Snowboarders "Shred" in NYC

We think that makes sense. Spend an afternoon around a bunch of pro snowboarders and you start to pick up the lingo.

16 of the best snowboarders in the world came to New York Thursday for the Red Bull Snowscrapers Big Air competition. Top prize was $50,000 and the total purse was worth $100,000.

Organizers spent the past three weeks transforming Manhattan’s East River Park into a snowboarding facility, complete with a custom 90-foot ramp and landing area.

The Huddle team made it out to Snowscrapers Thursday during the afternoon practice session to talk to some of the premier boarders in the sport.

We think you’ll find these guys refreshing compared to the typical tight-lipped athletes of the day. They’re honest, thoughtful and funny. Check out what they had to say.

Shaun White, among the most decorated snowboarders in history and arguably the most well-known shredder in the game talked about bringing the sport to New York and the pressure he feels to perform:

Here’s Jack Mitrani, a native of Atlantic Beach, Long Island currently based out of Mammoth Lakes, California. We asked Jack about boarding in his hometown:

And here are the best soundbites of the rest. In order they are: Scotty Lago (New Hampshire), Andreas Wiig (Norway) and Torstein Horgmo (Norway). All are medalists at the X-Games:

All-in-all it was a really cool event that was expected to draw 30,000 spectators – all of whom watched for free. Congrats to these guys and we hope to see them back here next year.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle