Tribute Boardshop is a leader in passion for the ride

Shane Johnsen, owner of Tribute Boardshop, talks about his passion for snowboarding and the love for his business

1 of 2Owner Shane Johnsen inside Tribute Boardshop in Nelson, B.C. — Adrian Morin photo

2 of 2Tribute Boarshop in Nelson, B.C., has everything you need to be safe and look good while riding. — Adrian Morin photo

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Shane Johnsen, owner of Tribute Boardshop in the heart of Nelson, B.C., has years of experience both on and off a snowboard, as well as in the skate business and in retail. Tribute Boardshop is a specialty core shop with a focus on high-end equipment for freeriding and backcountry—which, Johnsen said, are very much what the Kootenays is all about. The shop is a hub of information for those who want to tackle the backcountry or the local hill. Tribute also has the latest in skate apparel, surfwear and beachwear for both men and women.

Why did you choose to get into this business?

It chose me in the early '90s when I was a younger teenager. I got picked up by a couple of snowboard companies as sponsorships and ended up riding pro for a bunch of years throughout high school. Then from there I went and got involved in guiding, and that's what led me to the Kootenays from the Okanagan, and I haven't left since. It's been a constant evolution of snowboarding for a long time for me.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first job was in 1989 at a skateboard shop; the owner of that shop was my mentor for a long time. So I learned a lot about retail and customer service from Gary, and I learned it from a young age—so it's something that has stuck with me.

What do you like most about your job?

Probably the flexibility. I definitely work a lot of hours and most of the time six days a week. Those six days are mostly flexible days, though, which is great. I'm also a musician, so it gives me time to focus on those avenues of my life and keep a balance between the two passions that I have. I play guitar and do vocals in band called Automation and I run a recording studio in Nelson with Allen Black called Mopus Studios.

Do you have any other interests?

My other hobbies are working on and customizing vintage motorcycles, and cross-country skiing.

Who inspires you?

With snowboarding, I grew up under a lot of the great riders and got to ride with many amazing people. The late Craig Kelly was one I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with and get some great riding in. Jon Buffery was also a local guy who, on the snowboarding side of things, was another great mentor to me. With music, I spent a lot of time at the college here early on and there were lots of great and inspiring people I met there as well.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

It would probably be due to a major injury I sustained snowboarding: "Hey, maybe don't go to Whistler this weekend." That's what sort of ended my pro career at a young age. I had a spinal compression. I'm pretty much 100 per cent though now. I was 17 years old when that happened.