Kevin Pearce (snowboarder)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Pearce is an American
snowboarder
. He was born in Hanover, New Hampshire
, and raised in Hartland, Vermont
before moving with his parents to Norwich, Vermont
.
in 2007 and completed back-to-back titles with victory in 2008. He was also the first man to earn two Air & Style rings in one season, winning the Nokia Air & Style
in Munich in 2007 and the Billabong Air & Style
in Innsbruck in 2008.
In the 2007–08 season he won the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour
, garnering the TTR World Tour Champion title.
He won three medals at the 2008 Winter X Games XII
in Aspen
, Colorado
. He was also the first athlete in X Games history to compete in three medal events in one day.
Pearce is a member of the Frends Crew (spelled without the "i" to emphasize the collective nature of the group) made up of snowboarders Mason Aguirre
, Danny Davis, Scotty Lago
, Keir Dillon
, Mikkel Bang, Jack Mitrani and Luke Mitrani
. Frends is group of riders who turned their initial friendship into a formal alliance in 2007 to move the sport away from its recent competitive and business focus and return the sport to its grassroots
, collegial beginnings.
who has a chain of upscale retail stores in the Northeast United States. His uncle on his mother's side is Cyrus Vance, Jr.
, the District Attorney of New York County (Manhattan).
Kevin Pearce is the youngest of Simon and Pia Pearce's four sons. His brothers David, who has Down syndrome
, Andrew and Adam are also snowboarders.
Pearce and a few other pro snowboarders (Mason Aguirre, Jack Mitrani, Danny Davis, Scotty Lago, Mikkel Bang, Luke Mitrani, and Keir Dillon) developed a strong friendship over the many years of repeat competitions. Over the years, they began calling themselves the FRENDS crew due to their growing relationships with each other. In 2007, the FRENDS crew began developing headphones that would accommodate the needs that they felt other headphone companies weren't. In 2010, after three years of trial and error, the FRENDS crew finally released a full line of headphones and earbuds that they believe represent their attitudes and lifestyles.
, suffering a serious traumatic brain injury
, which led to a buildup of fluid in the brain. He suffered the injury after striking his head on the edge of the pipe. He was flown to the University of Utah Medical Center
in Salt Lake City where he was admitted in critical condition. By January 6, 2010, Pearce had been upgraded from critical to serious condition; the breathing tube
had been taken out, and he was able to respond to simple commands. His doctors were said to be "cautiously optimistic" regarding his chances for recovery. On January 26, 2010, Kevin Pearce was transferred out of critical care at University of Utah hospital. An update provided by the Pearce family said Pearce is making steady progress and "his sense of humor and optimism are apparent as he begins his rehabilitation." In early February, Pearce was moved from the University of Utah Medical Center to Craig Hospital
in Denver, Colorado
, a rehabilitation center that specializes in treating traumatic brain injuries. By June, Pearce was back with family in Vermont.
On August 23, 2010, Pearce and his mother were interviewed by Matt Lauer of the Today Show to discuss his experience and amazing recovery. Pearce said, "[family] played the biggest role in my recovery...I am lucky and excited to get back onto a snowboard."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
snowboarder
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
. He was born in Hanover, New Hampshire
Hanover, New Hampshire
Hanover is a town along the Connecticut River in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2010 census. CNN and Money magazine rated Hanover the sixth best place to live in America in 2011, and the second best in 2007....
, and raised in Hartland, Vermont
Hartland, Vermont
Hartland is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,223 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.2 square miles , of which 45.0 square miles is land and 0.2 square mile is water...
before moving with his parents to Norwich, Vermont
Norwich, Vermont
Norwich is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States, located along the Connecticut River opposite Hanover, New Hampshire. The population was 3,544 at the 2000 census....
.
Career
Pearce won The Arctic ChallengeThe Arctic Challenge
The Arctic Challenge is a snowboarding contest arranged for and by the riders themselves. It was started by Norwegian professional snowboarders Daniel Franck and Terje Haakonsen. The contest was established as an alternative to the former competitions that had become streamlined and run by...
in 2007 and completed back-to-back titles with victory in 2008. He was also the first man to earn two Air & Style rings in one season, winning the Nokia Air & Style
Air & Style
The Air & Style is a European snowboard contest first held in Innsbruck, Austria in 1994 and now held annually.-History:Charly Weger and his snowboard photographer friend Andrew Hourmont first started the Air & Style Contest in Innsbruck. They only expected some hundred spectators but more than a...
in Munich in 2007 and the Billabong Air & Style
Air & Style
The Air & Style is a European snowboard contest first held in Innsbruck, Austria in 1994 and now held annually.-History:Charly Weger and his snowboard photographer friend Andrew Hourmont first started the Air & Style Contest in Innsbruck. They only expected some hundred spectators but more than a...
in Innsbruck in 2008.
In the 2007–08 season he won the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour
Ticket to Ride (World Snowboard Tour)
Founded by Terje Håkonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Ticket To Ride World Snowboard Tour is a rider-driven organization that aims to represent the progression of snowboarding...
, garnering the TTR World Tour Champion title.
He won three medals at the 2008 Winter X Games XII
Winter X Games XII
Winter X Games XII were held from January 24 to January 27, 2008 in Aspen, Colorado. They were the 7th consecutive Winter X Games to be held in Aspen. Television coverage of Winter X Games XII was broadcast on ESPN and ABC, primarily hosted by Sal Masekela and Todd Harris...
in Aspen
Aspen
Populus section Populus, of the Populus genus, includes the aspen trees and the white poplar Populus alba. The five typical aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. The White Poplar, by...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. He was also the first athlete in X Games history to compete in three medal events in one day.
