Nyman competes at Teva Mountain Games

U.S. Ski Team speed specialist Steven Nyman is no stranger to competition. Racing the world’s best skiers down the most demanding slopes on the planet is just another day at the office for the 6-foot-4-inch, Utah native. But last weekend the snow pro got a change of scenery as he grabbed his stand up paddleboard (SUP) and jumped in Vail’s Gore Creek at the Teva Mountain Games.

“All the big names were here a lot of the big Hawaiian boys and Californians,” said Nyman, who enjoyed competing just for the fun of it. “I ended up eleventh place, I was happy. I only fell about four times.”

The event was Nyman’s second attempt at a SUP competition since taking up the sport while training in Maui, Hawaii five years ago.

“My first race was a flat water comp and Erik Schlopy beat me out by a couple feet right at the end and I got third in that thing and now here on the rivers,” said Nyman.

The 28-year-old, two-time Olympian says the sport goes hand in hand with skiing and helps keep him out side during the summer months.

“Stand up paddleboarding is fun, it’s great cross training for skiing. It’s actually quite similar to skiing. It’s a great sport to get out and just be in nature, you’re in canyons, rivers or out on lakes, it’s quiet,” said Nyman. “It’s similar to skiing because you’re looking ahead; you’re picking your line. There is a lot of balance especially on a river with the waves and rapids and you get a good core workout with the paddle.”

For Nyman, the highlight of the competition was taking part in a Hawaiian pre-race ceremony with his fellow racers.

“We all got together at the start and the Hawaiian’s put shell necklaces around our necks. They talked about safety being the number one thing; you see some one hurt or in the water you stop to help them. Second is winning the race,” said Nyman. “We kind of said a little prayer, hooted and hollered and got in the water and raced. It was a really cool ceremony and no body got hurt and everybody had a lot of fun.”    

Check the first issue of the Ski Racing 2011 season for a full feature on Nyman’s competition.

Click here to watch a video of the event.