Dear Rider: The Jake Burton Story (2021)

"Dear Rider: The Jake Burton Story" (2021) is a deeply personal and revealing exploration into the life of Jake Burton, the revered snowboarding pioneer. The narrative is beautifully interwoven with interviews from Jake's circle of loved ones, including his family, friends, and fellow snowboarding aficionados like Shaun White, Kelly Clark, and Mark McMorris. A rich tapestry of archival footage and home movies further enhances the portrayal of Jake's life. The film serves as a heartfelt tribute to Jake's treasured "riders", his loyal audience who eagerly awaited his annual snowboard company's catalog. The words of these catalogs, narrated by acclaimed actor and Jake's close pal, Woody Harrelson, punctuate the film, creating a rhythmic ebb and flow. Jake's story begins in 1977, inspired by the Snurfer, a surfboard-like wooden strip. He crafted his first snowboard as an affordable alternative to skiing, gradually refining the designs and urging ski resorts, sponsors, and elite athletes to embrace what was then considered "the worst new sport" by the media. By the late 90s, Jake's vision had propelled snowboarding from its punk roots to mainstream acceptance and global recognition. However, the new millennium brought daunting challenges for Jake. As his snowboarding empire flourished, he grappled with two grave health issues: Miller Fisher Syndrome, a rare nerve disorder, and cancer, the disease that tragically ended his life in 2019. Today, Jake's legacy resonates throughout the world of snowboarding, his spirit immortalized in every carve on the snow. Steering the family-owned business into the future, his wife Donna Carpenter continues to honor and extend Jake's extraordinary contribution to the sport he loved so dearly.

Dear Rider: The Jake Burton Story is a documentary movie featuring Jake Burton and directed by Fernando Villena.

Dear Rider: The Jake Burton Story is currently streaming on DIRECTV and Max Amazon Channel.