The “soul of snowboarding”, Jake Burton Carpenter, has passed away, aged 65. Carpenter has long been heralded as the pioneer of the sport of snowboarding and the name behind Burton Snowboards.
The company was founded in 1977 in a barn in Vermont where Carpenter personally helped put snowboarding on the snow sports map. He was an active campaigner for snowboarding and a pioneer in getting snowboarding recognised at resorts. Carpenter, and his stoke, will be greatly missed by an industry forged by him.
Carpenter died from cancer related complications and his passing was announced by the company to employees via email from co-CEO John Lacy on Thursday.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news that Jake passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his family and loved ones as a result of complications from recurring cancer. He was our founder, the soul of snowboarding, the one who gave us the sport we all love so much.”
This all happened very suddenly, and it’s a tremendous loss for his family, his friends and all of you. We will share more details about plans to celebrate Jake’s life soon. Today, please take the time and space you need to process this very sad news. If you need to go home and be with loved ones or prefer to stay today, please do what is best for you. At noon today, we will be holding a gathering in the lobby/store for those who benefit from grieving with others; it will be a time to share stories, and celebrate an incredibly full life.”
As a start of our celebration of Jake’s life, I’d encourage everyone to do what Jake would be doing tomorrow, and that’s riding. It’s opening day at Stowe, so consider taking some turns together, in celebration of Jake.”
Carpenter had revealed to his team on November 9 that his cancer had returned and that “the odds are in my favour, but it is going to be a struggle for sure.”
It is with a heavy heart that we share that Burton founder Jake Burton Carpenter passed away peacefully last night surrounded by loved ones as a result of complications from recurring cancer. He was the soul of snowboarding, the one who gave us the sport we love. #RideonJake pic.twitter.com/8dChSsm54Y
— Burton Snowboards (@burtonsnowboard) November 21, 2019
Carpenter is survived by his wife Donna and sons Timi, George and Taylor.
Snowboarder.com have reprinted an excellent interview with Jake Carpenter Burton that is well worth reading here.
