Have you heard of Gromfest?  We’re a grassroots skate and snow competition that takes all of the proceeds from our event and donates them to non-profits that use board sports to benefit kids.  Gromfest happens at Whistler in the summer with the skate competitions happening at Squamish skate park and the snow competitions happening on Camp of Champions terrain up on Blackcomb’s glacier.  This comp is all about the love of the sports…our competitors are there because they love to ride and want to compete against kids from all over North America.

Rules & Regulations:

Questions?  Hit us up...gromfest@gmail.com

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On April 9th, 2007 Emerica posted an article and an interview about signing Jerry Hsu.

Emerica Article:
No more guessing. You nailed it. Please help us welcome super shredder Jerry Hsu to Emerica Footwear and Gear. Have you seen Enjoi’s Bag Of Suck video? What about Man Down from the Tilt Mode Army? If you just said no twice, it’s sincere-iously time to wake up from the coma you’ve been in and get your ass down to your local skate shop for a screening! Everyone else, ’nuff said--you already know that Jerry’s skating is truly of epic proportions!

A longtime friend of Emerica, NorCal ruler Jerry fits in with the team like a brand-new pair of our shoes: absolutely perfect! In addition to joining the distinguished pros of Emerica Footwear, Jerry will also accompany Heath Kirchart and am Marquis Preston on Emerica Gear, and start breaking shi*t off for the next Emerica video, Stay Gold, coming in 2008. Daaaaayum! Jerry's interview is already up, so go dive on in for more details. Welcome to Emerica, Jerry!
[http://emericaskate.com/news/2007/04/09/guesshsu/]

Interview:
How and when did you start skating?
1992. It was a gang initiation thing.
Who were you skating with at first?
Myself.
What terrain were you riding at first?
Flat ground and a piece of wood with a 2 x 4 under one end.
Who were some early influences on your skating?
The bad, older kids with green hair and 42-inch waist jeans.
Do you enjoy skating in contests?
No.
How could contests be improved?
Weapons.
What is good / bad about being a pro?
Everything's good, nothing's bad.
What do you think of skate videos?
Less blah-blah-blah, more raw-raw-raw.
Which are your favorites?
Barbarians at the Gate.
Do you enjoy shooting video parts?
Oh, its the best!
Do you skate small stuff like curbs and parking bumps?
Exclusively.
Why are curbs not allowed in magazines and videos anymore?
They're not allowed anymore?!
When was the last time you saw a curb in a magazine or video? Do you skate vert ramps?
Not really. If I do, it’s toward the bottom where its flat.
Do you skate backyard pools?
I don't do pools.
What do you think of public concrete skateparks?
They’re a good place to sell shoe packages.
How could they improve the design?
By not letting complete boneheads design them.
Should skateparks copy real street spots like Love Park and EMB?
Yes, but security guards and homeless people should be included in the overall design.
How did you get on Emerica?
Bethany Regan is a close personal friend of mine.
What do you like about Emerica?
They're my bros and they pay for my crystal healing sessions in New Mexico.
Who do you skate with now?
Everybody.
Who are your favorite skaters of all time?
Tino Razo.
What have been the highlights of your skateboarding career?
I was on the BET Network once, I think.
Is there anything in skateboarding you haven't done that you'd like to accomplish?
A reality show and sports drink deal. Duh.
What do you enjoy besides skating?
I enjoy everything besides skating.
What music, art, books have you been enjoying lately?
Religious literacy by S. Prothero.
What are your future goals?
To floss every night.
[http://emericaskate.com/team/jerry-hsu/bio/]


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All Eyes on Winnipeg

On June 30^th, exploding fireworks signaling the opening of the Forks Plaza could be heard around the world.  In merely seconds, barely an inch of surface was visible as over 6000 locals, top pros, politicians and international media rushed to experience what has been touted by many as this 'year's most anticipated grand opening in North America skateboarding’.

