This is us
Right now, if a Romanian child were to watch freestyle snowboarding and skiing, bmx, skateboarding, surfing, or even rock climbing on a screen and want to represent Romania in international competition at some point it would be nearly impossible. In order to fulfill those dreams, they would have to move to Western Europe or North America and train for over 10 years. All of these are now Olympic sports.
Romania is a world-class outdoor playground. Unfortunately, there is little infrastructure in place for athletes interested in action sports. The infrastructure that does exist is sub-par, especially in regards to training and events. From poorly designed and maintained skateparks to ad-hoc snowparks, it’s surprising that riders accept these facilities. In fact, they enthusiastically try everything they can to progress these sports under these terrible and sometimes unnecessarily dangerous conditions, because it’s “what we have” as they would say.
The natural beauty and diverse terrain Romania has to offer could be a shining example of highlighting the progression of these sports and Romanian athletes on the world stage. The goal of Ride Tribe Romania is to interconnect the existing communities of all riders, venues, shops, schools, and brands into a collective that stands united for the progression of these sports within Romania. We plan to do this through investment into training facilities, rider sponsorships, multimedia creation, and eventually international event hosting. With better organization, investment, and infrastructure put into place, this will make any youth’s dream in these sports possible, which is the most important thing we can do to help the future athletes of Romania to proudly represent their country, and show the world what it has to offer.
our team
Spencer Emch
Spencer has spent his entire life in pursuit of natural world supplied adrenaline. It started with Woodward Camp and local skate spots as a kid, transitioned into High North Ski Camp in Whistler B.C. and some of the first slope style and big air contests in the US on a pair of original yellow Salomon 1080s that started the freeskiing movement, and evolved into becoming an Attack Helicopter Pilot and Warrant Officer in the US Army and, unsurprisingly, teaming up with a Heliski Company in the present. Spencer is a pilot, musician, author, veteran, and expat based out of Bucharest who lives for skiing, snowboarding and surfing any chance he gets. He is passionate about progressing the action sports within Romania so his son can have all the opportunities he had growing up, without traveling elsewhere because world class terrain is everywhere in this country.
Bogdan "Bobby" Rusu
Bobby has been riding since it was cool to aggressive inline in Romania. But he didn't stop there, so he started snowboarding and mountainboarding, sports that took him around the world chasing snow and dirt. It all started as a passion that became lifestyle and, eventually, business. At about the same time that he started skating, Bobby realized that being a rockstar is cool too, so he started his first band. Even after breaking all of his fingers riding while needing them for drumming, he just kept ripping. Born with CVD (Chronic Verbal Diarrhea), it was natural for him to become a radio anchor and one of the main extreme sport MCs in Romania. A dedicated snowboarder, instructor - trainer - shaper - park owner, camp organizer and event manager, journalist, traveler, adventurer, musician, and citizen of the world, Bobby lives for his passions and the beautiful people around him.
Mădălina State
Madalina is the person who can untangle anything, from wired headphones to urgent project management matters. With an experience of more than 15 years as an account manager, Mada is the mother of all solutions, because there are no such things as problems, only solutions. Born and raised in Brasov, the mountains are stuck to her like glue, that’s why she found winter sports close to her heart. In winter you can find her snowboarding or split boarding, while in the summer hiking narrow paths. As a Ride Tribe Member, Mada brings her skills as a Project Manager to the table and is willing to take on any matter of organization and negotiation.
Andra Liță
Andra is social by heart and by day-to-day work too. The love of nature and all that it brings made her fall in love with outdoor sports like long-distance hikes, snowboarding, and later on split-boarding as well. Although her professional background is as a lawyer, she discovered it is never too late to pursue another career, which she has done in advertising. She’s been doing that for more than 9 years now, as a social media manager and project manager. Building communities is one of the challenges she takes on as a Ride Tribe Member and along with developing new ways to communicate her passion for action sports.
Why Us?
Real World Experience
With over 30 years participating in the world of action sports in the US and Western Europe, we know what "right" looks like and actively seek ways to bring Romanian action sports to that level.
Attention to Detail
Our meticulous style of analysis, planning, and implementation of programs and events is the secret to our success, regardless of the obstacles that might appear.
Professionalism
As a former Officer in the US Military, our founder insists on facilitating an atmosphere of positive collaboration to enable "win-win" outcomes with all of our partners.
Our Location
Bucharest, Romania
