All you need to know when picking a board: The right tool for the job

Yesterday morning as the sun rose brilliantly over the Atlantic Ocean, I sat in some 50 degree water cursing myself. No, I wasn't swearing like a little school girl due to the time or the water temperature. I had made the wrong board choice. Seduced my the hopes and dreams that there would be head-high or OH waves, I had only brought my pin-tail thruster to the beach. The waves were mushy and waist-high at best. I left at home my trusty stead, the Oak of the Northeast, my twinzer fish, which would have made short work of those mushy waves. Instead, I suffered while others around me wooted and hollered.

For those of you who surf, you know, but for the rest of you, I'll provide another analogy. Imagine bringing a WRX sti to Target or an x-acto to a samurai fight. Yup, something isn't quite like the others. Of course I brought that sexy thruster to the beach because it represent all that is surfing (or marketed as surfing). Do you see Kelly Slater on a fish or Andy Irons on a longboard? Hell no. Sure they ride those boards, but you never see them riding them. That's because you are marketed the latest and greatest in surfboard technology. It doesn't matter if it works only in triple overhead, it's cool. I forgot the cardinal rule, the one rule that you can't ever forget when looking to purchase or select a board, any board. It's what your shop teacher and your sex ed teacher both told you in high school: You gotta bring the right tool for the job.

Now how does this relate to snowboarding you might ask? Surfboards are ultra-complex in their simple tear-dropped foam with a variety of tip/tail shapes, concave rockers, rails, widths, lengths, materials and blah blah blah. Snowboards on the other hand have simple dimensions: length, sidecut, running length, tip/tail width and waist width. Sorry Georgie boy, the game has changed. Now you have to consider reverse camber, flat camber, camber+reverse camber, banana, rocker, triple-base-technology and some other crap that I've tried and can't remember.

The decision to purchase a snowboard can't be taken lightly. You have to remember that same cardinal rule: the right tool for the right job. Don't be seduced by the siren call of marketing. And don't take the shop kid's gospel at face value. Do the research. Buy a Buyer's Guide. Ask around. Go online, and ask questions (and get heckled) in a messageboard. Then go to that shop and have a conversation with the shop kid about your needs.

Form your own opinion that isn't created by those looking to sell you something. If you're local hill is Seven Springs, PA and you are 5'2", 110lbs, you don't need a Burton T6 164 with C60s. I don't care how much you love Nicolas Muller (we love him too). Alternatively if you're in AK, that JP Walker Stepchild 147 might not be the best choice for Alyeska. And for fucksakes, if you just started, DON'T buy that Burton Method, even if you made a killing last year on Wall Street. I repeat: don't buy that Burton Method. I don't care if it matches your Porsche Boxster (I know. You're saving up for the Carrera) and Ed Hardy t-shirts.

This simple mantra should save you a ton of angst and triple your stoke (plus if you're that Wall Street guy some more cash for more Jagerbombs and roofies). Oh yah and remember kids, wrap it up when you ride. Stay protected out there this winter.

Happy Friday: Go Have Fun

I know, I know weak spot but seriously it's the day before Halloween. You shouldn't be on the interwebs. Go put together your sill costume and ride a bike, go skate, get silly. Here's the extent of my costume - this year I'll be the fat bicycle guy who sips delicious adult Pepsi's while blasting pumpkins via cannon.

Not really but one can dream right?

Nike SB Dunk High Black with Gum Sole , PRod 2.5 release and the Nike SB HUf Blazer

Pretty slick sneaker right there. I bet it's good for all sorts of things including gardening, shopping, and possibly skatetheboarding.

Since we haven't had a good solid Nike SB update in awhile here we go - there was that little HUf Collab






MORE IMPORTANTLY --- sorry i got a case of the Darren Harper ALL CAPS there -- From the recent fall tour Don't Fear the Sweeper --- we'll get a video. hell yes

Sometime before march the 2.5 PRod is coming out. yadda yadda



Then in the spring we'll see Omar's first pro shoe

annnnnnd we're back.