Covering a total area of over 44,000 square feet, the Forks consists of a meticulously detailed skateable sculpture plaza and expansive modern bowl complex tied seamlessly into the heart of downtown Winnipeg’s urban fabric.  Skateable terrain caters to virtually everyone with a myriad of real street and transition influenced features split into two main areas:

 

Central Plaza  - 29,000 sqft.:  Inspired by prized skate spots around the world and the local arts community, the main plaza area is made up of a endless combination of stair sets, banks, rails and ledges set within a host of custom sculptures and other art pieces - the majority of which are skateable.  ‘Must skates’ include the notched vert wall, the 'Magic Carpet' - a super elevated ribbon track, granite capped ledges and blocks, acid etched hip, and series of slappy ledges.

Bowl Complex:  Separate and adjacent to the Central Plaza, lies an 8,500 sqft. bowl unit combining traditional pool and modern coping lines.  Walls begin at 5 feet and progress through a series of hips, elevators, extensions, and a pump bump to a massive 17 foot cradle and 13 foot over vert pocket.

The plaza is another New Line first, not only in North America, but around the world.  To date, the level of aesthetic detailing, site integration, incorporation of sculpture and art, and positioning within the urban context is unmatched by existing skate facilities.  The Plaza is open to everyone across all generations and will soon tie directly into the entrance of the Canadian Human Rights museum.   

 

For more pics check out the following links:

http://www.newlineskateparks.com/concrete_projects_view.php?id=64

http://www.winnipegskateparks.com/

NEW LINE SKATEPARKS INC. BUILDING SKATEBOARDING

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Plaza Fever

The success of the Vancouver Skate Plaza has swept beyond the local press, finding it's way into even more international media coverage and sparking the development of 2 more plaza projects by New Line Skateparks Inc. This month, check out the Vancouver Skate Plaza Case Study written by internationally respected skatepark advocacy group: Skaters for Public Skateparks. The article may be found online at:
http://www.skatersforpublicskateparks.org/van_plaza.html

The full story includes a history of the Vancouver project and it's process as well as a number of interviews from pro skaters to the New Line team and the Vancouver Skatepark Coalition.

If you want to see what skating the Vancouver Skate Plaza is all about check out this link:
http://westfalia.talesa.net/www.thesubstancemedia.com/skateboard/skateplaza.mov

or check out the 3d pano:http://newlineskateparks.com/plaza.mov

Now, on the topic of new projects... 2 more New Line designed plazas are scheduled for construction. If everything goes as planned, our friends down south in Wilmington, Delaware and the locals in Winnipeg, Manitoba will soon be home to what will be now a trio of World Class 'real street' gems. Check our concrete projects page soon for the full stories and concept renderings of each plaza.

The Forks Skate Plaza Concept Now Complete!! Check the latest images: http://www.newlineskateparks.com/concrete_projects_view.php?id=64



Railside Skatepark Open for Business

Port Coquitlam is finally finished!!! At over 35,000 square feet the Railside Adventure Park in Port Coquitlam will be the largest outdoor youth activity park in British Columbia. Spread over 2 acres of Lions Park this facility boasts a large street park, urban terrain area, modern monster bowl unit, a 350' long funtrack as well as basketball/hockey court with lots of green space for hanging out and spectating.

Check out the latest construction photos:
http://newlineskateparks.com/concrete_projects_view.php?id=33



Tuff City Skatepark

Tofino skaters are stoked watching the concrete flow daily in Tuff City. With 3 amazing weeks of weather on our side the crew has made some amazing progress. This park is shaping up to be an great addition to the already amazing scene in Tofino.

Keep posted for some construction photos!!!

 (if the guys would stop spending so much time surfing after work they might remember to send me so photos to post!) 


Zero Team Visits Kamloops

The Zero team recently visited New Lines newest concrete beauty in Kamloops BC on their way to Slam City Jam. All the riders loved the park and took no time to 'destroy' all the handrails and ledges that grace this amazing park. Look for photos of the demo in the kamloops projects folder.

http://newlineskateparks.com/concrete_projects_view.php?id=15



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2006-08-02

Spectrum's President returns from insane R&D trip

Jim Barnum joined pro skaters Richard Sarrazin, Steve Lange and the truly awe inspiring Brent Jordan, along with the rest of their "East Coast Skate Militia" on a phenomenal trip to North Carolina's Outer Banks, of all places. One would never guess, but some of the newest parks & most insane terrain is popping up in this beautiful, coastal, southern state. Thanks to everyone down there for the incredible hospitality...see ya next year!

