Destined to Ride
Tavo Sadeg, Alpine Meadows Resort, California 2022. pc @martin.gomez
I would like to take a few days and introduce you to this amazing individual. Meet Tavo Sadeg a 19-year-old college student, pro snowboarder, and reigning Junior Freeride World Champion. Raised in Tahoe City, California, and coming from a snowsports family, it’s now obvious Tavo was destined to ride. His mom was an all-around skier, skating both Nordic trails and mixing in downhill laps. His half-brother (Ryan) and dad (Mario) were both snowboarders, with dad avidly into the sport.
Tahoe City, California sits on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe at the outlet of the Truckee River, elevation 6,250 feet. It’s a world-class mecca for outdoor athletes and enthusiasts alike. pc blogspot
Interestingly to note, snowboarding was not the first, nor even the second winter sport Tavo learned. Mom first helped him up on skis at age two and then shortly thereafter he took up Nordic skiing. That stint lasted until age 13 when snowboarding finally consumed his priorities.
It was Mario who introduced him to snowboarding at age five. Most athletes have great memories of their first experiences. Tavo however, recalls his introduction a bit differently. It surely was memorable, just not the way you would expect.
After incessantly pleading to his father to try snowboarding Tavo finally got his chance – and he rode on an original Burton Chopper! He started out at Diamond Peak resort’s magic carpet quickly building his confidence.
Tavo playing and shredding at just 14 years old. pc @tavo.sadeg
For Tavo snowboarding was all he could dream about, truly. He was already somewhat acclimated to the sport having already been on skis for several years, but this was a dream come true. As Tavo recalls, “It wasn’t too long before I was bored with the magic carpet and wanted to try the bunny hill just adjacent to it.” So that’s what they did.
As luck would have it for first-timers, Mario gave him a gentle push to get started and then before you blinked Tavo quickly slipped into another rider’s tracks and headed off uncontrollably towards the woods! Stay tuned tomorrow to find out what happens to Tavo and also learn about his first foray into competition!
We’d like to extend a special thanks to Tavo’s 2022/23 sponsors for all of their support on this amazing journey!