What do you like about the Ultimate Boarder competition?

"I really like these types of contests because it mixes up the competition a lot. There's a lot of people who can't skate, can't surf or can't snowboard, but some who can do everything. So it's kind of cool for people who can do everything. I'm always hoping there is somebody who can't do that well at all of them."

What did you think when you first heard about the competition?

"Years ago we did a similar contest with MTV that was kind of the same thing. But this takes place in a shorter period of time, which I like. And it's an excuse to go to California. It's right where I grew up in Ventura."

Which sport did you start first?

"Skateboarding. I've been skateboarding since I was 14."

How did you get involved in each individual sport?

"My brothers and friends got me involved in the other sports. I started snowboarding in Southern Cal when I was almost 16 years old. I started surfing when I was 12. My sixth-grade teacher actually took me surfing for the first time."

Was it easy to cross over into the other two sports?

"Definitely. Skateboarding is the most difficult, surfing is just different since you're in the ocean. Once you get up on the surfboard, it's learning the ocean more than anything. Skateboarding first is for sure an advantage."

So which of the three boarding disciplines is your favorite?

"Skateboarding, it's just gnarly. It hurts like hell when you fall snowboarding and stuff. People are way more prone to getting better at snowboarding than skateboarding. But that's what's cool about this competition, you never know. I know pro skateboarders who have never been snowboarding. It's just random talents. Obviously you would imagine that the pro skaters would dominate the skateboarding part. But you never know. The snowboarders could also have been

skateboarding this whole time too."

- Jill Gillman