When Worlds Collide Part 1: RVCA X Cinelli

This post may have some rambling parts but stick with me as I have a few things to get off my chest. Previously, the motto here at South of the North was "Trust Your Gut and Take Chances Daily." Basically, un beholden to anybody we were going to say what we wanted, when we wanted about who wanted. I think it's pretty safe to assume that SOTN strayed from that mission and we began playing it safe. Not that anything was awful it just wasn't really South of the North. Sneaker drops, press releases ...all that stuff is still interesting but it's information without the idea. Basically ... no soul.

Everything has to have some soul. Also, to be quite honest the world of collaborations seemed to go from doing inserting things to "doing for the sake of doing." Which from a creative standpoint is terrifying or awful pending on what mood you may be in. So we quickly went form unique & interesting to an overflow of stuff. We just had more stuff but there are a few exceptions. Rarely does something cross my eye what has unique cultural value in filling a void, an aesthetic that is pleasing and to be honest brings together a few things I love. The RVCA X Cinelli "Pressure" series achieved all of those. it's a tall order but well filled.

The back story here is that along with skating and snowboarding - I come from a family of cyclist, more importantly racers. riding has always been a constant in my life - to work, with the family, on a beer run, to the skatepark but I never really committed to it. After tweaking a knee this year in Utah I came back to DC resolved to be healthy and better prepared for next year. Like the addiction of skating and snowboarding I fell down the rabbit hole of cycling and landed hard. Eight months later I'm part of DC cycling team, posted some OK results and am looking forward to next years track season. So when I began catching up on the RVCA x Cinelli collab here was something that on a personal level bridged the worlds of skate-surf-snow, art and cycling. Seeing the art roll across with the timeless Cinelli badge and the RVCA name was a fulfilling sight for my eyes.

You see - skating, snowboarding, surfing they are not different at all from the culture of cycling. I don't think fixies are the new skateboard. Nope, don't think that at all. But, there is a passion, a freedom and a rising from the communities that partakes in any of these sports (hobbies, lifestyle, whatever) that will fill the void and become this amazing legacy. Somehow RVCA who is in their formative years has forged a bond with one of the most Iconic companies in cycling providing a unique interpretation of Cinelli's legacy. Now, it's good not to try and need a brand of or a label to define you but the melding of these two created something that again -- bridged gaps. So I may be late to the game with this post seeing how old the collab is but one can only hope that more companies follow suit in what they work together to generate vs. just creating.




It's highly doubtful that you can find one of the frames aside from online but some of the shirts are still available online. Well done RVCA and Cinelli. For more information you can check out the Gallery opening from back in 2008. Hopefully they'll keep this relationship alive and well between the two brands for a few more years. The each companies soul is complimentary to one another. See? I I brought it all back to center. You gotta have soul. Where does SOTN fit into this hot mess of an update. well we are figuring our soul out all over again. If you don't change you die and we need to evolve as they two brand have pushing the medium of art, design, engineering, stability and speed. So for now we are done trusting our gut and taking chances instaed we are simply South of the North - skate, shred, sprint, surf and maybe, just maybe, more of saying what we want. Besides while we like everything about RVCA and Cinelli - we loooove the Cinelli Vigorelli as seen below fully built. Not that is bad ass. (if you are planning on hauling ass around a velodrome) Just sayin'it's all sorts of "bella bella".

Alpine Gets Wood

Anytime you get to write that somebody is getting "wood" a solid post is enroute. Actually this is more of an update from my homeboys out at Alpine Ski Shop. While Chris is slacking on getting me what's "hot" moving in and out of the store it's because his hands have been full of wood. Literally. Convoy and Alpine teamed up for a new Alpine Shop deck. Ordinarily I don't care that much about shop decks but any deck that cops a style note from both Creature and the Matrix is OK in my book. Nicely done Convoy and Alpine.

Convoy Skateboards Team Rider Stephen Jefferson Video Short

Sometimes watching a local skater is more fun that watching Pro's. Nice work Stephen, Convoy and Adam.

