I actually enjoyed getting lost in Japan's backroads, finding myself in a wasabi farm.

Shin [Biyajima] rides down with this big ol' Japanese grin and giggle and I'm like what? Two years later, when I started planning the trip, I knew Shin was from the Hakuba area, and I didn't want to come film in Japan without a Japanese rider. Shin had the time and availability, and it worked out perfect.

Sometimes storms come through with wind and blow the features off or sometimes they come in heavy and grow the features to the point where we have to shovel them off again. Leading up to the window for our event we try to get everything lined up and safe for the riders.

I was picking up surfing, which I also fell in love with. Then I was like, man, to combine the two [free ride and surfing ] would be perfect.

What you ride and how you choose to ride is such a dynamic part of what this contest [ Ultra Natural] is built for.

We'll never know our full potential unless we push ourselves to find it.

It would be really nice to have a venue stop in Japan someday. Japan would be perfect for it.