Real-Life Math
While the life of a professional snowboarder may seem to be all fun
and no worries, that isn't necessarily the case. If you're going to make a
living, you've got to learn the business side of things.
"Get a good
education, learn as much as you can about computers, business and languages,"
says professional boarder Flynn Seddon.
And what could be a more heavenly
incentive than taking to the powder in Japan? There's a World Cup race called
the Minami Cup in Naeba, Japan. It would be excellent exposure, not to mention
a lot of fun. Want to go?
The prize money is good. If you win, you
get the equivalent of $5,000. For second place, you get $3,500 and for third,
$1,500.
You have a bonus schedule in your contract with your board sponsor
stating that if you win a World Cup event, they will match your prize money.
If you place second or third in an event, they will pay you $500. Also, your
goggle sponsor will pay you $2,000 if you win the event.
If you win,
chances are good you'll get at least one picture in a top snowboard magazine.
If you do, your board sponsor will pay you $500.
So what are you waiting
for? Get moving! But wait a minute; you have to get there first. You don't
want to have jet lag for the event, so you'll have to arrive in Japan a couple
of days early. The next plane you can catch home after the event leaves a
few days later -- which means you must stay in Japan for 10 days.
The
plane fare from L.A. to Tokyo will be $1,100, transportation from Tokyo to
Naeba will cost around $500, and hotels run around $210 per night. Food is
very expensive and you can count on spending at least $100 per day. Don't
forget the airport tax which is $50.
In discussions with your fellow
snowboarders, you find out that four people who have already beat you this
season have decided to go.
How well do you have to do in the competition
in order to pay for the trip?
Scott Birke is the editor of a snowboarding
magazine. He says that math can help a boarding career. "Like anyone involved
in business, having a good grasp of math can really help in managing your
books," he says, "and as a pro snowboarder you're going to be more successful
with a basic knowledge of math and accounting and managing budgets, since
you're really running your own business."