Things we Like pt 7: Max Schaaf on Epicly Later'd

Baiscally you can't say much about Max Schaaf other than when you watch him skate it's really easy to "get" skating. After the Lakai & Beauty and the beast segments of Epicly Later'd I kinda zoned out but the return to the single skater narrative and their place in small segments of the skate timeline always draws me back in. This go around it's Max Schaaf whether it's the recent stuff at 4Q Conditioning or side stuff he cranks out with brands like Vans it's all interesting. Now, what makes it really interesting is when you run into one of these clips where the guy on camera can just communicate his passion incredibly well. Watching this you begin to understand the drive behind Max's skating, his love of bikes and of course a realization of how heavya place like Oakland could be growing up.

Vans Vault at Conveyor

Vans Vault shoes have always been a blend of amazingly cool, a little trousers deluxe (fancy pants) and down right a pain in the ass to find. Now it can be argued that by not being cool and not being able to find them one does not deserve such luxuries but the fine folks at vans disagree. Sneakers that go equally well in the skatepark, office or at one of Obama's inaugural events deserve to be made ready for the masses. As of right now this is at the Fred Segal Store in LA but I can only hope Chicago, NYC and maybe even DC get the same treatment in the future.

Things We Like part 7: Darren Harper is All Caps

I'm not sure how you could not appreciate skateboarding at any level. Whether it's teaching my kids what an ollie is or watching Lance Mountains backyard pool part from 'Extremely Sorry' there's a purity to skating that remains untouched. Maybe I'm being optimistic but I think that remains true even at the most basic level. Of course it doesn't hurt that the most people who skate are just straight up f*cking awesome.

Lets be honest you can not see somebody you skated with for eons and then you'll both be laughing. OPf course with Facebook it's easier to stay in touch with people. My latests favorite is Darren Harper. I've met Darren a whopping two times through my buddy Colin Bane however if I see an all caps facebook status update I guarantee you it's because D-Streets is on the road, out skating, playing music or throwing a party. How can you not like being connected to somebody like that? Everybody should be his friend I say.

Hey it Got Cold!

So with State College, PA getting a ridiculous amount of snow & Snowshoe, WV turning the guns on for a hot minute it only made sense that somebody in Vermont would try to open this weekend a fun white ribbon of death to shred. Thar early season achiever award goes to Mt. Snow in Vermont

High from Live2ride.com headed northbound to check it out and cameb back with this edit.

Mount Snow Opening Day - 10-17-09 from Liv2Ride on Vimeo.

The the best of my knowledge there was no vodka event for children. The Ed Hardy Boyz mostly hang out at Killy.

The Ed Hardy Boyz: The Case of the Missing Sick Belt Buckle from Jon Daly

October Shop Check #1: PITCREW

Looking back at all the years driving to New York from DC and never knowing what was nearby I shake my head in how foolish I was. The move to DC was back in 1996 so for several years I would drive up 15 north to visit old friends and family back in Upstate NY, each time passing through Frederick Maryland without a single thought about for stopping save for the spare tank of gas or coffee. Even when i started making regular runs to my little mole hill resorts in PA .... again through Frederick never stopping in to see if there was any local scene brewing.

That just goes to show how the best things are sometimes right in front of you. Since 1994 PITCREW has been serving skaters & snowboarders in MD, DC, VA and PA as they come through to skate or hit up one of the local hills from some snow slashin'. So it only seems fair that we lead off the seasons shop checks with PITCREW as they are leading off this year with a new website, online shopping and a grip into what is selling and what's coming next in their shop.

Lucky for me through the power of facebooks I connected with the Mighty Nate Musson who shared a few details on what's moving in skate and snow lately along with what's going to be coming next. According to Musson "32 Lashed Boots are on fire as are Lib Sk8 Bananas." This doesn't come as any sort of a shock the 32 Lashed is one of the most consistent boots in fit, function and is icnredibly lightweight. With JP Walker & Simon chamberlain holding it down for 32 they get plenty of face tiem in the vidoe and this here interwebs. We don't have to say much about the Lib Skate Banana - either you love it or you don't. All I know is that the Mervin faithful are down for it and the Lib Lynn Phoenix board of mine with BTX was a good time in the pow last year.

