Shaun White started building his pro career at the age of 13. That may seem like a lot for someone that age to handle, but his first year on the planet set the stage for his being able to deal with whatever comes his way.

White was born with a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot. The severity of the condition caused him to endure open heart surgery at six months of age and a second operation when he was one year old. Having that in his background no superpipe or slope can intimidate the man who garnered the nickname The Flying Tomato.

He picked up the nickname courtesy of his thick red mane and at first seemed to gravitate toward it. He wore headbands with a drawing of the fruit posing as a vegetable soaring along on a snowboard. Recently he has grown to dislike the moniker and no longer endorses its use.

Call him what you will there is no denying his impact on a sport that is still in its growing stages. White has managed to capture a following among the alternative boarders, the X Games crowd, and navigated the mainstream to earn a Gold Medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics. The combination puts him atop the field in terms of recognition and he earns that notoriety by continuing to dominate the point’s standings.

Currently he tops the Dew Tour with the leading overall points total and has captured the Slope title. He earned the title when he came in second at Tahoe and many of his fans were stunned that he didn’t finish first in the event. That was even after it was announced he had captured the overall title.

This year’s Dew title and his Torino gold are mere parts of his complete collection of hardware and medals. He had medaled in every Winter X Game since 2002. Then, to prove his versatility he has three medals for skateboarding in the summer edition of the games. His skills on concrete have led to an endorsement from Birdhouse Skateboards. Any company cofounded by Tony Hawk probably knows a good skater when they see him.

Hanging around with the likes of Hawk has rubbed off as White in is demand both for endorsements, he can currently be seen on a Red Bull spot with music by Wolfmother, and appearances in video games. His star status has grown to marquee value as he has his own game, Shaun White Snowboarding that premiered in 2008.

Not only can you play White’s game and imbibe his energy drink of choice, you can dress like Shaun. Target has a line of clothes designed by White to cater to the snowboard crowd. Snowboarding is an expensive obsession. The clothes and equipment necessary are costly, so it is fortunate that White’s line of clothing is available to his fans in a medium priced retail outlet.

While you may be able to look like Shaun, quench your thirst with the same beverage and control his video image, doing what he does on snow is going to take a lot more than money. Be it slope or superpipe White rules the white stuff and when the snow isn’t available he takes his skill to the concrete.

Photo Credit: Bob Frid / Icon SMI