Red Bull Rhythm Section : Holiday Valley

Live2Ride dug this one up and I am damn glad they did. The Rhythm section has to be one of the coolest concepts I've seen yet. Another reason why Red Bull contests continue to look and function better than most.

2009 Burton Preview: Jeremy Jones, Uninc & Blunt

2009 Gnu & Bent Metal Bindings Preview

Ah Mervin, we really like you. Others may not understand you but Southofthenorth.com sure does. We first warmed up to you with the stellar Jamie Lynn pro model the "Phoenix" and then came magne traction. This season we stepped onto the Gnu Riders Choice and dare we say...enjoy it more than the Burton T6? yes, yes I do.

So what does the Gnu arm of Mervin have on tap for 2009...check it out.
2009 Gnu Carbon High Beam and Street

? & the B-Street



B-Nice Series


Bent Metal Binder: The Biscuit ++. I gotta say Bent metal may get clowned but they really are working out just fine for me this season. Not sure why everybody hates. It's a snowboard binding...ain't rocket science.

Snowbroader.eu -- Nike vs Vans in 09

Snowbroade.eu is prepared to unleash the hounds! The euro snowboard blog is pitting longtime boot maker vans against Nike snowboard boots in a head to head match up in their coverage from ISPO. We won't tell you who the winner is in the Nike '09 Snowboard boots vs. the '09 Vans snowboard boot match up. Visit them and check it out. By the way, the grey and blue? Yeah that's the Danny Kass color way. Thank TW for that one, good on ya Evan.

Worst. Secret. Ever. -- Danny Kass on Union

I mean this rumor was floating around for a long time right? We all saw the Unions/stickers on his board at X Games. Thus, this shouldn't be new to anybody but darn it ....you gotta love Danny Kass.

2009 Roxy Snowboard Preview

Now, I know all the super f*ckin' hipsters look at Roxy and hate on it but c'mon don't hate just for the sake of hating. Roxy comes on super strong with a painfully good womens team. Torah Bright's worst day will surpass my best day of riding by miles. Erin Comstock and Alexis Waite have laid waste to better terrain than I can imagine riding. Bottom line: they all rip.

Having worked in a shop that sells Roxy decks I was always stoked passing along the knowledge: "Oh by the way these are Mervin Mfg decks." That was always an added bonus. Strong brand plus good team times mervin construction equals happy customers. Now, Roxy is dropping the full mervin technology arsenal into their line up. ladies enjoy the MTX and BTX next year and have fun riding the Roxy Eminence.


... and for those that can not wait a sneak peek at 2009 Roxy quiver

2009 Burton: Ozone Boot, Uninc, Love & Seven

More trickling in on the Burton front from across the globe. From the homies at Borque.blogspot.com we hooked up the following images. I have no clue where they might have dropped first but they hooked it up for sure.

First up, check the pic of Burton's Ozone boot with the ski boot buckle graphics.

So much for rumors of saying goodbye to Uninc. Clean paint pen style graphics and the pastel power keeps on pushing it's way through '09. Looks like Neil Blender was rightin regard to skulls and dragons...


Finally, closing it out with another image of the Burton Love and Seven. Air brushing and street corner gold never looked so good.

2009 Forum Preview

Forum, swiping a page from the skate industry deck graphics game, takes it back to the 80's with a nod to some classic graphics from Barfoot and Burton. Check out two models of the '09 Forum Scheme.

Epicly Later'd: John Cardiel Episode 1 of 16

No bullshit. Just watch. All hail Cardiel.

A Snow-Bro Break: Skatebook.tv Launches

Jeebus, it's been a crazy few days. The inbox has been lighting up like the Fourth of July thanks to the 2009 snowboard previews that are dropping here. But, lets take a breather from the snowbroing for a hot minute and swing back to skate.

Everybody knows that Ballard and Salman launched Skatebook not to long ago now they are taking the internets by storm. Skatebook.tv is alive and kicking on the web. All the video your grubby little hands desires can now be found in all its glory. I don't know about you but the first issue of Skatebook has some pretty good company on my bookshelf sandwiched between 'Disposable' by Cliver and the Fuck You books from Glen E. Friedman. Now, the web link will have to get a similar treatment. Nice work guys. You just gave me another way to spend my rainy Saturday afternoon since my private skatepark isn't scheduled to be completed until 2021.

Keep your eyes peeled on the crawl acros the bottom page for news updates and information on where you can pick up Skatebook for free. Now, if you aren't lucky enough to

Vans 2009: Veil, Hi-Standard, BFB & Iron Maiden Jacket

More and more is flowing out of SIA for the 2009 Vans lineup. Lets make this a quicky. Because we don't need to go into too much detail about how solid these boots are. if you don't know that by now ... I can't help you. Moving from left to right.