I was pretty excited to hear Nate say they were "expecting to see increased demand for Union Bindings and Stepchild Snowboards." I've said it before about Capita (who devours everything) and I'll say it about Union who is under the same parent (C-3) those guys know how to keep it fun. That permeates Capita Decks and Union Binders so no surprise there. Over on the Stepchild side of the spectrum this is something that sets Pitcrew aside from other shops in the area - looking for the smaller brand and bringing it into the market. Personally I dig the latchkey ripper deck graphics for the obvious skate reference. If I spent more time in the park actually learning how to spin on and off rails instead of bringing the method late 180 back for the 13th consectuive year ... I'd consider this deck.

The skate front is usually pretty simple and with the way the skate world works it all hums seamlessly or it splinters into a frenzy with everybody going their own direction.Currently it's a pretty calm as Nate let us know "Girl Mike Mo decks have been hot and Lakai Manchester Selects." Looking ahead the Manchester will likely stay hot at Pitcrew and they anticipate Deathwish boards to pick up or possibly Flip with the wide release of Extremely sorry. Again, the skate world moves in unison one minute and is like a bunch of methed up kittens going in every different direction the next. When in doubt just drop in to your local skate shop. talk to the staff and they'll tell you what's up.

So that's Pitcrew for the month of October. Now, if you are ready to shred your pants off this winter and are looking to convert that old set up to cash for a new set up. Haul ass to Bonita W. Mass Mini Park on Second Street just around the corner from the shop on October 24th and 25th for the PITCREW snowboard swap and sale. Thanks to Nate Musson for chiming inand if you are in Frederick MD stop in to PITCREW. Next Week Pure Board Shop then we'll close out on Halloween with Alpine. Until then remember to buy locally and support shops that are helping build your skate and snowboard scene.

Things We Love pt 6: Quiksilver Gives Alex Olson Trousers Deluxe

A few months back a box arrived with a sample pair of the Alex Olson skate denim that Quiksilver claims was engineered for skating. Before I close out "Things We Love" for the week with Mr. Olson's special skate pants I figured I better come clean. I have to lay my cards on the table here with a single statement: Quiksilver does an amazing job with their denim. Several years ago they took our Washington DC homeboy, Mr. Skate team manager himself for Quik, Reese Forbes and did a fancy pants re imagining of what skate denim could be. In this process they loaded coolmax into the jeans. now I don't know if you've ever skated DC on a summer day when it's 85 degrees and 90% humidity but this was godsend. Coupled with a clean lines, a regular fit and nothing gaudy the denim became a staple in many a wardrobe - including mine. So, when I saw the package from Quiksilver and opened it there were immediate expectations for Alex Olson's signature skate denim.

That was almost 3-4 months ago. Since then the Olson's have become the South of the North "go to" pair of pants. The denim is dark enough to wear with anything. Clean looking enough to wear into my office. Sturdy enough to survive a skate session with more desperate attempts thrown than tricks landed. Yes, there may have been a day or 15 recently where I transitioned from speaking on a media panel or with a sales force and then changed shirts and shoes to skate my local bowl. That versatility is priceless when you only have 35 minutes to skate before being called back home. But enough about my scheduling hell here's what almost threw me. Yep the change ...

The new Quik skate denim comes with a gusseted crotch. Upon seeing this it sent me mentally back to the craptacualr Volcom ergo jean. That V-Co jean some loved but I loathed never fit well and I'd call it the precursor to the skinny jean revolution. But, the regular fit Olson denim surprised me - the gusset was seamless and actually provides a better fit. This is probably why it doesn't explode into denim deconstruction around the sac section. Having worn more than my fair of pants in this lifetime it's pretty slick when you actually add in seams and fabric but improve fit while reducing stress points. Unsure how they pulled that off but Quiksilver has managed to make it work in the signature skate series denim.

