Hail Burton $nowboards?

Today's blog comes from an anonymous shop owner on the East Coast. Pretty basic stuff here. I understand the need to get your message out but raising costs by X% adds up over volume. Especially if your margins aren't increasing and the a company like Burton starts selling 100% direct. Thanks for the contribution and hope to see more coming in soon.
-Jonny
SOTN

Since their catalogue every year has been called the "Bible", they took it to the next level this season, by actually making it look like a bible, and calling it "The Good Book". Is this Burton's way of maintaining that they are godlike in all they do? Is this there way of saying Omnipotence is theirs and theirs alone? Or is it just because everyone called it a bible before, so why not go with the theme? Any way you cut it, it has me talking about the Behemoth that is Burton. I can only imagine how much this book costs to layout,print, and ship. The price tag on this must be staggering. But when your on top, you must always set the bar high I guess. But couldn't we save money somewhere? Maybe not. Ride tried a couple of years ago to not have catalogues. They said they were "going green", and nobody read them anymore. That everyone went to the internet anyway. That didn't work out too well, and the next year they were back. I guess what I am getting at is who pays for this? I saw Burton prices jump $10on everything across the board. Last season's custom binding was $149, this year it's $159 etc..

As an business owner, I am always looking for ways to save money, while maintaining the integrity of the store. I think companies might need to do this as well. Do you think Burton would sell any less if their catalogue cost less to produce? Maybe it would. Maybe there are surveys and trends and analysis reports that say they will. Who am I to Judge someone that puts out a bible? I may be reading too much into this. There are more important things I could be doing.
Like figuring out how I am going to sell Burton products in store now that they are completely online. Not a sermon--Just a thought.

WTF You Said: Burton Message Board RIP, Nike Snowboard 2010 preview, Skate Banana's

I meant to turn this around last Friday but I was enjoying the nice 85 degree zero humidity and high altitude of Northern Colorado so now you get it. A week spent a mile up in the mountains will do you right and lemme tell you another thing it's nice to get away from the craptacular humidity here on the beast coast. Seriously, when I got off the plane it was like being hit with a wet towel. Less about my travelling. Lets talk about ... you.

The best thing about South of the North is that it's given me a platform to say and post what I want. Recently I've extended the offer to others for posting and it's been fun watching the feedback flow in. But, what's even more fun is watching the comments pile up on posts old and new.

I figured I'd throw up a few gems. Why? Because. typically these posts are 50% entertaining and 50% truth. Plus when I read something and it makes me laugh ... everybody should have the opportunity to read it as well. So here's what the f*ck you said recently:

Anonymous in response to Hoon's Burton message Board RIP write up

I think it is a good move by Burton to do this. Yes there is a lot of hate out there, but we are moving forward in time not backwards. Forums are a traditional means of communicating on the web for years but this is new. Do u still have cassettes and vinyls or even cd's? I don't I have mp3's, why? cause its 2009......I dont have DVD's cause i use Apple Tv. I dont have a forum cause i sue FB and Twitter and communites such as Burton's....People need to get over change and stop freaking out...Of course they can still ask questions and all that jazz on the new site, and maybe they find they can do more...I am sure all the haters are not web retards so they should appreciate up to date functionality. 1 thing that Burton could of done better is give the BMB crew some better notice, but hey, if it is full of haters anyway maybe they dont want them to transition over...my 2 cents!

First up - it's shame the author didn't have the balls to sign their name to this. This is a good opinion. Right. Wrong. Discourse is good it breeds new ideas. I've signed anon before and it never sits well. Now lets be honest anytime Burton does anything ... it's fun to poke fun at the one time rebel face of snowboarding turned marketing juggernaut. As for the Burton Message Baords. I never really took part so it's no big loss on my part. I'll just leave it at this: Burton is innovative on many fronts when it comes to the world of shred, no doubt but why does their website seem to be an after thought? The answer is simple - they are a snowboard company not a digital design firm, duh. Good stuff though from our anon friend. Thanks for chiming in.

