by The Editors on March 1, 2008
The New York Times features an interview with filmmaker Gus Van Sant by Blake Nelson, the author of the book the Paranoid Park is based on. The story (if you haven’t heard already) is about a skateboarder who accidentally kills a security guard and then goes on the deal with all the feelings that go along with that. Van Sant talks a bit about skateboarding:
I had been a skateboarder in the ’60s, which was a long time ago, but I didn’t think that it was so much different. I worked on a film, “Skateboard,” in 1978, so I met the skaters of that time. That type of culture almost gets like gang culture or surf culture, territorial. I didn’t think it connected with the characters in the “Paranoid” story. They go to a skate park where the hard-core skaters are, but the real lifer skate people were only an inspiration to your characters.
Click the link for the rest.
[Link: The New York Times]
by The Editors on February 29, 2008
We should have known that it would take a comic book for 3rd graders to grab the attention of the snowboard industry.
This time someone sent an email out to some “industry insiders” telling them about a heinous new book out titled Jake Burton Carpenter and the Snowboard that is accused of couching Jake Burton as the inventor of the snowboard. It’s already been linked up on Fuel.tv, the Burton Forums, Transworldsnowboarding.com, and Group Y marketing club’s blog. The error filled email includes the following:
Burton has teamed up with a kids’ book publisher to create their skewed version of snowboard history — for very young kids to “learn” from in early elementary school. Probably so that they’ll be inclined to buy Burton product as they get older. If you read this cartoon book, despite its after-the-fact footnotes, it is clear that Burton is trying to brainwash little kids these days that Jake invented snowboarding.
Strangely, it appears that no one has read the book, because if they had, they’d realize that it’s just a goofy, mainstream comic book for 3rd graders featuring the story of how Jake founded his snowboard company. Yes, a kookie little book for 3rd graders. . . and the snow industry thinks it’s a conspiracy.
by The Editors on February 28, 2008
The site has been stagnant for almost two weeks, however, today a new site showed up at TransWorld Business. After a quick cruise through the site we’d have to say it looks . . . well, just like a WordPress blog. Wonder what theme they’re using.
The old content looks to be gone-daddy-gone. Hopefully, they’ll hook it up later. It would be a shame if 16 years of action sports business content simply vanished from the web. Not to mention throwing an industry leading site down into a content race with anyone who wants to download WordPress and choose a theme.
Transworld Business appears to be a work in progress. Which is great. The site has needed some sprucing for years. We’ll keep you posted when we get a chance to check out the site in more detail (and after Transworld tech people get a chance to tune it up a little, because yeah, there are many problems with the site currently).
[Link: Transworld Business]
by The Editors on February 28, 2008
We’re tired of all the freeloaders riding the “green wave.” Now, SIA is jumping on the green press release band wagon with this.
Being “green” isn’t a new concept for SnowSports Industries America (SIA), as the association has been implementing environmental friendly programs since the mid 80s. However, at the SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show recently held in Las Vegas, SIA ramped up its efforts in order to support the old adage “actions speak louder than words”.
Blah, blah blah, blah blah.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on February 27, 2008
At the end of November 2007 Kevin Carter, Devlin Williams, and Phillip Hollins, three snowboarders, took off for some backcountry snowboarding near Crystal Mountain. They were never seen again.
In Final Tracks, writer Courtney Nash looks into what might have happened and why so many people are drawn to riding away from the safety of resorts.
[Link: The Stranger]
by The Editors on February 27, 2008
According to a press release on The Earth Times:
Ault Glazer & Co., Inc. recently acquired the Hayes Brothers Snowboard Company. Financial terms were not disclosed. One of the founders, and current manager, Mr. Stephen Hayes, will remain at the helm as the firm seeks to embark on their second decade in the snowboard industry. Mr. Hayes said, “This is an incredibly exciting time for Hayes Brothers and we expect this to be the year Hayes Brothers takes it to the next level.” . . . Ault Glazer & Co., Inc. is a diversified holding company that maintains stakes in various companies through its minority interests and wholly owned subsidiaries, and is involved in merchant banking, corporate lending, shareholder activism, real estate, healthcare, energy, consumer products & services, insurance and media.
[Link: The Earth Times]
by The Editors on February 24, 2008
In celebration of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, the Canadian Mint is releasing a quarter with a snowboarder on it.
“With two years to go until 2010, the Mint is delighted to be launching its second wave of circulation coins to commemorate the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “Featuring the dynamic and energetic sport of snowboarding is a fantastic way to kick off 2008.”
Seems like snowboarding would have at least been worth a Loonie, huh? Then again, they’re probably saving those for curling.
[Link: CNW Group]
by The Editors on February 24, 2008
From Foster’s Daily Democrat:
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Sen. Harold Giard says he was skeptical when he first saw the bill on the agenda of the Senate Education Committee. “When I first saw it, I said, “What is this?”
But after he heard from the sixth graders from the Swanton Central School, Giard, D-Addison, said he was convinced the idea of making snowboarding the official state sport had a chance to make it into law.
The class descended on the Senate chamber Tuesday afternoon to testify in favor of the idea.
“I think they really did their homework and gave us the facts to back it,” he said.
Katie Cleary, Myriam Bouti, Jocelyn Shusda, Rachel Greenia, Alex Benckert and Michael Wilks took turns at the witness table to tell Senators about their research.
[Link: Fosters.com]
by The Editors on February 22, 2008
We’re not usually into this (well, maybe just a little), but this is a damn cute photo of Brad Pitt and Maddox. Seriously.
[Link: TMZ.com]
by The Editors on February 17, 2008
We love snowboard parks, but the truth is they are dangerous. Period. Here is a prime example from the New Jersey Herald.
A North Brunswick man was in critical condition Sunday night after being involved in a snowboarding accident at Mountain Creek Resort on Saturday afternoon, police said.
Erkan Kose, 25, was snowboarding at Mountain Creek South when, according to police, he overshot a snowboarding jump, landing on the left side of his head and shoulder. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident and was unconscious and non-responsive at the scene, police said.
[Link: NJ Herald]
The New York Times features an interview with filmmaker Gus Van Sant by Blake Nelson, the author of the book the Paranoid Park is based on. The story (if you haven’t heard already) is about a skateboarder who accidentally kills a security guard and then goes on the deal with all the feelings that go along with that. Van Sant talks a bit about skateboarding:
