>>593233>want some free shitA lot of people think that's what "sponsorships" are... really, it's a non-employment agreement.
Companies aren't interested in just giving stuff away. If you can help them somehow (Photo/videos, writing/reviews, promotion, "industry insider", etc), have a decent attitude, and are willing to further yourself with or without their support, that's where they'll step in and say "We like what you're doing, let me help you keep doing that."
Not everyone can be a "pro" in whatever sport/activity they choose. I ride, I race, but i'm certainly not a "pro" in either category. But I am heavily involved in avalanche education and backcountry safety, and that's where the companies support me; the main entree. The riding/racing thing's just a side-salad.
It's definitely not 'free' either - big investment up front (snowmobile, truck to haul it, gear, lots of fuel/oil through the sled and truck, and lots of time away from home/work). Again, if you can't or aren't willing to do what you're doing without their support, sponsorships probably aren't going to happen.
I took a few days off work to camp out in a hay field and talk to people about avalanche safety equipment in an area where there's no such thing as avalanches. Drove about 1200 miles one-way to do it.
Been waiting to get my new jacket embroidered... wasn't sure what the sponsor situation was going to be earlier this summer, didn't want to have a jacket embroidered that I couldn't wear. Have to play the political games too, which is ... interesting.
>tfw VIP wristband and "Staff" shirt though>tfw got my photos printed in a major industry magazine this month 