My New Gear for the 2009 Snowboard Season

Hello all,

I just want to share with you my newly acquired gear for this upcoming snowboard season. This year I ended up getting a whole new setup to replace my old all mountain board that I purchased back in 2004.

I got a Burton UnInc 157, Burton Cartel bindings and Burton Ion boots, as the pictures below show.



I'm really excited to test out my new gear in Whistler this year to see how good it performs. Also as the snowboard season goes on I will be bring you reviews of my gear, along with other snowboard equipment I can demo.

Here is my setup for this year so far:

All Mountain
- Burton UnInc 157 (2009)
- Burton Cartels (2009)
- Burton Ion (2009)

Park
- Stepchild Simon Chamberlain 153 (2005)
- Burton P1 (2005)
- Burton Ion (2009)

As I said I hope to bring you reviews of all my gear once the season gets underway. Hope all of you have a great early season and see you on the slopes.

Monday Movie Review - Downloaded Stepchild Snowboards

Here is the first out of many reviews I'll be posting on this years snowboarding video releases...enjoy.

For this year Stepchild release a free downloadable team video, Downloaded, with the likes of JP Walker, Simon Chamberlain, Joe Sexon, Satian Solberg, Fredu Sirvio, Markku Koski, Scotty Vine, Chris Wimbles, Shin Campos and their AM’s (E-man and Risto).

The films concept is based on how the team fills in their snowboard travel year when they are not filming with the big film production companies. Some of the places that this film is shoot in are Japan, Whistler at COC, Big Bear, Mammoth Mtn and a couple locations in northern Europe.

Now for the review

1) Soundtrack

Overall the soundtrack to Downloaded was really well put together and had a couple of recognizable/mainstream songs. It consisted of a true mix of all types of music hip hop, rock, house/dance and mellow chill. Also Stepchild had the placement of the music bang on, hip hop with park/rail sessions, more up tempo beats with jump sessions and mellow music with flowing powder riding. One of my favourite parts musically was when they introduced JP to the team…they played MOP’s Ante Up from his video part back in True Life. Oh that brings back memories.

2) Cinematography

With regards to the cinematography of the film there wasn’t any thing that was ground breaking. I would say that it was standard. Not like MDP’s Picture This, that set the bar with regards to snowboard cinematography in my opinion. But I have to say that I really enjoyed watching the first scene with Chamberlain and Sexon at the rail in Japan…I thought the angle of the shot was cool because you could see almost all of the details of the tricks they were pulling off.

3) Segments / Riders

Since the film is so rail and park heavy the segments are pretty repetitive, just rail/park shots from a different local. But you should already know this since the team is more street rail oriented. You’re not going to see much big mountain riding from this team. The segments that stood out for me was the first scene with Chamberlain and Sexon, they were killing it with so many technical tricks that rail in Japan. Also I liked watching Fredu Sirvio's part, it was pretty smooth riding.

4) Extras

There are no extra or bonus segments in this video.

5) Overall

The Stepchild Downloaded video wasn’t bad for a free download. I was hope they would have a bit more shots with JP Walker, but I guess his year is filled with working with MDP. On the downside there wasn’t a lot of variety in the riding, about 90% rail park sessions. So overall I think it was a funny video to watch and it did get my amp up to hit the park this coming season, so I give this film a 7 / 10.

CJ Hobgood Wins Billabong Pro Mundaka

It’s been a hell of a few days for Florida. Yesterday the newswire was abuzz with Kelly Slater’s ninth title, today it’s CJ Hobgood’s name who’s all over the headlines. With time ticking off the clock, and needing a solid score, a two-wave set rolled into the lineup. CJ paddled for the first, but with Parko holding down priority, the Australian was able to keep him off the wave by taking it for himself. Bad move. CJ got an absolute drainer with no time left on the clock, came flying out into the channel, broke Parko’s heart, and won the Billabong Pro Mundaka in the process. Parko may be a bit broken hearted, but it was a hell of a final, and after a few beers and some time there’s no doubt he’ll rebound. But for now, a huge congratulations goes out to CJ on a job well done.



But the big story of the Billabong Pro Mundaka was Kelly Slater winning his 9th world title.

Kelly Slater's 9TH ASP World Title

Transportation to Whistler

There are not many options when it comes to modes of transportation from Vancouver to Whistler. Really there is only one way which proves that the BC government is shortsighted in planning for the 2010 Olympics because it is by automobile, bus or car. That is another topic I can go on about but this is about how to get to Whistler in the most cost effective way.

You could rent a car but with the cost of fuel and fact that once in Whistler you will not need your car because almost everything is accessible by foot. Whistler is a pedestrian friendly town since the main village is pedestrian only traffic.

The second way to get to Whistler from Vancouver is by bus. There are a couple buses companies that pick up passengers at various locations. So depending on where your origin in Vancouver is the following is a breakdown of what bus to take based on the lowest cost round trip for one adult. Note that prices are subject so please refer to the company’s website for more details and schedules.

