Louie Vito

At the age of 17, Louie Vito entered the snowboarding scene as the first rider to successfully pull off a backside 1080 at the 2005 Australian Open. Since then? He’s gone on to win four U.S. Grand Prix Overall Championships, six X Games medals, two Winter Dew Tour Cups and become a US Snowboarding Olympian in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. In the past few years, Louie has managed the unheard-of feat of earning podium positions in 20 of the world's 23 major snowboarding contests. As a G-SHOCK team rider, Louie Vito embodies style, power, skill and determination on every endeavor on the mountain and off the half pipe. What does he have to say about his favorite gear?

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Taku Hiraoka

Taku Hiraoka returns to this year’s Burton U.S. Open after taking 3rd place in last year's half pipe event and holding the 2015 half pipe champion title. Originally from Japan, Taku started snowboarding in 2009 and hit it big by winning the Olympic bronze medal at the Socchi 2014 Winter Olympics. After that? Taku quickly snagged an X-Games silver medal and a standout mention at the Danny Davis 2015 Peace Park. Watch as G-SHOCK team rider Taku demonstrates his absolute toughness and rides to defend his title of half pipe champ at this year’s Burton U.S. Open.

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