Photo: Cole Barash Photo
Luke Mitrani - know walking on the Volcom beat.

Photo: Boyles
Luke isn't just a halfpipe rider.
Luke Mitrani has long been in the ranks of snowboarding's elite halfpipe riders. In 2010 he had one of his strongest season's yet, coming close to a spot on the US Olympic team. Not one to fret over a near miss, Luke continues his happy go-lucky lifestyle and the reg, and now can enjoy his Peter Pan philoslophies indefinatley as part of the Volcom team, the hallmark of youth avoiding the trappings of adulthood-- at least according to their motto. Here's the release:

Volcom is pleased to announce that we have added Luke Mitrani to the team. Luke and Volcom have a history that spans over 10 years. Originally, on flow for street gear with every ambition on adding him head to toe, we have finally inked a deal. His personality, life interests and riding ability encompasses the Volcom spirit. Embedded in Luke s dna is what defines the Volcom Youth Against Establishment philosophy.

This past season, Luke rode the gear and had every intention on making his debut in Vancouver. However, coming up short by one spot on the Olympic team. Luke hit reset and changed his focus to filming, riding pow, traveling with the team to Japan, Hawaii and Mammoth for the Transworld Team Shoot Out. He joined Gigi Ruf on the 9191 movie project in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and learned from the best. With Bryan Iguchi as his mentor, Luke charged in the backcountry. Leaving behind some blood, sweat and stoke!

Luke s talent translated well from the pipe to the backcountry and he had no problem adapting his riding style to a new medium. He came to Jackson during a heavy winter cycle and got right into some good shredding. Coming off a long run of contests he stepped up riding with Gigi and the crew, charging hard. The kid is tech and likes to go big. It was pretty much a crash course on sled access shredding and he killed it, says Bryan Iguchi. It's been great hanging with Luke and getting to know him. From the backcountry to the streets of Tokyo he s super fun to hang with and always down for a session. missing a spot on the Olympic team.