I'm pretty lucky the opportunity arose to review something I'd like. Over four years I've owned six pairs of Reese Forbes jeans from Quik. I've put my own cash into this product because it's that good. If the Olson' didn't cut it I'd send 'em right back out the door. When I get something that fits right, functions well at the skatepark, in the office, on the bike, traveling across country, while pitching new business ideas or chasing my kids around the house ... then I consider it worth holding up for everyone to see. I'm happy to proclaim the new skate denim from Quik gets an official "trousers deluxe" nod from South of the North. Those previously mentioned expectations were met and surpassed. Yes, these things we love.

Check out Mr. Trousers Deluxe in the Quik skate team video from Chicago ( make sure you catch Justin Brock gettin' all sorts of Carolina blue on here as well)



Also - worth noting noting
Reese Forbes still has a signature jean




As does Danny garcia

Things We Love part 5: Getting Ed Hardy Hate Mail

Seriously, I love hate mail when it has to do with ripping on something lame like Ed Hardy. Here are several gems I received today in regard to three: yes three articles from almost a year ago. Looks like the Ed Hardy marketing team or at least the Jersey Guido posse is ready to protect their rep. So, uh, watch up for fish face, fake tans, roid rage, bad t-shirts with matching hats and hair gel. What sparked their rage well check out the links and their comments. I'll call epic fail on this one for
A. signing in as anonymous (mousey little turds)
B. defending the latest giant stink nugget to descend from the bowels of snowboarding.

So now I share with you the random blitz of comments that arrived on Wednesday afternoon...

Another Sign of the Apocalypse: Ed Hardy Snowboards
Anonymous said:
you're an idiot and need to get a life....I snowboard and find nothing what you said to be valid or worthy. If you love riding so much, why the hell do you care what people are riding on or what they're wearing?....looks like your a faggot and have nothing else to do.

Wow, you got me there. ZINNNNNNGGGGGGG! Aside from the typos and rampant homophobia I feel really bad (not really) But wait there's more! Minutes later another comment appeared on the same post!

Anonymous wrote:
I think it's great that they are coming into the industry. After all there are a lot of mom and pop stores and normal retail chains that are shutting their doors after years of business. The old shit isn't selling why not bring a product into the market that actually may sell and help us to keep our doors open a little longer. It's too bad you don't see the big picture. You must still be in high school though...

Ahhh the big picture economic theory. This guy must be a Harvard MBA with the finely tuned economic analysis. Here's some information professor. Shops are shutting down because we are in a recession. I'm sure between getting your hat all airbrushed to match your flash art shirt while and blowing the those hard earned car wash dollars in Vegas you may have heard of the massive economic decline. Surely you must have. Because Burton, Lib, Yes, Capita, Vans, DC they have no clue what they are doing ... oh yeah and way to insult the rest of the industry. Now you think they would leave it at that but minutes later ...

Anonymous wrote:
Didn't we get into this sport to not be judged and told what we can and can't do?? Pretty hypocritical don't you think? I'm sorry I like living in the land of the free. It's losers like you that one day will ruin the economy bro.. And I not only fucked your girlfriend but your sister as well and with my Ed Hardy tee shirt on..
BRO....

First homophobia, then the worst economic rational for a new brand ever ... now misogynistic tendencies that degrade women. Way to go guys. By the way since you can't seem to buy a clue with all your hard earned tool cash. Snowboarding was birthed from a few individuals who were looking to create a new kind of experience. Not cash in on a sport with a cheesy brand and lets be honest you are cashing in ... the false bravado is a bit weak. So that being said I thought I could close the door on this. But... over on this post

Now Accepting Positions for Pro Douchebags: Ed Hardy Snowboards
From Anonymous:
maybe they can bring something good to the sport. you never know. why all the judgement? It's America doesn't everybody have a dream. Ohh I forgot the people that actually have the time to blog all their hate don't have jobs they just live off their parents. Grow up . Besides you don't own the sport . Won't it help everyone in the long run and finally get us some of the recognition and support we've been looking for? For such amazing people you sure are closed minded.

