I’m Not a Pro. I Just Say “Yes.” (The Story Behind SurfToSnow)
Hi, I’m Uvis.
I am 33 years young. I live in Latvia and travel quite a bit. I work a normal freelancing job, I’m about to become a husband and a father (my biggest adventures yet), and I am definitely not a professional athlete.
I don’t get free gear sent to my house. I don’t do double-corks. I don’t live in a van by the ocean (but I’ll get one someday).
But I do have one rule that guides my life which just happens without forcing it: When someone invites me to do something outdoors, I say “YES.”
This blog is the documentation of those “Yes” moments from the frozen hills of Latvia to the waves of Portugal, and every mistake, crash, gear failure and memorable experiences in between.
The Origin Story: Skiing vs. Seeing a Snowboarding Movie as a kid.
My obsession with standing sideways started when I was 11 years old.
Funny story: I was actually under “house arrest” at the time (grounded for some dumb kid stuff). But a huge shock to myself, my dad, out of nowhere, offered me a jailbreak: “Do you want to go to Baili* and try skiing?”
*Baili – the local ski “resort” in my hometown.
I immediately said: “No, Dad. I want to snowboard!”
It was 2002. I had just seen a snowboard movie (I can’t even remember the name), and I was hooked on the culture before I ever strapped in. Dad was surprised because snowboarding wasn’t popular here yet, but he took me anyway. No instructors, no tutorial, just me going straight down the hill first time ever on any kind of board. That day changed everything.
The Gap & The Return
Like many people, life got in the way. For years, I only rode once or twice a season.
Then, at age 29, a group of friends booked a trip to the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia (Jasna Resort). They asked if I wanted to come. I said “Yes.”
I didn’t even have a board. A friend lent me his old, beaten-up, wide snowboard. It was heavy, scratched, and ugly. But riding that trash gear down a real mountain with my best friends reignited the fire. Since that trip, I haven’t stopped.
From the local slopes in Latvia, my home country to the Alps, I am chasing the snow every chance I get. (And yes, the ultimate dream is Japan powder with the crew).
Chasing Water: The Baltic & Beyond
I didn’t stop at snow. Five years ago, I visited Peniche, Portugal with my friends and tried surfing. I fell in love with it in the first minute.
Now, I live a double life.
- Summer and Fall: You can find me surfing the Baltic Sea (yes, we have waves in Latvia, and yes, it’s cold) or riding longboards and wakeboards with local pros.
- Winter: I’m at Riekstukalns or Ozolkalns (This is in Latvia, don’t feel bad that you don’t know these spots) or in the Alps, pushing my riding from “Intermediate” to… well, “Better Intermediate.”
Why This Blog Exists I started SurfToSnow.com because I was tired of reading gear reviews from pros and unboxers who never pay for their stuff.
When a pro reviews a snowboard, they say it’s usually “great.” When I review a snowboard, I tell you if it was worth the €400 I earned from my freelancing job.
This site is for the Weekend Warriors. The people who have jobs, families, and limited budgets, but who still want to charge hard when Saturday comes.
Welcome to the crew.