Interview - Marc Andre Tarte

Interview by Spencer Claridge, SCUK.

I first met Marc Andre Tarte at the Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Show 2001, where he made a strong impression upon me. Aside from his remarkable snowboarding skills - which at the time saw him throwing down half cabs to 50/50, to heelside rodeos (220kb .mov file) off of the most precarious rail set-up, plus sumo-suited backflips (330kb .mov file)- he struck me as a very bright lad with his feet firmly on the ground. Odd really, as most people could be forgiven for thinking he’s a loud-mouthed, unhinged Canadian.

Back Country... but where is he going to land and what is he doing?

Well, having later spent a good deal of time with him at the 2004 Daily Mail Show, I’m still no closer to the bottom of the Tarte’s true identity, so let’s see what he has to say for himself? Being a perpetual globe trotter, Marc isn’t the easiest guy to locate. After dialing all 5 different cell phone numbers I have for him, I eventually track him down on his German mobile…. in Taiwan of course, at an enormous event by all accounts. Having pleaded poverty with me (he insists his house is siphoning his bank account) over the cost of calls to his German cell in Asia, I agree to conduct the interview over the Web. This is actually a real shame as Marc loves true banter, and sadly that is going to be difficult in a web-based interview. [However, I right this now, having read Marc’s responses and so have added some of my own in reply, and who knows perhaps I can encourage him to finish things off on the Forum… worth a pop init!]

We caught up with Marc to ask him some questions and this is what he had to say:

Heelside Rodeo/ Roll sequence, Hintertux, Austria
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ah ha! Mainly I repeatedly called you a scuker, loudly...that’s all. And I don’t beg! B-) .

shit, hmmm... the low down...here we go: on the culture side of things, the Taiwanese speak mandarin but do not consider themselves as Chinese, although they are part of the republic of china. While backpacking around the tropical island I noticed many of these Asians were smiling, laughing and friendly in their demeanor. After a closer look, their rocky tropical country reminded me of central America and so did the people's enthusiasm, joie de vivre and the countryside seems a little ghetto. The only thing is that, its Taiwan, where they make a good portion of products on the market. So they are happy friendly f***ers that have technology and an amazing landscaped country around them. As for the comp, 120 000 strong in the two days of the event, I’m guessing that during our comp day the fans might have been 80 000 strong. I think they were the biggest, most enthusiastic crowd I’ve experienced. It felt great to chuck snow gear from my sponsors into the crowd, and the sea of screams filled me with energy, a sort of natural high on life feeling! Plus I tried a new trick that I had learned a few weeks before riding the Hintertux glacier in Austria. Incidentally, I had a great summer riding, especially since I got hurt at last year’s ski in snowboard show, which meant I did not have much of a winter. I somehow made the most of my summer, learning everyday, refueling my inner passion for life and snowboarding. Injuries can be a f***er mentally, but great when it’s time to finally become active again.

Huge Back flip at the Air & Style
©Christian Brecheis

well, I’ve competed for years, almost 10, and anything you do for this many years, you end up figuring out somewhat. I like all aspects of snowboarding...especially the new ones. I love to learn! That new feeling of overcoming a challenge - the bigger the challenge, the better the feeling. My mom is visiting me now and brought something to my attention. We can be happy with even the smallest things in our routine lives. We can be heroes at a small scale and be genuinely happy.

do them for 10 years

Big Gap
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maybe a bit of both!

It seems to be picking up in popularity

do you want to be my agent? I’ve always represented myself and pushed to get into all the competitions on my own. It could be nice to sit back and have someone you look up to taking care of the draining aspects of your life.

[I can’t help mentioning that I detect a hint of sarcasm in Le Tarte’s response, and it’s just as well there’s space between us. I wouldn’t take him on anyhow, as I’m currently managing Chas ‘n’ Dave… real bloody talent!]

