Snowboarding
Meet Lyon Farrell, the pro snowboarder from Hawaii
Watch the Maui-born snowboarder chasing snow on the Big Island of Hawaii.
2 min
Lyon Farrell at Mauna Kea
Watch the Maui-born snowboarder chasing snow on the Big Island of Hawaii.
This past winter saw some of the most unprecedented snowfall the United States has seen in years. For Farrell, that meant the snow even followed him home for a short stint in Hawaii. So, Farrell linked up with renowned surf photographers Zak and Rick Noyle (whose images tend to feature bombs at the famed Banzai Pipeline), for a strike mission to the Big Island for some snow and a warm embrace of his Hawaiian heritage.
Keep reading to hear from our favourite Hawaiian snowboarder:
How did you get into snowboarding, growing up in Hawaii?
I was lucky enough to have a dad from New Zealand, so during our summer breaks growing up we would go down to New Zealand and enjoy the Southern Hemisphere winter. I was so obsessed with skateboarding and surfing back in Hawaii, so it felt natural to get into snowboarding.
I started skating when I was two years old, learned to drop in when I was about four and was so obsessed with that before I ever even thought about snowboarding. I saw my brother snowboard for the first time when I was seven and got into it after that.
You’d been skating and surfing for quite some time before touching a snowboard. Do you think that influenced how you approach the sport?
Hundred percent, it was the most relatable thing for me. Every time I would be in New Zealand, I was able to translate what I was doing in Maui on my skateboard to my snowboard. So, I first got really obsessed with halfpipe riding because I could ride a vert ramp back on Maui and mimic frontside airs and backside airs like you would in the halfpipe, so that was an easier transition for me.
Lyon Farrell, blending his worlds into one
© Zak Noyle/Red Bull Content Pool
But now your focus is on slopestyle. How did the transition from the halfpipe to slopestyle go down?
Well, when I was really young, all I every wanted to do was skate vert ramps and big bowls and stuff like that, but then I slowly started to skate less transition and more street rails, so I started moving my snowboarding in that direction as well. It was so much easier to do rail tricks for me and then the jumps just kind of came with it.
Nowadays, how much of the year are you actually spending back home on Maui?
Over the years it’s gotten way more hectic. I used to try and do back-to-back seasons in New Zealand and America. I starting doing that when I was 14. I’d be in New Zealand for four months, I’d have two months home, then four months in Colorado and two months home. But now, the way my season works and how crazy the contest schedules are, I’m probably home for three to four months of the year total, just really split up into short trips.
Lyon Farrell getting a closer look at Mauna Kea
© Zak Noyle/Red Bull Content Pool
What does that time at home look like for you? Are you cross-training like crazy?
I try to do a lot of dry-land training when I'm home, but I also try and take that time to relax and not think too much about snowboarding, enjoy my friends, the water, diving, skating, surfing, mountain biking – anything. It’s such a polar opposite place to anywhere I usually travel, so it’s really the perfect spot to just rest.
On Maui, you can kind of just be into what you’re into. As long as you’re having fun, people are stoked and don't bother you. So, when I go home, I don’t really get asked too much about snowboarding, so it’s nice that if I really want to have a break, I can really disconnect. Usually after about six weeks at home I feel obsessed with snowboarding again and crave it. It's the perfect place to recharge.
Lyon Farrell snowboarding in Hawaii
© Zak Noyle/Red Bull Content Pool
How's the hometown support?
I definitely have a community behind me. I grew up going to the skatepark and always having a big group of family supporting me, so through social media and such, I feel like they’re always supporting me and following me. If I put out on Facebook that I’m doing a contest and throw out a link to the stream, I know my friends back home are all going to be watching which is really cool. I feel really lucky to have that.
You mentioned you grew up surfing too. What's your local spot?
I grew up in front of this little wave called Tavares Bay, which is where I really fell in love with surfing. Nowadays, I live in a different town, so I go to Ho‘okipa a bunch. Where I grew up surfing ("T-bay") was Matt Meola and Albee Layer's spot. Matt lived across the street from the wave in Kuau and learned so many airs there, so growing up watching that go down was insane.
Obviously snow in Hawaii is possible, but has it always been a goal to one day ride at home?
To be honest, not really — it’s kind of a strange thing in Hawaii, usually you for the most part just stick to your island, so besides this last trip to the Mauna Kea, I’d only ever been to the Big Island one other time and that was for a school field trip when I was in fifth grade. So, this was totally new to me. I had no idea how big it really was and what was possible there.
Farrell leans into his home turf like never before
© Zak Noyle/Red Bull Content Pool
What was it like shooting with Zak and Rick Noyle?
It was such a cool experience, getting to be with Zak Noyle and his dad Rick. I’d always heard of Zak because of his photography skills and surf shots, but I never thought I’d be taking photos with him, which was crazy.
Assuming you don't usually wear your snow gear in the water ...
Ha! I felt like Bruddah Iz (Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo) — he had that album cover where he was just floating in the water. It was a pretty crazy experience and where we were was too beautiful.
Looking back, what are some of your top moments from this past year?
I felt like I got to really appreciate the travelling. For a couple years, I was going to all of these cool mountain towns, snowboarding, but not really enjoying each location, whether it be Europe or Canada. But this year I really just started to get out and explore each new city, which was definitely a highlight – just getting to indulge in all the different cultures.
As far as snowboarding goes, I did a trip to Dubai – riding there was such a fun experience and everyone was just so excited to board and start the season.
What's your travel crew look like?
Goals for this next year?
I’m excited for the Olympic qualifiers. They’re a bit stressful but there are so many more opportunities this year, so I’m excited to see what happens and keep riding and progressing, just making the most of it all.
