Snowboarder Mike Schultz’s Prosthetics Give Him—And His Competitors—An Edge

Few action sports athletes know as well as Mike Schultz what it takes to win—how much it depends on mental and emotional strength as much as, sometimes more than, physical strength.

Schultz was a motocross and snowmobile racer at the height of his abilities in 2008 when he suffered a knee injury that resulted in the amputation of his left leg above the knee. Re-learning how to walk using a prosthetic was the baseline for Schultz; he wanted to return to competition, better than ever.

The rigors of competing in sports were mismatched with the standard prosthetic Schultz was using, leading him to build his own Moto Knee and Versa Foot. He founded BioDapt to manufacture them widely, realizing the need for higher-performing gear in adaptive sports. Schultz, a two-time Paralympian, has 18 World Cup wins and competes in the SB-LL1 class for athletes with significant impairments to one leg.

Now, most of his competitors use BioDapt equipment for its high performance. The gear is not only used in snowboarding but also in gym activities, motocross, and military rehabilitation programs.

Schultz’s dedication extends beyond competition as he mentors and assists athletes using BioDapt gear to fine-tune their performance. Despite considering retirement, Schultz’s drive to progress the sport and help others succeed keeps him motivated.

“I work with many athletes worldwide, which keeps me engaged in working with adaptive sports, especially snowboarding,” Schultz expressed. “The way Beijing concluded left me unsatisfied on various levels. I plan to continue with the competitive aspect and support the athletes with BioDapt.”

If Schultz achieves his aim of qualifying for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics, he will be 44 years old by the Games’ Opening Ceremony, making him the oldest U.S. snowboarder on the World Cup circuit.

“I must put in more effort for it because it’s a fact that things don’t function as quickly and effectively as they used to, and we have some younger athletes who excel on the race course in terms of technique,” Schultz acknowledged.

“When you add in that youthful energy, it’s challenging to keep up with for sure. However, throughout my competitive career spanning motocross, snowmobile racing, and snowboarding, I have gained valuable experience. I can leverage the wisdom I have accumulated over the years to compensate for the youthful energy some of these other athletes possess.”