Slopestyle and Big Air at the Euro Cup
February 25, 2008
Archive for the 'Events' Category
Enurshia Jay Jam 08
January 28, 2008
Enurshia’s second Jay Jam is happening Feb. 3rd, at lovely JayPeak Vermont. No contests, no formalities, probably free gear, great times for sure.
Check the SBOL forum or reply here if you’re thinking of stopping by!
TeamSBOL @ Mountain Creek Dec. 26 & 27
December 18, 2007
No contests, no hassles, just old and new friends getting together to share our love for skiboarding. Come one, come all. We’ll meet up at MC the morning of the 26th and ride for two days straight, stopping to sleep at the Days Inn - McAfee, NJ (make your reservations now).
The Meet Up will be sponsored by Revel8, Enurshia, Spruce and SBOL with swag being handed out randomly throughout the two days based on who impresses the secret santas the most.
Expect to meet and ride with the likes of Kirk Thompson, Ethan Mitchell, Matt Hein, Mike Ponessa, Dave Lynam, Mark Carraro, Branden Harding, Ron Buckner and many more…
Skiboard World Cup LIVE on TV and Web
January 29, 2007
Skiboard World Cup - Romania 2007 will be broadcasted LIVE on TV and Internet
All World Cup events, interviews and shows will be broadcasted LIVE by B1 TV in and around the world, on Internet, through:
https://www.jumptv.com/en/channel/b1tv
WSA Skiboard World Cup Romania 07
October 29, 2006
The First Skiboard World Cup will be held in the beautiful and friendly Romania during the Presidents’ Week (Feb 17-25). The event is organized by World Skiboard Association (New York) in cooperation with SBOL, skiboards.com, the Romanian Ski Federation, some Romanian and other organizations.
Guerrilla Warefare of 2006
April 23, 2006A season filled with disappointment for some, and applaud from others, has come to an end. An anticipated company faded away and turned out to be not so epic, while the rise of two others, Revel8 and the long awaited Loken Industries flourished into two of the greatest names in skiboarding today. Others such as Summit and Spruce expanded their line up to bring skiboarding some great but debated upon products. The biggest event in years marked a historical time in the new age of skiboarding. A great name in skiboarding went missing, but Canon promises to be back next year continuing it’s long line of contribution to the skiboard industry.
New companies Loken and Revel8.
Skiboarders by their very nature are alpine guerrillas, the unwanted child of the snow sport industry, constantly fighting for their right on the slopes while at the same time rarely found on the snow, or simply overlooked. This season saw the warfare happen on a the quiet slope of Wachusett, Massachusetts, where skiboarders came together in a terrain park oriented for and made by snowboarders and skiers, and was used in ways their architectures could never comprehend, or understand. The Skiboard Triple Challenge was held by some of the biggest names in true skiboarding today, Revel8, Spruce, Loken and Skiboards Online. It also saw the first appearance of an up and coming gear company Enurshia, (formerly known as Force) which is under works and should be up and running, supporting the skiboard industry soon.
Skiboard Triple Challenge in Mass.
Two great teams where formed. The Revel8 team featuring some of the best skiboarders today including Ben Wannamaker, Bailey Mitchell, Kirk Thompson, Jonny White, Pike Ponessa and Ethan Mitchell, who threw the biggest 900 since the ancient “glory days” of skiboarding at the Skiboard Triple Challenge. The second team is filled with the constantly growing talents of Dave Lynam, John Fischer and Brandon Harding who showed their stuff at Wachusetts and proved themselves to Ola Loken, who gave them title of Loken Skiboard Team. Courtney Celley from GST was later added to the team and became one of the only double X chromosomed riders ever sponsored by a skiboard company.
Courtney Celley of Loken Skiboard Team and GST
The forums where busier then ever this season, proving that the skiboard community is tightly nit thanks to the great invention of the Internet, and as always these forums became a place to debate the direction which skiboarding should be taking, and what is or is not a skiboard. One thing we can all agree on is that skiboarding has had its biggest season in years, and has paved the way for more to come.
This article could be wrapped up by thanking a few people and companies, but will simply end thanking one small group of dedicated people; skiboarders. Thanks for making this season epic.
sbm
Skiboard Triple Challenge 2006 Re-Cap
March 26, 2006
The trip down across Vermont was a long one. The 6 or so inches of snow made all traffic slow down to almost a halt. Finally after six hours of driving starting out in Montreal, we finally got to the Massachusetts boarder, where literally the snow and bad conditions seemed to stop right as we crossed the state line. From there is was about an hour drive to Wachusset.
Being the bawler that I am we stayed at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel down the highway about 3 miles from from the SBOL motel Roadway Inn. We did manage to take a taxi down to come see Greco, and all the other skiboarders staying there, but when I got there most of them where already asleep! We watched some footage, drank a little and headed back to Best Western.