2006-07-30

Spectrum's President featured in Tourism BC video

Check the link!

2006-07-29

Spectrum awarded Port Hope, ON

Port Hope joins the ranks of those selecting Spectrum to produce a unique design. Uninterested in cookie cutter parks, they came to Spectrum to get the straight goods that will not only be unique to their community, but will both nurture and challenge skaters for a lifetime.

2006-07-18

Spectrum awarded Belleville, ON park design

The parks just don't stop! This country rules, we're so lucky to live in such a progressive & supportive place. Belleville has stepped up in a major way, after seeing the work we did in neighbouring Madoc and Quinte West, they want to have the best park around. Let's do it!

2006-07-15

Kenora, ON skatepark is open!

Kenora's grand opening was unreal. We brought out Vancouver pros Kris Foley, Geoff Dermer and Spencer Hamilton to demo for the kids. Our demo team was joined by the crew from Sk8 Skates in Winnipeg who made the trip out for this gem of a park, as well as locals the Serdelutz Brothers along with President Jim Barnum & our construction crew members Brandon & Luke. The demo went off, & this park is worth visiting not only for Spectrum's usual "never been done before" street elements, but for the view. Check the photos on our "skateparks" page; Kenora stepped up to the plate & gave the skaters the finest site for a skatepark that we've ever seen in over 8 years in the business. Who's game to top this one?

http://www.spectrum-sk8.com/



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Below; Scott Shaw boots above some gapers in the Copper pipe;  Myself, Molly & Aaron get comfortable on the American Flyer


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Below; Scott Shaw boots above some gapers in the Copper pipe;  Myself, Molly & Aaron get comfortable on the American Flyer


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April 2^nd 2006

Event brief  

On April 2^nd 2006 Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta will play host to The Tournament. This new twist on the team challenge event format will pit team against team in a battle where strategy, skill, and an ability to ride all types of terrain will be the keys to success. Each team rider will compete in one of the three arenas - the quarterpipe, the jump, or the urban jib.  All sessions will have cash prizing for the top three finishers.  The team with the best overall results will take home $6 000 cash, as well as prizes worthy of THE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

 

Competition OUTLINE

 

THE TOURNAMENT offers Canada’s up and coming amateur talent the breakthrough opportunity to compete with top pro riders to vie for cash and bragging rights. This team challenge competition will require a rider from each to compete in one of the three arenas. Riders will compete in 90 min. sessions against members of the opposing teams. Team members will not be competing against each other. Teams will consist of 3 riders. Each rider must compete in only one of the three arenas of competition. A maximum of 35 team entries will be allowed. This will ensure each session will afford riders ample opportunity to showcase their quiver of tricks.

 Strategy is the key to this competition as teams choose which member competes in each arena. For a team to be awarded the title of THE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS they must excel in all 3 arenas over the course of the entire day of competition from frozen morning jibbing to slushy afternoon quarterpipes.  Properly choosing when to exploit your teams’ strengths will make the difference between

success and failure.

 

 

THE Courses

Riders will be presented with terrain and obstacles designed to challenge and inspire all levels of competitor. THE TOURNAMENT will consist of three arenas - the Quarterpipe, the Urban Jib, and the Jump.

 

The Quarterpipe will be a 22’ high monster with wallride and jib options.  Riders will be judged on all the features of this unique quarterpipe. Giant airs will be necessary, but you must slay the entire beast to take the top spot.

 

The Urban Jib will demand versatility and creativity. This unique course will consist of a gauntlet of rails, boxes, wallrides, ledges, bombdrops, and a chimera. 

