Former professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce is now an inspirational survivor, sports commentator, motivational speaker and advocate for brain injury and Down syndrome.
Read the latest news, discover Kevin's new documentary, The Crash Reel, and learn about The Kevin Pearce Fund.
At age 18, Kevin soared on to the
professional snowboarding stage,
quickly becoming the athlete to
watch in this ever-evolving sport.
While training for the Olympic trials,
Kevin suffered a traumatic brain injury.
His ongoing rehabilitation and training
remain an inspiration to all.
Herculean levels of family support
enabled Kevin to work as hard
toward his recovery as he did
during the peak of his Olympic training.
Other achievements of his remarkable
family include the world-renowned
glassware company, Simon Pearce.
Kevin is a part of FRENDS,
a group of professional riders who
share a common vision and
promote camaraderie within the sport.
Kevin is a Sports Ambassador
for the National Down Syndrome Society
and an advocate for education and
research on Traumatic Brain Injuries.
712 days after his traumatic brain injury,
Kevin rode again in Breckenridge, CO
with frends, sponsors and fans.
All those who have followed
Kevin’s rise to the top and
dramatic close call now wait,
knowing that whatever
Kevin does next will be
nothing short of spectacular.
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February 1992
Kevin (age 6) skiing with his uncle Andrew and brother Andrew (age 9).
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December 1992
Kevin's first snowboard, a Burton kid’s prototype board sent by Jake Burton, a friend of the Pearce family.
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January 1997
Kevin enters his first contest (slopestyle), Whaleback, NH.
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February 1997
On a family vacation out West.
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March 1999
Competes in Surge Event at Stratton Mountain, VT. Wins Boarder-X and makes the finals on March 13. 4th in halfpipe on March 6.
Wins 14-under division of Swatch-Palmer Boardercross, Killington, VT.
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January 2005
Gets his first big win at the US Grand Prix Slopestyle, Mount Bachelor, OR.
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January 2006
For the second year in a row, Kevin wins the US Grand Prix Slopestyle, Mount Bachelor, OR.
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March 2006
3rd at US Open Quarterpipe, Stratton Mountain, VT.
2nd at World Superpipe Championships, Park City, UT.
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August 2006
Claims first TTR victory in Slopestyle with a win at the New Zealand Open, Snowpark, New Zealand.
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December 2006
2nd, Paul Mitchell Progression Session Quarterpipe, Breckenridge, CO.
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January 2007
3rd, O’Neill Evolution Quarterpipe, Davos, Switzerland
3rd, Honda Session Slopestyle and 2nd, Rail Jam, Vail, Colorado
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February 2007
Wins Toyota Big Air, Sapporo, Japan.
Wins Nissan X-Trail Nippon Open Slopestyle, ALTS Bandai, Japan.
Wins Oakley Artic Challenge Quarterpipe, Oslo, Norway.
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March 2007
Finishes 2nd overall in the Burton Global Open Series year end rankings.
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July 2007
2nd, Abominable Snow Jam Halfpipe, Mount Hood, Oregon
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December 2007
Wins Nokia Air & Style Big Air with a Cab 1260, Munich, Germany.
2nd. Nissan X-Trail Jam Quarterpipe, Tokyo, Japan.
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January 2008
Wins European Open Halfpipe, Laax, Switzerland.
First athlete to compete in three X Game events in a day. 2nd in Slopestyle, 2nd in Big Air, and 3rd in Halfpipe, Aspen, CO.
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February 2008
Wins Billabong Air & Style Quarterpipe, Innsbruck, Austria.
Wins Oakley Artic Challenge Quarterpipe, Oslo, Norway.
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March 2008
3rd US Open Halfpipe, Stratton Mountain, VT.
Crowned the overall Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Champion.
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January 2009
Wins European Open Halfpipe, Laax, Switzerland.
2nd X Games Halfpipe, Aspen, CO.
3rd Dew Tour Halfpipe, Mount Snow, VT.
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March 2009
2nd US Open Halfpipe, Stratton Mountain, VT.
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December 31, 2009
Sustains a traumatic brain injury while attempting a Cab double cork in the halfpipe, Park City, Utah. NY Times article here.
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January 6, 2010
Update on Kevin's condition here.
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January 13, 2010
Update on Kevin's condition here.
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January 25, 2010
Update on Kevin's condition here.
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February 4, 2010
Update on Kevin's condition here.
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March 1, 2010
On the cover of Transworld, a frontside alley-oop over Jack Mitrani, shot by Adam Moran at Northstar-at-Tahoe, CA.
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April 23, 2010
Discharged from Craig Hospital, Denver, CO. Article here.
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May 4, 2010
Returns home to Norwich, VT after spending three months in recovery at Craig Hospital in Denver, CO.
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June 5, 2010
Welcome Home Party for Kevin in Vermont. Article here.
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June 21, 2010
Nominated for a Teen Choice award In the Male Action Sports category.
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July 10, 2010
Reaches 50,000 friends on Facebook.
Follow Kevin on Facebook.
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August 2010
Featured in People Magazine.
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August 23, 2010
Interviewed on the TODAY show with his mother Pia Pearce.
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September 2010
Kevin's Lifestyle Ad appears in the September issue of Snowboarder Magazine.
Kevin's Action Ad appears in Transworlds September issue.
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October 9, 2010
Interviewed by VT TV station WCAX.
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December 2010
Cover and feature story with Sports Illustrated.
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December 20, 2010
Interviewed by NBC about his injury, his recovery, and his role announcing at the Dew Tour in Breckridge.
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January 27, 2011
Featured in a New York Times article about his recovery and return to the X-Games.
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April 7, 2011
"Road To Recovery" interview with Snowboard magazine.
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May 9, 2011
Featured in an article in Outside magazine.
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October 11, 2011
Featured in an article and makes the cover of Australia's Pop magazine.
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December 1, 2011
Received Victory Award from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in recognition of his courage in overcoming his injury and his advocacy for brain-injury awareness.
Interviewed by the Washington Post.
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December 13, 2011
Kevin Pearce rides again with frends, sponsors and fans in Breckenridge, CO, 712 days after his traumatic brain injury.
ESPN.com article.
Denver Post article.
Photo by Jack Dempsey/AP.
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January 2013
The Crash Reel is eye-popping, yet intimate, documentary directed by Academy Award nominated Lucy Walker. It uses years of vérité footage to expose the excitement, appeal, and the high stakes of participating in extreme-action sports.
Sundance web site.
assistant: pam lessard web site: diana shannon
photos: cole barash, adam moran
copyright © 2011 kevin pearce · all rights reserved