AIRprentice 2008

The next Mitch Chubey

Words by Cam McRae.

The AIRprentice has gone from being a fun way to find a team rider to an event that can put a rider's career on a professional trajectory. Mitch Chubey leapfrogged from AIRprentice into The Drop In bus and then across the pond to the Qashqai series where he made the final round and finished an impressive 12th in London. We're damn proud of Mitch and his accomplishments and stoked to have him on the team.


The AIRprentice crew from 2007 - including Mitch Chubey (3rd from left) Dylan Dunkerton (far right) and Curtis Robinson (3rd from right). Photo ~ Dan Barham

This year the comp will roll out on the 19th and 20th of July - when the Boneyard is all sorted for Crankworx and the trails are nice and dry. As usual we'll spend some time riding trails, some time in the Boneyard, the Air Dome and some time drinking beer and getting to know the riders bidding to be the AIRprentice.

If you'd like to take part in this year's event please submit some records of your accomplishments to Jay Sinclair. He'll want to see some video, some stills as well as a resumé talking about your experience on and off the bike as well as your future goals as a rider and a person. More info is always better. Please include a headshot as well.

Mitch Chubey - roadgapping in Washington State while filming for Drop In. Photo ~ Brad Walton

This year AIRprentice will be open to riders 15 and over but those under 18 will require a parent or guardian's signature on the morning of the 19th of July. Unfortunately for insurance reasons we can't have riders who aren't Canadian citizens in the event.

AIRprentice rolls out more like a photoshoot or jam than a competition. We do our best to make sure everyone has a good time and gets to enjoy the treats the Whistler Bike Park has to offer.

While we officially take one rider for the team as part of the event, we often see potential in another rider and invite them to join the team. This happened with Ian Nelson, who went on to the final of the Crankworx Slopestyle last year, and Curtis Robinson who along with Dylan Dunkerton starred in their own segment in Kranked 7.


Testing out one of the new rigs. Mitch just after being named AIRprentice in 2007. Photo ~ Dan Barham

Our first AIRprentice was Ryan Schnepf followed by Neil Meier and Benton Hennig and then Mitch Chubey. Who will be number five? Stay tuned. Past participants include Ryan Berrecloth, Andrew Sherry, Justin Wyper, James Doerfling, Trent Kidd, Alex Stathis, Leroy Chase, Mason Mashon, Graham Aggasiz, Kenny Smith, Grant Breshears, Kyle Hansen, Dylan Sherrard, Brendan Howey and Luke Fulton. A prestigious group to be sure.

For the first time in 2008 every rider in AIRprentice will win a sweet prize from Nokia (ring?) and of course the winner will score two bikes from Specialized - a P3 and an SX Trail - each adorned with Fox Suspension, Syncros components and tires, A SRAM drivetrain, Avid brakes and Race Face cranks. If you are named AIRprentice you'll also be hooked up with Adidas Eyewear, Dakine gloves and packs, and a stack o' Denny's bucks to fill your stomach.

Any questions about AIRprentice? Wonder what colour shirts we'll get this year? Past competitors want to chime in? Ask away right here...