There is nothing in this “how-to” video that anyone should ever do. Like ever. That hasn’t stopped Xavier De La Rue from pretending that with the proper step-by-step instructions you too can safely bomb icy death chutes in the French Alps just like he does. Seriously, don’t do any of this. But watch it, because it’s always good to see Xavier straight-lining vertical hockey rinks without dying. Isn’t it?
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In letters to subscribers that began arriving in mailboxes the week of March 3, 2019, American Media Inc, the current owner of TransWorld Skateboarding and Snowboarding magazines announced that both publications will “no longer be published.” Adding insult to insanity, the company also promised to fulfill remaining subscriptions to the legacy titles with copies of their recently acquired (June 2017) magazine Men’s Journal.
Founded in 1983 by Tracker Trucks owner Larry Balma and Peggy Cozens, Transworld Media built a place where creative kids could flourish mostly undisturbed by outside forces. Aside from helping to usher in the modern board sports era and making skateboarding and snowboarding central to mass youth culture, TransWorld also served as a launch pad for innumerable success stories in fashion, design, photography, music, and filmmaking. Simply put Transworld’s contributions to pop culture cannot be overstated.
As expected the news lit up social media with eulogies, remembrances, and words of thanks for the part both magazines played in lives of millions. Athletes, artists, magazine editors, photographers, designers, legends, TV personalities, brand owners, and even sports agents praised the magazines and lamented the end of what was a really good run.
When we mentioned to a publishing executive that this must be what it feels like to outlive an era, he replied, “I think the era we have outlived is the era of niche media as corporate commodity. Doesn’t seem to work so well.”
And that is true. Independent action media brands like Thrasher Magazine and The Snowboarder’s Journal continue to thrive in print, suggesting that the end of print at TransWorld may have more to do with corporate greed/overhead than anything else. Then again, we have yet to see anyone under the age of 30 lamenting the news, so there’s that as well.
As for the future, TransWorld Skateboarding will live on as a digital property (the staff has already begun posting “thanks, but we’re still here” to their social media streams) and sources tells us that management is working out the details on how and/or which of the company’s two snowboard brands will be preserved online rolling forward.
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Thank you for all the love❤️❤️ While the subscription/newsstand based print mag is no longer, (sorry about that notice letter) TWS is still a brand with a crew here working on digital projects like: A feature length Daewon Song documentary out in May and other quality content on our website, youtube, and other social channels. Special Limited Print editions are being planned. Thank you to everyone that has worked here on the magazine over 36 years for all of your inspiration and dedication to skateboarding. And Thank You to all of our subscribers, readers and audience for the support and love through the years.❤️❤️ Onto the next chapter. -TWS crew
We’d be more optimistic about Transworld’s digital future if it weren’t for AMI. Their reputation for always doing the wrong thing (along with their reportedly toxic CEO David Pecker) doesn’t bode well for the brands.
Through all the sadness we are cheered by the fact that these magazines lasted 20 years longer than we thought they would when we first began preaching the digital revolution. Good work. And, as this has all happened before (remember Skateboarder Magazine and Action Now?) we’re looking forward to what the next generation of creative kids will assemble out of the wreckage.
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It’s barely March, and already the resort industrial complex is inundating us with marketing for their super-mega season passes for the winter of 2023-2024. Really? Already? Why are they doing this, and what does it all mean? We’re glad you asked.
Before we dive in let’s make one thing clear — obviously if you ride 20 days a year or more at the same few resorts owned by the same corporation then buying a super-mega pass is a no-brainer. Spend the $1,159 and get on it. If, however, you enjoy controlling your own money, waiting for good snow, and riding different resorts all season long, here are a few things you might want to consider before shelling out hard-earned cash on an Epic or Ikon pass.
