Enurshia Interview, sbplanet

The guys over at Skiboard Planet posted up and interview with the folks at Enurshia! They had a lot to talk about, good job guys!

Click it to link it

Mark Carraro Interview

Mark Carraro rides for Revel8 and is going to be representing the USA in Romania in just a few days. An up and comer on the skiboarding scene, Mark is one of the most dedicated individuals in skiboarding. I had time to talk to Mark about what’s going on with him and the sport at the moment, and Revel8 provided us with the still shots.

SBM: So, we just got back from the Enurshia Jay Jam at Jay Peak not too long ago. This is the second time you make the trip up, what keeps you going back there?
MC: The whole thing about Jay Peak is it’s not anywhere else. I like Jay Peak for what it doesn’t have; long lift lines, icy trails. Jay Peak is the place to go to find yourself. We were knee deep in powder in the middle of the woods, and we just stopped, and didn’t hear a sound, no snow guns, snowmobiles, charlifts, nothing. I haven’t experienced that anywhere else.

Definatly, Jay Peak is the East Coast place to be. I saw you where riding Spruce Risers, I think you’re the only sponsored rider using them, what made you make the switch to releasables?
I had a bit of a knee tweak coming off a rail into a rut a couple weeks back, and it really made me think about what could have happened if i really hurt myself. I’ve had my share of injuries in rolling and skiboarding. Not interested in any more. Also, I was drawn to the hands-free entry and exit, and the peace of mind to ride any size board without worrying if it was beyond my reccomended length for my height. I was really impressed with Jeff’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, I had no unintended releases after adjusting the DIN to the proper settings. I’ve hit rails with them, wall rides, tree bonks, everything. I’ve found they’ve only released when I was going to fall anyway. also the weight really isn’t an issue once you’re on them riding. But most of all, hands free entry and exit, and using a (heavily modified by myself) brake system, I said goodbye to leashes once and for all.

You leaving for Romania soon, going to the Euro Cup / Romanian Open, of all the different contests from racing to rail, big air, slopestyle, what are you most excited for are you going to focus on just one or are you really going to try to get it all?
I’m mainly going to Romania to represent the United States and team Revel8. Rails and big air are probably where I have the most experience, but I’m going to put 115% into every event. I’ve been talking with the Revel8 riders, and I feel as though collectively, we are doing to throw down some serious hammers.

So tell us abit about how you got started with the whole sport and how you came to be on the Revel8 team.
I actually started on something awful known as, “sled dogs”, which essentially were ski boots with skis on the bottom of them. Really wretched things. So somehow I got onto some older Line skiboards. I was looking online for some new ones and came across SkiboardsOnline.com; I joined the forum, and my first event was the Wachusett Triple Challenge. I had never tried rail sliding before this event. All the pros made it look easy, so I had to try it. One of the other SBOL events i went to was the Bellayre Rail Jam. After that event, Greco asked me to join the Revel8 team. I was ecstatic about it. I met up with Branden Harding and we rode Ski Butternut almost every week together. He got me to try alot of things I wouldn’t have ordinarily tried, and I’m 10x better now then I was then. All I can say to new riders is, find a friend to ride with, even if you have to drive farther to ride with them.

You really represent for Revel8 and even Enurshia, what do you think companies and skiboarders need to do to keep our industry moving along and growing?
Riders really need to commit to buying and wearing the products. As most of us realize, skiboarding is not a sport about money. Everyone that makes a skiboarding product is making it out of their love for the sport. A lot of riders ask for shirts, hats, and gear. And these companies pull money out of their own pockets to try to meet these needs, and then the riders don’t purchase the products. This makes the core companies less anxious to design further products, if they still have last years products to sell. buy some hats and shirts guys.

So have a good trip, have fun, don’t break a leg, anything else you want to mention, shoutouts ect now is the time!
I think theres far too many shoutouts to mention here, stay safe and have fun out there guys!

Dmitry Makrushin Photos & Interview

The guys over at Skiboarder.ru did an interview with Dmitry Makrushin, the 16 year old from Moscow who will be riding for Skiboarder.ru and Russia at the Romanian Open.

