Sponsored Rider: Dan Gardiner

1. At what age did you start riding sleds?

 I started riding at about age twelve on a 1990 Polaris 550 fan cooled.  My family had a cabin in the Utah mountains and I would spend weekends abusing that poor sled in the surrounding hills and canyons.  The obsession only grew from there…the only difference now is the mountains are bigger and the sleds are a little more capable!

2. Where are you from?

Salt Lake City, Utah

3. Current Sled?

2012 VOHK-built Polaris Pro RMK with a Boondocker Turbo, Timbersled Mtn Tamer rear suspension, and of course a Sled Solutions tunnel bag…the most fun sled I’ve ever owned!

4. Where would you like to ride that you haven’t?

I will keep that one a secret for now, but stay tuned for the next couple Boondockers videos...

5. Who is the one rider you look up to the most?

It’s difficult to name one rider…  Growing up I looked up to Jay Quinlan in the early Slednecks videos.  I loved the old Powder Bound series, I thought it captured the type of riding I love to do.  I also look up to Erik Woog (VOHK), his technical expertise and ability in the trees is amazing.  Matt Entz is one of the guys that pushes my riding ability the most when I’m out with him.  He is one of the few riders I know of that can do almost everything.  He can drop big cliffs, jump big gaps, pull technical tree lines, and boondock the deepest powder and tangliest river bottoms in style…and that’s all in the same day!

6. What haven’t you done on sled that you would still like to do?

I would like to continue to push the limits of my abilities and the technology, spend more time on the snow, and travel to new places.

7. What is your proudest riding moment? I don’t know if I can name one moment.

 Setting the distance record in Slednecks 4 was a proud moment at the time.  It’s hard to believe that was 11 years ago!

8. Who are the people in your life that have helped you get to where you’re at? 

So many people have helped me along the way in this sport.  Erik Woog (VOHK) keeps me on the best sleds on the snow.  Dave Napier (Napier Motorsports) has been a longtime sponsor and one of my closest riding buddies.  Andrew McCarthy started the Boondockers video series and had the faith to hand it off to me when he moved on to bigger things, I’ll always be grateful for that and his continued role with the team.  John Summers (Klim) took a chance on us early on and has been a huge supporter of the team and all of the non-profit causes we support, including the Utah Avalanche Center.  All of the Boondockers riders and sponsors have been some of my closest friends and I can’t say enough great things about the incredible people I get to ride with on a regular basis and how thankful I am for the relationships I’ve built through snowmobiling. 

9. Any one person you would like to mention that has supported you through your riding obsession? 

It’s impossible to name just one person.  My girlfriend Jackie and my 12 year-old younger sister Ashton (lives with us) are the most supportive family I could ask for!  They encourage my riding addiction and always support me.

10. Best and worst season of riding for you? 

Last season, 2010-11, was probably the worst.  I started a new job at the beginning of winter and had a lot of things going on that got in the way of riding.  I ended up not riding much.  To top it off, it was also one of the best snow years in Utah and it was frustrating not to be out more.

This year has been the best for me so far, despite the fact that it’s been a terrible year for snow here.  I’ve had more time to ride and feel a lot more confident in my riding.  My sleds have been ripping…the 2012 VOHK-built Pro RMK Boondocker turbo is ridiculous!  I’ve been able to get in a lot of rides with the all of the Boondockers crew, including some of the most memorable of my life.  

To order the new video, Boondockers 9, check out... www.sledsolutions.com.
For more information on Dan and the Boondockers Crew, please visit... www.boondockersmovie.com.

Sponsored Rider: BRANDY FLOYD

1. At what age did you start riding sleds? 25

2. Where are you from? Snohomish, WA

3. Current Sled?
2012 Polaris PRO with Timbersled front and rear suspensions, both with the Zbroz Exit shocks, VanAmburg Boondock Bumper Kit, VanAmburg Boondock Front Bumper, Arctic Fx Graphics wrap, Sled Solutions Backcountry Bag, Fly Risers, WRP seat.

4. Where would you like to ride that you haven’t?
I want to ride Chile, Russia, Japan! We have amazing riding here in the States and Canada, if I put my mind to it, it is all obtainable. Getting a trip planned over seas?? That’s going to be a major challenge and I imagine a major high!

5. Who is the one rider you look up to the most?
This is difficult, coming up with that “most”. Right now, it would probably be Chris Brown. He was injured horribly and is back to doing what he loves. But my reason would be more so because he teamed up with 9lives Adventures to offer a day of sledding to those with spinal cord injuries. Love it when people give back!

6. What haven’t you done on sled that you would still like to do?
I so wanted to learn a “whip” this year but I’ve spent most of my time just riding instead of practicing. So, this is still my next thing!

7. What is your proudest riding moment?
Again, hard to decide so I’ll go with the first that popped into my mind. A few years ago in Revy we were back in by the lakes and I’m with 3 boosted Nytros, a M1000 and it is deep! We had to get up and over this hill that was bumpy, treed and full of deep trenches by time it was my turn. Oh and I’m on a Dragon 700 155! LOL I had to fight, bust moves and it took 2 tries to wiggle my way up and over hanging all out, pinned and doing the skateboard kick to make it. The group was yelling and by the looks on their faces obviously surprised. It was fabulous!

8. Who are the people in your life that have helped you get to where you’re at?
I hesitate to start listing names in fear that I might leave someone out. I feel like I have had the most amazing support system in my life and have since my first year of riding. It feels like anytime I need something it is provided. And that goes from moral support to help wrenching, travel, parts, clothing right up to sleds. I have amazing sponsors, dealers, co-riders, friends, playmate and even employer that surround me. All of which seem to drop whatever they are doing to help me flourish at my passion. It has taken a village to get me where I’m at!

9. Any one person you would like to mention that has supported you through your riding obsession?
My dude, my Playmate, Brent. He has sacrificed and supported me going on 6 years through the Ladies Ride (which is now 3 events a winter), Ladies Ride Calendar, Octane Productions/ Flirting with Danger video production and now the All Girls Riding Clinic. He helps me get ready to leave him (what seems like) all the time! And when we ride he always pushes me, supports me and takes lots of pictures!! He believes in me and what I do, that is the WORLD to me!

10. Best and worst season of riding for you?
I haven’t had a worst! Ha! Well, ok, maybe. My best and worst might be the same year. The winter of 07-08 I didn’t work and Brent was self employed so we rode a lot! And it snowed A LOT! We had some amazing powder days that winter. But it ended May 31st with me falling off a cliff and breaking bones. This meant I had to stay home while everyone else was still riding. Mentally, this was AWFUL! But really I should be thankful, it could have happened earlier in the season and I would have missed out on all that POW!