If Burton Snowboards only made travel bags (and dropped the whole snowboard hard and softgoods thing), they would still be one of the best brands in the world for one reason: their bags are bulletproof. For people who travel all the time in all different modes, Burton has some of the most intelligently designed bags, backpacks, and camera bags in the world. If that wasn’t enough, Burton has just released 90 new bag and luggage styles into the mix.
Burton’s new bags are designed to carry everything from laptops and skateboards to snowboards and a month’s worth of clothes. Road tested by Burton’s team of pro riders who travel year-round, every new travel bag, snow pack, photo pack, transit bag or ‘BYO’ bag can weather months of planes, trains and on-the-move adventures.
And while we’re not sure anyone needs all that much help deciding which bag to buy, Burton has been nice enough to create a website to help everyone pick the right bag. It’s called Bag Check. Check it out if you’re looking for new bags. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
The crew at Videograss has created a “Open Shutter” video profile of snow photographer Andy Wright. In part one, Andy takes us into his basement to flip through old slides and prints from snowboarding’s analog era. And what a journey it is.
As a photographer Andy has always had an artist’s eye and a workman’s ethic. This seemingly rare combination has made him one of the most successful photographers working in snowboarding today. We’re not sure how Andy keeps himself entertained, but every time we see one of his photos we’re glad he’s figured out a way to keep it going.
After six years at the Jarden Corp. (aka K2) it appears that former shred pro and “award winning snowboard product designer” Sean Tedore has made the move to Capita Super Corporation. And we couldn’t be happier for everyone involved.
At CAPiTA, Tedore takes on a multifaceted role of Product Development and US Marketing Manager. He will employ his design knowledge and engineering background on the snowboard development process and also utilize his network of marketing contacts, media and rider relationships, and strategize new ventures for CAPiTA marketing. . . Tedore had this to say about the change, “Blue and I have known each other a long time. We’re from the same area. I’ve always liked CAPiTA’s approach, and it just seemed like a natural progression to come here and work together.”
It’s good to see a talented, educated, snowboarder with deep roots make the move to a more independent snowboard-only brand. Follow the jump for the official details. [click to continue…]
Strangely, the New York Times headlined a story today Nike Tries to Enter the Niche Sports It Has Missed Missed? Seems, no one has mentioned to the old gray lady that Nike SB already owns the core skate market (and that’s not even counting Converse). Aside from a few people who still rock Vans most skaters don’t want to wear anything else. This hasn’t, however, stopped the Portland footwear giant from pushing on with a new, huge, advertising campaign that launches today called The Chosen. It’s reportedly the first time Nike has used action sports athletes in a major Just Do It, campaign.
The new campaign, called “The Chosen,” is Nike’s largest effort at moving into action sports, and will feature athletes like the skateboarder Paul Rodriguez (or P-Rod), the surfer Laura Enever and the snowboarder Danny Kass. . . “When we looked at action sports, we saw a unique consumer segment that was underserved in terms of product innovation,” Mark G. Parker, Nike’s chief executive and president, said at a shareholder meeting in May.
Nike’s The Chosen commercials premiere today on facebook at 4 PM PDT/ 7 PM PDT. Click here for skateboarding, here for surf, and here for snowboarding. The truth is, Nike really isn’t “trying” anymore in action sports. They’re just doing it. And yes, it took them a long, long time to figure it out, but now that they have . . . well, we all know the rest of that story.
This Red Fang video for their song Wires goes a little way toward answering the question: wonder what Whitey McConnaughy and Chris Coyle have been up to lately. Plus, it kicks some GM ass.
Beginning tomorrow (June 2, 2011) the Frends ™ are getting together for their 2nd Annual Frendly Gathering, a three-day camping, snowboarding, and music festival at Crowley Lake Campgrounds, on the Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Range. According to reports there will be a “corn-hole tournament,” swimming, jamming, snowboarding and whatnot.
Mammoth Mountain will be hosting the giant slalom, presented by Amp & Mountain Dew and old school highway halfpipe competitions, sponsored by Burton, at Chair 4 on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday a skate jam will be held at the Brothers Skatepark. Prizes will be awarded to who ever we feel like giving awards to. . . Thursday and Friday night music will be brought to you by DJ Modsun, DJ Pat Brown and B-Rolla and a live musical performance by the one and only Led Zepplica (the sickest Zepplin cover band), presented by Nike will be held Saturday night at Crowley Lake Campground.
Obviously, with sponsors like Mammoth Mountain, Nike, Dragon, Burton, Nixon, Billabong, and Mountain Dew, it’s not exactly a low-down roots event, but hey, it sounds like fun and the kids have to get paid right? Follow the jump for more info. [click to continue…]
Chi Fong (a.k.a “Frankie”) Leong’s winning design focuses on the emotional moment when the SWATCH TTR World Tour Champion takes the prized trophy in hand. The design makes use of thermochromatic heat-sensitive paint to reveal the trophy-winner’s own handprint on the trophy: the heat of the winner’s hand causes the trophy to change colour, revealing the handprint offset in white against the black trophy. When the trophy cools, the handprint disappears and the trophy becomes entirely black once again.
How’s that for high concept? Eurolandia snowboarding certainly is keeping things swanky. Make some noise for the wo, wo, wo, wo, world champ indeed!
British Snowboarder Miles Kemp, 33, who crashed off a jump on the last day of an Innsbruck snowboard vacation in March 2006, died last month as a result of his brain injuries after five years in a care home, according to story on This Is London.
Kemp, who had been wearing a helmet, was travelling at high speed and his head “took the impact” when his board clipped the edge of the jump and he spun out of control. . . He continued snowboarding after the accident in March 2006 but then fell unconscious.
The former management consultant had 5 years of “intensive therapy” but never again regained the ability to communicate. Our thoughts are with Kemp’s family and friends.
In an apparent move to bring relevance to their collection of old, Eastern skis the Vermont Ski Museum has decided it’s about time they added the world “snowboarding” to their name, according to a story in the Burlington Free Press.
“The museum’s board of directors has long recognized the need to formally acknowledge snowboarding’s Vermont heritage and we’re pleased to announce our decision to change our name to include snowboarding,” said Tom Sequist, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum board chairman. “The roots of skiing and snowboarding run very deep in Vermont and we’re committed to collecting and preserving their Vermont history and continuing to be a resource for those seeking information about skiing and snowboarding in Vermont.”
Oh what a great day! Wonder if they’ll add any Burton product to their dusty displays?
In the spirit of a winter that just doesn’t seem to want to end we offer this DC clip of Devun Walsh, Iikka Backstrom, and friends lofting into some mid-winter fluff ‘n stuff. Yes, this clip will be everywhere today, but we enjoyed it and so might you.
