Also in 2000, Palmer was named as the inaugural Laureus World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year.

Throughout his snowboarding career, Palmer received various accolades, including USA Today's World's Greatest Athlete, Details Magazine's Athlete of the Year in 1998, and the NEA Extreme Athlete of the Year in 2000. In an interview with People Magazine, Palmer stated: 'I didn't watch tapes or study other guys-I just figured out what felt right.' Just three years after building his own board, Palmer dropped out of high school to become a professional snowboarder. Palmer taught himself to snowboard, as he was never formally schooled in the sport. At the age of 12, he built his own snowboard. While Palmer showed potential in both skiing and baseball, Shaun grew enamored with the still-infant sport of snowboarding. He was like that-always pushing the limits.' Well, he jumped out of his second-floor bedroom window, got on his bike and took off. I remember once when he was 13, I had grounded him. His mother told People Magazine in 1999, 'Whether it was on wheels or on a board, it had to be superfast-he had no fear.

Palmer was born in South Lake Tahoe on November 14, 1968.įrom a young age, he maintained a strong interest in all things fast. Nicknamed 'Napalm' and 'Palm Daddy', he is known as one of the forefathers of extreme sports. Shaun Palmer (born November 14, 1968) is an American professional snowboarder, skier, mountain biker, and motocross rider.

Oldest professional motocross racer