Next up ... Nike Snowboarding boots in 2010. Oh damn we got all sorts of intewebs chatter. This is pretty much an epiclygood read. Also when Mrs. SOTN starts asking me why I'm laughing as the plane starts to make it way down the runway this was an excellent item to point to. She wasn't impressed but I certainly was. We've got all sorts of answers, opinons and passive agressive insults. I loved the "move to france" comment byt he way

Cameron said...

First of all I’m not saying that you should buy only American made products or that a lot of smaller brands are not owned by larger corporations. I’m saying Nike is some bullshit. In the 20+ years snowboarding has been around they didn’t have an interest until it became a multibillion dollar a year business. Now they jump in and want to take over. Nike has the power to monopolize aspects of the industry as per Mr. I will never buy anything but Nike again. Every pair of Nike boots on the shelf reduces the chances of success for a new upstart company. That is the greatest thing about this country, we have the power to create a market free of monopolization if we, under a common interest, do what it takes and stay informed.

I love snowboarding, I love the snowboarding industry. The shop I worked for just closed down after 22 years because people don’t support local shops anymore. They cannot compete with on line prices. That is why people have nowhere to go so someone can tell them of products other than Nike. People (or us sheep) get our info from advertising sources. Flip through a Transworld or Snowboarder and see how many ads Nike has compared to other companies such as 32.

I know the companies I ride. I’ve put two years and over 200 days on a pair of 32 lashed boots made by Sole Technology, Inc. based out of Lake Forrest, CA. And my Lib Tech made by Mervin Manufacturing based out of Carlsberg, Washington started by SNOWBOARDERS Mike Olson and Pete Saari in 1977 and are still based in the US to this day. I know that with manufacturing costs it is not efficient to make everything in the states so you gotta do what you gotta do. I’m sure I have gear made all over the world that’s not the point. The point is that we, as supporters of the greatest sport in the world, need to make informed decisions and keep some control over the business of our passion.

August 7, 2009 1:35 PM

ideans said...

If other boot companies like 32 didn't suck so much i would support them but at least nikes shit doesnt fall apart the first freaking day such as the "Core" company's

Cameron said...

idiot, I mean ideans, I know how you feel. Like when your mom fell apart the first day I rode her. This is what you do. Rock your Nikes, turn Soulja boy up real loud in your Skullcandy’s and go hang out at the hill by your local middle school. Make sure to do what everyone else is doing and under no circumstances think for yourself. That could be dangerous.

I’m done with it. Apparently no one gets it. Fu*k it, buy Nike. Even better buy Nike boots from directly from Nike or even eBay. If we work real hard we can put all the local shops out of business.

Just do it!

Screw it, I’m going to start skiing.

gabelam said...

holy f*ck

(OK, so gabelam is our weak link)

cody said...

cameron's a doosh. best ideas, best products will always do well. and if nike has the ability to make the best product... so be it. as for your core companies... one of which i own (we don't do boots cuz nike and other core co.s make them better than we can right now)... they better get on it... if they're so "core" then they should be able to out-do nike... knowing their consumer, market and sport better than nike does... and if they can't even do that... they're not truely core they're just turning a cheap profit... which is what some people sadly do with their american dream... but that's their right and a that's the extent of their dream... nike is big, they make some crap but they also make the best shoes around... talk about good marketing and taking advantage of the american dream... the "cores" need to bring a better product to the snowboarding table if they can't out-specialize a company that dips into everything under the sun... and you should buy their boots not because they're core but because they are more core than your so called 'core' company that didn't care enough to make a better boot than nike. i'd love to see the 'core' companies make it and keep nike at bay... so don't get your khaki's all in a bunch, just grind out your anger on some more of the granola and obama that you've been drinking.

cody said...

ps...cameron why would you hate someone who has a different opinion than you... a "yo momma" attack? that's pathetic...you're entitled to your opinion... but if you don't like the american way... get out. go to france or something..

Bon Jour or as grounds keeper Willie would say....


All kidding aside with a deep profound respect for all things French I leave you with the final comment from the 2010 Lib tech Skate Banana preview

Sorry guys... I took my 2009 banana out into the wilderness and ran out of toilet paper....c'mon! what else was I going to use to wipe my ass?

