West Bloomfield

West Bloomfield youngster tearing it up on the slopes

By Christian Davis
C & G Staff Writer

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Jeff Vagg knew his son, Spencer, was into things a little more extreme than most kids his age when he begged to go indoor rock climbing when he was just 3 years old.

“He got up to 30 feet,” Jeff said of Spencer, who is now 8. “Anything with a thrill, he says, ‘Let’s try it.’”

A year later, Spencer’s thrill seeking led him to try snowboarding, and he  hasn’t looked back since.

Competing for the first time in slopestyle, halfpipe, boardercross, slalom and giant slalom, the West Bloomfield resident finished the season ranked third nationally in the 7-and-under age group by the United States of America Snowboard Association.

“It feels pretty good,” Spencer said. “I just wanted to see how good I could be.”      

During the season, Spencer competed in the Huck Finn region — which covers mid-Michigan’s Lower Peninsula — and finished ranked first in all five events.

That distinction earned him earned a trip to Lake Tahoe, Calif., April 2 for the USASA Nationals, where he won a silver medal in boardercross.

“He worked really hard all season, and to be ranked so high in his first year of competing is pretty amazing, we think,” said Spencer’s mother, Lynn Vagg.

Spencer’s season as a whole has been amazing, as well. He won a total of 13 gold medals, three silvers and one bronze.

“I really surprised myself,” Spencer said.

Jeff — who was inspired by his son to take up snowboarding — said they practice around four to five times a week, at least a couple hours per session at Alpine Valley in White Lake.

“I think it’s awesome to watch. I’m the typical proud dad,” Jeff said. “I can just see his passion.”

Jeff added that as his son continues to gain more air in his jumps, it naturally makes him a little more nervous.

“He’s getting to the level where the dad starts kicking in,” he said, adding that the words “just don’t break anything” seem to come up more and more these days.

Spencer, of course, likes pushing it to the limit. He said his favorite part of the sport is “all the extreme stunts,” because “they are always fun.”

This summer, Spencer plans on taking up wakeboarding, skateboarding and working on the trampoline in order to keep his skills sharp. He’ll be competing in the 8- and 9-year-old class next season.

Before it’s all said and done, he said he would like to take his snowboarding to the highest level.

“I want to work on becoming a pro,” he said, “and maybe become good enough to make the Olympics.” 

To keep up with Spencer’s progress, check out his blog at www.extremespencer.com.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062.