Thirteen years ago, Austin Smith was a young kid on the come up who was making all the right moves, so much so that his ending segment in MDP’s We’re People Too garnered him Rookie and Video Part of the Year accolades. From there, all the requisite doors were opened, seemingly the biggest of which was an invite to join the prestigious Nike super team. Incidentally, around this time Austin also made the shift from K2 to Nitro. While riding for The Swoosh was a rarified opportunity, it was the latter sponsorship development, signing with Nitro, that would prove most impactful on Austin’s snowboarding trajectory. While Nike exited our sport within a few seasons, Nitro continues to build upon its three decades of heritage by manufacturing some of the best boards, boots, and bindings in the world today.
Raised in Bellingham, Washington, and now calling Bend, Oregon home, Austin’s initial snowboarding acclaim came from being at the forefront of trick porn, but this trajectory was hindered by several seasons of dealing with recurring knee problems. While enduring a successive cycle of surgeries and rehab, Austin had plenty of time to reflect and plot a new course for his ambitions. All the while, Nitro was unwavering in their support. Unceasingly savvy and self-aware, once healthy, Austin emerged from his injury-induced exile on a more culturally relevant and relatable path with adventure and technique usurping acrobatics and consequence. Furthermore, he decided to channel his influence to be more aligned with his ideals. To that end, nine years ago Austin partnered with longtime friend and Nitro teammate, Bryan Fox to found Drink Water, an organization started as a counterpoint to the enigmatic presence of energy drink companies in action sports. By taking the same tools and tactics employed by “sugar water” companies to promote the real thing, Austin and Bryan have not only highlighted a healthier approach to hydration, but they’ve also been able to use the money they’ve raised from donations, merchandise sales, and events like the Rat Race and Double Tap to build drinking wells in third world countries.
As of late, Austin has once again found himself on the cusp of a new chapter. This season was Austin’s last spent atop a Nitro board. As much as Austin is optimistic about taking his career in a new direction, leaving Nitro, a sponsor that he has proudly called home for over a decade, brings with it feelings of melancholy. From the development of signature products to team trips and summer camps, Nitro will always be a part of the fabric of Austin’s snowboarding and that is something he is focused on celebrating at this time.
Video by Jake Price
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