“The ability to make good decisions comes from experience, experience normally comes from making bad decisions"

FUL wins Platinum Pick Award for Excellence In Design from Snowboard Magazine's Premium Brand Buyers Guide. Ride FUL: "Stiff boots are for skiers. Soft boots are for jibbers, but the FUL is just right. They're light, comfy, but most of all, flex freely-something that I gotta have in a boot." - Mike Basher, Snowboard Magazine.

Congrats to our boot engineers for coming out with such a clear winner. FUL product page

Check out J.J. and Laurie live on Go211.com live event webcasts of the Australian Open. Webcasts will feature the men's and women’s slopestyle and halfpipe semi-finals and finals taking place on September 4 â€" 5, 2008 at Perisher Blue, Australia. Go211.com provides cool interactive technologies (live scoring, live standings, competition rankings and rider bios) that allow the viewer to take a more active role. This is the first time a live webcast has ever been broadcast from Perisher, Australia.

WHEN: Catch the entire events as they go down with LIVE webcasts on Go211.com during the following times:

LIVE WEBCASTS: Australia Time Zone,
THURSDAY SEPT.4TH

Morning Show 9:00 â€" 9:15 AU
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Women 9:15 â€" 9:55 AU
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Men 10:30 â€" 11:40 AU
Halfpipe Finals 11:50 â€" 13:20 AU

FRIDAY SEPT. 5TH

Morning Show 9:00 â€" 9:15 AU
Men’s and Women’s Slopestyle Semi-finals 9:15 â€" 11:45 AU
Men’s and Women’s Slopestyle Semi-finals 12:00 â€" 14:00 AU

LIVE WEBCASTS: European Time Zone
THURSDAY SEPT.4TH

Morning Show 1:00 â€" 1:15 (CET)
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Women 1:15 â€" 1:55 (CET)
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Men 2:30 â€" 3:40 (CET)
Halfpipe Finals 3:50 â€" 5:20 (CET)

FRIDAY SEPT.5TH

Morning Show 1:00 â€" 1:15 (CET)
Men’s and Women’s Slopestyle Semi-finals 1:15 â€" 3:45 (CET)
Men’s and Women’s Slopestyle Finals 4:00 â€" 6:00 (CET)

LIVE WEBCASTS: Japan Time Zone
THURSDAY SEPT.4TH

Morning Show 8:00 â€" 8:15
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Women 8:15 â€" 8:55
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Men 9:30 â€" 10:40
Halfpipe Finals 10:50 â€" 12:20

FRIDAY SEPT. 5TH

Morning Show 8:00 â€" 8:15
Men’s and Women’s Slopestyle Semi-finals 8:15 â€" 10:45
Men’s and Women’s Slopestyle Finals 11:00 â€" 13:00

LIVE WEBCASTS: U.S. Time Zones
WEDNESDAY SEPT.3RD

Morning Show 7:00 p.m. â€" 7:15 p.m. (EDT)/ 4:00 p.m. â€" 4:15 p.m. (PDT)
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Women 7:15 p.m. â€" 7:55 p.m. (EDT)/ 4:15 p.m. â€" 4:55 p.m. (PDT)
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Men 8:30p.m.â€"9:40p.m.(EDT)/5:30p.m.â€"6:40p.m.(PDT)
Halfpipe Finals 9:50 p.m. â€" 11:20 p.m. (EDT)/6:50 p.m. â€" 8:20p.m. (PDT)

THURSDAY SEPT.4TH

Morning Show 7:00 p.m. â€" 7:15 p.m. (EDT)/ 4:00 p.m. â€" 4:15 p.m. (PDT)
Men’s and Women’s Slope Semis7:15p.m.â€"9:45p.m.(EDT)/4:15p.m.â€"6:45p.m. (PDT)
Men’s and Women’s Slope Finals 10:00p.m.â€"12:00p.m.(EDT)/7:00p.m.â€"9:00 p.m.(PDT)

For more information on the Australian Open, visit www.opensnowboarding.com

Nick Hyne has been really busy this year hosting NEWSWEEK, The Diaries Downunder and winning contests right and left. He just won the first 2 Remarkables Slopestyle contests. Nick's on our New Zealand National Pro Team and is rocking a Society board and Cappel outerwear.

Check out www.nzsnowboard.com for more of Nick Hyne's exploits and Southern Hemisphere action.

R: Brennen tell us how you got into snowboarding?

B: Well my dad worked at the local resort (afton alps) and they didn't have a whole lot of snowboard instructors, so my dad volunteered to learn cause he thought it looked rad... and once he learned he decided to get me off of my skis at age 2 and he got me on a board at age 3, and i loved it ever since!