Cab 720
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I’m not sure if that’s a compliment? Ah well...good question, growing up meant lots of moving around for me. My parents divorced when I was 6. I lived with my mom at first, half an hour away, and saw my dad every second weekend and on Wednesdays. 4 years later, at 10, my mom and I moved from Ottawa to Montréal, now a little over two and a half hours away from my dad. so I only got to see him every second weekend. Then I moved back with my dad for high school, visiting my mom in Montréal. 5 years later, back to my mom, visiting my dad on occasion, then finally moving to whistler after spending a summer with my grand-mother. Stayed there for 5 years and I now reside comfortably in Squamish. I moved around lots compared to some, and had to often make new friends, but I feel it was good to develop adaptation skills.

absorb the bumpy in-run; absorb the bumps

[What about once you’ve absorbed the bumps? Surely there’s something else to consider here… spinning around 3 times and landing backwards. Don’t tell me getting to the jump is the hardest part for you?]

Cab 1080
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the positive list really goes on, but mostly it frees my mind, and the injuries, I probably like the least because I would like to live until I’m a healthy and happy 121 years old - getting hurt all the time has got to take its toll on a body. That, and the materialistic f***ers that have come hand in hand with such a mainstream popular sport, which it has become since I first started.

[I hear you Marc, but isn’t that dangerously hypocritical, as those materialistic f***ers are surely the ones buying up all the products that you endorse and therefore putting the money in your pocket. Or do you refer to the corporate sector?]

- if you mean big achievement, it would have to be to live till I’m a 121.

Cab spin with an indy grab
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some teachers, in my younger days, asked my parents if I could be put on Ritalin as a hyperactive child would because I was apparently disturbing the class room. I’m happy to say, my dad told them to forget it, that all they had to do was to talk to me in a rational manner, possibly away from the other kids in order to get me inline. Any teacher that would ask me, 1 on 1, to please help them keep the class room in order. because they felt I could help as a natural leader would get my undivided attention... I mean, how could any kid say no to that? By the way, I think it’s sad how parents and docs. are too eager to stuff kids full of pills these days, the world seems to be getting too busy to handle a few hissy fits.

- reflect and ask yourself what would make you really happy! I mean, what would genuinely make you smile? And then do it! The more this is done, the more real smiles you wear and share with your unsuspecting society that somehow takes it all in. You can brighten someone’s horribly shitty day with a simple smile, once in a while. Our relationships with others are what define us as individuals in this world. ok...not as cool as Sid’s, but it’s worked for me so far... but what the hell do I know anyway?

[Sid does not have as happy a life as you Marc, I can assure you. It’s a lovely philosophy though, but I think you have to be a very determined person to be in a position, or have the inclination, to shrug social conformities. You must have ultimate confidence in whatever you do will turn out fine, or you don’t fear the consequences?]

first it’s a 1260. At 50, I won't even be at half my life expectancy, so I sure hope so. I don't see why not. I would like to ride at 100 years old.

Portrait
©Volkl

 

- if you mean big achievement, it would have to be to live till I’m a 121.

Ah ha! That question's just put one of those squints in my eye... good one! I’m impressed, actually, very well put. I guess hip hop is just not for me. I find it generally, a little self centered and negative, even when the lyrics are actually good and positive...it’s still a little boring. Punk rock is my soul music!... Hey, you think this might have something to do with all my energy? I never really thought about it!

At this juncture we always open the floor to the audience Marc, and so this is where our members get to pose questions to the ambassadors of their sport, so sit up straight please and pay attention

That's a good question...hmmm. I only remember wearing a smile after realizing that I was sort of living my dream in some way. it’s weird because, life goes on, and you keep trying and pushing, and then all of a sudden, the realization that I was living it struck me. Here's some words of advice to take or leave... It’s easy to get lost in routines. Traveling; an open mind and shifting habits; taking the time to appreciate nature, have all helped me...to see on a smaller scale! more clearly! ...I’m still just a guy struggling to get the most out of life but thanks for thinking of me so highly! B-)

actually...no! but what do you have in mind? lets get an answer on that one spence, you can send it to my personal email. never turn possibilities down, you never know!