Although the interview is in Russian, the pictures a pretty sweet!

Click to Link

Borja Fernandez Interview @ Skiboard Planet

The guys over at Skiboard Planet did an interview with Borja Fernandez.

Link

Q&A With Ola Loken

From the land of Vikings and nordic sports comes Loken Industries. Since Loken Skiboards have now hit stores we thought it would be great to interview the Swedish- uuhm I mean Norwegian skiboard creator Ola Loken.

SBM: Hey Ola how’s it going.

OL: I’m doing fine, thanks. Things are a little bit hectic, but it feels good to finally be on.

SBM: So after years or preparation Loken Skiboards have now hit stores, was it a lot of work to get these boards finalized and shipped out?

OL: It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. It’s been a lot of fun though. Thanks to Lars (El Bajong) and his big mouth I’ve saved a lot of efforts in marketing.

SBM: What was your motivation in starting Loken Industries.

OL: I was an In-line skater for many years, and wanted a good alternative on snow. My father got me a pair of snowblades, I threw down my first misty, and from there it just moved on. I eventually bought a pair of Groove Invertigo’s but the broke on like the third run. I got sincerely pissed about this, and figured I wanted to try making boards for myself. I started calling manufacturers for product samples etc, and went on from there. It was really important that I found someone who knew wood cores well!

SBM: How important is it for a company like Loken to be in touch and connected with it’s customers?

OL: It’s not important, It’s necessary! If we were only to go our own ways, not listening to customers, our credibility would drop fast. That said; we are a small company without any resources for any heavy marketing stunts etc. We therefore have to browse skiboard forums, and read (AND REPLY) our mail for best to keep in touch with the market.

SBM: So can we hope to see Loken sponsored riders or even a Loken Skiboard Team?

OL: We can always hope. In order for that to happen, people need to buy our products. It’s a pretty insane amount of boards we have to sell just to break even according to our investments, so we’re not talking big money in any near future. We do want however, to equip some skilled riders with our products, in order to keep the sport in progress, and promote the brand and riders. Hopefully we’ll get them all together as a team!

SBM: I hear Loken Industries is planning a Big Air Fiesta, tell us about that.

OL: Well.. The Big Air Fiesta, or “The BAF” as we call it here now is a tough nut to crack. In order to be allowed to do something like this you have to apply to local authorities. I sent in the final application in December, and the police accepted it last week. Now the land owner has turned, and does not want to give us a straight answer. I am afraid that if we are granted permission to arrange it, it will be too late for this year

Next year however, we’ll make it a big event at another location. We will work this spring to have the plans ready by this summer. In that way we can run promo for a longer time. Hopefully we will get international riders as well! 

SBM: Some skiboard companies have made skiboards which pass the traditional definition of a skiboarding being under 100cm, what do you have to say about that? Do you think they are still skiboards?

OL: Well.. I’d hardly step on anyone’s toes, but the definition of a skiboard for me is 100 cm and under. At age 6 I got my first slalom skis, and they were 120. They’re still sitting in my garage, they’re not skiboards. In order to keep skiboarding a unique sport, I believe some criteria should be filled. 100 cm and under is a good one I think. Right now however, it’s more important that people actually make skiboards and push skiboarding. We’ll have to deal with definitions later..

“We’re Norwegian, hence the flag on every set of boards”

I don’t want to say too much right now, but Loken Industries is currently working on a patent that will help skiboarding stand out as what it is, and not merge to much into twin tip skiing. All dedicated skiboarders know that twin tips emerged from skiboards, but the general public doesn’t. They look at skiboards as toys, or “fruit boots”.. If we get (and can afford) this patent, it will definitely help skiboarding stand out more!

SBM: For those of us who don’t live or never been to Sweden, how is the skiboarding scene there?

OL: …Loken Industries is not Swedish. We’re Norwegian, hence the flag on every set of boards. In Norway there is a lot of crazy lil’ kids on blades, and I intend to get them to do some real skiboarding in the future. In Sweden they’re very fond of kjöttbullar, and smörgåsar. Probably some talented riders there as well!

