In lieu of a “flying Hawaiian” type nickname, or some indirect reference to Disney’s Johnny Tsunami—introducing Lyon Farrell, the Maui-born professional snowboarder.  Hawaii pumps out surfers like pipeline pumps out hollow barrels and a crowded lineup (regularly, and in extremely high numbers). However, this Lyon doesn’t play in the traditional island sandbox.

Since the age of two, Lyon has been on a board but it was a skateboard that first had him sliding sideways. Only due to his unique lifestyle of flying south to New Zealand–his father’s homeland–for the summer that Lyon was introduced to the white stuff. And, after riding his first snowboard at the age of seven it has been full speed ahead to hitting the slopes with all his focus.

When Lyon was 12 he attended a training camp in Breckenridge, CO and from there he started dropping into contests in both halfpipe and slopestyle. In 2014 he found himself landing in 4th at FIS Junior World Championships in slopestyle and finishing 2nd in  halfpipe—promising to say the least. In 2016 Lyon pulled a similar feat at the FIS Europa Cup earning 1st in slopestyle and 2nd in Big Air. Then, in 2017 he took all again in slopestyle but this time at a USASA National Championship. It appears Lyon’s focus on the slopes are paying off.