Zealand Young Gasu is the first Samoan to take up the sport of snowboarding hoping to break into a world that the Pacific has not much representation in. 

He is from Satupaitea Masula, Savaii and Pago Pago, American Samoa.  

"My heritage and family mean everything to me. On both sides of my family, my grandparents were born and raised on the islands of Samoa. They moved to America to pursue a more modern and progressive lifestyle. Having learned the traditional ways of my forefathers and wanting to evolve in the ways of science and culture, I wanted to explore what life had to offer beyond the sands of the islands," he said.

"Learning about my culture from my elders has brought joy into my life and inspired me to learn more about where I came from and which direction I should pursue. My “Aiga” has supported and loved me unconditionally in my pursuit of excellence. Being a part of a multicultural family continues to be challenging. 

"I find it difficult to relate with those who don’t understand or share the same appreciation for the Polynesian Islands and ways of life as I do. However, I found that the humility and brilliance of the islands have turned out to be a blessing in disguise."

According to Zealand, snowboarding was a luxury that they could rarely afford. Putting food on the table and education was their utmost priority.

"It was more important for my siblings and me to spend time and resources contributing to putting food on the table or helping my parents with utilities. Education was the focus, and being on the slopes was more of a secondary aspiration. Taking care of my family and helping my parents raise my younger siblings was far more important than spending time on the slopes. As much as I love snowboarding, I still take pride in the principle of “Family Always Comes First”... something my mother and father taught me since I can remember," he said.

"In the Fa'a Samoa way, it is taught to respect the “Higher Matai's” (our elders), and those who have come before us. Also, faaaloalo i galu, (respecting the waves and nature). Ultimately, watching the locals in Utah ride the mountains like the waves of the islands is what sparked my curiosity. How can I explore my culture amongst the rocky mountains, if I can’t be surfing on the waves of my ancestors? I found that snowboarding gave me that outlet."

Zealand's love for snowboarding started in 2007 when he was seven. He first traversed the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah. The worst part where he has snowboarded was the Big Cottonwood Canyon. That is where all his bruises and sore muscles are from.

"My parents sacrificed so much, believing in me, even though I spent my days on the slopes falling and presumably failing. Regardless, every time I fell, I always got back up and kept pursuing my dream of connecting my culture of the islands with my passion for the slopes. It was rare to see a Samoan on the slopes. As I evolved, I inherited the name, “Flake Surfer” (an islander who rides the waves of the snow -flaked mountains.)," he said. 

"Although many don’t have the love and support of family, I have grown up with the privilege of always enjoying the unconditional love and support system that my family has given me. As I began to succeed in snowboarding, I received a lot of support from my relatives. In 2019, my older cousin, Palepoi Gilmore, also an accomplished thrasher on the slopes, took me under his wing and began to train and assist me in reaching my goals to get to the next level. 

"Not only did he hand-me-down some gear, but he also gifted me some essentials that I couldn’t afford at the time. Amongst other skiing liabilities, Poi instructed me on the technicalities of hiking higher up the mountain by foot and then enjoying the benefits of surfing the powder on my way down.

Soon, the mountain was his perfect wave and snowboarding became the Samoan connection he was longing for, he became one with the mountain, as he would've been in the oceans of the Pacific. For Zealand, snowboarding is his outlet. 

Being one with the mountain is his therapy and his way of focusing on his wellbeing. Snowboarding is how he navigates through the negativities of life and helps him focus on the lights at the end of tunnels to find the positives that make his life more meaningful. Riding the waves of the mountain on his snowboard is his expression of gratitude to all of the Matai (those who have come before me) and the honour they’ve entrusted him with protecting their heritage and legacy. 

It is his passion and he can relate it to his Polynesian culture and connection, from the waves to the mountains. In terms of trying to get the Samoan youth to enjoy snowboarding, he would emphasise the importance of ancestry and energy of the islands embedded in every islander's blood.

"Remember that snowboarding is one day at a time and every time you fall, you must always get back up. To me, life is like making it down the slope. Whether it is a bunny hill with a rope-tow, or a quad-black diamond that you helicopter into, the importance of accomplishing your goal of reaching the bottom will take persistence, love for the nature you’re gracing on the way down, and always, always, always getting back up when you fall. I have been collaborating with professionals and am in the process of organizing a campaign, reminding youth that if I can, they can as well, " he said.

"I believe there are many marketing opportunities, like my interview, which was a true honour, and proved to be an inspiration for our Polynesian youth to remind them. If I can, you can. Lastly, there isn’t a single snowboarder on this planet, amateur, professional, or Olympic gold medalist that hasn’t started where you are. Bumps, bruises and falling are going to happen. However, the marketing message would be, “All Ya Gotta Do is Get Back Up”, and eventually, you’ll make it down the hill. If I can, you can."

His father’s childhood friends, Samoana Matagi ”The No Handed-Bandit” and his younger brother Fatu, are also from Pago Pago, American Samoa. They were the ones that inspired him to take up snowboarding.

"As much as I would love to compete, I have not been afforded the opportunity yet. I have been able to investigate further into the sport by talking to my uncles, going to the library, studying past Olympians and their personal stories, as well as practising every moment I get to ride the snow flaked mountains. I approach this question with humility by saying, my only achievements so far have been inspiring my culture, and those my age and younger, from the islands, to follow my example and never give up!"

"I am not accustomed to such attention. It’s humbling. I only hope that this reaches those that are looking for hope and inspiration to not give up on their aspirations. Falling is part of the process. It’s embarrassing. It sucks. It’s humiliating. However, getting back up is so much more fulfilling! If I CAN, you CAN! That is my message!"

He emphasised how proud he is to be Samoan, and acknowledge the support of his roots not only in Samoa but also in American Samoa, most especially his family.