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Interview | Rene Rinnekangas

Rene Rinnekangas on X Games Real Snow and Old School Snowboarding

Rene Rinnekangas is like your favourite all-mountain board – he can do everything and he can do it well. Last year, we were introduced to everything this Finn is capable of, and when he sent that 180 of Ryo Aizawa’s board at this years X-Games Knuckle Huck, we were all reminded of why we love this kid so much. Rene’s Insta feed is like your favourite Netflix series – you can’t help to binge-watch it, over and over again.

“I feel like snowboarding is filled with so many rad things that I don’t want to miss out on anything, so I want to ride whatever I get the chance too”

Not only can this 20-year-old kid ride, but he’s also one of the nicest and most down-to-earth people we’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. We got to catch up with Rene himself after Rome Snowboards introduced him as their latest member to their Pro Team late last year.

Congrats on becoming the latest addition to Rome’s Pro Team! How do you feel about that?
Thanks! I’m super stoked on it. It was a great trip all in all, and they organised a hell of a surprise party. Thank you again guys [Rome Snowboards]!

Last year was quite hectic for you. Anything specific you were really stoked on?
Yeah, last year was really eventful, I feel like I was just running around constantly. There was a lot of new comps and other events that I’ve always dreamed of taking part in so that was pretty sick. As for my personal highlight, I’d say it was the X Games. It was my first time in the Aspen X Games and I got lucky [no Rene, you’re just really fucking good] and got 2nd in the slopestyle comp, so was pretty stoked on that. And on top of that, I got to play with my brother and his band, we had a concert on top of the mountain that same evening.

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Another prick on the wall :-D Video: @jarssi 🙏

A post shared by Rene Rinnekangas (@renerinnekangas) on

We’ve seen you ride pretty much everything from slopestyle to street and backcountry. In what direction do you see yourself going, or do you reckon you’ll just continue do it all?
I do like to mix things up, especially comps and the filming stuff. I feel like snowboarding is filled with so many rad things that I don’t want to miss out on anything, so I want to ride whatever I get the chance too. And I want to continue doing things this way. When I was a kid, I used to watch all these big rock stars who’ve been doing comps and shooting video parts, so I reckon that’s why I feel the way I do about snowboarding.

“Now I’m back at it and we’ve been filming for X Games Real Snow”

So, what’s the plan for this season then? Something you specifically look forward to?
This season will probably look quite similar to last year. Although, the beginning of the season was a bit different this year as I injured my ankle at the very start of it so I had to take things slow for a while. Now I’m back at it and we’ve been filming for X Games Real Snow [sick!]. Once that is done, I’ll concentrate on the comp side 100%.

What got you into snowboarding in the first place? Who’s been your biggest inspiration?
My brother always kept on dragging me along with him when we were kids. He’s always been a really big inspiration for me and still is. I’m really happy that we still can keep on pushing each other, just in everyday life too. So, a big thanks for this goes to my brother Riko!

Of course, there’s plenty of sick riders too that I’ve always looked up to. It feels unreal that I am now good friends with a lot of them, and that we spend a lot of time riding together. Thank you snowboarding!

What set up are you riding right now then?
I like to switch between different Rome boards quite a lot. I like to ride somewhat different boards, and my stance is noticeably more directional too. I’m really stoked on old school riding and a lot of my inspiration has come from there.

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