At the ripe old age of 17, Whistler’s Caley (like California!) Vanular is already a 10-year vet on the snowboard scene. She’s traveled all over the world and earned herself some podium finishes in events such as the Volcom Peanut Butter and Rail Jam and the USASA Nationals. Her latest big accomplishment is qualifying as one of two wildcard entries into the “If ULLR Was a Girl” contest next weekend in Whistler. I caught up with Caley after a few laps to find out what keeps this girl stoked:
By Leah Poulton

Age: 17

Home Mountain: Holiday Valley, now Whistler/Blackcomb

Sponsors: Electric Visual, Frontline, Home, The Circle

Photo: Caley Vanular

How long have you been snowboarding for?
I started snowboarding when i was 8 so this would be my 10th year!!

So you’re originally from Niagra-On-The-Lake, Ontario. What made you decide to move out to Whistler, BC? Did you come alone?
Yeah, Niagara-on-The-Lake is where i grew up, its a cute quiet town, down the road from Niagara Falls. I have always been really into snowboarding and could only ride weekends and the odd Thursday, it was never enough. I had been going to Camp of Champions every summer since i was 11 here in whistler and loved it! The end of elementary school I applied to some snowboard schools out in vermont for high-school, SMS and OMS. I got accepted to both and almost moved farther east so i could snowboard more. Then my Dad gave me the choice, go to SMS or he will move to Whistler and i go live with him. At the time i was living with my mom so it took me about a year to convince her, and finally did. Now i live with my Dad and my brother Corey in Alpine and love it!

Photo: Caley Vanular

What’s your biggest accomplishment so far? Biggest accomplishment would just be snowboarding everyday, loving it. Went sledding for the first time! I really want to do more of that. Stunt Doubling, riding pow for months with the biggest smile on my face!

You just qualified as one of the wildcard contestants in the “If ULLR Was a Girl” contest at Whistler/Blackcomb, where you’ll be competing against pros like Dominique Vallee. Are you nervous? How do you prepare for a contest usually? I’m not nervous, I probably will be the day of but would never say it outloud, haha! I try to live one day at a time, not living in the past or future but in the now. To prepare I just ride everyday with the guys, have fun, learn new things and hopefully what I have been doing measures up.

What do you focus on when learning a new trick… big air? style? spins?Learning new tricks is always fun! Frustrating but when you finally get it is such a good feeling… What I focus on is style that is something that I have always been aware of and don’t consider a new trick learned unless I have it legit, on lock and how I want it to look.

Photo: Brennan Harvey

If you had to pick one, which pro would you say has influenced your riding the most? Thats really hard to just pick one. There are so many good riders, that excel in different aspects of the sport. I am influenced most by what is around me, friends, and obviously Bradshaw.. haha!

Who do you usually ride with? I have been floating this year. I like to ride with the boys, and rip laps solo. Geeves, Wimbles, Eman, Sollars , Jody, Griffin - so awesome, so talented.

Photo: Chris Saniuk

Worst injury story? I hate talking about injuries, I have definitely had my fare share. Two surgeries later and lots of rehab, but it hasn’t and wont stop me from doing what I love.

Best travel story? I love traveling. good story… um I have way to many. Driving on the wrong side of the road in Germany, not speaking the same language and only being able to order bagels, cola and cake. Utah, beer pong, Einstein’s and kitchen dance parties. Road trips down to california, “i have never…” ,Road trip to Montreal, running out of gas and getting lost A LOT. My head is in the clouds and that always makes for funny stories.

You were caught on camera last year by our skate guy Trevn Sharp. Do you remember where this was taken?

Haha yeah, I went down to San Deigo for ASR in september. I was helping out at the electric booth the theme was Clockwork Orange (the back of my tank has the Clockwork Orange logo and I had white pants and such on), that was in a random limo ride downtown SD. Good times I really like it there! ASR is super fun.

Any last words?Stay positive! give it all you got.

Check out some clips of Caley here, then check out www.caleyvanular.com for more!

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