Wait, who is getting the recognition? Ed Hardy? Because let me be the first to tell you snowboarding doesn't need Ed Hardy. Snowboarding needs passionate dedicated individuals who care about the products the put out for riders and ensuring riders get the best board, boot, outerwear possible. We don't need a company that is going to loot and rape our soul to turn a quick buck. Finally we got another grip of commentary on this one

The Ed Hardy Snowboard and Obama Snowboard - You Can't Make This Up
Anonymous said:
YOU are a loser and have no life! I ride on an Ed Hardy board and am proud of it! The funny thing is, I could care less what the hell you ride on or what you think.

Well you cared enough to write in and defend your board of choice...
and Anonymous also wrote
you know nothing about Don Ed Hardy or the clothing line. I think it's cool that they have the vintage inspired tattoo art on the boards.. And they are his designs and he is involved. You sound so ignorant like the guy who votes for the president of the US before learning anything about him.

Hmmmm You might want to rethink that. If I'm not mistaken this little nugget is from our good friends at Wikipedia:

In 2004, Christian Audigier licensed the rights to produce the high-end Ed Hardy clothing line, which is based on Hardy's imagery. Prior to the Ed Hardy clothing line, Audigier was the Head Designer at Von Dutch Originals, which marketed the imagery of Kenny Howard. Audigier has attempted to replicate the marketing techniques employed by Von Dutch Originals, by marketing directly to celebrity clients and by opening stores in high profile fashion districts. Ed Hardy stores are located in many locations internationally including the Americas, Europe, Asia & the Middle East.

In May 2009, Iconix Brand Group, Inc. announced that the Company has acquired a 50% interest in Hardy Way, LLC, the owner of the Ed Hardy brand and trademarks. The Company paid $17 million for its interest in Hardy Way, consisting of $9 million in cash and $8 million in stock. In addition, the sellers could be entitled to receive an additional $1 million in stock pursuant to an earn-out based on 2009 royalties received by Hardy Way. Hardy Way estimates that 2009 royalty revenue will be approximately $10 million.

Great so we have the tool who brought us those weak Von Dutch trucker caps now shoving another licensed brand down consumers throats. Since Von Dutch lasted all of a minute and Ed Hardy should be popping up in Wal Mart any second now I'd say congratulations on a mediocre branding job done. But what does Don"Ed" Hardy care? He walked with enough cash to laugh at all of us. The point being no - this is a licensed brand that sucks all that is good from snowboarding as you try to go after cash instead of building a scene for snowboarding.

Again, epic fail. So let me reiterate. Ed Hardy snowboards just doesn't make sense. Shitty flash tattoo art and trying to capitalize on the popularity of snowboarding. I know most people don't give a shit but please for the love of god just stop. Sending a blitz of comments to detract just brings more attention to how weak you are. When Burton or any other company is called out, they take it because to engage is to expose weakness. So, I'm guessing I touched a nerve with what you must hear daily. The giant sound of your entire line sucking. But, thanks for writing in this is a nice segue way into "things we love part 6 - airline barf bags". We keep a bunch stashed away in the event of a mass douchebag hysteria.

So let me make this clear for those of you in the cheap seats
1. I love hate mail
2. Snowboarding doesn't need Ed Hardy
3. It's odd to get this many message on old articles.
4. Now if my tone and tenor don't convey the message to all of you out there here's a lesson I learned from Bike Snob NYC when it comes to haters ...




Quick Update - As long as we are commenting on old news...
2/9/09 News: Don Ed Hardy Sues Christian Audigier Over Clothing Line
The Associated Press has reported that Don Ed Hardy has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Christian Audigier over the continued use of his name and artwork to endorse a line of products when Hardy had terminated the contract between them. According to the blog on Needled.com, there's a pretty extensive list of contract violations made by Audigier, including the use of his name to endorse an endless line of unrelated products such as perfumes, water and air fresheners. Hardy also claims that Audigier has failed to share the profits as contractually agreed upon back in 2005, and even went as far as to underreport the actual earnings from the Ed Hardy line so he wouldn't have to pay full royalties.

