Tara Dakides was born Aug 20th 1975 in Mission Viejo. She grew up in Laguna Hills,
California. Her parents were very actice so Tara grew up with gymnastics, skiing and skateboarding.
She tried to overcome the confusion of growing up on her own since her parents divorced, while trying to follow her heart. Her teenage-years included near-suicid, drugs and depressions.
It also involved psychiatric observation, hospitalization and ultimately a choice to leave home early rather than be placed in her mother's custody.
That's when she lived in her car for a while, but when the money ran out she sold her stereo and bought herself a one-way ticket to Mammoth Lakes.
She found her passion for snowboarding. She found something that was healthy and active and at a age of nineteen she started to support herself through snowboarding.
Her progression as a snowboarder led to a revolution for female riders. Tara has crossed the gender barrier that action sports holds, and she have rised above most men in the realm of freestyle.
She is absolutly the best female snowboarder in the world; she won the gold in both 2000 and 2001 X Games Big Air, and also took the gold in Slopestyle at the Sims World Championships with her technical spins, rails, and big airs. Tara also became the first female to do a backside rodeo flip in a competition.
With her good looks and photogenic smile, Tara is the first female snowboarder to
appear in Maxim photos, FHM covers, Campbell’s Soup and H & R Block commercials, and talk shows such as David Letterman where her charismatic personality
made a definite impression on Dave. She has her own trading cards, a doll and even appears in video games. Along with her sponsors, she has created her own
Billabong snow clothing line, Vans snowboard boots, and a signature snowboard with Jeenyus.
Currently Dakides spends her time between her winter-house in Mammoth Lakes and hitting the surf at her beach-house in Southern California.
At the age of 30, Tara has already lived a full lifetime. She is known for her amazing accomplishments as a professional snowboarder, her participation in Baja 1000 and her
incredible no-fear determination. Tara has a lot more to look forward to in life. We can't wait to see what comes next!
