Joe Pleban

I currently live in Silverthorne, CO with my wife and compete on the US Paralympic Snowboard Team. Back in 2014, I made the decision to cut off my left leg below the knee due to a rare joint disease called Pigmented Villanodular Synovitis (PVNS for short). I grew up snowboarding in Smugglers Notch, VT and loved every second of it. Snowboarding is what helped me make the decision to amputate, since PVNS destroyed my ankle to the point I could no longer get out on the slopes. After the amputation, I went through a series of nerve surgeries and could not wait to heal enough to get back on my snowboard. I finally got hooked into the adaptive snowboard community through Adaptive Action Sports (AAS) out of Copper Mountain, CO. I competed in my first Nationals 3 years ago, and the next season began traveling the world with AAS to compete on an international level. This past June, I was named to the 2019-2020 US National Paralympic Team, and will fulfill a life-long dream of representing the USA this upcoming season! I am currently ranked 3rd in the US for SnowboardCross, and 7th internationally. I look forward to this season and the opportunity to improve in the ranking, and have a ton of fun riding around the world!

• Motivation

  My supporters! My wife has moved out to Colorado with me to follow my dream, and has been by my side every step of the way since I decided to chop my foot off. My parents and family have supported me in all of my adventures. I have some of the best friends in the world. Yes, I want to be great for myself, but even more than that, I want to be great for all those that have believed in me and have invested their time and support in me.

• Goals

  My long term para-snowboard goals are to make it on the podium at the 2022 Paralympic Games. This season, I want to place Top 5 at a World Cup Banked Slalom, and get on the podium for a World Cup SnowboardCross.

• Other Interests

  Outside of snowboarding, I really enjoy adventuring around Colorado with my wife and our dog, Grohl. We hike most days, and love exploring everything Summit County has to offer. I also skateboard in the summer to get some time on a board throughout the off-season. I wakesurf competitively in the summer, and recently placed 4th in the Adaptive Division at the Minnesota Wakesurf Championship. Finally, I enjoy mentoring others with PVNS, people considering amputation, and amputees themselves.