So, if you're wearing "Ed Hardy" perfume or drinking "Ed Hardy" bottled water, thinking that you're supporting the man whose name is stamped on the over-priced item, you might actually just be perpetuating another money hungry conglomerate willing to take advantage of the "little guy" for its own selfish means. I hope Hardy gets everything he's asking for and more.

Things We Like Pt 4.3: Recycled Fabrics from Bonfire, It's about Damn Time

So the year is 2009. As a gut check, our President won the Nobel Peace Prize, and green is the new black. No not the color green, well Kelly green is sick, but green as in the hippies won, tree-hugging is cool, and saving the environment also saves you money. As part of this movement, you'll see green products from everyone in the industry from Quiksilver incorporating recycled fibers in the new Trice outerwear to Capita's use of beeswax in their bases to Bond (a whole company devoted to green clothing) to Burton sprinkling a little green via their GMC (green mountain program) into almost every snowboard and a smattering of bindings, boots and outerwear.

But I tip my hat and say "about damn time" to Bonfire for the introduction of the GIFT program (in conjunction with their brothers-in-arms at Salomon), which utilizes recycled or environmentally friendly materials in the production process. To win this illustrious "Thing We Like" moniker, Bonfire utilizes scraps of high-end Japanese 2L and 3L ripstop fabric and creates technical jackets and pants with material. Here's a list of common misconceptions in "green" clothing.

Pffft you say, most "green" products offer me whimpy, 5k protection. The Bonfire jackets offer 25k and 20k protection with 15k breathability.

The styles are usually wack, in some random green, beige or brown color. These things are steezier than Louie Vito's dance moves on primetime TV. The Women's Blur includes prints from NYC based artist Kiji McCafferty.

This stuff is usually way over priced with some enviro-tax. Yes the Mt Hood jacket costs $349 (and it functions like a $500 gore-tex jacket), but the Blur jacket and Bailey pant cost $189.

The beauty of the Bonfire environmentally program is that it's a no-brainer. You, me and the guy that next door that skis knows that it's easier to re-use than re-create. So pretty much the excuses to not hug some trees and munch on some granola are gone. Who says snowboarders don't care?

Things We Like pt 4: Zombies, Snowboards and Capita - Oh My

I saw this on Der Kommissar Johan's Blog a few days ago but it took sales rep wunderkind Brad Bradley to remind me that the kids at Capita got their website rolling for 2010. Ordinarily unless it had compelling video plus killer boards plus something that made me spit coffee onto my monitor I'd leave it along but Capita could not have timed this better. Sure Capita boards ride great. Yes Johan finally got the Charlie Slasher pushed through and even though I love my Malolo I have feeling Chuck n' Slash will devour it. But none of those are the reasons for timing - no - I think they planned this all around zombies.



OK, not all the graphics are zombies and you could even venture to say that none of the graphics are zombies but damn it they remind me of zombies and zombies are awesome. I caught Zombieland over the weekend, cracklin' crap shooters was that a damn good zombie movie. You know why? it had all the right ingredients including but not limited to: zombies, shotguns, bad jokes, Metallica in the opening credits, Bill Murray, Zombies, chainsaws, amusements parks and zombie clowns. Zombie clown - do you know how bad ass zombie clowns are? Pretty bad ass that's how bad ass they are! So in looking at the 2010 Capita website it struck a chord with me as they said "we devour everything". Even a zombie has to chow down on the smorgasboard of fun. N' that why we like Capita - yes the boards are top notch but like a good zombie movie they freak you out one minute and make you laugh the next. That's what's good about snow slash - yay'ing really it should be the most fun and the scariest thing you ever do. Once the two are co-mingled it's all fun and you forget ever being scared. Then you can just be scared of zombies.

