About Us
The OISA (Oregon Interscholastic Snowboard Association) is an organizing body established in 1999 by Bruce Sato and some awesome parents who were looking to give their children an opportunity to compete against each other on an interscholastic level. Over 20 years later we are still going strong and continue to provide an opportunity for competitive high school snowboarding.
The OISA is committed to the development of high school snowboarders of all levels in the state of Oregon (and Southwest Washington). Team development and competitive events work to build individual achievement in an inclusive atmosphere that fosters long lasting bonds with teammates and other competitors. With a dedication to coaching excellence, a focus on safety, and an insistence that everybody has fun, OISA events are a highlight of the winter for many of our student athletes.
Memorable Places & Events
Teams closer to Mt Hood compete & practice at Mt Hood Meadows. The Southern Oregon league does everything at Mt Ashland with occasional trips to Mt Bachelor for halfpipe competitions.
Most teams practice one night a week, usually Wednesday or Thursday after school. Teams are run independently so which night and how the rider transportation can vary. Most teams have a bus for practice nights.
OISA athletes compete in Individual Banked Slalom , Boardercross , Slopestyle and Halfpipe events. Comps are the highlight of the season and riders of all skill levels are encouraged to participate.
Amazing Teams
We have many teams dispersed throughout 4 leagues in the state. 3 on Mt Hood: Metro League, Gorge League, Three Rivers League and the Southern League at Mt Ashland. Each league is comprised of 5 to 8 teams. At competitions riders compete individually and the results sorted into Squads of 4 to be ranked interscholastically. At the end of the season in March riders that have qualified.
Interested in competing but your school doesn’t have a team already? We have a plan for that, Affiliate Teams. Teams of less than 4 riders can use the resources of a larger team. We have large conglomerate teams in each league that share coaching & busses but on competition days they compete for their own school.
Sweet Prizes
OISA is fortunate to enjoy support from different snowboard manufacturers, shops & camps. As a result every year at the State Finals Awards Ceremony we award several boards, piles of softgoods and a week at High Cascade Snowboard Camp for one lucky qualifier.
Additonally The Shredwell Scholarship is awarded annually to an outgoing senior who qualified for State, as well as the Hiefield Scholarship which helps with pass costs for riders.
Educational Stuff
Our athletes are required to meet all eligibility requirements per the OSAA as a club sport. Like other winter sports we check grades at 2 points in the season.
OISA Mission Statement
The OISA is committed to the development of high school snowboarders in the state of Oregon, through coaching excellence, individual excellence through team development and competitive events.
–OISA Mission Statement
OISA Executive Board
Who We Are
The OISA Board is comprised of volunteers who feel passionately about snowboarding and the opportunity which we provide for our members. Currently our Board consists of the following members:
Derek Shields
President
Joined Board: 2019
I grew up in Pittsburgh PA and started snowboarding in 1988. I went to the University of Pittsburgh where I studied Prehospital Emergency Medicine and became a Critical Care Flight Paramedic. Between my studies and career there was always a place for me to go to ground myself and that was the mountain. I joined the Ski Patrol as a snowboarder and initially found myself continually being tested by my ski riding partners but I somehow passed their muster.
Fast forward to current years where I started as a bus chaperone when my daughter joined the Lincoln Snowboard Team. I ultimately became Lincoln’s Head Coach and President of the Metro League. This season I have passed on the Lincoln baton while I have taken over the reigns of the Ida B Wells Snowboard Team as their new Head Coach.
When not working or snowboarding you’ll likely find me hiking or mountain biking with my family somewhere in the PNW. GO STEELERS!!!taken the over
Jamie Krueger
Vice President
Joined Board: 2015
Jamie’s grandparents met in the ’30s riding in the back of an ambulance up Loveland Pass in Colorado and made sure that their children and grandchildren spent as much time on the mountain as possible.
It was on one of those trips in the mid 80s that they paid for a snowboard lesson and rental. After a couple of seasons in Big Bear in the 90s, Jamie moved back to Colorado, then within a couple of years had the opportunity to relocate to Portland for work and has been here since.
Mt Hood & Mt Bachelor provide ample opportunity for progression in various conditions leading to well rounded snowboarders. He’s excited to be working with the OISA to help develop our young men & women into confident riders that find fun in all of the challenges in our 10 month season.
Kelly Shields
Secretary
Joined Board: 2022
Kirsten Finstad
Treasurer
Joined Board: 2022
Mike Fuentes
Three Rivers League
Joined Board: 2021
Adam Reiss
Southern League
Joined Board: 2018
I have been snowboarding for over 30 years and our entire family snowboards.
I am president of the OISA Southern League and the Medford Snowboard team. My wife Dawn and I have 3 children, Lexy who is a junior at Lewis and Clark, Kayla who is a freshman at University of Colorado Boulder, and Deryk a 7th grader at Hedrick middle school.
The entire family snowboards and in the summer we wake board and wake surf as well. We have a variety of pets. I am an avid NY Yankee fan (native New Yorker) and I collect classic cars and motorcycles.
Christian McQuade
Gorge League
Joined Board: 2022
Birte von Kampen-Balderas
Metro League
Joined Board: 2020
Originally from Germany, I started snowboarding at Mt. Hood in the early 90’s, after moving to Portland to attend art school.
Both my kids have been riding since they were young, and have enjoyed the High School Snowboard Team experience.
My OISA Volunteer Career took off after making coffee runs on competition days.
Besides interning with OISA, I currently manage Lincoln High School SB Team, and act as secretary for Metro League.
When the snow melts, I balance my time between working as a Set Stylist, being a housewife, surfing, hiking, and traveling.
I am looking forward to helping out on the OISA Board to support our current and future high school riders.
Ben Beavon
Montana League
Joined Board: 2013
Ben grew up in Bozeman, Montana where he coached for 7 years at Bridger Bowl. He moved to Mt. Hood and began coaching with the OISA in the fall of 2009. His winters consist of coaching the Sandy Snowboard Team as well as coaching with Timberline Freestyle and working at the Next Adventure. During the summer months he coaches for Timberline Summer Snow Camps, and fills in the off months doing new and remodel construction work.
Aside from snowboarding, Ben works on old RVs and hits jumps in new ones.
Snowboarding has had a very positive influence on Ben’s life in high school and since. He continues to work with the OISA because it is a great way to share the sport and the outdoors with current high school students.
* for real this time. Ben has given immensely to the org over the years and is due a turn to step back.