Yes! A little over two years in existence. 830,000 page views later. No EXPN coverage and these are my readers. Keep it coming folks stay tuned updates will flow out whenever the hell we feel like it.

AP Press Release: Chris Bunch Cuts Hair & Acts His Age

8/26/2009
AP Press Release
Chris Bunch Cuts Hair & Acts His Age

Sterling,VA – In a shocking reversal of earlier statements Alpine Ski shop president and owner Chris Bunch made the bold move of cutting his hair today. Previously, Mr. Bunch was presenting his best “rockin’ with Dokken” look possible to his family, friends, staff and locals of Northern Virginia. The gullet mullet look being sported by Bunch had long been dormant since the late 80’s or early 90’s.

Scientist from the museum of American history documented this limited rebirth of a follicle movement long lost to acid was jeans and heavy metal parking lot. When asked why send the misbegotten hairstyle back to the land from whence it came Mr. Bunch simply shrugged his shoulders and said “dunno”. Co-conspirator in all things Alpine Ski Shop and Tyler Bunch was overheard muttering about his “retirement grease" and "about time Chris acted his mamby pamby age”.

Full details and an account of Mr Bunch’s hair fantasy’s can be found on the Alpine Drops blog. We now have to go hit ourselves with a lead pipe for taking the time to write this.

For more information, contact your local bureau chief or Rojo Ball, AP Action Sports Lamer, at RojoBaller@ap.org or 555.123.4567.

About The AP
The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the largest and most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world's population sees news from AP. On the Net: www.ap.org

Dear and Yonder: Preview

Every summer, there’s a cornucopia of surf films that are released on an unsuspecting public. Often, they’re a recycled concoction of Taylor Steele, Bruce Brown and Thomas Campbell. Over the last few years, this genre has grown to include female surfer-focused films (no not Blue Crush or the TransWorld Surf Swimsuit video). Roxy has always been leading the charge supporting flicks such as the Sophia Mulanovich biopic and demanding that their models surf.

Dear and Yonder, the latest female surfer film promises to provide a new take on the genre. Filmed and directed by Tiffany Campbell (yup the other TC) and Andrea Lessler, the film takes a list of Who’s Who in women’s surfing on adventures worthy of Sipping Jetstreams. This list includes Roxy team riders Sally Fitzgibbons, Sofia Mulanovich and Kassia Meador. According to the film, they surf their home breaks (Dear) and travel the world (Yonder). In addition to chronicling today’s surfers, Dear and Yonder spreads its roots deeper and cultivates a sense of place and knowledge of history, reaching back in time to unearth footage of iconic surfers such as Linda Benson, Rell Sunn and Lisa Andersen.

I’m still not quite sure what the title means and how it relates to surfing, but I’ll be posting a review of the film once I get my grubby hands on a copy.

The film is on tour now, traveling to 20 cities and will be released on DVD shortly. One hopes that they will also go 2009 on us and release the film on iTunes or in a digital download format as well.

I have lots of respect for this TC and the rest of the crew that produced this film so disregard the cutout image of some superimposed chica on the artsy, paper waves from the poster as this could be the real deal.

For more details, head to: www.dearandyonder.com.

Back to School Blowout Sale #1 - Alpine Ski Shop

OK, all you local shop owners. Now is the time to send me your Back to School, Fall blowout, clearance, end of summer sale information. We're here hoping this is a good year for the local retailer who supports skating, snowboarding, surfing ...whatever. We want to see you all remain in business and get local communities hyped.

First up straight out of sterling Virginia is a crazy mother f*cker named Alpine Ski Shop. Expect shoes starting at $24.99. Also SATURDAY ONLY you'll find reps to be selling off samples, one offs and other assorted unique goodness. Be there, support your local scene and go do your thing
-Jonny

Burton Message Board Rest In Peace or How do you say good-bye to an old friend?

I’ve been out of the loop recently, and today decided to check-in with some old friends: my Interweb snowboard buddies. Much to my surprise, I learned that the Burton Message Board is dead. After about ten years of various iterations, an old friend is gone forever. I questioned what WILL happen next?

