Interview by Tawnya Schultz

Rob Kingwill is a jack of all snowboard trades. Living in the mountains of Wyoming all of his life, Kinger, as he's known by most, is driven by the shred, surrounding himself daily, whether it be slashing the hills at his local spot, Jackson Hole, creating board graphics for Compatriot, designing bandarils for Avalon7, or coaching kids from around the globe. He's a busy guy. Not to mention he's on the road most of the winter traveling from here to there, to places like AK, riding all kinds of lines we can only imagine. Enlighten your life with the insight of Kinger, sure to make you laugh, he's one living legend that's down for snowboarding 'til the day he dies.

Tell me a story. Who brought you to this world and how did you become a snowboarder?

A story: This one time, at shred-camp, I was an underpaid (volunteer, actually) overworked digger who was super stoked to finally have a rain day off after five weeks straight of manual labor and shredding on the glacier. All the other diggers and I were celebrating in the parking lot of the slightly run down hotel that was used as employee housing, planning out an excursion to the big city where we could go watch a movie or find some chicks. Mr "W.", the owner of the shred camp, surveyed our merriment and realized that he had a whole crew of strong dudes that were good at digging things, and he had a sudden sewer problem that needed to be solved. So he decided to make us dig poop holes six feet down in the pouring rain in the parking lot to look for the septic caps instead of letting us have a wonderful day of rest and relaxation. There were three caps. We missed twice. Five muddy six foot deep poop holes. It smelled bad. I almost threw up.

My Mom brought me into this world and my Dad watched, I guess. I really can't remember. They moved me from Durango, CO to Jackson Hole when I was 4, and set me on the path that would eventually lead me to snowboarding.

I first set foot on a board in 1987. Burton Elite 135. It had fins and fast-lock buckles on the bindings (kinda like the buckle on your backpack waist strap). I would rip the fin out with a pair of pliers (you couldn't turn with it in), go shred, then hammer it back in before taking it back to the rental shop. The buckles would freeze and you would have to have your friends come over to help you squeeze hard enough to get out of them almost every run. 23 years later I am still addicted.

It's hard for a lot of people to continue staying as stoked on snowboarding as you are after doing it most of their lives. What keeps you in the right mindset?

The best thing about snowboarding is that you can always learn or see something new everyday. I can't understand how people can get burnt out. It just doesn't enter my consciousness as a possibility. It is quite simply the most fun, entertaining, challenging and sometimes enlightening thing I can think of doing. I also get to spend a lot of time coaching and riding with kids, and they always rekindle that spark of stoke and remind me how lucky I am to still be doing this.

Tell the peeps about your other endeavors since you're also a entrepreneur.

I've got a lot of projects going right now, but being a pro-shred and riding everyday I can is still my first priority.

I own a little accessory/apparel company called AVALON7 which makes super rad breathable mesh bandanas called bandarils and handpainted hats. The brand is based on the idea of positive progression through collaboration and community.

I am currently working on creating a 501c non-profit called the Futurepositiv Project based on the AVALON7 message which will encourage outdoor education and participation. Check it out: www.avalonseven.com

I just started a new Jackson Hole based snowboard company with Kevin Jones called Compatriot. Our boards are built for real riders who love to be in the mountains and will ride 'til the day they die. www.compatriotsnowboards.com

I've been doing some announcing at the Grand Prixs and for Fuel as of late.

I made $25 bucks the other night playing with my band Yeti- does that count?

Ha. Yes indeed. Who's your crew when you're in Jackson?

Kevin Jones, John Rodowsky, Alex Yoder, Carter and Trice from time to time.

Working on the new board graphics for Compatriot.

I like how you had a chance to go cat-boarding in BC recently and you chose to go back to Jackson instead. That says a little something. What do you think it is about that place that keeps you there?

I was lucky enough to grow up in Jackson (thanks Mom and Dad!) and realized early on how rad a place it really is. I started traveling around the world when I was 19, and got to ride a lot of amazing places, but nothing really compares to the terrain and consistent fall line of JH. Snowboarding is all about harnessing potential energy, and Jackson has a lot of it to harness.

Talk to me about the North Face Masters. How did you get involved and what do you think about the event overall?

My first big mountain contest was the North Face Masters in Aleyeska, AK in 2008. I was going up to AK to ride in Valdez with Mikey Basich, and I figured I would enter the contest. I really wanted to break out of being just a "pipe guy". I had a lot of fun competing in a totally different kind of venue, and actually won the contest.

The best thing about the North Face Masters contests is how diverse the lines and terrain at each venue is- you can get so creative. There is no set way to win, just ride strong and smooth. Plus it is really fun to watch the freeride community grow with each event. There are so many amazing riders that never get a chance to showcase their skills, and now they finally have venue.

What's your perception of the Olympics. You used to coach a bunch of those dudes, right?

I love seeing snowboarding on the world stage, although I still think they could represent it better. There are so many facets to snowboarding, and pipe and boardercross are just a small part. If it inspires some kid to go out and shred instead of staying home playing videogames it is alright with me.

It is really cool to see some of the kids I coached when they were 9 and 10 come up and make it all the way to the Olympics. Vito and Scotty were my campers at Windell's for years. I used to carry Shaun on my shoulders up the pipe at Windell's so he could take another run. Jimmy Scott and I helped him learn Mctwists at the first X Games. Now he rules the world! I would love to say I had something to do with all those guys, but they did it on their own. I sure am proud of 'em though!

You still coach a lot in the summers at Camp of Champs in Canada. How'd you get into that?

I love snowboarding in the summer. It rules. I worked at Windell's for 10 years straight, which was rad, but I needed a change. My buddy Ken Ach said come on up to Camp of Champs, so I went up to check it out. They have the sickest summer park in the world, plus they have the Whistler village. Hood is great, but Whistler is better. I'm the co-head coach, and I do my best to make sure everyone that goes to our camp goes home a better rider.

Don't you ever want to go lay on the beach somewhere?

Yes. Fiji. Please. I love to surf, but I never get enough time to do it for very long. I guess I'm too busy doing everything else!

You're a writer too. I saw something in Jackson Hole Snowboarder Magazine written by you. Is that another passion?

I do like to write, but mostly only do it when I have a story or a really, really long interview to do. I also like to write music and songs, make beats, and freestyle.

Kick the kids down with some wisdom. What's the quote of the day?

To quote Chris Roach in a TWS interview from 1991 "Only dead fish follow the stream."

"The journey is its own reward." Craig Kelly.

Anything else you want to speak or add? Say it.

Go outside. Your life is waiting.