Flying Tomato no more! Snowboarding pro Shaun White chops off his trademark red locks for charity

By Iona Kirby

Published: 10:31 EST, 19 December 2012 | Updated: 10:31 EST, 19 December 2012


He is famed for his long red locks which earned him the nickname the Flying Tomato, as well as comparisons to Animal from The Muppets.

But Shaun White has now thrown caution to the wind and got rid of his signature hair for a good cause.

The pro snowboarder decided to donate his ponytail to Locks of Love.

Scroll down to watch the video

Hair-raising: Shaun White has lopped off his famous red locks that earned him the nickname the Flying Tomato

Hair-raising: Shaun White has lopped off his famous red locks that earned him the nickname the Flying Tomato

What a difference a 'do makes: Shaun's makeover was quite the transformation for the pro snowboarder

What a difference a 'do makes: Shaun's makeover was quite the transformation for the pro snowboarder

The organisation provides financially disadvantaged children suffering from long term hair loss due to medical conditions with hairpieces.

Shaun, who is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, uploaded a video to YouTube of his makeover process, which he titled It’s Only Hair.

On his way to get his hair cut, Shaun tells the camera: ‘I have been thinking about this for a while. But it’s for a good cause, so I’m going to do it.’

For a good cause: Shaun decided to donate his ponytail to Locks of Love

For a good cause: Shaun decided to donate his ponytail to Locks of Love

Nervous: The Olympian asked his hair stylist to go easy on him before the makeover

Nervous: The Olympian asked his hair stylist to go easy on him before the makeover

Crunch time: It was clear that Shaun was in two minds about saying goodbye to his famous tresses

Crunch time: It was clear that Shaun was in two minds about saying goodbye to his famous tresses

Second thoughts: Shaun asked to stop midway through the chop but it was too late

Second thoughts: Shaun asked to stop midway through the chop but it was too late

He adds: 'Somebody needs it more than I do. I haven't told anyone I'm doing this, that's the best part. I'm just gonna show up and mind freak people.'

When he arrives, he admits to his hair stylist: ‘I’m a little nervous. You got to go easy on me.’

At one point when his ponytail is almost gone, the 26-year-old appears to get cold feet and asks to ‘stop’, but it’s too late.

However he seems to feel he made the right decision by opting to donate his tresses when he looks at the results of his new ‘do.

Ready for a new nickname: It has been reported that Shaun grew tired of being dubbed the Flying Tomato and being compared to Animal from The Muppets

Ready for a new nickname: It has been reported that Shaun grew tired of being dubbed the Flying Tomato and being compared to Animal from The Muppets

Helping out: Shaun's ponytail will go to a charity which provides hairpieces to disadvantaged children suffering from long term hair loss

Helping out: Shaun's ponytail will go to a charity which provides hairpieces to disadvantaged children suffering from long term hair loss

Surprise: Shaun revealed that he hadn't told anyone about what he was doing

Surprise: Shaun revealed that he hadn't told anyone about what he was doing

Shaun is even seen proudly holding up his red ponytail for the camera at the end of his video clip.

As well as helping out a charity, it seems the sports star may also have felt it was time for a change.

He reportedly grew tired of his nickname, after embracing it at first and even sporting headbands with a Flying Tomato logo.

Earlier this month it was reported that Shaun has just dropped $3.85 million on a beach home in Encinitas, California.

The right decision: Once the cut was over it was clear Shaun was happy with the results

The right decision: Once the cut was over it was clear Shaun was happy with the results

Not such a good look: The 26-year-old joked that he could grow a long beard as he played with his ponytail

Not such a good look: The 26-year-old joked that he could grow a long beard as he played with his ponytail

It's only hair: Shaun shared the transformation process by posting a video to Youtube

It's only hair: Shaun shared the transformation process by posting a video to Youtube

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