Can you imagine if your child, your lover, your best friend from grade school passed away? Or what about that bully that threw you into the locker and then gave you a swirlie in front of the high school prom queen? And for extra spice, add that Meth addict that asked you for a quarter than knifed you in the back alley for your cell phone. That’s the void in my heart with the end of the Burton Message Board.

It is truly the end of an Era. In it’s place, Burton has gone Social Media 2.0. Somewhere, somehow, somebody had the brainchild to farm out the Community portion of Burton.com to a “social media expert.” The site has become affectionately known as TwitMyBook for snowboarding. The Community is being driven by a company called Kontain. Wait? Did they spell “contain” wrong? No Sally, that’s how they spell it because they’re Kool. From their website, Kontain is: “An online social destination which makes it easy for everyone to share their life through media, Kontain is the privately funded sister company of Fantasy Interactive Inc.” Does this sound like porn or is it just me?

Ok, time to be serious. The new Burton.kontain.com is powered by a 140 plus character model that connects to all your other favorite social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. In some cases like your profile picture, the user interface is much slicker than other iterations of the BMB. It remains to be seen if this new version will have the staying power to have long and serious debates about neon in snowboard fashion or whether reverse camber is fad as the new format doesn’t necessary facilitate topic-based discussion. On the plus side, the most recent comments have been from real-life actual Burton employees (a first in many cases as many employees were scared to actually post on the old BMB).

My drunk, misguided and optimistic hope is that Burton will leverage this medium to its fullest capabilities, allowing a true conversation to occur between snowboarding enthusiasts, snowboard pros and snowboard industry peeps. Only time will tell if this version of the BMB survives the flame wars, critiques of the snowboard elite or falters under its own inane status updates about farts. I invite you to join in the conversation, sit back and watch the chaos unfold.

You can even friend me. I’m username - hoon. I might even accept.

Welcome Guest #1: Hoon!

Every once in a blue moon the weird happens. When the weird happens it's typically a good thing. In this instance the weird was a very good thing. Why you ask was some ting weird good? Because my little friend in this case it showed just how small this shredable world is. Yes, I wrote shredable. if you don't like that you can suck it Trebek.

So last year at some point some guy named Hoon was leaving snarky comments on my blog. Actually scratch that. Go back to 2005/2006 some assclown named Hoon on the Burton message boards ripped me a new one in a conversation over Burotn AK (read: over priced and over hyped) but flash forward to 2009 I was standing at 10,000 feet in Utah with teh very same Hoon as all of the above getting ready to drop in for a back country run.

How the hell did we make those three leaps? We;; forgoing his smartypants-ness Hoon happens to be living a parallel life to mine. After striking up conversation - we found out we were from the same town in New York and knew some of the same people. We made some turns in Vermont and for the most part hit it off. I reserve the right to be a jackass and he reserves the right to be right all the time. As long as those are the ground rules we are good.

But, he's also a solid writer with his own blog and freelance moments for Fuel TV and 5Ones. I was pretty excited when he said he wanted to contribute because he opinions are back by plenty of thought and experience. You'll see some rock solid updates from Hoon about 2-4 times a month. I'm excited he's on board and you should be excited also. Hoon welcome and remember the golden rule: no sex in the champagne room unless your name is Bobby Worrest or Shaun Palmer.

South of the North Now Accepting Applications

Several weeks ago I said "South of the North is going on hiatus" and that worked out well. I got to sit back, sip adult pepsis, rehab my broken old bones, spend time with the family and heckle the world of action sports bloggers. Everybody needs a break and I worry about the internets enough at my day job. So a little time not caring about what sneakers were coming out, who was causing and trouble and who was rippin' was in order. Amongst the more interesting notes I got when i put it up was that several people said "hey can I write/blog for you?"

I thought that was interesting.

"You really want to write for South of the North? You do realize we are not so pro and get by more on fart jokes and low brow humor more so than anything else?" was my reply.

to which they said

"Yes."

OK, happy to have you but I am a big believer in democracy and all things fair I figure why not open it up. So if you wan to be a regular contributor let me know and we'll work something out. Let me answer a few questions up front

- No I can't pay you. I don't get payed for writing this so you can't get nothing from nothing.

