shaun white - carbeile.cornwall.sch.uk

Shaun WhiteWinter Olympics 2018

Early LifeShaun White is an Olympic snowboarding champion from the United States. He was born on 3rd September 1986 near San Diego in the state of California. He first tried snowboarding at the age of six, to copy his older brother, but soon discovered that he had a real talent for the sport.

His family began to take the three-hour-long journey to San Bernadino Mountains as often as they could, so that Shaun could practise.

By the age of seven, Shaun had won a number of snowboarding competitions and managed to get a sponsorship deal. He became a professional snowboarder at the age of 13 and, at 16, he was the youngest competitor to ever win the US Open.

Olympic MedalsShaun won his first Olympic gold medal at the 2006 Games in Turin at the age of 19. He went on to win gold at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. He is hoping to win gold again in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Olympic DisappointmentIn the 2014 Olympic Games held in Sochi, Russia, Shaun came fourth in the halfpipe snowboarding event. This meant that he did not get a medal. He made the decision that instead of letting the disappointment get him down, he would ask himself, “What do I really want to do now?”

He decided to get involved with a festival called Air + Style which is a snowboarding and skateboarding contest for new competitors but which also includes bands performing

A Love of MusicShaun is passionate about music and played the guitar in a band called Bad Things. The band toured the world, performing their music.

Did You Know?Shaun was born with a heart problem which meant that he had two operations before his first birthday. He has helped raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Boys & Girls Club and the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help children in need.

Photo courtesy of Veronica Belmont (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

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music. The event is intended to help new snowboarders enter competitions and win better prize money as it is an expensive sport in which to train.

Shaun wants people to be introduced to snowboarding in a particular way. He has said, “I want people to be introduced to snowboarding in the right light, because in the wrong hands it can look dangerous or like some daredevil kind of thing.”

Shaun White - Winter Olympics 2018


Questions1. In which year was Shaun White born? Tick one.

2. Match up the statements.

3. How old was Shaun when he won his first Olympic gold medal? Tick one.

4. Find and copy one adjective which means to feel very enthusiastic about something.

5. Which medal did Shaun win at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games? Tick one.

6. What is the Air + Style festival?

Shaun White – Winter Olympics 2018

1996

13

none

1906

16

silver

1986

19

gold

Shaun was 13 when he got a sponsorship deal.

He was 7 when he won the US Open.

When he was 16 he became a professional snowboarder.


Shaun White – Winter Olympics 2018 Questions

7. What did Shaun have before he turned one? Tick one.

8. Write one thing that Shaun has done for charity.

two new snowboards

two heart operations

a new helmet


Answers1. In which year was Shaun White born? Tick one.

2. Match up the statements.

3. How old was Shaun when he won his first Olympic gold medal? Tick one.

4. Find and copy one adjective which means to feel very enthusiastic about something.

passionate

5. Which medal did Shaun win at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games? Tick one.

6. What is the Air + Style festival?

The Air + Style festival is a snowboarding and skateboarding contest for new

competitors.


1996

13

none

1906

16

silver

1986

19

gold

Shaun was 13 when he got a sponsorship deal.

He was seven when he won the US Open.

When he was 16 he became a professional snowboarder.

visit twinkl.comPage 1 of 2

Shaun White – Winter Olympics 2018 Answers

7. What did Shaun have before he turned one? Tick one.

8. Write one thing that Shaun has done for charity.

He has raised money for charity.

two new snowboards

two heart operations

a new helmet



ProfileShaun White is an Olympic snowboarding champion from the United States. He was born on 3rd September 1986 near San Diego in the state of California. He first attempted snowboarding at the age of six to copy his older brother but it soon became evident that he displayed an unusual talent for the sport.

His family began to frequently take the three-hour-long journey to San Bernadino Mountains to enable Shaun to practise as often as possible.

By the age of seven, Shaun had won a number of snowboarding competitions and managed to get a sponsorship deal with snowboard manufacturer, Burton. He became a professional snowboarder at the age of 13 and, at 16, he was the youngest competitor to ever win the US Open.

Olympic MedalsShaun won his first Olympic gold medal at the 2006 Games in Turin at the age of 19. Four years later, he won another gold at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. He is fixing his sights on winning gold again in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Olympic DisappointmentShaun has experienced disappointment. When he competed in the halfpipe snowboarding event at the 2014 Olympic Games held in Sochi, Russia, Shaun came fourth. This meant that he did not get achieve a medal. Although this was completely unexpected, he said, “Instead of letting it destroy me, I sat back and asked myself: what do I really want to do now?”

