Here is a story of a young man who loves the outdoors and because of his dream has probably seen more landscapes in his time than most people could hope to see.

Pat was born in Toronto, Ontario. He started skiing in Ellicottville, [Western] New York. He enjoyed this location because it offered more diverse terrain than the nearest hill in Collingwood, Ontario had to offer. He comes from a family of skiers and snowboarders and these included his grandparents.

He began competitive snowboarding a few years after skiing and his cousin was one of his teammates. After his cousin joined one of the race teams, Pat no longer had a competitor so he became a recreational snowboard racer for a few years. He competed at the USA Amateur Championships where he finished 3rd at the age of 12. A few years later he joined another team back in Collingwood and he believes that his dream started back then. He went on to compete locally, and nationally in the USA, for a few more years.

Pat moved to Canmore, Alberta at the age of 17. He then trained for 3 years between Canmore and Steamboard Springs, Colorado. He improved with dedicated training, honing his skills, and again, competed nationally and internationally.

Through these years Pat moved up through the national development system that has taken him to the Canadian World Cup Snowboard Team. Since being selected on the National Team Pat has made North Vancouver his home. He trains here when he’s home and the Team follows the snow in different places all over the world to train and to race.

Pat’s Family are his biggest fans. His Dad John, Mum Alison, and sister Heather are huge supporters in his quest and personal journey. To speak with Pat and to look into his eyes when he speaks of his sport, there is such passion and focus you can’t help but support him.

His training can sometimes be brutal, probably most times; he has fallen from time to time; he has had setbacks from time to time, yet he gets back up and remains true to his sport.

He so loves being outside, he loves life, he seems to handle stress with ease, and he is a gentleman.

Chapmans is happy to support Pat in his amazing journey. Our wishes for Pat are that he has fun on his journey, that he believes in himself, that he commits totally to his sport, that he knows he has the support of so many people, and that his dream comes through in time.

This newsletter will be updated from time to time as Pat progresses in his sport.