Gigi Rüf

Check out our mini-interviews with Gigi and the other burn riders here.

WATCH THE ALL-NEW BURN UNITS FILM 'ALIVE' HERE, FEATURING GIGI, ARTHUR AND STÅLE!

Style: Backcountry freestyle/FUN
Stance: Freestyle / Positive
Birthplace: Au
DOB: 9th October 1981
Currently living: Bregenz
Height: 178cm
Riding since: 1991
Inspiration: Natural terrain

A dynamic style master with infinite imagination, Gigi's a backcountry freestyle founder - bringing park creativity and fun to out of bounds.

Born in the mountain village of Au, Austria, between the powder-saturated paradise peaks of Bregenzerwald and Vorarlberg, Gigi Rüf was destined to be a snowboarder - with his backyard becoming a personal park and snowboarding down the hill to school every winter. Now living in nearby city of Bregenz, Gigi can make magic from the most mundane of features - the whole mountain a stage for his snow stick trickery.

At 29, Gigi's a living legend praised for both his liquid smooth style and perma-ability to make anything look uber fun - which began when he rode for his local snowboard club as a teen. His passion and talent were obvious, and he got hooked up by Volcom clothing early on.

Gigi quickly joined the pipe circuit, but conforming to FIS' standards wasn't for this creative kiddo. Alongside local snow-loving friends, he formed the now-famed Pirates crew: from their base at his Uncle's chalet in Vorarlbeg the group started the Backyard Hike and Ride camps, which inspired them to make movies, put on contests and love riding.

Burton quickly noticed Gigi's potential, snapping him up to ride Analog outerwear in 1997, and their Seven line in '98 - then later co-found the core, rider envisaged and driven UnInc project. In 2002 he landed his first video part in Kingpin Productions' Destroyer - and appeared in Volcom's Luminous Lama. Absinthe Films welcomed him to the fold in 2002 with Transcendence, and he's landed banger parts in their epic snow flicks every year since.

The most productive rider on the planet (down to earth and humble too), Gigi's notched up two or three incredible parts a season for years with The Pirates, Absinthe, Burton and now Volcom. And, now focused on filming and travel 100%, last season his skills were captured in the art-house inspired 9191 - plus a corker section in Absinthe's NowHere.

But, with an ability to stomp monster jumps clean as butter, this heavyweight icon still likes to make a guest appearance in the best big air events and to wow the crowds with his boarding wizardry.

Click your mouse here to have a look at some behind-the-scenes snaps from the filming of Gigi's film. Epic stuff.

www.gigiruef.com

Keep up with Gigi at Billabong Air & Style on @burn Twitter and Facebook.com/burn

Sponsors:
Burn // Volcom // Nike // Nixon // Dragon // Union

Movie parts:

Volcom: The Gigi film: 9191, Escramble, Luminous Lama

Absinthe Films: NowHere, Ready, Optimistic?, Neverland, More, Pop, Futureproof, Vivid, Saturation, Transcendence

Pirates Productions: Hooked (2010), Jolly Roger (2009), Overseas (2008), Boardbagged 3 (2008), Walk the Plank (2007), Still Boardbagged (2007), Lubedence (2006), Boardbagged (2006), Iremember (2005), Pirate Radio (2004), Shoot Your Friends (2003)

Burton: It's Always Snowing Somewhere, Thanks In Advance

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