R: What made you want to get into doing contests?

B: Well a friend of my dads was alpine racing in the USASA contests and was like you should start getting Brennen to compete in some of these... so sure enough i was 6 years old and going to my first nationals at Big Bear/Snow Summit in Cali. .. things just kind of took off from there.

R: Do you consider yourself a pipe rider or is it your specialty?

B: I would say it is just my specialty... I also compete very well in rail jams and slopestyle contests... just happens that i've been doing a lot better in pipe.

R: So you recently went down to New Zealand for the NZ Open tell us how you prepared for that?

B:well I went out to Mt.Hood a couple times prior to the contest to be sure that i wasn't loosing anything over the summer... and i didn't really throw down a lot at Hood and focused more on basics just to keep me healthy and ready to put it all on the line when it came time for the Open.

R:Was this your first trip to NZ?

B: It was actually my third trip, it seems like its turned into a ritual for me or something now.

R:You won the overall title at the Quarter Pipe event how was that?

B: I was soooo pumped! Im pretty sure i woke up a lot of family members that night who were all back sleeping in the US to call them and tell them the news... I was kinda timid to throw the back 10 because i haven't had a whole lot of time riding a quarter, but i took off my skirt and manned up... i think every trick i did that night was first attempts haha, looks like it all payed off tho!

R: How did the halfpipe event go for you?

B: Pipe was wonderful, despite the slightly weird conditions... everyone has to ride the same thing you know? So yeah, i qualified 1st place and then made it all the way into the finals which was pretty fun... and then in finals i stomped all of my runs but was hoping to throw the back 10 but kept running outa pipe but oh well, im sure ill get it next time... i ended up 12th im pretty sure and was the highest American in the standings.

R: What are your plans for this season...more contests. - wow, where to begin... there is like a list of events somewhere and im pretty sure it says to just pack a bag for one big trip cause ill never be coming home... things like Dew Tours, Grand Prix's, World Cups, Opens, Rev tours, and whatever else I get hit with. Just gotta kinda go with the flow i guess. But, im really excited for this season cause i love experiencing new things and new places.

R:Do you see any big changes in contest heading into the Olympic qualifiers?

B:The chances are out there for sure. I think the question is, who wants it the most... and i will definitely give it my all with out a doubt. 2014 is looking good and I think its more than a reasonable goal for me.

R:What would be your #1 goal for this year?

B: Stay on my feet, stay fit, stay healthy... and like always have as much fun as I can because there are plenty of other kids who are not as fortunate as to be doing what it is that i am so lucky to do.

R:Where will home be this season?

B: I guess you could say Vail, CO? Maybe a couple nights? Mainly hotel rooms, condos, and airports. R:If you could be anywhere other then home where would it be?

B:Definitely my boat... i live on the thing, I actually don't even sleep in my house anymore because i love to sleep on my boat so much. Its like my own floating apartment... and its really nice to get away from everything down there and relax, maybe even jump in the water, or get a line in and hope to catch Goliath.

R: And Goliath i suppose is the the infamous yet elusive Bass in your Lake?

B: Its a river, large mouth Bass and yes its elusive.

R: Well Brennen keep up the good work and good luck with ol Goliath!

Two years ago I met a quiet kid from Southern California named Harrison. He had come up to Portland, Oregon to ride Mt. Hood with some other California types and seemed like a really nice guy. Who knew just two years later he would be one of the smoothest Am’s out there? Clean style and a big bag of tricks on both jumps and handrails set Harrison apart from the run of the mill huckfest kids. I know because he’s spun way over my head and grabbed some sweet nicknames. Best thing about Harry though is his attitude. You won’t see him lacing up his “fresh new kicks”, tilting his hat sideways, or getting all flashy with any of that flare crap. Harrison just gets dressed, goes out, and has a good time. A super refreshing rider with a great part in Gold Country, keep your eye out for the young Harrison Gordon. (continued at YoBeat)

Read the entirely funny interview at YoBeat (Making Fun of Snowboarding Since 1997)

The results are in! Both the DH & the Canvas won Transworld's Good Wood Award in the Top Ten Boards Over $400 category. And adding to the DH's fame, it also won Snowboarder Magazines Best of the Test Award. Big thanks go out to the Ride engineers for making another round of stellar goods!