- Skate, Snow and the occasional surf post. All other lifestyle stuff can wind its way in if needed.

- We only re-blog when it's worthy, hilarious or delicious.

- Opinions & voices need only submit. Seriously we have enough psuedo journalist who blog and try to please everybody. If you love something ...you love it. If it sucks or isn't worth your time ... then say so.I view this as the big benefit. You can say what you want, when you want. It's gotta go through me but f*ck it, a little wild west is good for the soul.

So drop me a line over on Testernote@gmail.com or shoot me a note on twitter.com/southofthenorth

Hope to hear from somebody soon and new guests posts are on the way.
-Jonny

SPoT launches a new trade show

SPoT once again proves it's likely smarter and more dedicated that everybody else in skateboarding. Where most people talk ... they do. Read Shop-Eat-Surfs write up and interview

Also, I need to come back to this in light of Nieratko's write up on Vice about the less than awesome things he experienced about the X Games.

Rest in Peace Andy Kessler

Dad and Shocking news. I had the opportunity to meet Andy briefly over the years. Always a few kind words, positive thoughts about life and skating. Patrick O'Dell has posted some pics of Andy on Epicly Later'd Dorottya Mathe's 'Grandmaster of 108' is making the rounds. So long Andy, your spirit will be missed.

Grandmaster of 108 from Dorottya Mathe on Vimeo.

I know it's not real ...

... but it would be awesome if it was

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Danny Way Mega Shoe Feature

What I Learned from Summer X Games 2009

The X Games Corrects Mistakes
After cancelling the vert comp last year, saying vert is dead online then reinstating with a tiny ramp, X Games moved vert into a the tennis court at the Home Depot center. Center court...very nice indeed. I gotta say that set up looked pretty cool from a spectator standpoint and had to make all the skaters and riders feel pretty fine. Nicely done X Games. No nasty letters from me this year.

When in Doubt Become a Rip Off Artist
Back in 2007 I did some live blargin' of the X Games. It was a fun thing to do over a couple of adult pepsis after a skate session. Nice to See the honchos at EXPN followed my previous lead and did it this year. Truth be told, I ripped it off from Bill Simmons on Espn.com. As a matter of fact They should pay Simmons a royalty. Hell, pay me a royalty. I need it more than Simmons. All kidding aside this was a nice way to keep the reports fresh and moving. Again, nicley done X Games.

People are Busy and other BS
When a skate shop owner e-mails a rep about something for his story related to his product and he gets the "I can't answer this right now I'm too busy helping my riders out at the at the summer X Games" e-mail you know it's BS. let me disqualify this crap reps answer.

1. I've been to multiple X Games. Trust me you aren't that busy.
2. If you were busy you wouldn't be reading your effing e-mail. As a matter of fact if you were too busy you never would have responded
3. Side bar: If you are going to respond to an e-mail how about. Hey, Can I get in touch with you Tuesday or Wednesday? After all, being a rep is a job now quit slacking and sell my homeboy some bearing or wheels. Slack ass.

Seriously unless youa re competeing, judging, assisting injured riders, selling beer and pizza frites, blogging or working on the TV production you have plenty of time on your hands.

Carnage Sells and Pays
There's a saying in the media business that content sells and advertising pays. Lets be honest... at the X Games (try as they might to hype tricks made)the body count is a big viewer hook. Last two years what have been the biggest highlights? Jake Brown (2007) and Danny Way (2008) slamming on the mega ramp. The previous big highlight to those? I had to look it up but it was the Pastrana double backflip in 2006. An unscientific poll of my neighbors over beers this evening showed that they all remember the slams but not the makes.

Check out what Nieratko had to say

"This year non-skater spectators were more than disappointed at Big Air with guys actually landing most of their tricks.

For many in the stands it seems it's the slam that they look forward to, much like Nascar fans waiting for the crash. It's really sad to think that a no-handed backside 360 across a huge cavern was looked at no differently than a fly ball hit to the outfield. I overheard one father in the stand point out to his on, "Oh, there he goes again."