SBM: What can we expect from Loken Industries in the future?

OL: As mentioned, we’re working on a new patent, other than that we’re gonna try to stay alive! If people buy our stuff we definitely will do! We’ll work hard to get skiboarding better known and more acknowledged, so that more people can take part in our sport! This will be great both for the company, and riders, as the [level] will rise, and we will have a lot of more people to ride with! WE WILL ALSO KEEP REPLYING TO E-MAILS.. ;)   Other than that we are looking into merchandise, so people can look good on and off the slopes!

SBM: Any final comment or shout outs?

OL: YES! Someone needs to do something bout the International Skiboard Federation! The way it (doesn’t) exists today, is really sad. Their web site says nothing, they don’t reply to e-mails, still they’re listed on the web as our “protecting organ” or whatever. We do need a federation like that, but it must be run by someone who has the time, interest, and skill to do so. A working International Skiboard Federation would act as an ambassador for our sport, and go to great lengths to promote it on a neutral basis. I hope someone reads this and takes some initiative! Skiboarding as a small and “looked down upon” activity sure doesn’t gain on having an international federation that has no credibility!

Other than that, I’d like to thank the following:

Lars - My main ma n!
Guri - My woman!
The Ringnes Family - Great support during tough times.

And of course everyone who takes part in skiboarding, and Loken Industries!

Eat your veggies folks!

sbm

The Man, The Legend, Tom Greco Interview

Roussel: So how are you greco busy for the Xmas time?

Greco : Yeah very busy. It seems skiboarding is continuing to grow without any real advertising or support from the mainstream…all word of mouth, people telling other people how much fun it is.

Roussel : Where and how would you like to the sport grow in the future?

Greco: I like how it’s going right now. Underground, out of the mainstream, steadily growing and building a community. Even though SBOL would benefit if it were to get huge it would corrupt a lot of what I love about skiboarding right now, the riders and how everyone feels a connection because we’re doing something we love that is not what everyone else is doing. None of the riders go to events to win prizes or money, it’s because they love skiboarding and hanging out with other riders who feel the same way. Snowboarding and even newschool free skiing used to be like this but of course greed, success and money can mess up a lot of good things.

Roussel: True to the underground. Now for some of us who weren’t here back in the day, tell us a bit of history about SBOL, why did you start it?

Greco: The reason why I started SBOL was because I wanted to be a part of the sport, I loved it and still do. The idea for SBOL was conceived by myself and Dave Rees back when I was living in San Francisco and skiboarding in Tahoe (1997). Dave and I used to inline together and before we even met we both saw a [Kniessl] Big Foot video in a shop window in Palo Alto. The video sold us on the idea of trying skiboarding and neither he or I haven’t skied since. It turned out Dave didn’t have the time to start SBOL and I ended up opening it on my own August ‘98.

Roussel: So the Revel8’s are out this season, tell us a bit about them. The Revolts are 105cm long, what do you have to say to those people who won’t accept them as skiboards because they are 5 cm longer then the 99cm rule of the ISF?

Greco: Well first I should officially announce that Revel8 was created by SBOL. it’s our own skiboard company we created because we wanted to guarantee we would always have quality skiboards to sell since, as you know, there has been some problems with small, core companies staying in business and be able to provide boards. that “rule” on the ISF’s web site is really old and served a purpose at one time but really isn’t accurate anymore.

Roussel: Do you think that if the gap between regular skis and skiboards close that it would endanger the future of our sport?

sbm
Images courtesy of SkiboardsOnline.com

Adam Lynam Interview

Jon: So how was surfing today?

Adam: Sweet man… fresh off my trip to the Dominican Republic where Iwas on vacation with my family and didnt have my surfboard, it felt real good to get back in the water with another flotation device besides a kayak.

Jon: Get in the water often?

Adam: Yeah man… during the summer Ispend about a month at the shore with a friend. But the best time of the year for surf here on the east coast in the fall when the tropics light up and hurricanes storm up the coast… that’s when you’ll find me calling in sick for work and getting into some real waves.