Heart Films Premiere was held on August 23rd at Osaka Namba Parks. Complete with a talk show, film preview, autograph signing and a treasure hunt. This daytime event even hosted a real snow park for the kiddies to play in! Later that night, the Heart Films release party was held at Club Triangle. Attended by Ride Team Pro's, Aki and Hiromi, the crowd was stoked to get autographs, swag, and most of all, to hear from the Riders themselves. Good times had by all! Check out more on Heart films.

Video Versions: RCTV Version | Large HD Version

You have obviously seen snowboarding on T.V. over the past decade, but in the past two years it seems to be every other commercial break or T.V. show that you catch a glimpse of your favorite pro snowboarder. When will it end? Well, it won't. Ride is stoked to embark in the exciting world of commercial broadcasting thanks to outlets like Fuel T.V., YouTube, podcasts and every other T.V., website and channel out there. And as with everything we do at Ride, we are going to have fun in the process. Just take this new webisode AKA short movie we produced...how could we go wrong? I mean seriously, put a mustache on Mikey and it was almost finished!

Here you can find the full length 3 minute version of our Ride webisode starring Slimewalls® as themselves, Mikey Leblanc as "Officer Leblanc", Nico Droz as "shop kid" and Darrell Mathes as "Slimewall Junkie". A shorter 30 second commercial will be broadcast on Fuel T.V. starting in October. Stay tuned for more from Ride studios and in the meantime, we hope you enjoy our webisode.

Thanks to shredbetties.com for supporting our Ladies!

Age: 20's
Years Riding: 9
Hometown: Dallas, Pa
Home Mountain: Big Boulder, Pa Currently Mt. Hood
Setup: Ride canvas tokidoki 148 board, Ride Zeta bindings, and Ride Scarlet boots. 21.5 stance, 15 -15.
Sponsors: Ride snowboards, Betty Rides, Pow gloves, Spacecraft, and Evo Snowboard shop
Recent Competitions: 1st PB&j in snoqualmie, 2nd at vegetate rail jam, 1st at campus rail jam at oregon state university

We usually ask girls about their worst fall, but having heard about your recent neck injury, I think we know the answer to that! Can you tell us a little about the injury and recovery?
Breaking my neck was definitely the worst injury I have had. I broke the same vertebrae as Christopher Reeves. It was my C2 vertebrae in two spots. I broke my neck by over-shooting a jump by a lot. It was a really windy day and the wind gave me extra momentum. I am currently wearing a giant contraption that is screwed to my head to prevent any movement of my neck. I have been healing really well though, and it looks like I won't need surgery so I expect a full recovery and a fantastic winter this year.

We hope you do! What's the first thing you're going to do once you're able to get back on your snowboard? Is there anything you'll be nervous about trying again?
Yeah, I am going to be nervous to hit jumps. There is such a fine line of going to fast or going to slow, and the speed constantly changes. I just plan on going back to snowboarding with the same mentality as when I stopped, that "I can do anything I put my mind to." I expect to ease back into snowboarding, but quickly get back to where I left off.

Check out the full interview and more pic's of Randa at www.shredbetties.com

Featuring Austin Hironaka

Featuring: Alex Cantin

Featuring: Nash Lajuenesse

The S3 Supergirl Jam concluded with the snowboarding and skateboard street competitions on Sunday in Huntington Beach. Laurie Currie and Lauren Perkins took top honors respectively under the bright California sun.

Generally when one thinks of the beach, snow is not something that comes to mind. But the S3 Supergirl Jam made it snow in Huntington Beach for some of the best female rail riders in the world to battle it out. The crew was up early blowing snow onto the massive rail structure and by mid morning it was ready to go. The girls looked hot in their snowboard gear, literally, but it didn't stop them from climbing the massive structure again and again to hit the rail.

The competition started with two jam sessions to qualify the top ten riders for the finals, where they joined last year's top two riders, Raewyn Reid and Leanne Pelosi. The 40-minute final jam was full of bangers, most of them by Laurie Currier who spun on and off the rail, and Raewyn Reid who rode super tech all day. But everyone was riding well. Vera Janssen from Germany was nailing solid frontside boardslides and switch front lipslide 270 out. Raewyn did a backside 50-50 to backside revert to switch 50-50. Chanelle Sladics skillfully frontside180'd on to half cab out, and a tailslide 270, much to the joy of the crowd. Desiree Melancon was another stand out with some of the most technical and stylish riding of the day, including nose and tail presses and 270's out.

In the end it was Laurie who took the top honors with trick such as frontside 180 to cab 360 out, a tailslide 270 out, and a frontside 180 to switch 50-50. That earned her $5000, and she got an extra $1000 for best trick, a hard way frontside 180 switch 50/50 switch backside 180 out. Say that five times fast.

