TJ Schneider

Usually, interviews are presented one of two ways: Q & A format or historical overview, and the persons involved are almost always either good friends or total strangers. TJ Schneider and I are now good friends, but up until a year ago, we were total strangers. This interview was conducted at every and all points in between, and is simply a collection of moments with TJ. He is a special person in my life who has quickly captured my heart and inspired my spirit and I am enjoying the experience of getting to know him. I hope you will, too.
On September 11, 2001, TJ was sleeping in his bed in Calgary when the planes hit. His roommate came in to borrow some CDs and said: “You should see what’s on T.V. -the world is exploding.”
“ I’m not that big on war.” TJ admits, “I like that Volcom sticker that says ‘Kiss don’t Kill.’ I wish more people on the TWS (Transworld Snowboarding Magazine) message boards understood that.”
I met TJ twice. First on the internet. He emailed me via my website and offered his assistance as a rider for CAPiTA (which at that time was exclusive inside-out, sleeveless T-Shirts). I kept in contact with him, but never really thought I would be interviewing him for a fancy ‘zine like Copper Press, or any other publication for that matter.
The second time I met TJ was almost a year later. He was now officially on the CAPiTA team, and we were all going to hookup in Whistler for some shredding. I was rolling up to Camp of Champions rail section and everyone I saw was telling me about TJ. “Holy shit man you’re stoked.” “Dude, JB, TJ is destroying that rail down there, dude, man, dude.” Sure enough, I slipped down to the starting point of a rail session and saw this punk kid in a white tux button up shirt with a black CAPiTA skull stenciled on his back was trying a 450º to boardslide with the entire camp watching. It was an amazing moment in my life, because I realized I am on a team with really good riders. Everyone there felt the stoke he was bringing to the session. I am very proud that TJ is my teammate.