After a solid season of working his a$$ off filming for Fifty Shades of Clay, our own Clay Kinahan is ready to unleash his full 2015 season edit on an unsuspecting world. Strap in for a thrill ride through time as we relive Clay making the most of a lackluster winter. I sat down with Mr. Kinahan on a slow day at the shop to get his thoughts on the winter and what it’s like being an international heartthrob.
SP: Congratulation on putting out your first full season edit! How does it feel to be on the exact same pro level status as Travis Rice and Shaun White?
CK: It’s like having a birthday. It’s just another day, but you know you’re going to end up too drunk at the end of the night.
SP: Let’s be real honest, compared to years past this winter kind of sucked. How did you stay motivated to keep riding and stacking so many clips?
CK: Honestly, the lack of snow didn’t bum me out too much this year. The Brighton Diggers kept the park solid and super fun all season. Also, I just really enjoy getting footage with Carl (@shredzilla).
SP: I understand this season was a little rough on you both on and off the hill. What was the grand total of injuries and how’d they happen?
CK: I think it was a week before the season started that I tore a tendon in my hand skating to work. I missed the first month of the season, but January and February I managed to stay healthy. In March I had two concussions, the first one I caught my heel edge on a rail, and the second I caught my toe edge then slammed my face on ice. Closing week up at Brighton I slipped on ice walking and I may have torn my MCL. Hopefully it’s only sprained so I can get a trip to Hood in this summer.
SP: Despite all that, what was the highlight of your season?
CK: I would say this whole season was a highlight overall. It was my first year riding with a team, it was the first year Carl and I actually got to get some footage with something other than my iPhone, I went on my first snowboarding trip with a team, and I met a ton of rad people. This was definitely my favorite season I’ve had so far, I’ve had way too much fun.
SP: Where did the inspiration or idea for Fifty Shades of Clay come from?
CK: I’m pretty sure Carl (@shredzilla) came up with the phrase “50 Shades of Clay” last summer while we were coming up with hashtags for an Instagram picture.
SP: I’m pretty sure 50SOC far exceeds the reach and viewer ship of the original Fifty Shades of Grey. How does it feel to be idolized and swooned over by millions of women worldwide?
CK: It’s pretty overwhelming… I do what I can to stay humble.
SP: What are your hopes and dreams for the snowboard industry?
CK: I just hope the industry keeps the focus of snowboarding on having fun. I’m not hating on competitive riding, I just think the ultimate goal of snowboarding is to always be having a good time whether you’re trying to progress or not.
SP: Thank yous and shout outs?
CK: Thank you to Carl Spangrude (@shredzilla), Salty Peaks, Brighton Resort, DVS, Hector’s, Brian Head, Team Manager Jake Malenick, Harry Robbins #HARRYFOREVER, and a huge thanks to everyone that was a part of 50SOC!!! Shout out to Connor Conklin, David Van Wagenen, Jeff Hopkins, Josiah Goedecke, Monster Miller, Tyler Hubbell, Ben Bilodeau, Jake Raddon, Christian Hobush, Ian, Howard, and all the FBRB Homies!!
Alright nerds, enough reading, time to watch Clay’s 2015 season edit! And as a final note, be sure to do yourself a favor and follow claysc on Snapchat, I promise you will not be disappointed. Cheers!