As the women were taking their final runs on the snowboard rail, the skateboarders were warming up on the street course. The Skate Street finals saw some of the best action women's street skating has to offer. Lipslides, 360 flips, and even a bluntslide down the rail were all thrown down by the talented field. Six women from the qualifiers (unfortunately Tamara Drybrough had to sit out with an injured foot) joined the top five skaters from last year. After everyone had their intro run, it was two five minute jam sessions to determine the winner.

Evelien Boulart from Belguim skated incredible in the jam session, nailing a back lip, backside blunt slide, feeble grind down the big ledge and almost stuck a kickflip backlip. Though she had the highest score in the jam session, she'd had trouble in her intro run, so her combined score earned her third. She did however win an extra $1000 for her bluntslide, which won best trick.

In second place was Rachel Reinhard who was backside flipping the hip, kickflipped and shuved the five-set and lipslid the rail with ease. Taking home top honors, though, was local girl Lauren Perkins. Lauren's flawless intro run garnered her the highest score of the day, a 79. Then in the jam she skated solid and consistent to bring home $5000.

"It was so cool, my family and friends were all here cheering me on, so it was definitely nice to win at home," Lauren said.

Though it is now completely covered in sand, the state of women's action sports got a big boost at the S3 Supergirl Jam. After a whole weekend of some of the best skateboarding, inline skating and snowboarding, the huge crowd that came out to Huntington Beach now has a new definition of the expression "pretty good for a girl."

Snowboard Rail Jam Results

1. Laurie Currier
2. Raewyn Reid
3. Chanelle Sladics
4. Vera Janssen
5. Desiree Melancon
6. Jesse Sutton
7. Jamie Madrid
8. Elise Borelli
9. Leanne Pelosi
10. Indigo Monk
11. Ashley Thorton
12. Gaby Viteri

Best Trick: Laurie Currier - Hard Way Frontside 180 to switch 50/50 to switch Backside 180

Snowboard SuperGirl Jam Website

Watch Nick's 'Newsweek' Snowboard TV Show

Great day out at season’s first Cadbury Moro Slopestyle

The first of four competitions in the Cadbury Moro Slopestyle Series attracted a large crowd of spectators at The Remarkables yesterday (Wednesday, 16 July).

Around 50 freestylers on snowboards or skis enjoyed blue sky and great snow conditions as they threw down tricks in the Up & Go Terrain Park.

The Remarkables youth action sports coordinator Josh Clark says the event ran smoothly with everyone enjoying the chilled out vibe in the park which included running commentary and free styles from MC Gargz and some “wicked” performances from competitors.

The Open snowboard competition was dominated by local riders, with Nick Hyne of the Parklife Rider Team claiming top spot in the Open Men snowboard event and Maria Kuzma of Wanaka winning the Open Women snowboard event.

Offshore freestyler Matt Johnson beat fellow Canadian Pat Torochuck to win the Open Men Ski event and Jamie Duby of Wanaka took out the Open Women Ski event.

After placing third in his age group in the Parklife Mini Shred event at The Remarkables only a week ago, 15 year old Jamin Beattie of Queenstown and the Parklife Rider Team upped his performance to win the Junior Men snowboard event.

Ride Snowboards, Smith and Session Outerwear, and Quest provided spot prizes throughout the day and a prize pool worth $3,000 was shared among the winners.

The next competition in the series will be held on Saturday August 16.

Results

Open Men Snowboard
1 Nick Hyne Queenstown
2 Roland Morley Brown Queenstown
3 Adam Shaw Queenstown

Open Women Snowboard
1 Maria Kuzma Wanaka
2 Callie Conaghan Queenstown
3 Charlotte Trundle Taranaki

Open Men Ski
1 Matt Johnson Canada
2 Pat Torochuck Canada
3 Marlon Johnson Christchurch

Open Women Ski
1 Jamie Duby Wanaka

Junior Men Snowboard
1 Jamin Beattie Queenstown
2 Jay Walsh Wanaka
3 Jai Sneedon Queenstown

Junior Women Snowboard
1 Olivia Kalb Queenstown

Junior Men Ski
1 Blake Marshall Queenstown
2 Tim Lawrence Queenstown
3 Daniel Jenkins Queenstown

Junior Women Ski
1 Adie Lawrence Queenstown

From Snowboarder:
Words: Ryan Simpson
Photos: Randall Leese

As snowboarders we’re always counting. Whether it’s the days until the season starts, how much new snow fell overnight, how many hours we need to work to save up for that new setup we want, or the number of days left in the season before the sun takes over and our boards head back into storage until the following winter.