He continued snowboarding, but also got involved with a festival called Air + Style which is a snowboarding and skateboarding contest for new competitors and also includes bands performing their music. It is intended that the festival

Did You Know?When Shaun won the US Open, where the winner is given a bottle of champagne, he was presented with sparkling apple cider as he was too young to drink alcohol!



encourages new snowboarders to enter competitions and to win better prize money due to the expense involved in training in this sport. Through the Air + Style festival, Shaun, who began playing the guitar at 17, brings two of his two passions in life together: music and snowboarding.

Shaun wants people to be introduced to snowboarding in a particular way. He has said, “I want people to be introduced to snowboarding in the right light, because in the wrong hands it can look dangerous or like some daredevil kind of thing.”

Fascinating FactShaun was born with a heart defect which resulted in him requiring two operations before his first birthday. He has since helped raise money for a range of charities including the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Boys & Girls Club and the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help children in need. He himself has granted 17 wishes for poorly children since 2008.



Questions1. Where was Shaun White born? Tick one.

2. Why did Shaun start snowboarding?

3. Complete these sentences:

At 16, Shaun

At 13, Shaun

At 7, Shaun

4. How many Olympic gold medals has Shaun won? Tick one.

5. Find and copy one phrase which means to focus on achieving something.

6. Summarise the main points of the first two paragraphs in the Olympic

Disappointment section.

7. What is the main purpose of the Air + Style festival?

8. Apart from snowboarding, what other hobby does Shaun have?


Russia

one

San Bernadino Mountains

two

San Diego

three



9. Rewrite the sentence below using a synonym for the word written in bold.

Shaun White was born with a heart defect.

10. Choose an adjective to describe what you think Shaun White is like as a person and

explain your choice.


Answers1. Where was Shaun White born? Tick one.

2. Why did Shaun start snowboarding?

Shaun started snowboarding to copy his brother.

3. Complete these sentences:

At 16, Shaun was the youngest competitor to ever win the US Open.

At 13, Shaun became a professional snowboarder.

At 7, Shaun won a number of snowboarding competitions and managed to get a

sponsorship deal with snowboard manufacturer.

4. How many Olympic gold medals has Shaun won? Tick one.

5. Find and copy one phrase which means to focus on achieving something.

fixing his sights on

6. Summarise the main points of the first two paragraphs in the Olympic

Disappointment section.

The main points in these two paragraphs are: Shaun did not get any medals in the

2014 Winter Olympics; He did not let it get him down; He got involved with the

Air + Style festival.

7. What is the main purpose of the Air + Style festival?

The main purpose of the Air + Style festival is to encourage new snowboarders to enter

competitions.


Russia

one

San Bernadino Mountains

two

San Diego

three



8. Apart from snowboarding, what other hobby does Shaun have?

Shaun’s other hobby is playing the guitar/music.

9. Rewrite the sentence below using a synonym for the word written in bold.

Shaun White was born with a heart defect.

Accept any suitable synonym, such as: irregularity, problem, fault.

10. Choose an adjective to describe what you think Shaun White is like as a person and

explain your choice.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think Shaun White is kind because he raises money for

charity to help other children who are in need.



ProfileOlympic snowboarding champion Shaun White is from the United States. Born on 3rd September 1986 near San Diego in the state of California, Shaun first attempted snowboarding at the age of six, in an effort to emulate his older brother. It soon became evident that he displayed an unexpected talent for the sport.

His family began to take the three-hour-long journey to San Bernadino Mountains as often as they could to enable Shaun to practise frequently.

By the age of seven, Shaun won a series of snowboarding competitions and managed to get a sponsorship deal with snowboard manufacturer, Burton. He became a professional snowboarder at the age of 13 and, at 16, he was the youngest competitor to ever win the US Open.

Olympic MedalsShaun won his first Olympic gold medal at the 2006 Games in Turin at the age of 19. Four years later, he won another gold at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. He is currently focused on winning gold again in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and is planning to compete in the 2020 Winter Olympics too.

Olympic DisappointmentShaun has experienced disappointment. When he competed in the halfpipe snowboarding event at the 2014 Olympic Games held in Sochi, Russia, he came fourth, meaning he failed to gain a medal. Despite this crushing blow, Shaun remained optimistic. He said, “Instead of letting it destroy me, I sat back and asked myself: what do I really want to do now?”

