After exchanging introductions and smiles the moment of truth came. As we walked out of the lodge towards the lift I summoned up my courage and asked, “What’s the plan?” Tavo turned back and smiled only to reply, “Just find some good snow and ride.” And that’s exactly what we did…

With truly accomplished carvers McNab explains, “In the practiced snowboarder, a combination of subtle foot movement to apply pressure along the length of the edge of the board along with a combination of precise edge tilt can accurately define, control and shape the arc….”

This time Tavo was ready or at least he thought so. Pulling a later start number on his final’s run, both Tavo and Team Palisades coach Adam Ryan had time to watch other competitors come before them. When several of the other snowboarders crashed Tavo and Adam took notice. As a result, they changed strategies and picked a new line…

…it’s that kind of playful, joyful exuberance his coaches see too. Head snowboard coach for Team Palisades Tahoe Wes Pyatt has been working with Tavo for almost 13 years now. He says. “Tavo the kind of guy who shows up for practice when it’s raining and still has a smile on his face. He has that kind of enthusiasm and passion for the sport.”

The Little Big Air may have been Tavo’s start in competition, but it surely wasn’t his last. He still had plenty of riding and developing to do. And that’s exactly what did practicing and competing with Team Palisades Tahoe. Once he reached high school, Tavo again stepped up into a new age bracket. This time it was the highly competitive 15 to 18-year-old group with stronger and more experienced riders…

This high level of competition might have been too much for some athletes, and even discouraged them from developing at all, but not Tavo. Like a fish to water, Tavo embraced his snowboarding routine with love and passion practicing …