Yep, That ain't gonna change. Little Bubba in Oklahoma will always take about the snapped tib-fib combo before the no-handed backside 360. Just sayin'.


DC Shoes Can Still party Their Ass Off
I wasn't even in LA and I'm winded from the sessions at the standard. Seriously. If you're going to do it. Do it right. There were nonstop updates, pics and behind the scenes video. I didn't have to fly across the country this year like 2008 in order to enjoy this. I said it once and I'll say it again DC is on fire.

BMX Riders Sure do Like the Same Blue Jeans & Energy Drinks
It appears the new BMX uniform is a Levi's t-shirt and your favorite energy drinks: Rockstar, Monster, Red Bull, Ass Juice. OK, I made that last one up. Actually the number of energy drinks seems to keep lots of these guys going in the skate, snow, BMX & FMX world. Pun not intended, I just hope they are getting payed.

Evolution is Necessary
So at some point I asked somebody on the West Coast if they were at X games. When the question was met with disdain it then brought up the question of are the X games still relevant?
Again with the disdain so I'll post up my own answer here. No kid is going to go skate or ride or surf etc next few weeks and remember anything from these games.

Really, I'm not saying there weren't some amazing things. please don't take it that way. I was blown away by Danny Mayers 540 kickflip melon and numerous other events form riders and skaters. But, I'm the anomaly. I'll watch skating on fuel tv, or at my local park if I'm injured because I love skateboarding.

My point is this: the X games have become to insular, too isolated and too disconnected. People need to see an FMX trick to appreciate the rush of power, they need to experience a BMX rider flying through air in order to understand the speed and they need to see skateboarding in person to wrap their head around the space where technical and gnar meet.

The funny thing is, they probably couldn't have done anything to avoid this but the X games needs to become accessible again. Keep the corporate sponsors and keep inflating skater and rider paychecks. I don't care about that but get this stuff out there to the masses. if they haven't experienced it yet ...they need to. You have the means to do. Make it happen.

One Minute and 28 Seconds ...

... Inside a Slayer fan's brain is a pretty awesome.



Thanks to Unholy Rouleur for putting this on my radar.

What the Hell is With All the Bike Stuff

So, I've been getting lots of e-mail both from whack jobs in Colorado and elsewhere wondering what all the cycling mumbo jumbo is that's popping up on South of the North. Well, this is an easy one to answer so I'm going to phone in this last blog post for the weekend.

Back in Feb I went out to Utah to ride, etc. The riding was fun, the friends were good, I learned new things about riding in the backcountry ...blah blah blah. On the last day i caught up with an old shop friend from Alpine - Big Josh. While goofing off around Brighton I landed in the backseat and tweaked my left knee. I still had about a month of riding left in front of me if I wanted to tackle it but damn it if my knee didn't feel way off. Previously in the spring , summer, fall and winter I've skated and done some minimal cycling to try and keep from falling apart. Having previously blown on my knees, ankles, lower back, both shoulders and elbows I figure a little exercise with minimal chance of falling is help to my body. The other option would be to try and learn mega ramp at age 36. No thanks.

So starting in March DC had an unseasonably warm spring and it kept on with unseasonably warm temps for awhile. So Why not bring the knee back into shape. Suddenly I was selling a bike and in the three way trade that rivaled Kevin Garnett going to the Celtics I some how ended up with a great new bike and surplus cash. I'm still not quite sure how that worked out but it did. After much heckling I ended entering a race just to see if I could hang with the group. During that race I got my doors blown off. However as the knee slowly was rebuilt I got a little bit better and sure enough I can now hang with the group.

So South of the North now includes some cycling stuff. Why? Because I have this microphone and I can say whatever I want. See it's that easy. Trust me when you're knees & back start going on you a bike or swimming will be your salvation. You can only land so much before a systematic breakdown occurs. I guess Yeats and the Roots were right: "things fall apart." But, the idea here is to not transition and leave skating and snowboarding. Nope, not at all. This is just another layer that has to be completed in order to keep skating and snowboarding. Yep, there is no quitting.