NSMB AIRprentice Time Machine

NSMB’s 2012 AIRprentice is fast approaching. On the weekend of July 7 and 8 we will crown a new AIRprentice, the 9th in a line of rippers for the NSMB Team (and if you’re looking to submit an entry, you now have until June 19th – details below). The winner receives a sweet prize package including two swagged-out bikes from Specialized – a Demo 8 and a P3 with parts from SRAM, Rock Shox, Avid, Truvativ, Maxxis, DT Swiss and Chromag.

In anticipation of the fun-filled weekend, we decided to catch up with some of the past AIRprenti. First up is 2007 winner Mitch Chubey, a Fraser Valley face who’s still leaving his impression on the FMB world. For more info on this year’s AIRprentice, check out our article with video from Matt Dennison HERE.

---

  Mitch busting it out on his Specialized SX at the Crankworx Slopestyle final in 2008. Photo ~ Malcolm McLaws

NSMB: Which year(s) were you a part of AIRprentice?

Mitch Chubey: I was a part of 2007 AP which was the 4th one.

What was the outcome? Did you win a spot on the squad?

After the weekend of shredding with everyone I ended up taking the new spot on the team. Looking back on it now, I looked so blank when Cam announced that I had won. Between the two days of constant riding, the heat and my personality at the time I was drained. Inside though I was pumped beyond belief.

Why did you enter AIRprentice?

I sent my info to Trevor Hansen and he replied that I had already entered, which was weird since I hadn’t entered it before or sent him my stuff yet. Someone else sent my resume and photos in already. I enter the AP to really try and take my riding to the next level. I knew where I wanted to be and the NSMB AP seemed like it would be a great step forward. Haha, I could barely talk to another individual at that point in my life, the AP experience definitely didn’t help with the chicks.

What was your experience of the AIRprentice weekend? 

The weekend was pretty laid back. I really had no idea who anyone one was at that time – there was just a bunch of guys shredding. Sure there were some stressful moments, having to hit something new in the bone yard, doing tricks on A-Line or having one of the team members follow you down Schleyer on a full DH bike while I was on a 4 inch slope bike. It was my first time down that trail too.

  Mitch Chubey atop the podium at the Red Bull Round Up in 2008 with NSMB teammate Curtis Robinson on the left and Graham Agassiz on the right. These boys have come a long way! Photo ~ Baxter Redfern

What did you learn from entering AIRprentice?

I definitely came away from the weekend knowing that other mountain bikers are not going to bite if you talk to them – it was really my first look inside the industry and it showed me just how open and humble the industry can be. I left with a bunch of new friends.

Over all the years of AIRprentice who was your favourite winner?

My favourite winner of any of the AP years would have to Justin “Wype Daddy” Wyper. Besides being a good friend of mine, just watching him send it regardless of the situation makes for an exciting time.

In your opinion who was robbed? Who entered but didn’t win?

Mason Mashon. Still got on the team later, but should have had the honor of being the AP.

  Chubey ripping it up for Morpheus Cycles in 2012.

What advice would you give to someone tempted to enter but is perhaps nervous or unsure of why they should enter?

My advice to anyone nervous to enter would be man up and enter – what do you have to lose? If you think you have a chance then then send your stuff in. If you’re worried about crashing or not being good enough in front of people I was too, but now I’ve crashed in front of 100,000 people live with 100’s of thousands watching live on TV and webcasts – people crash, they get up. I’m not usually the guy winning so I’m not the best guy out there on the day but its all about having fun.   Worst case they say “thanks, not this year, send your stuff in again next year.” Best case you get in and its a really rad weekend at Silverstar.

From your experience, what has entering AIRprentice and/or being a part of the NSMB team done for your career as a rider since?

There is a good chance that I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for NSMB. They helped me get to contests, easing the burden of the expense of traveling. And possibly one of the biggest highlights of my career came from NSMB – Drop In Season 5.

  Time machine. Chubey and 2008 winner Justin Wyper getting rad in early 2009.

---

Do you know someone who should be throwing their hat in to this year’s AIRprentice? Tell them to get their application in! We have extended the deadline to June 19th, so you’ve got time to get your photos and videos together. Any questions, get in touch with team captain Trevor Hansen: [email protected].