Jon: Haha, nice… So how was the last snow season for you?

Adam: Well… as all of you pretty well know, I broke my ankle on an urban rail in toronto in Cctober… So that left me out for about half the season… But once I did get back into the swing of things Ihad a good season… Ispent most of it perfecting old tricks, adding some style, and also learning some new technical grinds. I was lucky enough to spend 4 days in Tahoe with Greco and that was a blast. so overall Iwould say this season was pretty good.

Jon: Awesome…So how long have you been on the snow for and what got you started in snowsports?

Adam: First before Iget into all that… Let me just stop to say that Greco is a gift from god to our sport… The guy is amazing… So generous to the growth of skiboarding and an all around class act……..
I started skiing when I was 12 on a school ski trip, I saw skiboarding when it first aired in the X-Games and gave em a shot… The rest is history.

Jon: So you were sponsored by canon, how’d you get hooked up with that?

Adam: Well I went to camp of champions at the age of 15, I hooked up with all the guys like Andy Stewart, Bben Wannamaker, Paul Recalde, Simmons, Class and so on. Ben and Paul were shooting a flick and liked what they saw from me at camp. Paul Recalde (insert props) made a little promo for me and I sent it to Tibor from Canon. He liked what he saw and offered me a pro sponsorship and before I knew it Ii was competing with the likes of Neal Lyons

Jon: We hear you are starting out the new season riding for Mix Industries with a brand new pro model, tell us a bit about that.

Adam: Well… Seth from Mix contacted me before anyone even knew about the company. We talked about graphics, designs, shapes and sizes for a while. I was just giving my professional imput because Icared about the sport, little did I know that I was designing my own pro model. I’m really excited about my skiboards. I think that it will be revolutionary for the sport having another 11 cm under our boots. I feel that with the bigger wider skiboard, we will go faster, fly higher, and land bigger airs with ease. Also I think that the extra board will open up new tech things like really gnarly butters and manuals.

Jon: I agree, so with length in mind, how do you decide to split your time between skiboards and skis in the winter?

Adam: What are skis? Haha.

Jon: Haha.

Adam: Nah I have to admit I love skiing. But thats off the topic…. Skiboarding is an amazing unique sport.

Jon: Do you have any trips planned or in the planning for the ‘04/’05 season?

Adam: I would love to go scope out my next home in Whistler this season for sure, other than that I will be going up to Champlain College in Burlington VT in January so I’ll be pretty busy with school and skiing in Vermont.

Jon: How do you feel about the current state of Skiboarding and the sudden uprising of homegrown companies?

Adam: Well skiboarding has always been run by homegrown companies. You can think what you want, but Salomon and other big ski companies like that don’t give a shit about the sport, there just in it for a little extra cash from rentals at ski hills. If we want skiboarding to survive, we have to support these core companies like Mix, SkiboardsOnline, Canon, and any other companies that is actually doing something out of love for the sport.

Jon: So there are certain individuals pushing for skiboarding to make more of a move to the urban setting, taking the sport to more rails and the likewise, what do you think about that?

Adam: Well… we have to face it, skiboarding isn’t the best device for huge lofty air tricks. I think that the most technical snowsport on rails has to be skiboarding… We can do so much that snowboarders can only dream about. I give mad props to what ive seen from Johnny White in the urban scene. I think that overall the urban skiboarding scene will blow up in the next few seasons. Skiboards are most positively the best tool for urban rails.

Jon: So who do you see right now as the rising star(s) of skiboarding?

Adam: Most importantly, everyone who skiboards the way it was made to be done. Not with poles or blue jeans and blaze orange jackets, but in the terrain park and hardcore free riding. I would say the kids I see with the most promise in the sport right now are all the riders on the Tip-2-Tip team and Johhny White and Ethan Mitchell.

Jon: Who have been the riders that you have looked up to and/or been influenced by over the years?

Adam: Well at first it was definately Mike Nick. But after he bailed on the sport I really admired Neal Lyons. The kid has crazy sick style and is a super nice dude. He treats everyone he meets like a true friend… He’s a real inspiration.

