The Deiss Man Delivers

Updated: December 1, 2009, 10:00 PM ET

Introducing 18-year-old Ethan Deiss: He came out of nowhere and dropped one of the heaviest rail parts of the year.

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By Tracy Anderson
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Ethan Deiss Edit

Deiss footage from Think PositiveTags: Actionsports, Snowboard

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The first time Ethan Deiss attempted snowboarding, he couldn't even figure out how to strap in his boots. Frustrated, he threw his rental board aside and walked away. That was the third grade, now Deiss is a senior in high school -- and he's come a long way since that first day. With a full year of school still to go, and just having turned 18 this month, Deiss has grabbed the attention of everyone with his part in Role Model's, "Think Positive," where he comfortably drops hammer after hammer on street rails across Minnesota and Wisconsin. His is a rail riding wizardry that goes beyond a casual "next level" description. Deiss actually is, like, so next level. Watch his opening shot -- a double kink nose press -- and ask yourself, who's killing it harder?

So you're from Wisconsin?

Yeah, a little town called Osceola. It's like, right on the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota. I can kick a rock across the border to Minnesota.

So since you live in Wisconsin, does that mean you're a Green Bay Packers fan?

Dude, my dad definitely is. Holy sh*t. He's crazy about the Packers. I kind of like the winning teams, personally.

Nate HarringtonEthan Deiss has blown up on the scene since his break out, all-rail part in this year's Role Model Film, "Think Positive."

When did you start snowboarding?

Umm ... not sure how old I was, but I think I was in the third grade.

Okay, so you've been riding for a minute.

Yeah, definitely.

How old are you now?

I just turned 18 October 6th.

So are you still in high school then?

Yep, I'm still in high school. I'm in this program at school, where I get these take home packets -- so I can travel and do snowboarding. I've been doing that since my freshman year. That works out pretty nice.

What does everyone at your high school think about your big break out in snowboarding?

[Laughing.] I don't really know. I've never really brought it up to them I guess.

The best rail riders? Well, Jed Anderson for sure. Let's see, who else, Jake Olson-Elm, Jonas Michelot, Joe Sexton, Zac Marben, Nic Suave ... dude there's so many I could go on forever.

Are you pulling mad girls now or what?

Oh man ... am I scoring mad girls!? Dude, I try to get girls, but it doesn't usually work out. Maybe it might be a little bit easier now, but probably not.

So let's talk about this part of yours -- some serious bangers in here. When I saw it I was like, who is this kid?

Oh man. I am so pumped on all the feedback I've been getting. I had no idea everyone was going to be so stoked on it. This year I just wanted to do a bunch of tricks that I wanted to get in the bag for myself. I don't know, I feel like I just got in with the right crew this year. We just kept filming all season and it came together. It's been nothing but positive vibes since.

What are you most pumped on from your part?

Probably the hardway 270 on, 270 off, on the little down rail. That was probably my hardest trick out of all them, I'd say.

What's you favorite trick to watch somebody else do?

Probably a back tail 270 out. Or any backside hardway spins -- I'm really not that good at 'em, but I love watching people do them. I love watching a good 5-0 too, just pressing it out on their tail.

Why do you call a press a 5-0?

Oh man! [Laughing.] I call it 5-0, tail press, tail wheelie, wheelie ... anything that comes to mind, that's what I call it.

Who are the best rail riders right now, in your opinion?

Oh my god ... the best rail riders? Well, Jed Anderson for sure. Let's see, who else, Jake Olson-Elm, Jonas Michelot, Joe Sexton, Zac Marben, Nic Suave ... dude there's so many I could go on forever.

To the left, a Furby. To the right, Ethan Deiss, also known as Furby.

What about you? What are they calling you out there on the streets? You got any nicknames?

They call me Furby. Jonas Michelot started it. People just think I look like a little Furby I guess. I don't know, sometimes I get called Dice Man (my last name is Deiss) or Ed for Ethan Deiss. I'll pretty much run with anything.

So what's up with having an all-rail part? Do you consider yourself only a rail rider?

No, I do not consider myself just a rail rider at all. I like riding everything. There's no way I could just go out and hit rails all day long; I'd probably drive myself crazy. But the reason I filmed a full rail part this year is because I just wasn't able to get into the backcountry. Man, I didn't have a beacon or anything, but hopefully this year I'll be able to get out do some jumping.

What's the best thing about snowboarding right now?

The progression for sure. Everybody's just getting crazy and taking it to the next level in every aspect of snowboarding. When people are pushing it, it just makes us all learn new things.

What's the wackest thing in snowboarding right now?

Probably the battle between baggy pants and tight pants.

Where do you stand?

Hmm...I don't stand anywhere on that, really. I don't really have a style. I don't know. I've always liked Danny Kass and Lane Knaack's style. I'm not really a tight pants kid or a baggy pants kid. I just get dressed. I mean, I'm not so much into the fashion aspect. I look up to riders for how they ride, physically and mentally.

You're just in it to shred.

Yeah, basically.

That's what's up.