 

The Jump; The simplest of all the competition arenas. This 50’ straight jump will provide riders the opportunity to display their entire repertoire of tricks.  The jump will have multiple takeoffs.  Booters, floaters, and something out of the ordinary for the true combatant. 

 

STRATEGY

 

To win The Tournament each team will need to employ a strategy unique to their team that takes advantage of the team challenge format.  Each session will consist of a maximum of 35 competitors, each from different teams.  Points will be awarded to each competitor for their final placing in each session.  Teams will accumulate points for each session. The team with the highest points total from all the sessions will be the overall TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS.  Teams must choose who will compete in each arena.  Alberta in the springtime can be hazardous and icy at 11am, and windy and too soft in the afternoon of the same day. Choosing which team member can ride the best in the varying conditions will be vital to success.  Although, it has been known to snow three feet in 24hrs in April in Calgary.  Teams will need to be prepared to attack the courses and defend against Mother Nature’s offensives. Preparation and strategy will play a part in the outcome of The Tournament.

SCHEDULE

 

April 1    12 noon - 3pm              Practice     8am Start                    Preparty April 2    8am - 11am                     Registration/checkin      9am - 10am                     Practice     11am                                 1st session     1PM                                   2nd session     3PM                                   3rd session     5PM                                   Awards

               

                      

LIFESTYLE

 

Spectators are encouraged to grab a BBQ lunch and catch some rays on the deck, or if you are looking for action, try one of the free demos available in the event village at the base of the hill. The wild at heart will find elation and frustration in the snowskate mini park.   And the die hard rider can catch the last runs of the season in the COP terrain park and boardercross course; All this while DJ’s and riders spin the first day of April away.

 

The PARTY

 

Saturday night April 1^st.  Celebrate a good day of practice. Talk about all the tricks you stomped and plan tomorrows attack. All while you watch some videos, dance with coyotes, and enjoy life with your friends.  

Location TBA

 

ENTRY FEES & PRIZING

Entry fees will be $225 per team of three.  Each team must consist of three riders.  There are no age groups or gender categories for this competiton. Everyone will compete on a level playing field for the $6000 CAD. However, there will be a prize package for the top female team and the top team under 18 years of age.  These prize packages will each have a retail value of $3000.  Teams can register online at coda.ca or on April 1^st from 9am – 4pm and April 2^nd 9am – 11am at Canada Olympic Park.  First come, first served. A maximum of 35 teams will be allowed entry. All competitors must have a valid CSF or affiliated provincial membership.

 

NOTE:    Teams eligible for the female team prize pack must consist of all female riders. Teams eligible for the under 18-prize package must consist of riders under 18 years of age on the date of competition. No exceptions and you must have valid proof of age. All competitors under 18 will also require a parent’s signature in order to compete (waiver and release of liability).

 

Prizing for the sessions will be $1000 / $650 / $350 CAD to the top threeriders in each session as decided by the judges.  This prizing is individual based, and is not a team prize. If you want to split it with your team that is your choice. The Overall Team prize of $6000 CAD will be divided into three equal amounts to each member of the winning team.

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Sketchy Sunday, February 26, 2006.

For the last week ive been trying to plan a trip up to the hill with my old highschool buddies who, now that were all on our own paths, are spread out in different parts of the province.  Since it was reading week for most schools last week it seemed plasible. Alas...I was wrong.

Sunday comes around, i slept in till about 11:30, got up smoked a bizzle, rolled a couple J's for the hill and lazed around till about 4ish, hoping that someone would show up to go with me.  denied! i grabbed my iPod, my board and i was off to Horseshoe.

 

I got the the hill at about 5:30, grab my lift ticket and for the next 4 hours i have a hayday.  it was kinda cool to be there alone...it was pretty much the first time ive gone snowboarding alone, but it wont be the last.  it was awesome. the hill had been much more developed since the last time i was there...since the last time i was teaching people how to ride i didnt get a chance to truely explore the mountain.  I got a chance to play around on the 3 park terrain runs and my favorite part was the boarder Cross track. 