Comin' in all black with Fargo Focus is the Veil ridden by Erin Comstock, SLC ripper at large.

Next up in a smash and grab colorway is the Vans High Standard. This si the boot you'll find on the feet of Hana Beaman and Jonas Michelot.

Last up, is the 2009 Best F**ing Boot. Hell yes.




Not stopping with the progression of style in their outerwear division ... 2009 will see Vans drop the Iron Maiden jacket. Pictured here with a classic 80's style back patch. Just like your older next door neighbor used to rock on his jean jacket while downing tall boys in the parking lot pre show style! Love the Maiden collab all day long. The latest graphic is based on the Trooper version of Eddy. You think when Maiden bassist Steve Harris wrote "the Trooper" song in '83 he had any idea it would end up on highly technical piece of outerwear? Probably not. But, god damn were lucky it did.

09 Union Binding Preview

Yes, by now we all know Mr. Danny Kass is making the jump to Union bindings. I think that rumor has been floating around for some time but it is official. Sneak a look at some of the binders DK may be on in '09.

Update 3/7/08
From the guys at Union via our messages...

"Changes in the Forces come in the form of the toe and ankle straps. Ankles are a bit sleeker in profile, but have more padding. The toe strap is completely redesigned. It works as a toe cap 1000X better. We removed the material on the bottom part of the strap, to eliminate wear issues. They've also been lightened up by about 9% over last years clamps. And the red color way is sick."

2009 Preview: Burton/Uninc Loooooove

The crew at theMustachio.com hooked this one up. Looking good ladies. I'm sure Mr. Heffner and Jake are both very proud. Uninc much?

UPDATE:
More trickling in on the Burton front from across the globe. From the homies at Borque.blogspot.com we hooked up the following images. I have no clue where they might have dropped first but they hooked it up for sure.

First up, check the pic of Burton's Ozone boot with the ski boot buckle graphics.

So much for rumors of saying goodbye to Uninc. Clean paint pen style graphics and the pastel power keeps on pushing it's way through '09. Looks like Neil Blender was right in regard to skulls and dragons...




Finally, closing it out with another image of the Burton Love and Seven. Air brushing and street corner gold never looked so good.

Vans 2009 Preview: Andreas Wiig Collection

It's not so much that the scanners are making a comeback. Let's be honest: hey never left. Setting expectations for 2009, Vans is backing their big man Andreas Wiig. Andreas continues to crush most of whatever gets in his way in terms of tables, hips and rails so it makes sense that he get the signature stamp of approval. Previously you could find his thumb print on the Vans BFJ, BFP and BFB. But, now it's about the Wiig. Check out the gear below for a closer look at what "Mandreas" had on his back this past weekend at the X Games. In the event you missed it. We've got video below to back that up. Vans steppin' it up again.

Andreas Wiig Jacket (Dowry Yellow Lumberjack Plaid shown) Features include: Vansguard 10/10 fabric | Fully taped | |TSS Midweight Insulation (120/80gm Body/Sleeve Polyfill)·

Andreas Wiig Pant (New White shown) | Vansguard 10/10 fabric Fully Taped | TSS Lightweight Insulation (60g Main Body Polyfill)

Andreas Wiig – A longtime coming, Vans is proud to introduce Andreas’
first signature model.

2009 Nike Snowboard Boot Preview

Say what you will about Nike but the know how to put enough R&D into a product that they get it right. Coming out of SIA, Nike drops boots inspired buy the legendary Nike Air Force 1. No word yet on street dates or color ways. Rumored to be dropping in August through October: four mens models and three womens. Will they take off like Nike SB? Time will tell. But, it's safe to say they are, at minimum, an even money bet. Translation: the sky is the limit for Nike Snowboarding...

Now we have this mysterious live link up and running. Stay tuned


Update: Fluofun has some new pics...

Lib Tech 2008 2009 Preview

So a few months back i received some images in the "electronic mail" which is used to pass data back and forth on the "infowebs." I posted the images excited to share what I think is potentially the future of snowboarding. Long story short: I got my hand slapped and was asked to take down the images. I respectfully complied. Another part of the request said "after January 28th... do what you want". I took some massive paraphrasing liberties there.

We are beyond the 28th and let the posting begin. Enjoy. I will say this Mervins magnetraction is pretty much one of the coolest things to happen with snowboard construction in a long time. I'll have a video blog review of the GNU Riders Choice coming later this week. One of the "most fun" boards I have ever ridden. So much god damn pop it hurts. In the interim enjoy the 2009 Lib Tech line up. Let the debate begin now if '09 will be the year Mervin began to change snowboarding, again.

2009 Flow Preview: Quantum & Team decks