[OK! Let’s start a thread on the forum please titled ‘Tarte’s Tart’ or ‘If Marc was a Tarte’ or something similarly imaginative, detailing suggested ideas for this limited edition dessert. Then I’ll send the link directly through to Msr Tarte for his conjecture! ]

Air & Style Austria
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Let’s finish up with one for the ladeez! I’ve seen you working the clubs before, so I know you’re a player, but what do you look for in a lady? And do you ever play the “m a pro” card. Cause let’s face it, no-one probably recognizes you (sarcasm)?

oh, shit no! You English will think I’m weird but I barely go out. My friends have to work on me to get me out most of the time. Its rarely the music I would listen to...and its loud as scuk, making talking hard on your throat. There's scuking cigarette smoke everywhere that you end up breathing in and smelling. that's especially hard when you don't smoke like me. I can't deny that it’s the most likely place you can get laid, but not a meaningful relationship in general. I’d rather party around a fire, in the outdoors during a full moon by a forest. play our music...probably some punk rock, and have some mind expanding conversations and form strong new links to people. I have trouble with chicks that are not honest. I think you should let somebody know if you want to be naked by them or if you want to scuk their brains out...it goes both ways, totally, from boys ‘n’ gals. If I start talking, I’m usually honest. I feel faking, and not being myself are a total waste of my time. so I would for sure not wear a big smile for a stupid ignorant hot chick. Well, I’d have to be pretty scuking desperate! but I guess you never know right? I usually want my interactions to add something to my life, not take away, and until I find such people, I’m generally fine by myself.

[Well, whenever I’ve seen you out, there’s generally a bevy of women not too far away with designs on engineering a fly-by, so that un-arsed approach must pay dividends. Good work!]

SPC, Austria
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Finally Marc, please feel free to elaborate on anything that has been occupying your mind recently, something you may feel strongly about, or something quite trivial, it really doesn’t matter. Just a slice of the real Tarte (seriously, no pun intended)?

Let's see, quickly, I’m painting my place I should send you pics of the Reno...I’ll for sure make up a step by step when it will be done...could add some text. if you remind me I’ll try to finish it faster and/or to send it to you. it’s a big one, the most money I’ve ever sent on anything. some nights I was woken up at 4am by water dripping onto my face in my bed...it leaked to the basement...craziness. my 4 chickens are laying away daily. love the eggs. I’m mountain biking every day, first thing in the morning; the day is not starting without the bike ride, not even breakfast! it’s a great way to actually do it. I’m progressing so much...everyday...I love it. new sensations, learning and new challenges...sick! I never knew such insane trails even existed by my house. and...since people come to Squamish to rock climb, kite surf and kayak, I figure I should climb more, my roomy pushes me...that helps so much. just to have him ask me to go climbing. I’m trying to buy a used kayak from a garage sale to drop some waterfalls and if in can gather enough money next on the list is a kite board fly and maybe backpack down to California to visit my good friend...only time will tell. I’d also really like to get an enduro...both on and off road bike. but the money...I need to learn some new snowboard tricks. I could also enjoy a few more trampolines or a real good one. ok, that's all you're getting now! notapussy

actually...no! but what do you have in mind? lets get an answer on that one spence, you can send it to my personal email. never turn possibilities down, you never know!

Thanks Marc!

Nokia Big Air
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SPC, Austria
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SPC, Austria
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Gap Channel Competition
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Toyota Big Air, Japan
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By Spencer Claridge/ SCUK. Published 31st Aug 2005.

Marc is sponsored by Westbeach clothing, SP bindings, Volkl snowboards, TSA stores and Adidas eyewear

To read more about Marc, check him out www.marctarte.com.