Burlington Freestyle - A non-profit that exists to bring competitive action sports coaching to under-privileged youth in the Burlington Freestyle region.

Burlington Freestyle - Snowboard Coaching for kids in the Burlington, VT Region

Meet the Board

Deane Calcgani

DEANE CALCAGNI

board president, co-founder
  1. What's your role in BFS? I am the President of the Burlington Freestyle Board of Directors and co-founder.
  2. How did you get involved? I met Zach while working at Bolton Valley as a snowboard instructor several years ago. He and I were both involved with, and stoked on, the Chill Program. At the end of the season we both felt like there should be additional opportunities for youth in the Burlington area who had the desire but not the access and support to succeed in snowboarding. Soon after, we founded Burlington Freestyle and with the addition of some amazing board members and sponsors, are living the dream of providing "Equal Shred."
  3. What does "Equal Shred" mean to you? "Equal Shred" is all about providing opportunities for all youth with the desire to ride. Snowboarding is expensive and the demand on families, especially those with at risk and underserved youth, is huge.
  4. When did you first learn to snowboard? I first learned to ride when I was 11 years old. I did not grow up in a wealthy family by any means, but I had an extremely dedicated mother who spent numerous weekend (and countless paychecks) on my habit.
  5. When was your last great day on snow? Last season I spent a week in Tahoe BFS Program Coordinator Chris Vaughn. The entire week was pretty amazing but on one of the first days we got dumped on and rode fresh powder in March. It was a day full of floating turns and hucking frontflips over rocks. I also loved the days up at Bolton Valley when I would show up to instruct on a really foggy, questionable day and nobody was on the hill. Sometimes it's nice to throw on the ipod and cruise solo in strange weather.
  6. What's your favorite chairlift? A lift with heated seats would be amazing. I don't think that exists...YET.
  7. What are you up to when you aren't shredding? Dreaming and scheming.
Zach Hoag

Zach Hoag

board director, secretary
  1. What's your role in BFS? The board has assigned me the role of Director.
  2. How did you get involved? I actually co-founded BFS with my friend Deane. When the economy started tanking we started talking - about how to get freestyle snowboard coaching to youth without access. Our mentoring through snowboarding program was born.
  3. What does "Equal Shred" mean to you? Equal Shred means that snowboarding, and especially high-level freestyle snowboarding, shouldn't be out of reach to anyone. It shouldn't be a niche thing. It shouldn't be that kids from cities or lower-income families are restricted from succeeding in the sport. That's ridiculous. It's a major problem that we aim to correct.
  4. When did you first learn to snowboard? Christmas Day, 1994. Bolton Valley Resort. Just me, some windpants, and a Craig Kelly Air heelsiding green circles all day long.
  5. When was your last great day on snow? Had a great night sesh last January! Everything was flowing.
  6. What's your favorite chairlift? Everything at SUGARBUSH.
  7. What are you up to when you aren't shredding? Administrating, hanging with my wife and kid, going to church!
Christopher Vaughn

Christopher Vaughn

board director, program director, "gnar czar"
  1. What's your role in BFS? I sit on the board as a Director, and I am the Coordinator for on-snow programming.
  2. How did you get involved? Deane introduced me to the rest of the board in the summer/fall of 2009, as BFS was evolving into a true mentoring program. The board valued my perspectives and experiences gained through working in both the snowboard industry and with at-risk youth through school systems and mental health agencies.
  3. What does "Equal Shred" mean to you? When I was in 4th or 5th grade, passion for snowboarding was shared with me. And it completely changed my life for the better. I was super fortunate in that I had pretty easy access to a mountain. For countless young people, pursuing a passion for shredding could make an unmeasurable impact on their lives, but access is a huge barrier. And access continues to get harder. I feel very strongly that everyone, regardless of location, economic factors, whatever, deserves the opportunity to have snowboarding change their lives.
  4. When did you first learn to snowboard? My first day on snow was at Blue Hills Ski Area in Canton, Massachusetts. My parents brought my brother and I up for a lesson sometime toward the end of the season. It was super warm and sunny, and I ended up burning my eyes from the glare off the snow. I couldn't focus too well for about a week, but I spent that whole time thinking about my next day on snow.
  5. When was your last great day on snow? I rode at Heavenly for a few days last spring with Deane and our friend Paul. Epic trip.
  6. What's your favorite chairlift? The Blue Hills double chair. It's old, slow, and drips black grease all over you when it's wet out, but at night you get a view of the Boston skyline. Roots. I've got so many great memories of lapping The Blue Bump after school days with my buddies.
  7. What are you up to when you aren't shredding? In my life outside of BFS and snowboarding I work for Spectrum Youth and Family Services in Burlington. I am also a potter, and am beginning to show my work at local farmers' markets, galleries, and craft fairs. I love spending time with friends and my incredible partner, Emma.
Barry Dugan

Barry Dugan

board director
  1. What's your role in BFS? I am a board member focused on launching the organization, cultivating partner relationships, and sharing my business experience and passion for riding for the sustainable growth of BFS.
  2. How did you get involved? I have known Zach Hoag for a few years and when he approached me about the idea I jumped at the chance to get involved.
  3. What does "Equal Shred" mean to you? That riding is bigger then one demographic. If there is something creative and expressive and healthy going on we all have a responsibility to share it and bring more people into the fun, the community, and character building that is happening.
  4. When did you first learn to snowboard? Oh man. I am the senior of this group that is for sure. I started riding in 1982 when I bought a $75.00 Burton Backhill in High School and started hiking the golf course near my house after school and at night. Sneakers, Jeans, whatever I had. I was hooked early and have never stopped.
  5. When was your last great day on snow? I instructed at Bolton Valley last year and had many fun days up there. I would have to say back in April where I taught in the morning and then had the afternoon to freeride under sunny skies.
  6. What's your favorite chairlift? The signal poma lift at Le Fornet in Val D' Isere. Sterling Chair over at Smuggs is pretty sweet too.
  7. What are you up to when you aren't shredding? I am the Business Director for Soldier Design and have an active family that takes advantage of all four seasons here in Vermont. I am always on the go and wouldn't have it any other way.
Nick Hoag

Nick Hoag

board director, treasurer
  1. What's your role in BFS? As a board member I am focused on media and web communication for BFS. I will also be serving as a coach-mentor on the team.
  2. How did you get involved? I have known Zach Hoag for a few years...well actually my entire life. Zach is my older brother and best friend. When he came to me with this idea a few years ago, all I wanted to do was be a part of it and help it succeed, whatever that looked like.
  3. What does "Equal Shred" mean to you? It means that the gift of snowboarding should be available to all. That no matter your life situation, you should have the opportunity to experience this amazing sport. It means that one day we're going to have a kid from the Old North End standing on a podium.
  4. When did you first learn to snowboard? December of '96. I had been skiing for awhile, and my rebel older brother, after a few years of mocking, finally got me to try it. One run down and that was it. Skiing was over. The new had come, and it wasn't going anywhere.
  5. When was your last great day on snow? Two seasons ago, epic spring day at Bolton Valley. 45 degrees and the park was perfect.
  6. What's your favorite chairlift? Quad at Stowe.
  7. What are you up to when you aren't shredding? I am the Director for Interactive Media and co-founder of The FutureForward, a design and web studio in downtown BTV. In my free time I love going to punk rock shows, playing fantasy football, and going to this cool church called Dwell.