Shaun continued snowboarding but saw it as a great opportunity to get involved with a festival called Air + Style which is a snowboarding and skateboarding contest featuring bands performing their music. It is intended that the festival encourages new snowboarders to enter competitions and to win better prize

SponsorshipThis is when an individual or team are financially supported by a company whilst they are training, learning or competing.



money because of the level of expense involved in training in this sport. Through the Air + Style festival, Shaun, who initially began playing the guitar at 17, brings two of his two passions in life together: music and snowboarding.

Shaun wants people to be introduced to snowboarding in a particular way. He has said, “I want people to be introduced to snowboarding in the right light, because in the wrong hands it can look dangerous or like some daredevil kind of thing.” It was a sport which united his family and he wants to show other parents the family benefits of the sport.

A Business ManShaun White has become quite the business man. He began designing a promotional snowboard as a one-off but he got more involved with further snowboard designs with Burton. He has gone on to work with Oakley, an eyewear company popular with people engaged in snow sports, and more recently Shaun has launched a range of men’s clothing for Macy’s.


Did You Know?Shaun was born with a heart defect which resulted in him requiring two operations before his first birthday. He has since helped raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Boys & Girls Club and the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help children in need. He himself has granted 17 wishes for poorly children since 2008.


Questions1. Find and copy one word which means to try to copy something someone has done.

2. What do you think Shaun’s family thought of his interest in snowboarding?

Explain your thoughts.

3. Do you think it was helpful for Shaun to get a sponsorship deal at the age of seven

and why?

4. Tick true or false for the following statements.

5. What would you say has been a low point for Shaun and what was his response to it?


True False

Shaun has won two Olympic gold medals in total.

Shaun was 19 when he won gold at the 2010 Olympic Games.

Shaun won his first Olympic gold medal at the Games in Turin.

Shaun won Olympic gold at the Games held in Sochi.



6. It could be said that the Air + Style festival is ideal for Shaun White. Why?

7. How have Shaun’s past experiences led to his continued involvement with the

Air + Style festival?

8. Why do you think Shaun was asked to design a promotional snowboard for Burton?

9. Explain what you think motivates Shaun to raise money for different children’s charities.

10. Describe Shaun White’s character and justify your thoughts.


Answers1. Find and copy one word which means to try to copy something someone has done.

emulate

2. What do you think Shaun’s family thought of his interest in snowboarding?

Explain your thoughts.

Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Shaun’s family were supportive of his interest in

snowboarding because they travelled three hours to the San Bernadino Mountains so

that he could practise.

3. Do you think it was helpful for Shaun to get a sponsorship deal at the age of seven

and why?

Pupil’s own response, such as: I think it would have been very helpful for Shaun to get a

sponsorship deal because it meant he would have had money to train.

4. Tick true or false for the following statements.

5. What would you say has been a low point for Shaun and what was his response to it?

Shaun’s low point was during the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games when he failed to win a

medal and came fourth. Instead of letting the disappointment get him down, the text

says he ‘remained optimistic’ and got involved with the Air + Style festival.


True False

Shaun has won two Olympic gold medals in total.

Shaun was 19 when he won gold at the 2010 Olympic Games.

Shaun won his first Olympic gold medal at the Games in Turin.

Shaun won Olympic gold at the Games held in Sochi.



6. It could be said that the Air + Style festival is ideal for Shaun White. Why?

The Air + Style festival is a music festival that also has snowboarding competitions. As

he loves both snowboarding and music, it is ideal for Shaun White to be involved in it.

7. How have Shaun’s past experiences led to his continued involvement with the

Air + Style festival?

Shaun says that snowboarding ‘united’ his family and he wants other parents to see

how the sport can benefit their family. He hopes that the Air + Style festival shows this

to all people.

8. Why do you think Shaun was asked to design a promotional snowboard for Burton?

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think Shaun was asked to design a promotional

snowboard for Burton because he used them all the time and knew how they should be

designed and what snowboarders wanted their board to be like; He was also sponsored

by Burton so it would help publicise their company.

9. Explain what you think motivates Shaun to raise money for different children’s charities.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think Shaun is motivated to raise money for different

children’s charities because he was ill as a child and wants to help other children

who are ill.

10. Describe Shaun White’s character and justify your thoughts.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think that Shaun is talented because he learned how

to snowboard from an early age and got a sponsorship deal; He is thoughtful because he

has got involved with other areas of the sport and didn’t just focuson winning medals;

He is kind because he raises money for children’s charities.


shaun white - carbeile.cornwall.sch.uk

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