Pearce is a member of the Frends Crew (spelled without the "i" to emphasize the collective nature of the group) made up of snowboarders Mason Aguirre
Mason Aguirre
Mason Singer Aguirre is an American snowboarder. He competes in halfpipe, slopestyle and superpipe, but consistently places higher in halfpipe and superpipe competitions.-Career:...
, Danny Davis, Scotty Lago
Scotty Lago
Scotty Lago is an American snowboarder. He is the 2004 World quarterpipe champion and winner of a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics.-Career:...
, Keir Dillon
Keir Dillon
Keir Dillon professional snowboarder specializing in Halfpipe. With his smooth style and big airs, he is considered by many to be one of the world's best riders.-Career:...
, Mikkel Bang, Jack Mitrani and Luke Mitrani
Luke Mitrani
Luke Mitrani is a professional snowboarder.Luke placed 1st in the halfpipe at the 2011 Winter Dew Tour with the highest score in Dew Tour history, 97.00.He also placed 2nd at the U.S Snowboarding Grand Prix in 2010....
. Frends is group of riders who turned their initial friendship into a formal alliance in 2007 to move the sport away from its recent competitive and business focus and return the sport to its grassroots
Grassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
, collegial beginnings.
TTR World Snowboard Tour career titles
| Star Level | Event | Year | Format |
| 6Star | Burton European Open | 2009 | Halfpipe |
| 6Star | The Oakley Arctic Challenge | 2008 | Quarterpipe |
| 6Star | Burton European Open | 2008 | Halfpipe |
| 6Star | Nokia Air & Style Munich | 2008 | Slopestyle |
| 5Star | Billabong Air & Style Innsbruck | 2008 | Quarterpipe |
| 5Star | The Oakley Arctic Challenge | 2007 | Quarterpipe |
| 5Star | Nissan X-Trail Nippon Open | 2007 | Slopestyle |
| 4Star | Burton New Zealand Open | 2007 | Slopestyle |
Personal life and family
Pearce is a son of noted international glass artist Simon PearceSimon Pearce
Simon Pearce is an American glassblower. His main factory, in Quechee, Vermont, is powered hydroelectrically by the Ottauquechee River. He is considered to be one of the most prominent American glassmakers, and his works have been given as gifts to foreign dignitaries and to presenters at the...
who has a chain of upscale retail stores in the Northeast United States. His uncle on his mother's side is Cyrus Vance, Jr.
Cyrus Vance, Jr.
Cyrus Roberts Vance, Jr. is an American trial lawyer. He is the incumbent New York County District Attorney , and was previously a principal at the law firm of Morvillo, Abramowitz, Grand, Isaon, Anello & Bohrer, P.C...
, the District Attorney of New York County (Manhattan).
Kevin Pearce is the youngest of Simon and Pia Pearce's four sons. His brothers David, who has Down syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, or Down's syndrome, trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British physician who described the syndrome in 1866. The condition was clinically described earlier in the 19th...
, Andrew and Adam are also snowboarders.
Pearce and a few other pro snowboarders (Mason Aguirre, Jack Mitrani, Danny Davis, Scotty Lago, Mikkel Bang, Luke Mitrani, and Keir Dillon) developed a strong friendship over the many years of repeat competitions. Over the years, they began calling themselves the FRENDS crew due to their growing relationships with each other. In 2007, the FRENDS crew began developing headphones that would accommodate the needs that they felt other headphone companies weren't. In 2010, after three years of trial and error, the FRENDS crew finally released a full line of headphones and earbuds that they believe represent their attitudes and lifestyles.
2009 Injury
On December 31, 2009, Pearce was critically injured during a halfpipe training run in Park City, UtahPark City, Utah
Park City is a town in Summit and Wasatch counties in the U.S. state of Utah. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The city is southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City's east edge of Sugar House along Interstate 80. The population was 7,558 at the 2010 census...
, suffering a serious traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury , also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism , or other features...
, which led to a buildup of fluid in the brain. He suffered the injury after striking his head on the edge of the pipe. He was flown to the University of Utah Medical Center
University of Utah Medical Center
The University of Utah Hospital is a research and teaching hospital on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. It serves as a major regional referral center for Utah and the surrounding states of Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana and New Mexico...
in Salt Lake City where he was admitted in critical condition. By January 6, 2010, Pearce had been upgraded from critical to serious condition; the breathing tube
Tracheal tube
A tracheal tube is a catheter that is inserted into the trachea in order for the primary purpose of establishing and maintaining a patent airway and to ensure the adequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Many different types of tracheal tubes are available, suited for different specific...
had been taken out, and he was able to respond to simple commands. His doctors were said to be "cautiously optimistic" regarding his chances for recovery. On January 26, 2010, Kevin Pearce was transferred out of critical care at University of Utah hospital. An update provided by the Pearce family said Pearce is making steady progress and "his sense of humor and optimism are apparent as he begins his rehabilitation." In early February, Pearce was moved from the University of Utah Medical Center to Craig Hospital
Craig Hospital
Craig Hospital is a Rehabilitation Hospital in Englewood, Colorado specializing in Spinal cord injury and Traumatic Brain Injury . It has consistently been ranked in the Top Ten Rehabilitation Hospitals in the U.S. by U.S...
in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, a rehabilitation center that specializes in treating traumatic brain injuries. By June, Pearce was back with family in Vermont.
On August 23, 2010, Pearce and his mother were interviewed by Matt Lauer of the Today Show to discuss his experience and amazing recovery. Pearce said, "[family] played the biggest role in my recovery...I am lucky and excited to get back onto a snowboard."