Delancey and BSS announce the “Delancey Ones to Watch”

Introducing Delancey One to Watch snowboarder, 13-year-old, Leon Drynan. Hear all about what Leon’s been up to as a member of the Park and Pipe National Academy and the integral Young Gun for Team Braehead!

How did you get into snowboarding?

I started boarding about 3 years ago. My Dad had been doing it for a bit and it looked really fun. So I took lessons at Xscape, and on one of those I saw one of the coaches (Marc ‘Gladis’ McClement) do some tricks on the slope and I thought it was amazing. That made me want to get into freestyle. I took the freestyle training lessons on a Saturday and I was hooked!

What have you been up this summer? Have you spent a lot of time dryland training?

This summer I’ve been on some Park and Pipe camps doing some really good sessions on the airbag, to improve on tricks and learn some new ones. Right now I really want to nail a double back flip, backside double cork 1080 and backside 1080.

I was also at Landgraaf Snowworld in the Netherlands, (world’s largest indoor slope), in August for 4 days with the team and had an awesome time! The slopes there are sick to ride. I love being able to travel to new countries, learn about their culture and ride different slopes.

I’ve been doing some trampolining sessions too at AirSpace and I’ve been skateboarding. Every Thursday and Friday I’m at the snowdome riding and I’ve recently joined Bearsden’s Freestyle team too. Having a constant kicker there is excellent for getting down those bigger tricks, and the coaches are excellent.

In June I travelled down to Manchester’s Chill Factore for the English Slopestyle Championships where I picked up Silver in the Under 16’s contest.

On Saturday 10th September I took part in the Scottish Freestyle Championships, and took Bronze in the Under 16’s. I did some damage to my meniscus at this comp, so I am having some physio at the moment to ensure it’s all good for Stubai.

Leon & Marc 'Gladis' McClement

You’ve been part of the first ever CSS league – how have you found the experience?

Being the ‘Young Gun’ for Braehead’s team in the CSS League has been really good fun.

The league is a brilliant idea as it gets everyone fired up about going bigger and better, and that’s always a good thing. The prizes involved are pretty generous too! It’s had really good coverage and such positive feedback.

The competition has been really good between all the teams and it’s great to see all the posts on social media on the run up to results day. It’s always a buzz when the results come out!

How many runs does it take for your team to get their best tricks?

Our team is made up of guys, and Rio, (Riona Peterson), who I ride with most weeks. We are constantly filming for our latest edit.

There are some nights where you can nail a trick in one go, and others where it seems you’ve done the same execution or kicker trick over and over before you get the one you want.

Since the CSS league started I’ve learnt tricks which include a Cab Underflip 7, Backside 9 and Rodeo 7.

When it’s for a competition you need to give it 100% every time! Filming’s done over several sessions and everyone really gets behind each other.

What are your plans over the next few months in the run up to winter?

Next up for me is a 2 week trip to Bratislava and Stubai in October which I’m really looking forward too. I’m excited to get in some really good airbag sessions there and progress those more difficult tricks.

After that it’s hopefully up to the mountains as much as I can – Glencoe, Cairngorm, Glenshee, Nevis. Cairngorm has a really good park so I’m hoping I can get up there lots this winter.

How do you find balancing school and training?

Balancing school and training has been good so far. My school has been really supportive of any time off I’ve needed for camps or training. Like anyone else, as long as I’m on top off all my homework and doing well in classes it’s all good (and keeps the parents happy!)

As always I‘d really like to thank my sponsors:

*Arbor – their boards are just awesome, currently I’m riding the Arbor Helix

(www.arborcollective.com)

*Bern Helmets – for all the times the tricks don’t go to plan #faceplant 

(www.bernunlimited.com)

*Moosenoodle (www.themoosenoodle.com) and Freezepro (www.freezeproshop.com) for all the gear and support.

Leon ˆ

Follow me on  @leondrynan