by The Editors on March 23, 2009
Lewis Smith, 45, of Orange City, Florida got so mad at the kids who were skateboarding on some ramps near his house that he burned them down, according to a story on WFTV.com.
The sheriff’s office says the man put the neighborhood near Orange City in danger and forced the county to divert firefighters already battling huge brush fires. The man admit he set the skateboard ramps on fire in the middle of this dirt road on 17th Street (see map), near Orange City, because he was fed up with kids playing on them so close to his home. . . Lewis Smith, 45, was booked into the Volusia County jail, but released Monday morning. He’s charged with criminal mischief, but Volusia County sheriff’s investigators said the minor damage he caused could’ve been far worse.
And we thought the Tampa Pro was the hottest skate event going on in Florida last weekend.
[Link: WFTV.com and Orlando Sentinel]
by The Editors on March 23, 2009
O’Neill just launched a new website that they are extremely proud of. It was created by Achtung! “the award-winning digital agency based in Amsterdam.”
We decided to take a quick, web-addled, ADD tour through the site to see if they have improved anything. Follow the jump for a rundown of our user experience with the site and why we probably won’t be visiting this site again:
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by The Editors on March 23, 2009
Greg Johnson has been lurking around the back door of snowboard contests for more than 20 years with job titles ranging from judge to competition director of the US Open (his most recent gig). The Mountain News checks in with Johnson to get his views on the snowboard industry in the face of global economic collapse.
He said the snowboarding economy has been very strong the past few years, but has, like everything else, shown recent impacts from the global economic downturn. . . “This year snowboarding (competitions) took kind of a big hit, the Air & Style in Europe and the Vail (Honda) Session events didn’t happen based partly on economics,” Johnson said.
Greg is truly one of the nicest guys in snowboarding and we’re glad to see him getting a little coverage.
[Link: Mountain News]
by The Editors on March 23, 2009
The Honolulu Symphony announced that they have added Laird Hamilton as one of two new “honorary board members.” The other was actress Marcia Gay Harden, according to a story in The Garden Island.
Both Hamilton and Harden are dedicated supporters of educational philanthropy, as well as many other civic organizations. They join a dedicated board of community leaders who are committed to keeping a world-class orchestra in Hawai‘i and offering high-quality music education programs in the state’s schools.
We’re going to have to explore the whole “honorary board member thing” sounds like a nice way to attach people’s name to projects they have nothing to do with.
[Link: The Garden Island]
by The Editors on March 22, 2009
Chas Guldemond had a $145,000 payday when he won the US Open Slopestyle and clinched the Burton Global Open Series Championship at Stratton Mountain, Vermont. “I really wanted to do good on the Global Open Series, but I never planned on this,” Guldemond said. “I really appreciate the people above that took care of me, and everyone along the way. This is such a great day.”
Chas’s run included: a frontside boardslide 270 out to a 50-50 backside 180 followed by a switch backside 900, backside 1260, Cab 900 ending with a backside rodeo on the jumps.
Kjiersti Buaas (pictured above, photo: Jake Stangel) proved that she’s still well in the game by throwing down a nosepress on the box, 50/50 to frontside 180, Cab 540 indy, backside 360 indy, frontside 360 stalefish ending with a frontside 720 mute to edge Jenny Jones for the win. “Being the best overall rider meant a lot to me because I strive to be good in the pipe and slope,” said Kjersti. “I was trying all season to be good in both disciplines, it makes me so excited. Now people can’t just define me as a pipe rider, and that means the most to me.”
For the full results and official press release follow the jump.
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by The Editors on March 22, 2009
Everyone watched it live and in HD on Fuel TV, but we’re still putting it up just for history sake. Greg Lutzka (click here for profile) wins it. If you missed the finals, or just want to watch it for a second (or third time) it’s already up on Fuel TV. This is how we like to watch skate contests. . . seriously.
Javier Nunez pulls off the Tampa Pro best trick with a nollie half cab heellflip to switch 5-0.
Follow the jump for the full results.
[Link: Skate Park of Tampa]
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by The Editors on March 22, 2009
by The Editors on March 21, 2009
Okay, so the big question from those of us who did not make the pilgrimage to Vermont for the US Open of Snowboarding was, “Where the hell is Shaun White?” But then, that’s how well we’ve been following along lately. Because if we’d been paying attention we would have know that he pulled out of the competition this morning only hours before the start with a “severely sprained left ankle,” according to the International Herald Tribune.
That appears to have left the door open for almost anyone to win and Danny Kass was the one who casually walked through the open door to win the US Open Halfpipe Title for a record fifth time with a run that included “a frontside 1080, Cab 1080, frontside 900, backside 720, ending with a switch alley-oop 540.”
“I feel amazing, I am beyond stoked that this is my fifth win,” said Danny Kass. “It feels great to come out again and put together some runs. I was feeling it today for sure.”
On the women’s side Torah Bright tied Kelly Clark’s record for the most US Open halfpipe wins. They each have three.
Torah Bright’s final run stole the show when she dropped in switch, starting off with Cab 720 indy, followed by a crippler, backside 360 indy, switch backside 720 ending with a backside 540. Kelly had one more chance to top Torah’s amazing 96 points, but she fell on her last run.
For the rest of the official details (and the results) follow the jump for the press release.
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by The Editors on March 20, 2009
Marc Frank Montoya’s Wham Bam Charity Jam at Mt. Hood Meadows on March 27-28, 12009 will be raising money for Invisible Children, an organization that works with children in war-torn African countries.
[Link: CharityJam via Yobeat]
by The Editors on March 20, 2009
Lewis Smith, 45, of Orange City, Florida got so mad at the kids who were skateboarding on some ramps near his house that he burned them down, according to a story on WFTV.com.