Jon: I think he inspires us all, do you have any goals for this upcoming season?

Adam: As lame as it sounds… not really. But do know that snowsports are my life in the winter and my biggest high is learning new tricks.

Jon: That’s as good a goal as any. Do you have a favorite moment in all your time skiboarding?

Adam: That one is a toss up… As far as competitions go, it would without question be tying Neal for first in big air at NY X games. Aside from competitions, standing atop Whistler mountain, realizing what I wanted to do with my life.

Jon: Thats awesome, so do you have any tips or words of aspiration for the readers out there?

Adam: All I can say is love what you do, and every time you ride, don’t take it for granted, because it can be taken away at a moments notice. Follow your dreams, and they will come true.

Jon: Truly inspiring words. Well Skiboard Magazine wishes you luck these season and I am sure we will hear plenty from you in the future.

Adam: Awesome…. I’d like to thank anyone who has ever liked my riding in anyway and tell each one of them to one up me. And thanks to anyone who has influenced me in anyway over the years via snowsports… You know who you are.

sbm

Ben Wannamaker Interview

Jon: So Ben, new movie…tell us more

Ben: If your gonna talk about the new movie, you’ve gotta talk to every skiboarder who’s in it, and everyone who helped put it together. The biggest thing I want to emphasize about the dwarf is that its such a collective effort and everyone put it down in the clutch situations to make it happen. Editing is done, authoring has begun, and the orders are comin in quick… I’m stoked (note- pro model shit as well)

Jon: Nice, So who are we expecting to see tearing it up in the new movie?

Ben: Usual suspects dude, Lyons, Lynam, Stewart. I’m so proud of the flurry of youngsters who are taking this sport to the next level. Except standout parts from Ethan Mitchell, Bailey Mitchell and the whole East Coast Canada contingent

Jon: Does this film focus more on one type of riding more than the others or is it pretty even?

Ben: Oh dude, there’s no question… it’s all about jibbing. Just wait till you see the stuff people are putting down… its just foreshadowing what’s to come

Jon: very nice, how about lifestyle sort of stuff? Keeping up with all the goofiness riders are doing out and about?

Ben: hahahhah Kevin?!?!?! Kevin? uhhhh Kevin…? Oh sorry I can’t get a hold of him, he’s to busy focusing

Jon: Haha, so how about you, how has your summer and your skating been?

Ben: Dude skating. I’m working at Concretewavemagazine.com and it’s put me in such a skate mood. I’m working at a skate shop just gripping boards all day and getting kids stoked… it’s a great lifestyle. Just the whole focus on style in skating is exactly what I’m looking for; guys like tom penny, Alex Chalmers, Karl Watson and Rick marking. Skiboarding hasn’t quite seen the diversity of styles that skating has yet, but it’s on it’s way. I can’t wait to see how many kids come out of the woodwork this season. As for the rest of the summer though, I spent a bunch of time in the states working with Paul Recalde on the dwarf, surfing with Lynam and just staying stoked and creative.

Jon: Nice, I am actually a skateboarder myself But a lot of people are inliners, does skateboarding help you skiboard in anyway? How do you think it helps you out in the winter sports arena?

Ben: It’s all about flow and style, in every alternative sport, the main focus, to me, is flow and style, and skating is 100% style. Keeping a low center of balance and doing stuff that isn’t necessarily the most technical but is innovative, progressive and fun to look at will get the same response as something that is super technical. Like for example, I’d give the same amount of respect who did a stylish lipslide or a lofty 180 over a handrail as I would someone who did a cork 7 tail in a park, you know? As skiboarders I think we need to re-evaluate where were supposed to be. Look at the urban landscape and turn it into a canvas. Skateboarders are the masters of that, you know making something out of nothing, and that’s the connection I want to make between the 2 sports

Jon: I agree, so what’s up with college these days, and you said something about a magazine to me?