After a couple hours of ripping around on the hill i decided to go to the car to get my wallet or some cash so that i could buy a hot pak for my gloves as they felt like they were going to freeze everytime i went back up to the top on the lift.  I got the the Pro Shop grabbed a hot pak and some "Fog Off" for my glasses/goggles (which doesnt work very well btw).  then i went outside and hooked myself up, putting my keys in one pocket and a granola bar in the other pocket,  which surprisingly enough saves my ass later on.

 

Now that i had warmer hands i was ready to go again. and so up the hill i went.  I made my way to a secluded area of the hill so that i could smoke my first J.  With a rejouvinated sense of adventure i restart my journey down the hill.  I rip down going as fast as i could with no inhibitions, cut through the woods, cross a narrow trail and then through the woods again and when i come back out to the trail, my board gets shot up over my head and i do a triple roll.  I stood up, composed myself and continued down the mountain.

while there i saw one of the biggest losers ever, just so happens to work at Horseshoe, J.Trainer....if your reading this....YOUR A FAGBLAST! cheers. i didnt let it bother me...i didnt want to get kicked off the hill so i didnt say anything.

soon there after i remember that i put a granola bar in my pocket and i was thinkin of havin a snack.  i checked my pocket and found that it was missing.  i didnt think too much of it...it was just a granola bar that cost me $0.40 so i went into my backpack and grabbed another one...had a snack, and a drink and finished off the night.

10:00 comes around, the lifts are closing and theres barely anyone around, and so i start to make my way to the car. when i get there i take off my gloves and start looking for my keys.  but i was not successful....i couldnt find my keys!?? at this point i was panicing and freezing my ass off.  I started making my way to the lodge so that i could warm up and throughly look through my things to find my keys.  when i get there i took off all of my wet things and started looking though my pockets and backpack for my keys....i cant find them...im f*cked!  im in barrie with no keys...alone.   so i go for my cell phone....its locked in the car...i go for my wallet so that i can call my brother, because at this point i have no i dea what im going to do...its locked in the car.   so...lets recap.  i dont have my wallet, or my cell phone because theyre in the car, which is locked, and i cant open my car cus i dont have the keys...thats a dill of a pickle if ive ever been in one.  i look around me and the lodge has about 5 people in it cus theyre closing up.

To be continued....

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Watch out Blue's Badlands Terrain Park , thats where I am headed next!
Ya right like I am going to be able to cause any damage there!

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I'm serious.

I'm sitting here typing, and it's taking me twice as long because I hurt my thumb. I also look like a complete retard because I have this big, red mark with a gouge in the middle in the middle of my forehead.


Alpine Valley has ben the shi*ttiest resort I have ever been to, and here's why.

1. All of the runs are like green circles/beginner, or maybe like blue squares/intermediate.

Seriously. I'm an intermediate boarder when it comes to Cascade, Chestnut, etcetc, but when I got to Alpine, I rode down the black diamond about 5 times before deeming it stupid. It's not hard at all. In fact, I saw 5 year olds going down it. I actually went more on the beginner hills because they had more turns and such that were interesting. Oh, and the runs are SHORT. And I'm talking short.

2. The cafeteria area/food area is mediocre.

I usually don't care what the food/cafeteria area looks like, but it's at least nice to have it set up so that it's enjoyable. At Alpine, it was like a school cafeteria, just everything was dark. The only lighted places were where you ordered your food. And the food was something I could order at a baseball game. Corndogs, nachos ... Though I do have to agree, the nachos were good. And their hot chocolate was like a Starbucks Chantico, god damn that thing was thick. Oh well. At least it was hot. But they should use some of that money on buying some new tables and chairs for the cafeteria.

And finally, which is what pissed me off the most ...

3.THEY DO A CRAPPY JOB OF GROOMING THEIR RUNS.

I am DEAD serious. I have never been to a resort where their runs were so crappy, other than Wilmot. But still, at least Wilmots was all ice. Alpine had a mix of pow/ice. No inbetween. So you're either going through pow and going REALLY slow, or you're going over chunks of ice/a sheet of ice and booking it down the run unintentionally.

