Roxy Chicken Jam - Photo Courtesy of Roxy/Welsh
We’re starting off our Women In the Industry series with arguably the most influential woman in snowboarding. Tara Dakides has been competing since the mid-90’s, with podiums in a series of events including several gold medals in the X-Games. She continues to dominate on the competition scene, with recent high rankings including a 1st place finish in the 2007 Roxy Chicken Jam Slopestyle event. In 2005, she joined fellow rider Todd Richards and snowboard engineer Jason Kanes in a new rider-driven snowboard company: Omatic Snowboards, with the goal of making snowboarding more accessible by building high quality, affordable snowboards. We interviewed Tara to see what she had to say about Omatic, competing, and being super extra famous.
What was the best contest you hit last year (06/07)?
Definitely the Roxy Chicken Jam in Park City, UT. Amazing weather, mellow course and good friends. There was a lot of camaraderie in the air. I dig the jam format and it felt like a day doing laps in the park, which is more like what snowboarding should be like. It also helped that I did pretty well…like won it.
How’re things going at Omatic? Congrats on the Good Wood.
Thanks. Things are going great. I work with two really close friends who feel more like a family than business partners. TR [Todd Richards] is amazing and Jason makes it all come together. Omatic gives me a chance to travel the world and really get down with kids all over. Giving out free product to these kids is a trip. I love it. Snowboarding is getting ridiculously expensive, so when I can hook someone up who really needs it, well, it pretty much makes my day…and theirs!
How has starting a company changed things for you? And we don’t just mean in the “getting richer” kind of way!
Man, if I got rich that would be amazing. Rims, cars, yachts, yup that’s how we roll! Naw, for me it’s more about having the freedom to do whatever I want, be creative in developing a product that induces fun. Snowboarding has given me a lot, so it feels good putting something back into the scene that I really feel connected to. It’s funny, my routine hasn’t changed, I’m still doing contests, filming and traveling nonstop but Omatic has helped to not just keep me stoked but to pump up a whole new crop of kiddies so that they can have as much fun as I have had. The more Omatic succeeds, the more I can give back and that feels good.
What’s the funnest snowboard trick ever?
It’s gotta be backflip truck drivers off nothing. You just can’t beat it. That and anything into the pow, because just landing in powder is fun and can be funny too. Yard sale!
After riding at such an advanced level for so many years, how are you still able keep things interesting?
That’s an easy one. Snowboarding has opened doors for me, and it is not like those doors ever close, more just keep opening and I just keep peeking through to see what is on the other side, what is next. There is so much that I still haven’t done that I want to do, so I just keep exploring. It feels good to live that free.
2007 Roxy Chicken Jam - Photo Courtesy of Roxy/Welsh
Do you ever get tired of people asking about your tattoo and just tell them to “Go Google it”?
Ha! That’s a good one I haven’t tried yet, thanks. Is it in Google? Damn, I might have to Google myself.
How does it feel to have a video game version of yourself? Do you think you could kick video game Tara’s ass?
I’m not a big video game head but it’s cool. I’ve seen my character and it looks like I’m talking to myself while I’m riding but actually I’m chewing gum. Bet you didn’t know that. It’s kinda my thing when I ride to always be chewing gum. For some strange reason I think I ride better when I chew gum, like when I race my kart I chew gum. Some people think it’s about keeping an internal rhythm, but maybe I just really like gum?
Did you ever injure yourself doing something stupid and then claim it was from snowboarding?
No, ‘cause it’s usually always from snowboarding and doing something stupid. I’ve come to face that I do a lot of stupid shit, so now I’m good with stupid. Cough, Letterman, cough!
Every guy I asked for help with interview questions had one suggestion: “Ask her if she’ll go out with me!” Does that ever get annoying, or is it just fun?
Really, are any of these guys cute? That’s better than the alternative, not getting asked out at all. It’s always funny, it just gets kind of weird when they ask me out and say, “I’ve had a crush on you since I was 15!” CREEPY! I might not go out with you if you use that as the pick up line.
Pirates or Ninjas?
NINJAS!
Up and coming young female riders that you’re really impressed by?
Shit! A lot! Girls today are killing it!
What’s really irritating?
When I cant remember peoples names! Uh, who are you again?
How did you get involved with PETA? PS-Your dog is cute, can I pet it?
[Laughs] My boy Buddy is with me a lot so I guess they saw that and contacted me. Of course being a crazy animal lover I was honored to do it. Anyone doing good things for our environment and love and who are helping out animals and people I always make time to be a part of.
It’s been nearly 3 years; do people still bring up Letterman? Oops, I guess they do.
They sure do!
Any advice for girls who are just getting into riding park?
Charge it! But be smart about it. There’s nothing wrong with dialing your trick in on a smaller jump, rail or whatever and then when you’re feeling it, take it to the next level. Just be confident. Snowboarding, like a lot of things, is mental. You have to believe in yourself, and when you do the progression will come.
Posted by Kelly Vance on 02/10
