by The Editors on January 30, 2014
Spy is rolling out their reportedly “mood altering” lens technology in goggle form at the SIA Show in Denver, Colorado today (January 30, 2014).
“Happy Lens™ shook the sunglass market last year with its ingenuity, proving to be the biggest breakthrough in eyewear since polarized lenses,” says Travis Tomczak, SPY goggle line manager. “The addition of Happy Lens™ into our snow goggle line—as well as the recent acknowledgement from Wired.com for our Lock Steady™ lens change system—reaffirms that we’re a brand creating innovative products that are both stylish and have purpose.”
For the official word from Spy, follow the jump
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by The Editors on January 30, 2014
MTNApproach that company that makes packable skis for getting into the backcountry without a split board has teamed up with Travis Rice and Mike Parillo’s Asymbol on some art graphics by Adam Haynes.
This new release from MTNApproach features graphics by Asymbol contributor Adam Haynes. The system showcases his painting Silverton—which embodies the vivid and genius imagery Adam is known for. This piece is also specifically relevant because it illustrates the hometown of Cory Smith (MTNApproach founder). In addition to the Asymbol graphics, this model has been drastically improved in both construction and materials, reducing the total weight to 3.2 pounds underfoot.
For the official word from MTNApproach, follow the jump
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by The Editors on January 28, 2014
Thought the Agenda Show trade show season was over after NYC? Nope. Agenda moves west to Las Vegas for next month. The show runs February 17-19, 2014 and offers up a great reason to head out to Vegas, baby. Click the link for all the details.
[Link: Agenda Show]
by The Editors on January 28, 2014
Dragon adds Alejo Muniz to their H20 Floatable Collection.
“I am very excited to start the New Year with a brand that I have always admired and I am looking forward to fun times ahead with the Dragon family,” states World Tour athlete Alejo Muniz.
For the official word from Dragon, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 28, 2014
The Boardroom’s spring 2014 consumer surfboard show being scheduled for May 17 & 18, 2014 at the Del Mar, California fairgrounds will feature a surfboard shaping contest open to absolutely everyone. Well, at least two spots in the contest will be.
For the first time ever two of the six shaping spots in the competition will be chosen via a random draw, opening up the competition to shapers from around the world. Three of the remaining spots go to shapers of Ben Aipa’s choice (tbd). One spot is reserved for the defending champion (Matt Calvani of BING Surfboards). . . “We’re excited about the new format. There are a lot of great shapers out there. It just makes sense to open it up to all of them,” said Scott Bass, THE BOARDROOM event director. “The response (to the new format) has been tremendous. Heck, it’s free to enter, any shaper can enter and there’s a thousand dollars on the line. More importantly, it’s a chance to honor and to pay tribute to one of the all-time greats — Mr. Ben Aipa.”
Guess that means if you’re a foam mower and would like to put your skills right up in front of the surfing world, this is your chance. For the official information, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 28, 2014
Johnnie Balfour, the former Olympic boardercross course builder who kicked down one of the few honest overviews of the situation in Sochi last week, pulled all his original posts down and has apparently decided to leave Russia on his “own accord,” according to new post titled Squashing Some Rumors. Here’s a slice of it:
EVERYTHING I WRITE IS MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, IT DOES NOT REFLECT OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE I HAVE WORKED WITH IN THE PAST, PRESENT OR THE FUTURE. THIS IS JUST ME, THAT’S ALL, NOBODY ELSE. . . 1. I am safe and fine. Yes, I am heading home, no, I was not forced to leave. I left by my own accord. . . 2. Me leaving Sochi will have zero effect on the Olympic Games. I am simply just one of a group of guys who do what I do. The head builder is still there as well as the other shapers. There is plenty of snow on the mountain and the course will be ready and will be amazing. There is a group of very talented people working there and it will be fine. . . 3. I removed the post myself.
Balfour says he was “completely overwhelmed by the response” his post got. Having worked with the IOC in the past we were not surprised to see this coming, but we’re happy Balfour made it out and that “there is plenty of snow on the mountain and the course. . . will be amazing.”
Balfour is promising more on his trip to Sochi in the near future, so we’ll keep you posted. We do think the photo (above right) that he recently posted to his blog says much more about the trip than words will ever say!
[Link: Johnnie Balfour]
by The Editors on January 28, 2014
After 34 people were killed last month near Sochi, Australian Olympian Scotty James (shown right in a classic no-grab air-shot wire photo) has reportedly told his parents to stay home while he’s in Sochi, according to a radio interview with his father Phil on 3AW.
“Scott didn’t really understand … what was happening in Russia and we explained it’s been going on for a long time and potentially there could be some problems,” he said. . . “He went and slept on it, and the next day he came to us and said … ‘I’d be happier if you don’t go because I know you’ll all be safe in Australia’. . . “(He said) ’it’ll also give me the opportunity to focus on my event and not have to worry about where you’re going to be’.
With more attacks reportedly promised, we’re hoping the athletes are on lockdown.
[Link: 3AW]
by The Editors on January 27, 2014
Danny Davis did a wicked job of holding it down in the finals of the Winter X Pipe last night (Sunday, January 25, 2014) and slipped away with a well deserved gold medal. His first. Yes, Iouri Podladtchikov continually got underscored for not landing the YOLO flip, and it would have been more fun to see Shaun White in the mix, but aside from that it was a good show.
For a complete, compact, and easy to view compilation of snowboarding results from the X Games, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 23, 2014
As if split boards weren’t in enough pieces already, Salomon Snowboards announced today (January 23, 2014) the newest addition to their split board offerings–the 4-piece The Premiere.
Designed with Josh Dirksen, The Premiere’s revolutionary technology achieves close to ski touring efficiency while maintaining torsional stiffness and reducing the vertical movement experienced with a two-part split. An internal straight edge, external edge under foot, and a shorter and wider shape allow for stiffer skis, easier kick-turns, and more control while maneuvering steep terrain. . . “Salomon came up with the idea to do something different, and that has always been the Salomon mentality- to challenge the status quo with new technology that makes snowboarding easier and more fun,” Dirksen says. “The Premiere does that with its lightweight and unique design, it’s very exciting!”
With lift prices the way they’re headed the “backcountry” is looking more and more inviting every day. . . especially if it ever snows on the West Coast. The Premiere comes with “custom pucks, the Voilé universal kit (hooks, clips, touring bracket, heel risers and sliders), custom fit skins and crampons” all for $1,299.00. For the official word from Salomon and more photos of The Premiere and accessories, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 23, 2014
Patagonia announced today (January 23, 2014) that they have named executive Rose Marcario as President & CEO of Patagonia replacing Casey Sheahan who will be “stepping down” on February 7, 2014. Marcario had previously been CEO of Patagonia Works, the parent company of Patagonia.
“Over the past five years,” said Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, “Rose and Casey have launched great new products and improved our systems while breaking new ground in our commitment to use our business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. We’re well positioned for major new initiatives like $20 Million & Change, a fund that invests in likeminded companies, and Patagonia Provisions, our new sustainable food company.” Chouinard expressed his gratitude to Casey Sheahan for his service over the past decade. “He lives and breathes our company’s mission and core values and he’s leaving a tight ship. With Rose Marcario taking over the helm, Patagonia’s future could not be brighter.”
For the official word from Patagonia, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