Ben: Yea dude, I left college with a journalism degree under my belt this march. The college I go to has an ‘alumni’ magazine. It’s a quarterly magazine that tracks graduates of the college and university to show what they’re doing with their time now that they’re done. Well they approached me to do a profile on what I’m up to now, you know the whole story about the bentfilms/skiboarding thing. Of course I agreed and it turns out there giving me the cover! Even though it’s just a southern Ontario based magazine, I think it’s a nice step for skiboarding in general. People are looking at what I’m doing and the struggle that skiboardings going through and they are giving it some recognition. I’m stoked on it.
That’s a nice little kick that the sport really needs on any scale, I can personally say that we all appreciate it.

Jon: So it’s off to Mt. Hood shortly, what’s to expect from that whole trip? Are we gonna see some new footage from the trip in the seasons to come?

Ben: I don’t know if it’s quite my place to say. But there will be a video next season. There’s some real wheels turning in the skiboard industry, and it’s not from me, but there will be a compilation next year. This trip is basically a Mix Industries trip. As a lot of you know, me and Lynam are fortunate enough to be involved with Mix, and this trip is to make sure that every board is EXACTLY how we want them. We don’t want to con people into picking up our product, we want to make sure that the setup of our respective boards are suited 100% to our riding style, and so far, Mix has went over the top to cater to our needs. HUGE shout out to Seth and the crew at Mix Industries. It’s gonna be dope to finally get to hood as well, can’t wait to see that mountain in person.

Jon: That sounds great. Now about those boards, How did you come about the graphics you have on your pro model?

Ben: Just remember the name Jay Hutton. This guy makes dreams come true. He has a bunch of designs around the net and whenever I saw them I just got so stoked you know? His style is like: Dr. Seuss meets Group of Seven, you know? We gave him an idea and the first thing that came out of the trial and error period of the graphic setup was it. The boards were perfect. The mountains are my home and that’s what I wanted on my decks. It’s perfect. Huge respects to Jay Hutton.

Jon: So how do you feel about Adam’s pro model and the controversial 110cm length?

Ben: Controversy? Doesn’t the term, controversial mean that someone has to oppose it? Hahaha Lynam’s decks are progression. There built for taking you places you’ve never been before. With Mix the 2 pro models are so perfect for the consumer. Where my board is set for the urban riders who want to throw themselves onto handrails and ledges, ride into stuff switch and explore the world of butters and presses, Lynam’s board is the Ying to my Yang, featuring a sidecut built more specifically for powder and less chatter when your getting up to higher speeds on the groomers and the big tables. I can’t explain how stoked I am to see skiboarding achieving this kind of a setup without the help of Line or Salomon. A grassroots company is doing exactly what skiboarding needs; providing people with options for every kind of terrain.

Jon: Truly, so where do you see the next level of skiboarding evolution as far as riding goes?

Ben: The urban scene dude. It’s where we belong. Let’s just take the style we have in the park to the city.

Jon: So what are your plans for this season?

Ben: I’m heading out to whistler to ride some backcountry stuff, hopefully get my share of pillows and good lines. I’m trying to check out Mountain Creek and Jay peak as well. But other then that, I have so many ideas for the urban side of skiboarding dude. I feel like now’s the time to prove to everyone what were here for, and how far we’ve come. I will be filming a lot for the upcoming compilation, and I don’t plan on shooting in any parks or at any resorts.

Jon: That sounds incredible, and I agree we are currently on the rebound right now, make it happen man. You have any words of inspiration or any final words for the readers of Skiboard Magazine?

Ben: Nah dude, it’s not my place to inspire. Inspiration should come from getting out there yourself and making it happen. Creating that stoke for yourself and just do something positive and worthwhile. Aside from that I’d just like to thank everyone for there continual support of the whole bentfilms movement, it’s been an incredible ride, and I can’t wait to see how people react to the Dwarf. Big thanks to Paul Recalde, Alex B. and all the riders and bands who helped create and mold this film into what it is. HUGE thanks go to Seth from Mix and Tibor from Canon Skiboards, G-Wreck-WOAH! from SBOL, Lynam for being the strongest mauch chunk I know, and all the boys from Tip-2-Tip and Anubis. Keep it slow and low boys.

sbm