Coach Spotlight: Thomas Flocco

Thomas Flocco is one of many Team Utah coaches with a background as a professional athlete. He has extensive contest and film history, and now chooses to coach for Team Utah. As a pro for Never Summer Snowboards, Tom finished 2nd at the 1999 US Open Big Air, beating out legends like Mike Basich, as well as wining the 2003 USSA Grand Prix Big Air in Breckenridge, CO. He has been competitive in huge events like the Gravity Games, and has attended Snowboarder Magazine's Superpark event. He has filmed with At Once Productions, and can be seen in their latest film, "Workin' out the Kinks". Tom's past coaching experience includes being a Full Competition coach for the Park City Snowboard team.

Cab 900 mute, Tom Flocco. Kevin Westenbarger Photo

Name
Thomas Flocco

Age
29

Years riding
20

Home Mountain:
Park City and The Canyons

Sponsor
Never Summer

Occupation
coach and student

Board stats
Never Summer Evo R 158
Stance: Regular, 24 in. wide, 21*front 9* rear

Why do I snowboard?
For me, snowboarding takes me to a heightened level mentally and physically. I feel challenged and excited every time I buckle in.

Standouts
2nd at 1999 US Open Big Air 1st at 2003 Grand Prix Big Air Film parts in "DFS Films", and "At Once Films."

Who do I like to ride with?
Cooper, Sheehan, Hindman, Curtis, Jed, Levine, Jodie, Huntsaker, Thornburg, Jordan, Chase, Shaw, Tasselhoff.

From an outsider's point of view, Tom has one of the best attitudes in snowboarding, and I haven't met too many people with the level of enthusiasm Tom takes to snowboarding.

To ride with team utah:
email admin@teamutah.org
or call 801-573-7348

Coach Spotlight: Nate Curtis

Team Utah Park City Coach Nathan Curtis has been snowboarding for almost fifteen years, and has specialized in coaching the younger age groups since 2004. Nate's impressive resume includes directorship of the Junior Team division of the Park City Snowboard Team from 2004-2009, and he is also a sales representative for top brands like VonZipper, Bond, Matix, Weekend, DVS, and Lakai. Nate brings experience in both industry and coaching to Team Utah, and his passion for coaching will bring a great season to his riders.

Nate Curtis, Breckenridge, Colorado

Nate, coaching and loving it!

Nate wallrides in the Brighton park

---In Nathan's Own Words---

From the age of thirteen I realized I was a “Snowboarder”. Even though I didn’t have the opportunity to ride as much as I would prefer, I would still spend my days in the classroom fantasizing about riding powder and hitting jumps. It wasn’t just a weekend activity for me, it was something that started to define the way I dressed, the way I saw my surroundings and the way I related to my friends.

When I turned 18 I received a job working at Snowbird, and was riding 150 + days a year. Although it was a mere ticket checking position, however I felt I was “living the dream”! I was riding more then I could have ever imagined and making friends who felt the same way I did.

While at Snowbird, I did many jobs from being a Crew Leader for Conference Facilities to Asst. Forman of Mineral Basin chair lift and to even guiding snowmobiles out of Mineral Basin. Everything that had to do with this lifestyle interested me and I craved to learn more.

While at Snowbird I found myself entering a few competitions and even privately coaching a few friends. In November of 2004 I was hired as a Coach for the Park City Snowboard Team. This was it! I had found the thing that interested me the most! I found that I enjoyed helping others progress their own skills and I enjoyed learning new ways to communicate ideas to others.

Eventually I was approached by the Director of the team and asked to run the Junior Program. I’ve spent the last few years defining my skills as a coach. The summer of 07 I received a job coaching at High Cascade Snowboard Camp. While there, I was able to learn new aspects of coaching from some amazing coaches and professional athletes. I know that this is a changing environment and there is always new ways to relate and teach athletes.

My goal is to be a resource to athletes and to help them achieve their goals. I feel that it is necessary to promote well-rounded snowboarders and help foster their love of snowboarding!


Team Utah is very excited to welcome Nate and his athletes, and look forward to the season.

To ride with team utah:
email admin@teamutah.org
or call 801-573-7348

Coach Bio: Jacob Levine

Jacob Levine, Team Utah Park City coach, is quite the snowboard superman.
With 17 years riding under his belt, and 9 years of coaching, TUT is excited to welcome Jacob to the staff.
Jacob's industry experience includes being the remarkable "ROVER", serving as a spokesman for heavyweights like Burton, Snickers, and General Motors.
His past coaching experience includes coaching for the Carrabassett Valley Academy, and serving as the Executive Director and Head Coach of the Park City Snowboard Team, as well as heading the Intermountain Snowboard Series. He is also a coach at High Cascade Snowboard Camp, and skates miniramp better than most.
Jacob and his TBA Park City staff are exceptional coaches and riders, and their coaching and industry experience promise to bring the best snowboarding atmosphere to Team Utah athletes.

COACH BIOS ON THE WAY

bios of Team Utah Coaches are coming...