Derek is very much someone who let’s his riding do the talking but we had G-Don hit Derek up to answer our questions. Chris said he was “on the rise” during Episode 27 of Group Chat and his recent part in Rome Snowboards’ SWARM is proving it.

Name: Derek Lemke

Age: 25 years old

Social Media: Derek.lemke_ on Instagram

Hometown: Howell, Michigan

Home Mountain: Mt. Brighton

Sponsors: Rome Snowboards, L1 Premium Outerwear, and Exodus Ride Shop

Stance: Regular

Setup: Agent Pro and Artifact Pro, Katanas, Vans Boots, I’ve always eye balled my stance width with 9° angles.

Year You Started Snowboarding: I got a season pass and started snowboarding a lot in 2012.

What or Who Got You Into Snowboarding? My friends were always snowboarding in the winter so I wanted to try it. I was hooked after the first year!

How you got your first Snowboard? My parents bought me one when I decided I wanted to try it out

Make and model of your first board? Burton Chopper

Best Contest Result: The homies and I won regional video of the year

Biggest Fear? Interviews

A time where you should have died but made it out unscathed? I tried hitting a long down flat hop to c rail. When I jumped to the c the rail broke into a bunch of pieces and I almost got impaled. Ended up walking away just fine!

A monumental Snowboarding moment that you’ll never forget? We had finally got a little snow in Detroit. I had a spot I really wanted to try, and the snow was melting quick! So Brent and I went down to check it out. There was enough snow but it was melting fast. I was warming up, preparing for a battle, getting a couple photos, and ended up almost getting it. So Brent started filming and shortly after I laced! It ended up being my ender in breaking free, and one of my favorite clips I’ve gotten so far! We went straight to the bar for a celebratory beer then headed home.

Go To Trick? A switch front 270 always feels good and I think they look good.

Least favorite trick? Not a huge fan of switch ups on flat rails. I think they look forced and not very pleasing to the eye.

Favorite Video Part of All Time: Tommy Gesme in Homage

Biggest Inspiration? Tommy Gesme, I’ve always loved how good and effortless his clips look!

Steel or Powder? I love them both but steel has always been more available to me in Michigan!

Most Underrated Rider: Brent Behm

Dream Sponsor (Doesn’t Have to Be Snowboarding-Related): Monster Energy

Worst Trend in Snowboarding: Tight snow pants

Interests Outside of Snowboarding: I love the outdoors! I do a lot of trout fishing and camping at the rivers in northern Michigan. I also like to skateboard

Shout Outs: My parents & girlfriend for always supporting me, Cooper Vosburg for always being down to sit out in the freezing cold to film, Brent Behm, Drake Warner, my brother Kaiden, Chase Blakely, and Grace Warner for always keeping the vibes high! Rome Snowboards and the crew.

Watch Derek in Rome Snowboards’ SWARM! (Hint his part is at the end)