Snowboarder's 'flexing' not a reason to conclude $1K worth of gear was a gift, CRT rules

A dispute between snowboarders resulted in a roughly $1,000 judgment in B.C.'s small claims tribunal this week.

A dispute between snowboarders resulted in a roughly $1,000 judgment in B.C.'s small claims tribunal this week.

Civil Resolution Tribunal member Micah Carmody ruled in favour of the applicant, Kevin William Snyder, who brought the case to the CRT seeking reimbursement for approximately $1,000 worth of gear he purchased for Tito Carmichael Quiachon last year.

Quiachon, the respondent, argued that the gear – a snowboard, bindings and pants – was a gift, and that Snyder only brought the claim in retaliation for Quiachon refusing to give him rides to the mountain.

Carmody's decision, posted online Thursday, does not specify where in B.C. the parties did their snowboarding. 

"The background facts are brief and undisputed," the decision reads.

"The applicant and respondent are or were friends. The respondent wanted to snowboard but did not have the necessary equipment. The applicant wanted to snowboard but did not have the necessary transportation. In November 2022, the parties went shopping together for snowboards, bindings, and other equipment. The applicant paid for everything."

Quiachon told the tribunal that Snyder was "flexing" during the shopping trip, loudly saying things like "I got you," so that everyone in the store would know he had money and was paying for Quiachon's purchases.