The corporations that run ski resorts in North America (Alterra Mountain Company and Vail Resorts) have very sound business reasons for selling super-mega season passes, and they have nothing to do with giving you a good deal. They’re not interested in saving you a boatload of money. And it’s not because they’re putting their guest’s needs first. It all comes down to three main goals:
Once you understand this, the whole mega-pass gambit makes more sense — for the resorts. Look at the way they promote their mega-pass sales. It’s like they’re setting up a con. First, they manufacture scarcity to increase perceived value: “This special deal is available for a limited time only.” We’ve all see the emails, “You have one more week to lock in savings.” “Hurry, this deal won’t last forever.” Why won’t it last? Good question. It could last all season. Nothing is stopping the resorts from selling super-mega passes all season long. It wouldn’t even be that bad a deal for them. People who bought passes later in the year would have fewer chances to use them. You’d think resorts would do that. But selling passes further into the season doesn’t get your money a year in advance and lock you into their resort for the entire season, and it certainly doesn’t protect resort owners from the specter of a bad snow year or global chaos.
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Ten years ago, Sun Bum (the sunscreen company) released a vinyl toy version of their ape mascot Sonny. And now, to celebrate that moment they’re releasing a limited edition of five inch vinyl collectables featuring their surf athletes Julian Wilson, Filipe Toledo, Zak Noyle, Malia Manuel, Barron Mamiya, Bede Durbidge, Kyuss King, and Rasmus King.
We didn’t know this until we read the Hypebeast interview, but surf photog Zak Noyle is the one responsible for the figurine in the first place. According to Hypebeast, the “vinyl toys will be available in surf shops as a limited-time only gift-with-purchase (GWP) for any Sun Bum purchase of $30 USD or more.” So snap ’em up if you need a couple for your desk at work.
[Link via Hypebeast]
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Lately, we’ve been wondering what it’s been like for that small group of action sports media professionals who survived the AMI takeover of The Enthusiast Network. How is working for Trump pal David Pecker?
So far we’ve heard nothing from inside the building, but The Daily Beast posted a profile on March 2, 2019 titled How David Pecker Built His Tabloid Empire on Fear that might give some insight into how it could be going for those who still remain. The old story, written nearly two decades ago, suggests that Mr. Pecker has morphed his management style very little over the past 20 years.
[Link: The Daily Beast]
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News, dog. News. It’s that time of the week when we corral up all the headlines for the stories that got away into one big ol’ list and post them up. Take a look at what’s been going down over the past few weeks, follow the jump.
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Looks like NorCal fullpipe skaters will be waiting awhile before launching any missions to the world famous Glory Hole, as the lake behind the dam is pretty full right now. Sidetone: we laugh every time we see the mainstream media calling it “the Glory Hole.”
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Fox Sports today announced that they have signed a deal making them the exclusive U.S. television broadcaster for shows produced by a certain privately owned entertainment company specializing in event and online streamed content production (mostly surfing sport).
FOX Sports will telecast more than 500 hours of [surf event] programming, including live contests and highlight shows, across FOX, FS1, FS2 and the FOX Sports app in 2019.
This just might mean we’ll end up watching some of the surfing sport shows this season. Haven’t for quite some time. . . we’ll see. We were surprised to see no mention of the Oprah Winfrey Network? Maybe that deal isn’t done yet. For the official word from Fox (including all the details we’ve purposely ignored in light of our own sad, tired, anti-establishment proclivities), please click the link.
[Link: Fox Sports]
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This is pretty much the only thing we saw from the 33rd Annual Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom and seriously, it scared the scary out of us. Think of all the times these guys have been close to death on the mountain and then this happens at the cabin:
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Woke up to an earthquake on Saturday, we thought. Offline living in the thick forest 😅 #lbs33
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Snowboarder Shea Hemlick, 32, of Meridian, Idaho died after being hit by an SUV while trying to jump a Bogus Basin road gap according to a story in the Idaho Statesman.
The accident happened at about 3:15 p.m. near milepost 15 on Bogus Basin Road in Boise County. . . Hemlick was snowboarding outside the boundary of the ski area when he attempted to jump the road, according to ISP. . . The snowboarder collided with a 2006 Hummer H2. . . He wasn’t wearing a helmet, police said.
Road gaps around Bogus Basin (like being cleared by Sean McDonald in the above video) have been popular with snowboarders (and mountain bikers) for years. For the rest of the story, please click the link.
[Link: Idaho Statesman]
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