VICE Sports Q&A: Street Snowboarder Frank April

Editor's note: Welcome to our new VICE Sports Q and A, where we'll talk to authors, directors and other interesting people about interesting sports things. Think of it as a podcast, only with words on a screen instead of noises in your earbuds.

Frank April's life is pretty simple—travel the world in search of the best snowy urban spots to film new snowboard videos. But that simple life took a pretty abrupt turn ten months ago when April shattered his femur while riding a rail in Japan. After spending months on his ass recovering from a brutal femur injury, this chain smoker is back on his board.

In 2013, he was named the Transworld Snowboarding Rookie of the Year, and was the winner of the X Games Real Snow 2013 public prize. VICE Sports caught up with April as he was about to rip the Empire City Troopers course, a snow hill with obstacles in downtown Montreal.

VICE Sports: You just recovered from a pretty nasty injury. What happened exactly?

Frank April: I broke my femur badly while riding a rail in Japan. I wasn't able to walk for three months and it took me three more months to learn how to walk again. In total, I didn't ride for 10 months. It was the first time that I didn't ride for such a long period. So it feels really good to be back. I've been snowboarding for three weeks now and it's all good.

We're here at the Empire City Troopers, can you tell me about this event?

It's unique in the world. You never see a contest directly on a street like this with obstacles one after the other. You have to land all of the three obstacles. So the riders are really good.

You define yourself as a street snowboarder. What does this mean?

Basically, I travel the world to cities where there is snow. I try to find great spots to ride like stairs, walls and rails. It's all about creativity—there is no limit. I snowboard on the urban architecture. At the end of the year, I present a video part with my best achievements.

Pretty much like street skateboard?

It all comes from skateboarding. That's my first inspiration. Skaters were there before. The main difference is that we need to find a way to gain speed on our snowboards. We cannot just push ourselves with our foot like the skaters. So we find hills, drop ramps and even bungee elastics.

So finding the best spots is your main quest?

Yes, with snow. So I travel a lot to countries like Japan, Russia, all Scandinavian countries, Lithuania, Estonia.

You are based in Quebec City, is it a good place to ride?

It's definitely one of the best places in the world. It is super beautiful and hilly. I can leave my house and be at a great spot in five minutes. Snowboarders have been riding the city for a decade now, so it's a lot harder now to find new spots. But there is still room for innovation.

In 2013, you won the X Games Real Snow 2013 public prize. Then, in 2014, you were in a good position to win it again, but it was cancelled because a falsification of the vote. What's your relation with contests?

When I started my career, I really liked to participate in contests. Before being a pro, it was a good way of making money. It's harder because you have to be all over the place to not miss an event. But that period of my life is done. I want to focus on my video parts, to travel to exotic places to film.

In 2013, you had to work in a restaurant during summer. Do you ride full time now?

Yes! I've been done with the restaurant industry for two years now. I loved that life, but it's behind me. During the summer, I'd rather travel and surf and snowboard.

You started your career pretty late, no?

Yes, it was a bit harder for me. I became pro at 24. I didn't have that many sponsors. I think the fact that my English was not really good to begin with didn't help. The language barrier was an issue for networking. But I'm not complaining, my career is going fine. It was a bit longer, but I made it.

Do you feel that the public in Quebec is aware of your success?

It's clear that the average adult has no idea what I'm doing. Often, people don't understand how I can earn money with this. But we are getting there. My job is basically to sell products that I use in video parts to a certain public.

How is the snowboard scene in Quebec?

Pretty good. We've had hard winters lately. But there are a lot of riders and a really good vibe in snow parks. I see lots of kids on spots I use to ride in Quebec City. It's super beautiful to see.

You'll have your first pro model next year. Does it change anything for you?

Honestly, nothing. When I was younger, I never bought products with names on them. I think I had a mental block. But when your company has as much confidence to produce a board with your name on it, it's hard to say no. My father is super happy about it. And, yeah, I'm proud that kids will ride with my gear.