Nainoa Holland has Twelve Quarters
Slogging through shin-deep corn at 9,000 feet on Mt. Hood, OR, I find myself struggling to keep pace with an energetic 17-year-old. Nainoa Holland (“Nai-no-ah,” meaning “protector of children” or “navigator” in Hawaiian) was born and raised on Maui, where he spent his childhood surfing, skateboarding, and bodyboarding.
When his parents split at age 12, Nainoa faced a difficult decision, stay in his childhood home on Maui or move to Hood River. Drawn by a stronger school system, more skateboarding opportunities—and, unexpectedly, snowboarding—he chose Hood River.
Nainoa is wrapping up his fifth season on snow and his rapid progression has secured him a spot on the 2026 Rev Tour locked in. He’s on his way to achieving his dream of becoming a professional snowboarder. But it isn’t just his talent that sets him apart—it’s the unconventional journey he’s endured to get to where he is today.
Through incredible hardship, Nainoa’s love for the sport has only grown. His story is one of perseverance, resilience, and the strength that comes from staying true to oneself despite tragedy, and it only feels right to hear it in his own words.
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