From Vancouver Airport

Greyhound - $85.60 plus taxi to downtown bus station and back to airport $100 (8 departures daily to Whistler)

Perimeter - $126 (has a pick location at Vancouver Airport with 11 daily departures to Whistler)

Pacific Coach Lines – $102.90 (has a pick location at Vancouver Airport with 12 daily departures to Whistler)

SnowBus - $74.95 (has a pick location at Vancouver Airport but only 2 to 3 daily departures)

From Downtown Vancouver

Greyhound - $85.60 (8 departures daily to Whistler)

Perimeter - $126 (has several hotel pick up locations with 11 departures daily to Whistler)

Pacific Coach Lines – $102.90 (has several hotel pick up locations with 12 departures daily to Whistler)

SnowBus – $42.92 (has a couple downtown pick up locations but 2 to 3 daily departures)

Alot of information, I know, but here is a summary.

If you are coming from Vancouver Airport with 4 to 5 friends then taxi it to the downtown bus terminal and take the Greyhound. Else if you are alone just take the Pacific Coach Lines bus. Just to note that the Pacific Coach Lines and Perimeter bus are more luxurious, so if you want to ride in comfort either of those will do.

If you are already downtown Vancouver just take the Greyhound. I can see that SnowBus is cheaper but they only run a couple of runs up to Whistler, the Greyhound has a better schedule with more choices even when coming back to the city. Also when taking the greyhound make sure that you are at the terminal at least 45 mins to 1 hour before the scheduled departure time because these bus get packed in the winter.

Hope this helps.

Movie Review Mondays

It’s that time of year again to see what our favourite pro riders and film makers where up to last winter season. This comes at a good time because all us snowboarders are going stir crazy waiting for the snow to fall and our local mountains to open. So these new 2009 videos should keep us sane until winter.

For the next 6 Mondays I’m going to be posting reviews on some newly released snowboard videos. Here is the 2009 snowboards video I’m going to be reviewing not in any particular order.

Downloaded – Stepchild Snowboards
Double Decade – Mack Dawg Productions
Down with People - Mack Dawg Productions
Ready – Absinthe Films
No Correct Way – Rome Snowboards
That’s It That’s All – Brain Farm Films

So check back every Monday to read my take on these hot new releases for the 2009 snowboard season.

Kelly Slater Wins 9th World Title at the Mundaka Pro in Spain

K9, Nine lives, Revolution #9, call it what you want, Kelly Slater is a 9-time ASP world champion. Slater clinched the world title at the 9th ASP tour stop in Spain today by making it to round 4 where he was up against Tom Whitaker but lost. Whitaker has a perfect 10 ride and backed it up with an 8.00 for a total of 18.00. While Slater started out early with 9.33 but couldn't bust one out again finishing with a final score of 12.43.

But this is not about Slater winning this tour stop. It's about the world title and all he had to do was past round 3, which he did.

Also I just wanted to add this quote from the CEO of Quiksilver, which sums up the ability of Slater. "Kelly Slater is an extraordinary human being, physically and mentally. His talent and accomplishments are unmatched in surfing and perhaps in the history of sports," says Bob McKnight, Quiksilver President, Chairman and CEO.

Congrats Slater, hopefully he comes back to contend for a 10th world title.

Surfing in Tofino at Cox Bay

This past weekend I went surfing on Vancouver Island, Tofino to be exact. For those of you who don’t know Tofino is Canada’s best and really only surf spot. Since there was a fall special at a very nice resort I stayed in the Cox Bay area of Tofino.



If you have the chance and don’t mind spending the cash for accommodations I would really suggest staying at 1431 Cox Bay resort. This resort is right on the beach and is virtually brand new as it was built only about 3 months before and still establishing is full resort amenities like hot tub, gym and sauna. At 1431 they have one and two bedroom condos that you can rent. Now in peak summer time the cost per night is about 300 for a one bedroom but we saw this fall deal online for 125 per night. Each condo has a full kitchen so you can save some cash by cooking your own meals, an LCD TV and wireless internet so you can check up on the daily surf report. But still regardless of the price I still recommend this place if you are going surfing in Tofino.



The weather couldn’t be better for the end of September on Vancouver Island. It was pure sunshine and about 20 degrees celsius both days, which is really unusual for this time of year because it is usually overcast and rainy. The swell at peak times were anywhere from 6 to 8 ft and the water temperature about 12 degrees celsius, so wetsuits are necessary. Cox Bay is one of the best surf spots in Tofino as it gets some of the best waves out of all the beaches in the area.



Since I have only gone surfing a couple of times I had to rent my gear from Long Beach Surf Shop for $95 for 2 days. The rental included wetsuit, board, gloves, booty’s and gear insurance. Surfing at Cox Bay was awesome as the sets came in so often with quality waves, so no long waits between sets. The only down side to surfing at Cox Bay is the under tow, which is really strong compared to surfing in SoCal. In my opinion, is if you are a true beginner and can’t swim to well go to Long Beach as it is a bit easier from what I was told. All in all I had a really good surf session over the 2 days and got many good quality rides in, even craved in the wave a bit on my best one.