B.C. Snowboarders Push Each Other Toward Gold

Two snowboarders from Vancouver Island are proving that competition and friendship make the perfect training partners.

Tyler Turner of Campbell River became Canada's first Paralympic snowboard champion when he won gold in Beijing in 2022. Now he's heading back to the Games with a bold goal: winning another gold medal while his protégé Chase Nicklin of Port Alberni claims silver.

"I would love to have him standing next to me while I'm on the top step," Turner said from Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. "Oh God, would that be incredible."

The story of their friendship goes back to 2021, when Nicklin faced a leg amputation following an accident. Turner introduced the then-teenager to Para snowboarding, and Nicklin's rapid progress has been stunning to watch.

"The progression's been fun to watch, fun to be a part of and it's been fast," said Turner, 37, about his 21-year-old teammate. "It's been very quick in the last year and a half, two years."

Now both will compete in snowboard cross and banked slalom at the Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games. Turner is the reigning world champion in snowboard cross and also earned bronze in banked slalom at Beijing. Nicklin is making his Paralympic debut.

The dynamic between them is equal parts supportive and competitive. Turner jokes that he wants Nicklin to be "second best out there," but there's genuine pride in his voice when talking about his protégé's achievements.

Nicklin recalls a recent race at Big White ski resort where they competed head to head. "It was super cool to look over and see him all intense, ready to drop in," Nicklin said. "I loved every second of it."

Turner believes Nicklin might find success sooner than expected. Racing without the pressure that comes with being a defending champion gives the newcomer a unique advantage.

"When you're racing with no pressure, which I think Chase is, he's really going to have the opportunity to go out there and just let it fly because he made it to the freaking Paralympics," Turner said. "It's an unbelievable feat in the short time since his accident."

Why This Inspires

What makes this story special isn't just athletic excellence. It's about one champion choosing to lift up the next generation, even knowing that mentee might one day beat him.

Turner still jokes with Nicklin that "the day he beats me is going to be a big day." When that happens, Turner says they'll probably share a beer together. "It would be pretty dang cool if he could knock me off that step one day."

The snowboard cross qualifiers begin Saturday, with finals on Sunday, and banked slalom competition on March 14.

Two friends from Vancouver Island are about to show the world what happens when competition meets camaraderie.