Also, they keep their pow machines on 24/7. Or at least they did when I went there. I didn't mind so much when I put my goggles on, but it still impaired my vision, and being a snowboarder, you know how much your vision is needed. Plus, I needed to see where the ice and pow started and ended. That's where my first injury occured.

I was going down the beginner run, and the first part of it is ICE. Just ice, because the pow couldn't get up there. Then going down to the second part, it was pow, and ... well. I slowed down a lot. Then I started going down, and the pow machines .... Yeah. There they were. So I slid on my goggles super fast, and went down, but OH HO look! A valley of ice chunks and ice that I didn't see! So as I go over them, I picked up a LOT of speed because I couldn't turn as well, so I ended up trying to toeside stop. I did, for the most part, but as I was going in to that action, I put my left hand down for some drag, but since I was going so fast and it was ICE not snow, I clipped my thumb.

I swear to god I have never been in so much pain in my life. I thought I broke it right then and there at the base of my thumb, but I continued on down and just sat down. I think it's just sprained, but it still hurts like a mother f*cker.

SECOND.

I was going down an intermediate course (after going down the black diamonds). The course lead in to the terrain park, so naturally, that's where all the teens were and such. Any way, as I'm going down, I'm turning to my right and ZZZZZIP - This GUY is going straight and in my path! So I'm like, WATCH OUT. But he doesn't, he just keeps going and I clip the end of his board. He stumbles a bit but keeps going, without even caring to see if I was all right. But all the while, I had heel-side stopped so suddenly, then I caught a rough patch of ice, and my momentum flung me forwards in to a nice face plant in to some jagged ice. Of COURSE, I had to hit the ice ... Not the pow. But if the run was all pow, we wouldn't have had that happen.

Now, I'm going down the rest of the hill, kind of in a daze because I just got up really fast from that fall. Basically a fall, roll, and getup maneuver, but it still dizzied me a bit. So I reach my friends and they're like, what happened? So I told them the story, and after ranting about how they were going to go 'kick the shi*t' out of the guy who did that to me, one of my friends was like ... "Hey! Michelle, you're head is bleeding."

And so they laughed. I kind of laughed too because I didn't feel it and thought they were joking, but lo and behold. I took my hat off, and supposedly my forehead was BLOODY. Ew. So I wiped my hand across from forehead, and upon seeing the blood on my fingertips, immediately announced that it was lunch time.

They agreed. So I went to the bathroom, and tried to wipe off all the blood. And I did! But what happened, is that not only did a sharp piece of ice gounge out an itty bitty piece of my forehead, but I also got this massive ice burn around it. So now I have this huge, pink/red circle around the gouge.

And it looks horrible.



Now, I'm a good snowboarder. I rarely wipe out any more. In fact, when I went to Chestnut for a couple days, I didn't wipe out once. But at Alpine, the conditions were so shi*tty, that ... Well. There you go. Even your good snowboarders are in danger of getting hurt. And I'm the perfect example.

So don't go to Alpine unless you want to be severely disappointed by the runs, grooming, and overall general feeling of the place. I'd spend the time going more up north and hitting up Chestnut, Cascade or Devil's Head. But please, for all snowboaders alike, don't go to Alpine.

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It's Christmas Eve and definetly doesn't feel like christmas.  If words could only express how hard it's been raining lately then you'd understand.  But I don't think they can.
Though rain does bring 30lbs soaking wet pants and does demolish our snow base, it still brings a smile to my face.  The snow is soft, the rock gaps are still doable, and only die hards are up snowboarding.  This is the culture of snowboarding, the underground crew of people who's lives revolve around an obsession.  This passion that struck us all at a young age is still with us today, and though some strive for physical excellence, others just enjoy the time spent alone with their board.
I challenge every one of you to stop hitting the park, just for the majority of the day, and do runs.  Find those 20ft rock gaps over knolls in which you don't know if your gonna clear it or not.  Find those soft steeper pitches and learn Euro carves.  Find out what snowboarding originally was, and only then will you learn to appreciate snowboarding, no matter the conditions, weather, or snowbase.

