Name: Kevin Hill 
Sport: Snowboarding (SBX)
Hometown: Vernon, BC
Nickname: K-Skills
Favourite Sports Memory: Winning Silver at the 2011 Winter X-Games.
How you got involved in your sport: I first started snowboarding at the age of 9 years old, when snowboarding started to become the “cool” thing to do. I liked to compete in everything I did so around the age of 12 I started doing local half pipe and slope style competitions at my home mountain Silver Star. Also around the age of 9 I started to bmx bike race locally which turned into my first professional sport at the age of 19. Being involved in bmx bike racing it was natural for me to cross over into Snowboardcross because both sports a very similar believe it or not. Snowboard cross is like a downhill bmx track, both sports you need to like going fast, hitting jumps and being smooth. At the age of 19 I decided to try a fun snowboardcross race at Big White BC where I was spotted by the Provincial Team coach asking me if I wanted to join the BC Team and attend some more races. I started out by racing the Provincial series and then Noram series where I did quite well in a quick hurry. I hardly put in a full season of Noram races before I was being invited to the World Cup races where it took off to the professional level from then on.
The moment you knew you wanted to represent Canada: It was actually 2005 I think when I found out that BMX cycling would be in the Olympic Games in 2008. I didn’t quite make the cut but my best friend did and so from then on I knew no matter what sport I was competing in that I would be an Olympian one day.
Favourite Quote: “It is better to wear out then rust out.” — Unknown
CAN Fund Testimonial: I must say receiving the phone call from CAN FUND was a huge relief. When it comes to money I’m very careful how I spend it and worry when my account gets low. Knowing I wouldn’t have to stress about money so much this season really took a lot of stress off of me. Being able to focus fully on training and performance is key in all sports and I feel very blessed to receive this grant from these amazing people supporting athletes.
Best Result:
-2011 Canadian Champion
-2011 X-Games Silver
-2011 Grand Prix Champion
-2013 3rd Place World Cup
Share one valuable tool that you use on a daily basis that helps you to be the best athlete you can be: After the season or on holidays I do not believe in taking time off, I may take it a little easier but I never stop training!
Who is one person in your life that has impacted your career and what was it that they taught you: Well I have to say an old teammate Tom Velisek. He always reminded me to have fun with whatever I’m doing and the luck will follow me. I looked up to him when I first started snowboarding and many years later when I joined him on the National team.
Fun Facts: I have never had a sip of alcohol in my life, I’m a full vegetarian, and I love to play tennis when I’m not flipping off of big cliffs into the lake.
