Right now, Matthew Dunn is a typical fourth-grader attending Oxford Elementary School.
But next week, he could become Matthew Dunn, nationally-ranked snowboarding champion.
Dunn’s been invited to compete in the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA) National Championships held April 5-10 at Copper Mountain in Colorado.
‘I’m pretty sure Colorado’s going to be the best time of my life and I can’t wait,? he said. ‘I’m a little nervous about it, but it’s going to be great.?
Although he’s been snowboarding since 2004, Dunn only started doing it competitively last year as part of the Huck Finn Snowboard Series, the southeast Michigan chapter of the USASA.
Competing in the 8-9-year-old Grommet Division, Dunn managed to win five silver medals and two bronze medals.
‘I’m usually the youngest kid on the hill,? he noted.
Going into the national competition, Dunn is both optimistic and realistic about his chances.
‘I’m not planning on getting a first, but I’m not planning on getting last, either,? he said. ‘I’m just trying to place and have fun.?
In Colorado, Dunn will be competing in the slopestyle and halfpipe snowboarding events.
Slopestyle is a form of freestyle snowboarding in which the participant is free to choose his own route through a course consisting of various terrain features such as bumps, rails and jumps. Judges determine a winner based on the degree of difficulty and execution of each trick.
A halfpipe is basically a U-shaped bowl that allows snowboarders to move from one wall to the other by making jumps and performing tricks on each transition.
Between the two disciplines, Dunn said, ‘I’m way better at slopestyle.?
‘I love free-riding and doing pretty much whatever you want on the hill.?
It was his interest in skateboarding, which he still does, that first got Dunn involved in snowboarding.
‘Skateboarding and snow boarding are pretty much the same thing,? he said. ‘You can try a trick first on your skateboard, then try on your snowboard.?
‘Every waking moment he’s in the backyard practicing,? said Dunn’s mother, Nicole.
His favorite place to snowboard is Schuss Mountain in Shanty Creek.
One day, Dunn hopes to become a professional snowboarder, like his hero Shaun White, and compete in events like the X Games and Winter Olympics.
‘I want to get as good as I can get,? he said.
Nicole’s just happy her son’s involved in a sport that allows him to make friends and spend time with others who have the same interest.
‘It’s heartwarming actually to know all these kids love the same thing,? she said. ‘Being younger (making new friends is) not always easy to do. I’m sure they might not realize that, but as a mom, I realize it.?
For more information about competitive snowboarding please visit www.usasa.org.