Casey Groves Interview

I had a chance to hang out with Casey for a few days when I went to the Ranchstyle Slopestyle in Grand Junction, CO earlier this year. Having only seen a couple pics and vids, I was looking foward to watching him ride in person. He didn’t disappoint. Casey’s riding is smooth, dialed, and he makes it look easy. Check out what he has to say:

Age
17

Hometown
Kelowna BC Canada

Years riding
5

Sponsors
Pinkbike.com, Transition bikes, Sombrio, Geax, TSG, Straitline Components, MTBco

Bikes you ride, and favorite bike?
Transition; Blindside, Double, and Trail or Park. I prefer the double because it is a perfect all around bike for the riding style these days such as Dirt jumping, trails, slopestyle and the odd huck.

Fav. jump spot?
The Spot in Kelowna

Fav. place to ride trails?
Silver Star/BC

What is your fav trick to pull?
360 tailwhips

What were the easiest and the hardest tricks to learn?
Tailwhips were definitely the hardest trick to learn, once i had flips and tailwhips dial I would have to say flipwhips were the easiest trick that I learned last year.

Casey sessioning the new boneyard features:

How did you get started in mountain biking?
I used to hate mountain biking when I was like 10 or 11 but then some kids built a jump on the corner of my street and one day I thought I would give it ago and here I am today.

When did you know you wanted to go pro?
I knew I wanted to go pro when I first started learning tricks, also when I watched the old Kranked movies. I thought it was so cool that pro riders traveled around the world for contests and to film for movies.

How did you make that happen?
Last year in 2008 I wanted to compete in Crankworx really bad so I headed to whistler in July for Air Affair. The winner of that contest was invited into the Monster Energy Slopestyle as well as the VW Best Trick Showdown. I took first place at Air Affair and competed in Crankworx where I came 13th overall with one run and a knock out in the slopestyle, and a huge 1st place in the Trick Showdown during the first session. From then on things haven’t been the same, I am traveling all over now, filming for movies etc.

What would you say to someone who is trying to get sponsored right now?
Take your time, be smart and focus on what you want to achieve.

You’re a very dialed rider, and make it look really easy. How often do you practice, and work on your riding? Is it a daily thing?
To stay consistent which is very important I must practice almost everyday for more style and tricks.

Things are going good for you with winning the Crankworx best trick last year, the Ranchstyle Slopestyle, frequent POD and VOD, and your name has really gotten out there. Where do you see your career as a rider going from here?
I see my career rising from here. I plan to attend all slopestyle events next season as this year I became burnt out from traveling early. I plan to make this more of a job then it already is.

What slopestyle contests do you have coming up that you’re looking forward to?
This year I competed in Ranchstyle, Goatstyle, and Center of Gravity. There aren’t anymore more slopestyle comps that I plan to attend this year since Crankworx is coming up next and I was not invited.

Casey at The Ranch

How was Goatstyle?
Goatstyle was excellent! I am one of the head builders and designers for the comp and in that case I don’t feel like I must win. Its great enough to see all this big name riders come and enjoy themselves on a course I helped build.

You’re in the new video What’s Next that’ll be out in September, what is your segment like in the vid? Any other videos in the works?
Sure am, I am super lucky to even be having a segment in Whats Next because I was suppose to film in April for it but I had to go to Sea Otter which totally through my year off. Thankfully I was able to film at Goatstyle for my part and ride my own course. I share a segment with Dustin Greenall who is also my best friend and riding buddy. My part is short but sick!

What’s Next trailer:   http://www.vimeo.com/5130688

What do you when you are not riding?
I like to hang out with friends, go to the beach, or play Xbox

Do you have any mentors, and other riders you look up to? Who influenced you when you were starting out.?
I have based my riding on Darren Berrecloth and Cam McCaul. There are huge influences for me in the sport and I look up to them everyday whenever I ride.

Any other comments?
My goal next season is to beat Brandon Semenuk. I will be coming out strong next season!

Check out Casey at the Ranchstyle here: