Two seasons ago at the Kirkwood stop of the Freeskiing World Tour we lost a good friend and inspiring athlete. Ryan Hawks passed away due to injuries suffered during a landing gone wrong on a massive backflip. Since today is Hawks’s birthday I think it is a good time to check out this video and take a minute to remember how bright a light he was in the world. Ryan was more than a world class skier, he was a world class person and if you didn’t know him then watching will give you a pretty good idea. You can learn more about Ryan and the foundation that is now run by his father and his good friends here.
Ryan skied hard and lived easy. He spend several seasons living in a van with his childhood friends Lars and Silas Chickering-Ayers and never ever lost sight of what was important to him: friends, family, skiing, life. It is terrible to lose a fiend and even worse to see it happen right in front of you. If we can all keep Ryan’s core principles in mind the world will be a better place. I wish everyone a great season and ask everyone to remember to take it easy out there. We have lost so many good ones in the last few years. Lets get through this one with everyone together.
Miss you buddy…
