Northwest Boarder | Portland Oregon Mt. Hood Snowboarding Skateboarding Surfing

Corey Caswell Interview

Posted on May 15, 2010 by Landon in Interviews, Snowboarding

There’s been a name echoing through the trees this winter up on Mt. Hood. Tales of a young up and coming rider with super unique style, and who is riding for all the right reasons. He’s having more fun then most people on the hill and he’s got a grin that will turn a frown into a smile if you meet him. His name is Corey Caswell, he lives in a tent… and he rip’s on a snowboard.

Hey Corey, nice to finally catch up with you. How old are you and where do you live?
I’m 20 years old and I live out of my Toyota Tacoma and my tent in Mt. Hood National Forest.
Corey “Krispie” Caswell stuffing his face with rice krispie treats

Your homeless?
No way… I live in my tent. That’s my home!
Corey Caswell / Salmon River Hand Plant / photo: Drew Smalley

Crazy, so you live in a tent by choice?
Yea for sure… I love it. Right now its just to be here and enjoying everything that the Northwest has to offer, even if I had some money I wouldn’t change a thing. But I might get a house with some people for next winter!

It got below freezing a bunch this winter, doesn’t it get cold out there?
Well… there were a few times this winter that I stayed with friends. If there’s a gnarly storm I might seek out shelter. Or I’ll build a fire and jump it to keep warm.
Corey Caswell / Keeping warm / photo: Karim Hadid

How long have you been camping out?
I started camping when I drove here from Michigan in May 2009. I stayed in the Summit ski area ski patrol A-frame until they needed to use it for winter. Then I moved into the tent.

What kind of tent do you have?
I’ve got an R.E.I half dome tent i picked up at the used gear sale for 40 bucks.

I saw some Elk today in the forest out near the beach. Have you ever seen a bear or anything like that out there?
Luckily no. I’ve heard of bears being around the area but I haven’t seen one yet.

Do you have internet out there? haha…
I do a pretty good job of poaching…
Corey Caswell / Nose Press / photo: Drew Smalley

Where do you ride?
I mostly ride at Timberline.
Corey Caswell / Back Rodeo / photo: Drew Smalley

I’ve been hearing your name alot this winter from a few different crews. Everyone is stoked on your riding and your unique style. What do you have to say about that?
I moved to Mt. Hood in May 2009 so this is my first full year out here riding. I’m just having fun you know, and I don’t worry about whats cool, or fashionable and hip. I just do what feels natural.
Corey Caswell / FS Boardside / photo: Adrian Blair

So you just did the Bend big air contest. How was that?
It was a blast! I got to hang out with my brosefs Dustin Reed, Scott Bannan and the Auviq crew. Plus the jump was pretty big.

What tricks did you throw down?
I only got to hit the jump twice before the comp. So I went from straight air to back flip in warm up. Then threw a front rodeo 7 in my qualifying run. But I washed out in the finals on my cab cork 9. Oh well…
Corey Caswell / Top: Rodeo 7 / Bottom: Double Tail / photo: Karim Hadid

That photo that Adrian took of you doing the hand plant on the tire is super sick. Are you bringing back the hand plant?
Can’t go wrong with a hand plant. I love doing them…
Corey Caswell / Hand plant / photo: Adrian Blair

What other unique tricks do you have up your sleeve?
I like to change it up and keep learning! Combining new tricks with old ones is way cool.
Corey Caswell / Tree Jib / photo: Drew Smalley

What does snowboarding mean to you?
It’s everything to me. It’s opened up so many doors and I’ve met so many amazing people through snowboarding. Snowboarding is my life.

Who do you ride with mostly?
Dustin Reed, Jonny Sischo, Adrian Blair, the Auviq crew, whoever is shredding Timberline!
Corey Caswell / Wallride / photo: Drew Smalley

Anyone else we should be keeping our eyes out for that’s stepping it up as of lately?
Dustin Reed has been killing it. Jonny Sischo also… he is one of the biggest influences in my life of snowboarding.
Dustin Reed / Fire Gap / photo: Drew Smalley
Jonny Sischo / Jibfest / photo: Drew Smalley

What are your plans for summer?
Camping out… skating and of course shredding T-line.

What are you planning for next season?
Stay on hood and have a great time shredding all year round!

Who are your sponsors?
Auviq

Anyone you would like to thank?
Anyone who has made me try something new! And of course mom and dad for teaching me to ski! I might not even be riding if it wasn’t for that.