The next day I got to Wachussets, signed up for the contest where I saw Branden sporting a “I Am A Skiboarder” tee. I dropped a pile of SBMag sticks and headed out. The competition started a little later then planned due to the judges having to recover from the late night festivities the night before. But it gave a chance for all the riders to meet each other and ride with each other, and of course practice a little. Greco was setting up some speakers while the patrol where fencing off the right half of the park for us to use.
Am slope style went first. Unfortunately because of the late start of the event, there was only one run. For me I was hitting some of the modules for the first or second time, so I cased on some things I shouldn’t have. Some Am’s got the guts to try some back flips on the last big air but couldn’t stick it.
Pro slope style was next. Ben Wannamaker, Adam Lynam, Kirk Thompson, Ethan Mitchell all got two runs. Unfortunately Jonny White was out for the day on crutches, but still managed to go up the chairlift and inch down to the park to watch.
From left to right, Dave Lynam, Jonny White, Mike Ponessa, Matt Hien
Back up the lift it was and Am Rail comp was next. The Ams where killing it with disaster 270’s and switch ups down a flat-down box. We sessioned the box for about 30 min. And then the pros did the same box for another 30 minute session. There where a few nasty spills but fortunately no one got seriously hurt.
After that we went down to the big air. The Am’s got the choice to hit two tabletops, most of them opted for the bigger one lower down the hill. The Am’s where going huge on the big air, and got two runs to hit it.
The Pros went next, Ethan Mitchell was the only one to hit the giant right side of the table top with a huge 900 but unfortunately couldn’t stick it, while Ben, Adam and Kirk where doing some stylish hits on the smaller left side of the tabletop. The Pro got a few hits and then we all went down to the lodge.
Pro Rail Jam
Down in the lodge we all found a nice place next to the fire. Ate some food, looked at some pictures and talked while everything was getting set up for the awards and prizes. Jeff Singer of Spruce came to give us his wisdom about skiboard construction. And finally the prizes where given out. The Am’s all got shwag prizes, Ola Loken came down from Holland, uh I mean Norway to give out some skiboards to the Am winners. Jeff Singler had a pair of 120’s to give out and Greco gave out some bindings, tunning kits and wax. Enurshia gave out some shirts and then it was the Pro’s turns to get their trophies.
Here are the results:
Pro’s Rail Jam
1st - Ethan Mitchell (tie)
1st - Kirk Thompson (tie)
1st - Ben Wannamaker (tie)
Am’s Rail Jam
1st - Mike Ponessa
2nd - John Fischer
3rd - Dave Lynam
Pro’s Big Air
1st - Adam Lynam
2nd - Ben Wannamaker
3rd - Ethan Mitchell
Am’s Big Air
1st - Dave Lynam
2nd - Matt Hein
3rd - John Fischer
Pro’s Slopestyle
1st - Ben Wannamaker
2nd - Kirk Thompson
3rd - Adam Lynam
Am’s Slopestyle
1st - John Fisher
2nd - Matt Hein
3rd - Mike Ponessa
The big surprise of the day was a kid named Fischer. He showed up with a demo pair of Salomon Snowblades and blew everyone away with bio spins, and insane switch ups and had a top spot in all three competitions. Keep an eye out for this kid!
Watching the pro’s do their thing.
It’s always great to see a bunch of skiboards riding along side you. Coming from a place where skiboarding is almost non existant except for the occasional old Salomon SB10 or Dynastar Twinboard (and of course a bunch of snowblades) riding with everyone felt like I found skiboard heaven. The Am competition level was so high they could have called it pro. The groms got tips from the more experienced, the cash prize was split between the pros. The attendance during the comp exceeded expectations and the riding level made snowboarders and skiers stop dead in their tracks to watch. This was a first in skiboard history and hopefully the first of many.
Shwag prizes for the Am’s. From left to right: Jeff Singer, Ola Loken, Branden Harding, John Fischer
Big thanks goes out to Greco from SBOL for setting up an epic event, Ola Loken from Loken Industries for all the shwag and coming down from the other side of the pond, Jeff Singer from Spruce for making it out and his words of wisdom, Ben, Adam, Kirk and Ethan and all the Am’s for putting on a great show, everyone who was snapping photos or footage, Ian, Dave and I know I’m missing many, everyone who came out sorry if I don’t remember all your names. And the biggest thanks goes out to all the skiboarders that made it out whether you where watching from the sidelines, throwing big or just getting tips on those rail slides you make what skiboarding is today.
Click here to see some more photos from the Skibard Triple Challenge 2006
sbm
Bent In Italy
April 2, 2005
By: Alexandra Sturrup
Arriving at the Malpensa airport just outside of Milan, 20 year old skiboarder Ben Wannamaker can’t wait to start his nine hour trek deep into the northeastern Italian alps to catch some fresh powder and compete in the ESS European skiboard contest in Marilleva, Italy. But as he waits by the baggage claim observing the same bags passing by incessantly, it becomes apparent the only powder he’ll touch tonight is at the bottom of his aspirin bottle.
