Jeremy Jones‘ new eco film Purple Mountains has been on our “must watch” list for a while now. Here’s the back story:
Motivated by an urge to protect the places he loves, Jeremy sets out on a physical and philosophical journey to find common ground with fellow outdoor people across diverse political backgrounds. He learns their hopes and fears while walking a mile in their shoes on the mountain and in the snow.
On the list of people who made snowboarding better for all of us Bob Gore would rank pretty high. In fact, on our list he would be in a close tie with (Smith goggle founder) Dr. Bob Smith for a top five spot. Being able to see and stay warm and dry during a massive powder dump changed the game for all of us. That’s why we were bummed to learn that Gore died on September 17, 2020. He was 83.
Bob’s commitment to research and development led to his 1969 discovery of a versatile new polymer form, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The introduction of this groundbreaking new material opened a world of possibilities for products and further innovations. The substance provided myriad new product applications including GORE-TEX® Fabrics, the world’s first waterproof breathable outerwear and a product that through the years has become synonymous with the outdoors.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. For the official word from W. L. Gore & Associates please follow the jump.
Yesterday (September 13, 2020) marked the six month anniversary of the current now. Hard to believe we have been mired in this situation for half of 2020. On the one hand we’re blown away by all the calamity that we’ve been faced with, on the other, we’re thankful for all those oblivious deniers who keep on keeping on like there’s nothing wrong. Kudos to them for showing us that it is entirely possible to live a normal (albeit angry) life with your head firmly mired in the sand and/or up your own butt.
With that out of the way, here’s the news that caught our clicker in the past month (thought we were doing this weekly, but my how time flies). Follow the jump for the whole list.
Airblaster is welcoming Ricky Hower to the snowboarder-owned and operated brand as Marketing Manager. Hower worked for Timberline Lodge and Ski Resort of the last 20 years, most recently as marketing manager. Ricky will oversee all aspects of marketing, including team management, and will report to Co-Founder/Brand Director/Designer, Jesse Grandkoski.
“It feels kinda like Charlie getting the keys to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, except nobody had to be turned into a giant blueberry or almost drown in liquid chocolate. My wife has described it as Cinderella finding her glass slipper. I think both of those sentiments hit pretty close to home for me. Airblaster has had a special place in my heart for well over a decade; the products, the people, and the message are things I back heavily. I am thankful for the opportunity, excited for the future, and stoked to share how fun snowboarding is with the world,” said Hower.
For all the official details, please follow the jump.
Good morning. Welcome to the new week, in the new-new, of the new now, with our same old list of stories. It may seems like each day is the same as the last, but this list of stories will prove that is not the case. Things are happening in the world outside. Some of them are good, many bad, but all of them peaked at least a small slice of our interest. Maybe your’s as well. Follow the jump for all the headlines.
We drove past the VansWorld HQ in Costa Mesa, California last week on another of our NorCal-to-SoCal journeys. We saw empty parking lots, a large construction project in their backyard, and thought to ourselves–we should check in with Doug Palladini to see how Vans is handling the current situation. Few in action sports are dealing with more of the new now than the global president of Vans.
As many would point out, that would require us to do a little more work than we’re used to doing. Luckily, GroupY (which is turning 14 this year) got the old CrossRocket band back together and interviewed Doug for us– on video. Please, sit back and enjoy this interview conducted by former TransWorld Media Publisher, Snowboarder Magazine Editor, Swell.com Editor, content programming strategist, and media executive Rob Campbell.
We can’t really stomach horror movies these days, as we’re getting enough terror on the day-to-day IRL, but if you find horror somehow calming, then this new blood and guts snowboarding slasher Let It Snow may be just what you’re looking for. Apparently, you’ll have to wait until September 22, 2020. Ride on.
Two-time World Boardercross champion Alex Pullin has died while spearfishing on the Gold Coast of Australia, according to a story on the BBC. He was 32.
Pullin, 32, was found unresponsive off a beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast on Wednesday. . . He was treated by paramedics at the scene but could not be revived, authorities said. . . Nicknamed “Chumpy”, Pullin was Australia’s flagbearer at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Pullin competed for Australia in three Winter Olympic Games and had recently decided to retire from snowboarding, but not yet announced it. Our thoughts are with Pullin’s family and friends.
On the list of people who made snowboarding better for all of us Bob Gore would rank pretty high. In fact, on our list he would be in a close tie with (Smith goggle founder) Dr. Bob Smith for a top five spot. Being able to see and stay warm and dry during a massive powder dump changed the game for all of us. That’s why we were bummed to learn that Gore died on September 17, 2020. He was 83.
Airblaster is welcoming Ricky Hower to the snowboarder-owned and operated brand as Marketing Manager. Hower worked for Timberline Lodge and Ski Resort of the last 20 years, most recently as marketing manager. Ricky will oversee all aspects of marketing, including team management, and will report to Co-Founder/Brand Director/Designer, Jesse Grandkoski.
