Until recently, Austin 奥丑颈迟别鈥攍颈办别 many 颁补苍补诲颈补苍蝉鈥攁诲尘颈迟蝉 he would have been hard pressed to locate Kazakhstan on a map.
This week, the 19-year-old snowboarder from Oyama is en route to the Central Asian nation to compete at the 2017 Winter Universiade.
White is one of 122 athletes who will represent Canada at the world university games, hosted by the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 8.
A former national champ in snowboard cross in the 14-and-under age division, White will line up next week alongside some of best student-athletes from around the world.
Last fall, after submitting an application to Canada Snowboard, White realized a longtime goal by being named to a national team.
鈥泪 thought it would be cool attending the university games and competing for 颁补苍补诲补,鈥� White said. 鈥泪t鈥檚 kind of a benchmark for athletes, you 肠补苍鈥檛 go a lot higher than competing at a world championship.
鈥泪 wanted to experience that and see what I can do that level. 滨鈥檓 excited to find 辞耻迟.鈥�
At just age 11, White had a hunch there just may be a future in snowboarding when when won his first race in the 14-year-old division.
鈥淭丑补迟 made me realize maybe I could do something in the sport and 滨鈥檝别 been doing it ever 蝉颈苍肠别,鈥� said White, a graduate of KSS.
White went on to make the B.C. Development team at 13, then two years later was named to the B.C. Snowboard Cross provincial squad.
He has three top-eight career finishes on the NorAm Cup circuit, and also competed for B.C. at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George.
A multi-sport athlete for most of his life, White is also a member of the UBC Okanagan Heat 尘别苍鈥檚 cross country running team
As for his expectations at the biggest competition 丑别鈥檚 ever attended, White simply wants to perform to his abilities.
鈥淥产惫颈辞耻蝉濒测 getting into finals would be 辫丑别苍辞尘别苍补濒,鈥� said White, a first-year human kinetics student at UBCO. 鈥凌别补濒濒测, my goals have already been met by competing for Canada.
鈥淓惫别谤测迟丑颈苍驳 from here on in is icing on the cake. I just want to give it my best, not have any regrets, and if I can do that, 迟丑别谤别鈥檚 nothing more I can ask 蹿辞谤.鈥�
Aside from the lure and thrill of the competition itself, White is also looking forward to being part of a Canadian team which will compete in six different sports at the game.
鈥泪 丑补惫别苍鈥檛 really met any athletes from the other sports, so 滨鈥檓 looking forward to that once we get 迟丑别谤别,鈥� he said. 鈥淏别颈苍驳 in that atmosphere where everyone else will be under stress and pressure to perform for their country I think will be a good experience.
鈥泪鈥檓 sure some close bonds will be created in that environment, so 滨鈥檓 looking forward to 迟丑补迟.鈥�
The snowboard cross competition is set for Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
The trip to Kazakhstan is 100 per cent self-funded and will cost White upwards of $4,500.
To assist White with funding or sponsorship, contact him at austin.j.white123@gmail.com.