Gonzo

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well, started off with some good jibs at a 17 set handrail and then ride my hill a bit to get my switch better and just cruz cuz my park wont open till at least end of january cuz it sucks! well my buddy then offerred me a ride to boyne mountain in michigan, about 2 hours away so i went for 3 days. when i was there they just got some park stuff up and going so i was gettin my stuff back and havin fun. my rails were coming to me so fast that i was doing tricks that i  wouln'dt dare try last year. my switch tricks were like butter and it was going good. the jumps were not bad but not great due to grooming of them and bumping landings and poor kick. i managed to get some 5s and got some steeze on my fs 540 rodeos and just enjoyed it and tryin to get steeze back. found out there was a contest and free and you can win some money and a board tune up kit for best trick and it was on rails and i was like sick, i'll enter its free and money would b good! so i entered and was doing bad in the warm ups and everyone was lookin dam good so i was like i dont stand a chance, these guys been riding for 1 month + and this is my second weekend. contest came around and i tossed down a sick line (noseslide on flat down flat, gap fs270 to down on A frame, and then 50 to bs 180 out on roller coaster rail) the guy told me to take a break n i was the first guys in the finals so i took some runs to keep warm and maintain everything but nothign hard until the finals. in the finals they took the person with the best line out of 2 and i was second to go and i did noseslide again to gap to board on teh a frame and then 50 up to fs 180 to switch 50 to switch bs 180 off the rollercoater rail and everthing perfect with steeze, it was my winning line i think. my second line was tailslide to switch n then switch gap to board and then switch 50 fs 180 out roller coaster. i ended up coming first and taking best trick at this american contest and was jacked. but then i go home to no park and nothing at all n just ride and end up catchin a death cookie(ball of snow from teh groomer) covered in pow and twisted my knee and messed it up! so i'm chillin for a bit until my knee is good and then go back out and help set up my park since i'm terrain park dude buidling n designing it. hopefully my knee gets better
Gratton 2006

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packed
board waxed
bindings tightend
extra gloves
goggels..
video camera..
terrain park open!!


SUNDAY RIVER HERE I COME!!!

SNOWBOARDING FOR THE WEEKEND
BE BACK ON MONDAY!!

and kurtis you are always on my mind!! I love u!! call my cell!!

later much...
yours truly
\m/ BXTER \m/


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Here's the Gnarly Terrain Park up at Marmot!



Check out The rest of the Hill too...
We got Hella snow. The Hill has extended its Season and It closes On May 1, 2005!




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Saturday April 2, 2005. Mad POW day up at Marmot! like 23cm of freshies over night. Madd Turns all day.

R.I.P. My Stepchild 158 Team Board... I broke it today after hitting a rock going way too fast on the Upper Mountain. I'm Lucky I didn't get hurt Hopefully Stepchild snowboards/Senate Skates will hook me up.




Here's a pic of the Gnar Terrain Park up at Marmot Basin!




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The flight here was long, but surprisingly not too painful. I flew Vancouver to L.A. to Auckland to Queenstown. I was worried that when I landed in L.A. that I would be lost in the expanse of the LAX. Turns out I only had to walk from gate 32 to gate 34; didn't even have to leave the terminal.. phew, what a relief. I quickly learned that drinks on international flights are free. I pounded a few beers with dinner, watched "Starsky and Hutch", and managed to sleep for the remainder of the twelve and a half hour flight. I awoke to sunrise in New Zealand. I was picked up in Queenstown by the Westbeach NZ distributor and shuttled to Wanaka, a small town in the center of New Zealand's south island.

The houses here are cold. No central heating, no insulation, no double pained windows. For the most part, breath can be seen inside. I've been wearing pants and hoodie to sleep, along with 2 blan
kets in hopes of staying warm. Everyone seems to have electric blankets; I'm thinking about investing in one.

