Dominik Hempfer
First Name: Dominik
Last Name: Hempfer
Home: Stuttgart / Germany
Home away from home: -
Size: 1,78 m
Weight: 73 kg
Favorite Board: Squad Prime
Stance: Regular
Sponsors:
- Völkl Snowboards, Boards and Outfit
- Salomon Boots
Head of the national snowboard education team (Bundeslehrteam) of the German ski association (Deutscher Skiverband) since last year, member of the snowboard education team since approx 6 years, 15th at the Chill-and-destroy-contest Fellhorn, 4th at the Legstone-contest 2006, 1st place B+O contest 2005, 3rd place slopestyle worldchampionship 2004.
You probably have a nickname!? Tell us about the funny story behind!
My nickname is “Dondi”. When my brother was a baby, he couldn´t say my name. So, he always called me “Dondi”. Now, all my friends call me “Dondi “.
Do you remember your first day on a snowboard?
Yes, I do! On this day I sprained my wrist. Not really the best experience of the first day on a snowboard. Anyhow I did it again.
How did you learn new tricks back in the days?
Sometimes I just tried the tricks, hoping to survive the experiment (sometimes with more success, sometimes with less). Over the years I changed my strategy a bit. Mostly I first try to imagine the trick in my mind now. After this I watch other guys doing the trick. And then I make my first try. It sounds a bit chicken-hearted, but prevented me from slams and pains several times.
Why did you never stop snowboarding since then?
Because I love this sport. There is nothing better than going snowboarding with friends on a sunny day in the park. And after a good day with new tricks, cool guys and girls you celebrate the day with some beers. Sounds like a advertising slogan… but with a spark of truth.
You probably have visited a bunch of different ski resorts already. What is your favorite place, what was the most exotic and where would you like to live and ride in the future?
I visited different resorts the last years. At the moment my favorite place is the Kaunertal in Austria. But I´m often at the Diedamskopf (also Austria) too. Why? Hm, because both resorts have a good shaped park, very nice people, good parties and it´s not too far away from Stuttgart. But you can also find very good resorts in Suisse. Especially Davos and Gstaad have very nice parks. The most exotic resort I´ve ever been was Chamonix (two times last year). You have to visit this! My favorite place to live? If I would have the chance to live and work in Innsbruck, I wouldn´t say no. But it would also be cool to live a bit more closer to the mountains.
You also must have seen tons of snowboard videos in the past. What´s your favorite video part and why do you remember it?
Puh, difficult question. There are so many good videos on the market. I like the style of the völkl-videos, the camera work from 91 words for snow, the movies from the pirate movie production and many others.
Let us know about your favorite trick! Do you have any specials in your trick bag?
I like rotations with different grabs. At the moment, my favourite trick is a FS 360 stalefish grab. But I also worked on my 540s. So I guess next winter I have a new one! I always try to be very various in every discipline (pipe, kicker, slope, …). That´s the reason, why I don´t have a really extreme favourite trick. Some people say it´s because I´m getting old, but that isn´t true, he he.
What do you like most about Völkl Snowboards?
About Völkl Snowboards I like most the shape and the quality of the boards. In my opinion, they produce really good boards since many years. I´m now riding for Völkl Snowboards since approx six years, and I loved them all. You don´t have to be frightened that you won´t like the boards in the coming seasons. Because the character of the boards remains constant.
What about entertainment? Let us know about your gigabytes of MP3s and videos!
Oh, there I can give a short answer. I don´t have much gigabytes of MP3s and videos. I love music from blink182 and similar bands. Aside from snowboard videos I don´t have much more DVDs.
How do you make your stomach happy? You for sure have some favorite drinks and food!?
I have different ways to make my stomach happy. One way is to fill my stomach with Cuba Libre, rum and iced tea, sambucca special or beer. The other way is steaks and other beef.
What was your best experience so far in life? Can you explain a little?
Oh, there were many best experiences so far in my life. To detail them all would go beyond the scope of this. But when I look back on my life (sounds like an old man), I remember a bombastic childhood and study period, fantastic summer and winter trips with the best friends you can have and my girlfriends (most of them). The last really great experience was the organizing of the Legstone-Contest with my best friends last February. It was really impressive for me to see what you can move with friends.
And finally what is your biggest dream?
At the moment I´m very satisfied with my life. So my biggest dream at the moment is, that things don´t change to much. Just a few little… a bit more free time and more snow in the mountains e.g.
I think that´s all. If you want more, just speak to me when you meet me somewhere in the snow. I don´t bite… normally.
