Trick Tip
This story originally ran in the October 2008 issue of Freeskier (V11.1). Intro written by: Matthew Harvey.
Simon Dumont explains in ten easy-to-follow steps: It's not every day someone you know breaks a world record. On April 11, 2008, Simon Dumont not only broke the record for the world's highest quarterpipe air, he beat it cleanly with a 900 tail grab. Imagine that for a second, being 35.5 feet above the lip of a quarterpipe, where the margin for error is only a couple feet each way. Pop too hard on this one, and you're dropping 50+ feet to flat. Not surprisingly, Dumont stomped the tranny on this one perfectly. By breaking this record, Dumont has not only shown that he is a phenominal athlete, but that his dedication to pushing the sport is second to none. Here is Dumont's ten step-guide to breaking his own record, but if someone's taking bets, I'm going to put my money on the fact that it will never beaten broken. Congrats, Simon. –Harvey
Before attempting to break a world record, you should know about all the consequences and benefits of it, to know if it is really worth the risk. That is the biggest thing is how badly do you really want it? In addition, you should get the right people (read: Frank Wells and his SPT crew) to build the feature and be sure that you have a perfect location.
Step 2:
The one thing that is going through your head, or at least mine to be honest, as you're dropping in, is that you should be pretty nervous. You should probably be praying to someone, God, Buddha, whomever, to make sure that you will be okay after this.
Step 3:
Contact Guinness and get a certified record judge to come out and legitimize your record breaking performance.
Step 4:
The biggest thing I was worried about was the pop. Pop is important because if you miss your pop, you are landing on the deck or super flat. You have to have a good understanding of your pop and when to execute it.
Step 5:
Since this is a quarterpipe, it's important to stay strong through the transition, with a wide stance, until you get to the pop. Stay strong because the transition is going to kick you pretty hard.
Step 6:
I chose to do a 900, but whatever you choose, don't just go for the trick right away. You definitely have time to take a couple attempts. Get used to the transition and slowly work your way up to it.
Step 7:
Once you hit the popping point, set the trick slowly. You want to set slowly because you're going so big, you can wrap the trick up at the end if you need too. Hopefully, you can get your hand out there to grab something… you'll have time to look stylie.
Step 8:
You will come around and spot your landing and you will know first thing if you are going to mess up the landing. Get ready for the transition as you come down, hands in front of you, legs strong again.
Step 9:
Once landed, you'll feel it in the pit of your stomach, you just broke a record! You never have to hit a quarterpipe again.
Step 10:
One more time, remember: If you're going to attempt to break a record, make sure you want it. There are usually a lot of consequences… unless it's eating powdered donuts or something.
l: Sunday River, ME // p: Christian Pondella / Red Bull