So far, I've been back and forth between two houses. The first belongs to Crispin, Neil and Molly (fellow Canadians). A three bedroom place with ample living space, and a comfy fold out couch that I have claimed as mine. The second belongs to Terri and Lesley (more fellow Canadians) along with four other kiwi girls and one kiwi boy, Zeb. It's a nice house over looking Wanaka lake with a huge deck and fireplace that is always blazing. I think Zeb is happy to have me around, I can only imagine how hard it would have been to regulate that house full of ladies.

You can't buy regular filtered coffee here - just expresso drinks.

The mountains are beautiful; I've been riding lots already. There are three mountains within a 40min drive from here. SnowPark is one huge snowboard park; Cardrona is a big mountain with good terrain and a decent park; Treble Cone is all fr
eeride with crazy views. The boys at Westbeach hooked me up with a $300 industry pass for Cardrona which would normally cost $800 plus. I've been riding there mostly.

I'm off to Christ Church tomorrow morning; road trip, woooo! We are attending a rail contest there on Saturday night. If everything works out, we'll get to ride Mt. Hutt along the way, and possibly on of the "Club Fields". The Club Fields are privately own ski resorts that a generally very tiny, but with some crazy backcountry access. I'm excited.

I have to get off the computer - I'll keep you updated as time goes on. So until next time, keep fit and have fun. Ha.
- jeff


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The last few weeks have been amazing; I couldn’t ask for more out of life. My time down here has been surreal. I’m doing things I never imagined I would be doing.

My first month was mostly spent in Wanaka and Queenstown. These two towns access quite an array of mountains; Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, SnowPark, Cardrona and Treble Cone. Treble Cone being the only mountain I have yet to ride. All the mountains are worth riding, and all have ridiculous views. I spent most of my time at SnowPark and Cardrona; these mountains are easiest to access, and host the best terrain parks.

SnowPark seems to be a haven for international riders coming down south to learn tricks and finish video parts. I often found myself doing laps alongside the likes of David Benedict, Travis Parker, DCP, Keir Dillon, JP Solberg and many many more. It also plays host to certain catalog shoots. The whole Burton team spent a week here. It was unreal to watch some of the most amazing riders in the world throw down. Shawn White was killing it the park. I watched gap 50 feet onto a rail, and then spin all four 900’s consecutively of the 70 foot booter. Wonder kid? I think so.

I was starting to get stressed about my money situation. I checked my bank statement online and my supprise I was down to $90 in my savings account, and had somehow racked up $1400 on my visa. I still had $2000 left in credit, but I have to admit I fear debt. Being $1400 in made me very nervous. Later that week in Queenstown lady luck delivered. I entered the Parklife/Redbul JibJam and somehow walked away with $1700 for best combo between the two rails. All of the sudden I was stress free.

I was during this evening that “Ride Guide”, a Canadian sports TV show, approached me and asked if I would join them on a trip. It was an opportunity to explore more of this country and get exposure at the same time. I didn’t even think about turning them down.

It has been quite the adventure. We packed into a rental Ford Territory (like an explorer, but smaller) and headed up north… well the north part of the south island. Four of us, including ski gear, and ridiculous amounts of camera gear barely squeezed in; Joanna and I were forced to snuggle, but I didn’t mind. Tourism New Zealand hooked these guys up really well, so we’ve had super nice accommodation everywhere we’ve been. While we were shredding Mt. Hutt, we spent there nights at the Terrace Downs High Country Resort. Wow, what a place. I’ve worked in a five star hotel, and this place was definitely a step up.

We are now staying in a cabin at Aurthers Pass. It’s the equivalent of the Rogers Pass back home. There are two restaurants, a general store/gas station, and very little else. This is the area of New Zealand that plays host to the Clubfields. A bunch of privately own and operated ski resorts that are scattered throughout the valley. Yesterday we rode and area called Temple Basin. Imagine hiking for an hour and a half, just to get to the lodge… well that’s what we did. As we arrived my jaw dropped, the terrain was unbelievable; the only problem being the only lifts at this skifield were two rope tows and most of the terrain was hike access.

Today we rest and tomorrow move on to the next clubfield. Oh ya, its my birthday, maybe we’ll have a few drinks tonight. Haha.

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