Professional snowboarder Hana Beaman arrives at my door, still wet from a surf session on her longboard. She looks happy and athletic as she introduces herself, walks in, and takes a seat. Her mannerisms are not those of an Olympic gold medalist, but instead resemble those of a humble surfer new to th... MORE>>

The 2006 Women’s World Longboard Surfing Champion, Schuyler McFerran never tried to be an outsider. She never worked to carve out an image or have the longest word in the dictionary apply to her. She was merely being herself and surfing with her mom and dad in Encinitas, California. ... MORE>>

Would you rather be choked out by Vitor, or knocked out by him? —Question posed by Risen staff member while awaiting Vitor Belfort’s arrival. Don’t take this wrong, but Vitor Belfort wants to beat the hell out of you. Actually he would rather reason you to heaven than knock you into Hades,... MORE>>

Phoenix Suns power forward Amare Stoudemire enters the Opus–LA photo studio, and fill the room with his frame. Those on hand to interview, photograph, promote, and befriend him—most of whom are of average height and, presumably, physical ability—are gobbled up by his shadow. This is more than a ... MORE>>

August 1990. Oceanside, CA: An international crowd has gathered for what is then the most prestigious longboard surf contest in the world. The junior division is about to paddle out and Joel Tudor is just another name in the crowd. Minutes before his heat, he sits in his father’s van, throwing up an... MORE>>

I was in a hotel room I was so far away from home it seemed like the walls were closing in on me And my soul felt like itd turned to stone There were two books upon the nightstand I didnt know which one to read And I wasnt sure what I might find in them Or if it would be anything I need But I sat ther... MORE>>

She skates through the entrance of the skate park, cigarette in hand. Casually she rides down the ramp then up to the box platform, in the center of the park. She stops, takes a hit of her cigarette, skates around for a few minutes, then launches back up the ramp and out the open gate. ... MORE>>

This is not your typical train wreck west side story where an ex-superstar had it all only to lose it later in life. This story turned out to be a little more literal. My partner Scott Hancock and I were on our way to interview 20-year phenom Paul Rodriguez Jr. the X Games Sk8 gold medalist and son o... MORE>>

Jennie Finch is one of those people you could love to hate. Olympic gold medalist, named one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People, past model for the coveted Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, married to Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Casey Daigle, and pitches a softball at 71 m... MORE>>