With millions of snowboarders in North America, only a select few get the opportunity to hold onto their boards for the sunny months and experience summer riding. If you’ve never had the opportunity to experience riding in the slush and sun at one of the many snowboard summer camps located at Mt. Hood or Whistler, maybe Gromfest can help.

The Great Northwest Gromfest held its 2nd Annual Gromfest Finals in Whistler, British Columbia in July, bringing together snowboarders and skateboarders from three countries and nine states and provinces. From July 6th-10th, over 40 riders busted out the warm wax and hopped back on a board for the only international, amateur summer snowboard competition exclusively for riders 18 years old and younger.

Started in 2006, Gromfest allows the competition segment to take a backseat to being there simply because you love to ride. What makes Gromfest even more unique is that a portion of the event proceeds are donated to board sport non-profits. For the ’07-’08 season, Gromfest benefited the Portland-based Snowdays Foundation as the snow non-profit.

As if that wasn’t enough, Gromfest also ties a creative aspect into the event with winners taking home one-of-a-kind, creative trophies. Snowboards, uniquely painted to reflect select artists’ alternative sports visions, serve as both a work of art and a trophy.

Hosted at Whistler for the second year with the help of Camp of Champions, Gromfest challenged competitors on everything from halfpipe to slopestyle to rails to quarterpipe. The snowboard events spanned three days and included events both on and off the hill.

When it came time for the competition portion of Gromfest, competitors discovered the entire event was a jam format. No timed runs, no set method of doing things and most importantly, no added pressure…after all don’t you get enough of that at regular competitions and from school?

Also Gromfest judges were looking for the most well-rounded riders. Rather than each event being judged separately, winners were chosen based on their skills on all features. You couldn’t be just a rail rider and take Gromfest.

The atmosphere and location brought the best out in everyone. Eleven-year-old Quebec rider Justin deCastris was boosting higher out of the pipe than you often see with people twice his age and last year’s winner, Pierce Mimura from Calgary, kept pushing himself to give it his all even when his previously injured knees were telling him to stop. There was no lack of persistence either - take 15-year old Stefan Krumm from Washington. He suffered a neck injury at the end of the winter season and wasn’t sure whether he would be able to compete in Gromfest come July. When the first day of competition rolled around, however, Stefan was there and determined to land a huge McTwist on the quarterpipe, netting him the “Best Trick” award.

On the hill riding wasn’t the only thing Gromfest offered attendees. Each evening the Gromfest staff hosted a different activity including an Underground Skate Jam at the Whistler Creekside Skatepark, a full BBQ and a Movie Premiere.

With the help of the Millenium Place Youth Center, Gromfest hosted two different movie showings featuring trailers for Sandbox Films new project “All Day Every Day” and Runway Films “See What I See.” The trailers were followed by Stepchild Snowboards movie “Child Support” and a huge raffle. Stepchild riders Simon Chamberlain, JP Walker and Joe Sexton even stopped by to watch and help raffle off a brand new ’09 JP Walker pro model board.

When all was said and done there were plenty of goggle tans and happy snowboarders. At the final closing, everyone received a gift bag stuffed with more schwag than is humanly possible to use and snowboard awards were presented to well deserving competitors as follows:

Overall Gromfest Winners
1st Aaron Cardwell
2nd Pierce Mimura
3rd Jacob Krugmire

12 & Under Category
1st Jacob Krugmire
2nd Justin deCastris
3rd Matt Penny

13-15 Category
1st Aaron Cardwell
2nd Nicholas Palfreeman
3rd Jesse Gouveia

16-18 Category
1st Pierce Mimura
2nd Tyler Clark
3rd Jean Philipe Poirier

Women’s Category
1st Raelynd Tarnove
2nd Adriane Cairns

Best Trick - Quarterpipe
Stefan Krumm â€" For his Big McTwist

Gromfest Staff Awards Keala Cole â€" For being 7-years-old and holding his own with the big boys Brad Watson â€" For his Back 3 Tail Tap on the Tombstone

Special thanks to Whistler/Blackcomb, Camp of Champions, Arbor Snowboards, Ride Snowboards, Snowboarder Magazine, POW Gloves, Spacecraft, Signal Snowboards, Stepchild Snowboards, Skullcandy, Dakine, Quiksilver, Transworld Snowboarding, Vitamin Water, Jones Soda, Westbeach, Stuntwood Board Shop and others for helping make Gromfest possible.

For more information on how you can qualify and be a part of the Great Northwest Gromfest Finals in 2009 just head to gromfest.org for all the details, pictures, videos and information you’ll need.

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