“Your bound to have setbacks,” Wannamaker comments, “The feeling of not knowing what’s coming next, and the excitement of being in a foreign country, alone, with no bags is strangely appealing to me. I have a real nomadic nature, so I really thrive in this situation.”
The next morning with bags in hand, shipped express from the New Jersey airport where the flight made it’s crossover, Wannamaker began his day long pilgrimage to Marilleva with nothing but the smallest of inklings as to where he’s supposed to go, and how he’s going to get there.
After coming from Toronto by airplane, taxi, subway, train, numerous buses, two feet and a heartbeat, Wannamaker finally made it, and it was time to shred.
“The mountains were phenomenal,” Wannamaker remembered. “I got to meet everybody else who was competing, and talk to them about where they were from, how they like the sport, basically just make friends. These guys came from all over Europe and I love to learn from people so it was a great experience.”
Wannamaker and the rest of the riders got used to the mountain for the first few days of the trip, and on the last day of the trip, the competition began.
Wannamaker knew he hadn’t come this far and endured so much to leave without riding his best, so when the contest began, he was ready.
The contest was layed out with three events: A big air session, a rail jam, and a wall ride session. Wannamaker took all three events with a cab 7 in the big air, a 450 disaster in the rail jam and an ally-oop 3 on the wallride. Wannamaker has never landed a cab 7 or a 450 disaster before, so the levels of progression at the contest were incredible.
“When your progress, and learn new things at a contest, it really says something about how good of a contest it is.” Wannamaker said. “It was a nice relaxed setting, I was really stoked on how it all worked out.”
Wannamaker’s track record has been outstanding throughout his past 4 years competing in the sport including victories at the 2002 Mt. St. Bruno Jam, the Bent Films Slopestyle in Whistler and the 2003 and 2004 Mt. Creek Rail Jam.
Wannamaker’s talents haven’t gone unnoticed. Last year Wannamaker was offered the opportunity to design a Ben Wannamaker pro model skiboard for the 2004/2005 season, which is currently available in stores and online.
“I couldn’t believe it when they asked me, it’s the greatest honour for someone to tell you ‘I want to put your name on this because we think people will want it’. Last year when we went to Japan there were kids lined up to get our autographs, it’s the most surreal feeling.” Wannamaker remembers.
His boards reflect his riding style, made to take abuse on urban handrails, easily cruise switch and the wide profile allows for stable riding and smooth landings.
“My influences in regards to style, and the tricks I do come straight out of skateboarding. I’m trying my best to implement skateboard style into this sport, and I feel like these boards were a big step in bringing this style to the youth who are getting involved in this sport.”
Based on the success of this year’s model, Wannamaker has already been asked to create a model for next season as well.
While Wannamaker is kept occupied designing pro model’s and winning International competitions, he still finds time for his second love; Bent Films. At age 16 Wannamaker started his own business making and producing skiboard videos. Since there was only one other manufacturer of skiboard films, Wannamaker was interested in giving them any sort of competition he could. The results surpassed all expectations. Bent Films first movie release, Sickness and Health was picked up and distributed by such big guns as Black Diamond Films in the UK and Skiboardsonline.com and Getboards.com in the states.
“After the success of Sickness and Health, the crew and I knew the only thing to do now is start production on our next movie.”
The second release from Bent Films was White Dwarf, the first full-length skiboard specific video released on DVD. The crew began production in 2001 and released the final project in 04’. White Dwarf is jam packed with amazing footage from pro-riders, Neal Lyons, Andy Stewart, Simmons, Brian Class, John White, Adam Lynam, Ethan Mitchell and Wannamaker himself. The success of White Dwarf has more than surpassed the achievement of Sickness and Health, having sold copies across Canada, The U.S. Europe and Japan.
The purpose behind Bent Films was to raise the profile of skiboarding. Being a new sport Wannamaker hoped to raise more interest to future riders. As the popularity of Bent Films grew Wannamaker wanted to further support the sport that had given him so much. With a lack of skiboard events for riders, new and old, Wannamaker decided to organize contests to go along with each of his shoots for White Dwarf.
“I just want to show the world that there is some structure to this sport,” Wannamaker says, “I’ve gotten to do so many things I’d never be able to do and go places I’d never be able to go if it wasn’t for skiboarding. I just want the sport to be recognized on the level is deserves to be recognized, show the world that skiboarding is far from a fad. It is here to stay.”
Wannamaker’s dedication and love for skiboarding has not only raised his personal status in the skiboarding realm, but also raised the status of skiboarding itself. Already an entrepreneur by age 16 and a celebrity on the snow, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll be hearing from Ben Wannamaker.
“I’m really happy with everything that I’ve accomplished,” Wannamaker said. “Now is the time to just relax, shred some trees with my friends and leave that damned heavy camera at home!”
