Colin Varanyak -- Hello and welcome to the Haro team!
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We are delighted to have Colin Varanyak join the Haro team for 2024. Colin was already part of our Premium brand and now Colin is making the big jump to the Haro Pro team. We asked Colin for a few words about what he thinks about this step.
Welcome to Haro! We are happy to have you on board.
Thank you! I'm also very happy to be part of the team. My journey to Haro started with riding for Premium. Over the last few years that I've been riding for the brand, my relationship with Haro has grown steadily. With the headquarters and warehouse less than an hour away, visits have become a nice habit. The timing just seemed right, so here we are!
You have worked with some people on the team in previous roles. Does trust play a role in this move? Do you feel comfortable in your new environment?
Absolutely. My relationship with everyone at Haro developed quite naturally after I started driving for Premium. I felt like I was already part of the family.
Absolutely. My relationship with everyone at Haro developed quite naturally after I started driving for Premium. I felt like I was already part of the family.
You moved to San Diego from Jersey. What made you decide to move west?
When I was younger I was in California racing BMX and always dreamed of living here. At the time of the move, the company I was riding for was based here. I had to shoot films for them to turn pro so I knew I had to move!
You are close friends with Dennis and Chad. What does it mean to you to now be riding on a team with them?
It's incredible. I've always had a lot of fun with them both and we've known each other for a long time now. They're good friends of mine and I have a lot of respect for them, both on the bike and as people.
It's incredible. I've always had a lot of fun with them both and we've known each other for a long time now. They're good friends of mine and I have a lot of respect for them, both on the bike and as people.
You have always developed as a rider. You started out as a race biker, but you were best known as a street rider. In recent years you have expanded your range of activities, even to mountain bikes. How does that fit into Haro's plan?
Haro is evolving as a brand and so am I as a rider, so it's a perfect fit.
Most people know me as a street rider, but I used to ride a lot of dirt and park. I grew up about an hour from the Incline Club (Scotty Cranmer's skate park) and would ride there whenever I could.
When I got to high school, our local dirt jumps were flattened and the street became the only option. Then I discovered mass transit and started exploring nearby towns. I fell in love with street riding and will always love it, but it's also cool to explore new terrain. Growing up, I didn't have access to mountains or mountain bikes, so that wasn't an option. It's cool to have all these different bikes and explore such a wide variety of places.
Haro is evolving as a brand and so am I as a rider, so it's a perfect fit.
Most people know me as a street rider, but I used to ride a lot of dirt and park. I grew up about an hour from the Incline Club (Scotty Cranmer's skate park) and would ride there whenever I could.
When I got to high school, our local dirt jumps were flattened and the street became the only option. Then I discovered mass transit and started exploring nearby towns. I fell in love with street riding and will always love it, but it's also cool to explore new terrain. Growing up, I didn't have access to mountains or mountain bikes, so that wasn't an option. It's cool to have all these different bikes and explore such a wide variety of places.
Speaking of street riding, it is not known as a competitive discipline, at least not in the traditional sense, and yet you managed to win a gold medal at the X Games in 2023 - with a very street-oriented performance. What do you think about that?
I'm really happy. It's a dream come true in many ways. I've been looking forward to and watching the X Games every year for as long as I can remember and it's an honor to be able to take part.
You are also known as a vlogger and document your life, snowboarding, surfing and of course biking. How did that come about and will we see more of it?
I've always been interested in video and video editing. I started making vlogs and creating content for YouTube as a way to have exposure when I didn't have a producer to work with. It was mostly fun at first and still is. I'll definitely be continuing the channel this year!
I'm really happy. It's a dream come true in many ways. I've been looking forward to and watching the X Games every year for as long as I can remember and it's an honor to be able to take part.
You are also known as a vlogger and document your life, snowboarding, surfing and of course biking. How did that come about and will we see more of it?
I've always been interested in video and video editing. I started making vlogs and creating content for YouTube as a way to have exposure when I didn't have a producer to work with. It was mostly fun at first and still is. I'll definitely be continuing the channel this year!
What do you see as your responsibility as a pro rider for a brand like Haro?
To represent the brand at the highest level and to advance Haro’s legacy for future generations.
To represent the brand at the highest level and to advance Haro’s legacy for future generations.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
I just want to thank my parents for everything. Without their support I wouldn't be where I am today.
Thanks for the interview!
I just want to thank my parents for everything. Without their support I wouldn't be where I am today.
Thanks for the interview!