Luke Trembath, aka “The Dingo” had the ability to light up any room he walked into. There are countless ways to describe Dingo's affable presence, but our mutual friend Scotty Conerly put it best: “When Dingo walked in the energy just caught fire. It was like the music got turned on—even if it was already playing.”
Dingo, front and center. "Back when rail rail jams were cool." -- Danny Kass. Photo: Tim Zimmerman
A widely beloved snowboarder and action sports personality, Dingo was well-known for his prodigious approach to partying. Anyone who had the honor of raging with him doesn’t need a recount of his legendary nights out (most of which are unpublishable). Although, looking past the partying, it was the one-on-one moments he shared with folks that really tell Dingo’s story.
Just a couple of dawgs eating dogs. Dingo and his best friend, Danny Kass. Photo: Tim Zimmerman
Dingo’s public persona and eccentric energy were contagious, but he wasn’t only the guy making people laugh. He was also the one who genuinely listened to others, who wanted to know your story, who made everyone feel like they matter. Following Dingo’s untimely passing on February 28, 2025, halfpipe legend Louie Vito said, “The only thing bigger than Dingo’s personality was his heart, and that’s saying a lot.”
Dingo left us too soon, at only 38 years old. With his passing we lost a brother, friend, colleague, and a brilliant, wild, loving man. Dingo was a force of nature, a radiating presence, a natural connector, and a big-ass-bear-hug giver. His impact stretched through the snowboard industry from business to education, and into the hearts of everyone who ever met him.
Danny Kass, photographer Greg Jeske and Dingo at Grenade Games at June Mountain, circa 2005. Photo: Tim Zimmerman
Dingo’s journey began in Australia where he progressed quickly as a snowboarder, making his way to Junior Worlds at age 13. The following year he moved to the U.S. and by 17 cofounded Grenade Gloves with Danny Kass. Dingo was taking the small-business concept of wearing multiple hats to another level (and perhaps a bit too literally). Between the success of Grenade Gloves and starring together on the Fuel TV program, Danny and The Dingo, from 2008-2012, the pair became an iconic duo. Dingo’s larger-than-life personality was a crucial piece to the puzzle. Although, as with everything, the Dingo that people saw on the outside was not always emblematic of how Dingo was feeling on the inside.
A young, thoughtful Dingo. Photo: Tim Zimmerman
Despite his warm attitude, not all of Dingo’s life was not a cakewalk. Dingo’s brother, Reece, struggled with mental health challenges and addiction from an early age. Their father was uninvolved in their family life and Dingo attributed Reece’s long fought battle with addiction—and ultimately, his passing in 2019—to that feeling of abandonment. Ever since his brother’s death, Dingo said he had been, “missing a part of myself.”
Rather than retreating, however, Dingo channeled his grief into giving back. He became a key force behind Find Your Grind, a platform dedicated to helping high school students explore their passions and career paths. "The entire ethos Dingo and I created Find your Grind is to help kids lean into their unique talents," says cofounder Nick Gross. "Dingo was the definition of living a life through who he was, unapologetically. His energy is the reason Find Your Grind exists and will help thousands of kids carve out their own paths in a more meaningful way, because of the legacy Dingo leaves behind."
Dingo was also an early board member of Wy’East Mountain Academy, an outdoor sports-focused school on the shoulder of Mt. Hood, OR. Dingo’s work at Wy’East was deeply personal. His vision led to the development of a new library on campus, designed to be a hub of inspiration and learning. That library will now bear his name—the Dingo Trembath Learning Lab–in honor of his legacy as someone who helped light the path for the next generation.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKf6D2TyPgw/Throughout his various lines of work, Dingo was a valued colleague. He understood people and small-team dynamics just as well as any startup founder. He was known to communicate effectively and possessed rare and valuable skills that he brought to bear in all his endeavors
Dingo’s approach to success and subsequently giving back was shaped by his time spent with Danny.
In Dingo’s own words, “When the money started rolling in for Danny, rather than getting a big house or buying a fancy car… Danny really wanted everyone to come along for the ride.” When Dingo’s own opportunity came, he turned his fortune of popularity and influence into an asset—not for personal gain, but to help others.
"On the set of T.P.S. Report Episode 1 with Sketchy D
Whether that meant supporting friends through rough patches, investing in projects that uplifted people, or cofounding Find Your Grind to help students navigate their futures in untraditional career paths, Dingo followed his best friend Danny’s example. His goal was never to hoard wealth or fame; it was about sharing it, and making sure those around him had opportunities too. Of his late homie Danny says, “You stood by me through anything and everything. I’m blessed to have had so many adventures together. You proved to the world that anything is possible. You inspired people to believe they could achieve anything."
Dingo wasn’t just a part of the snowboard industry—he was both a root and the highest branch. His ability to bring people together was unmatched. Somebody who made sure nobody was a nobody. To Dingo, it didn’t matter whether you were a top-tier pro, a kid at your first comp, or just some random dude who crossed his path. Dingo made you feel seen, important, connected. And when he connected you to someone, it wasn’t transactional—it was simply because he believed you should know each other.
At his celebration of life on March 9, 2025, the breadth of Dingo’s impact was clear to see. Academy Los Angeles was packed with people from every walk of life—athletes, industry heads, photographers, videographers, business leaders, artists, misfits—all brought together by one common thread: Dingo.
"Who else could draw such a crowd of heavy-hitters from all these different industries? Dudes who really gave a shit about Luke," says Ryan Runke. "Huge people walked through that gate and behaved and grieved like family, even if it was the first time they had met. Dingo, once again, bringing people together”
Photo: Robert MacInnis
It can be hard to accept that, in this world, we won’t see Dingo again. But his light continues to shine through in all of us. If Dingo touched your life in any way, he is already a part of you. So, think about what you valued in him—his joy, his generosity, his boundless energy—and carry that forward. Have a conversation with a stranger, lift someone up, be truly present, laugh until the sun rises, and always, always look out for your friends. If we all carry on even a fraction of Dingo’s spirit into the world, we might just add up to one whole Dingo. And the world is better with a Dingo in it, one way or another.
Dingo, you were so loved. Life will never be the same without you. But we’ll see you again, somewhere, sometime.
Until then, rip in peace, brother. Rip the absolute fuck out of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MozmAUo8CY&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tDOn March 18, 2025, Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) paid tribute to his late friend, Luke "Dingo" by releasing a song called "Your Name Forever" dedicated to Trembath, also featuring this music video.