Things We Like pt 3: Vans Snow Outerwear (& Paas Easter eggs & Christmas Lights)

Earlier this year I came across the Vans snow outerwear for 2009 - 2010 season and my head started to find the rationale for not just bringing some color into their line ... no they lit it up like the 4th of July. The guys and gals at Vans have been kind enough to send me some of their pieces in the past to test out. So, from a use standpoint there was really no denying their functionality. from my perspective they were in the best of class scenario. From the gore-tex jackets to the Wiig pro series it was always rock solid. I will say this also, in the past the Vans outerwear line has had interesting fabrics and patterns. But, it from a shop perspective I never heard it moved well nor did I hear that it was the first thing customers noticed. Two tough obstacles to overcome but holy crapsticks did vans just push their chips to the middle of the table for the '10 season with a color palette that I'd be more likely to find at rave up version of an Easter egg dyeing party.

A little color is good but lots of color is better. Now, they have some solid simmered down pieces for you to chose from if you aren't into looking like my crazy neighbors Christmas light explosion (oh btw this year it's on I have $768 US Dollars that say he's going down and my electric bill is going up!)which is good. But, but a little vibrance on the hill will be good. Now, Vans isn't leading this trend as this year it seems to be less patterns, less earth tone and more color ... I almost want to say saturation. For the full effect you need to check out the redesigned VansSnow.com. Hopefully we'll have a little more info on these pieces as they roll into shops out east but for right now , well done Vans in bringing a little bit of the bright back.

Things We Like pt 2 - Todd Richards, Patriotic Male Model

Oh the lengths we will go to please sponsors or in this case have Quiklsilver cough up money for Toddcast. In reality Todd Richards, Todd cast and his ability to not give a crap raises the game of Quiksilver in the snow world. Factor in Travis Rice (With stunt model Todd Richards, seriously Travis you can't try on two jackets and one pair of pants for the camera?)Louis, Austin, Bryan the Boy named Hampus and the circle is complete. But, I digress, were talking Todd here.

So seeing TR's face all over the product shoots, seeing Quik give him money (at least a better camera) for Toddcast and maybe a meager travel budget is a sign that in it's beleaguered financial state Quik might be smarter than ever. There is something to be said for authenticity. At the end of the day we can't control the shift of the market all we can do is skate and snowboard. If we are lucky we'll have Todd Richards, snowboarder, podcaster, YoBeat intervieee & Patriotic Male Model leading the way. Why do I feel like seeing the battle hymn of the republic?

Things We Like pt 1 - Bucky's Bowl-B-Q

In what is sure to be a long running feature of me just spouting off on something I like this video had to go first. Why might you ask? Well pour yourself a piping hot cup of awesome and I'll tell you.

1. It looks sunny and awesome there. It's 50 and crummy here in Virginia today.
2. That bowl looks amazing. Just admit it, even if you don't skate - you want to drop in just to see what would happen. None of that fancy longboard carving stuff that's some real skateboarding right there.
3. Fast forward to 3:23 when Bucky takes off and you'll see a scary level of "my backyard, my bowl, I own these lines" happening.
4. Did I mention it looks sunny and awesome?

Bucky's Bowl-B-Q - watch more skate, snow, surf, and moto videos

Monument Snowboards 2010 Site Up & Running

So I was banging away on the intarweb the other day trying to find the end of it all. Between last weeks Burton debacle on Yobeat and the despair of seeing Colorado slopes open while the beast coast was a warm 65 degrees Fahrenheit ...finding the end of the world wide web seemed appropriate. While traveling at the not so fiber optic speed of candlelight I stumbled across the Monument Snowboards website.

It was the 2009 site.

So I called up Dave from Monument or as I call him - El Presidente* Now, Dave said the site would be up Sunday October 11th. Sure enough it has arrived: Ladies and gentlemen - the Monument 2010 site is live. Pics, clips and the 2010 board line up.

So here's the good the bad and the ugly

Good ... boards with art curated across the lineup from the likes of Kelsey Brookes and several others. Kelsey provided the visuals and soul of the Memento Mori which is kinda stunning in a creepy what would happen if Tim Burton remade the movie 'Black Hole'



Bad ... hmmm took me few minutes to actually find the boards. Also where's the minor threat rip off t shirt I keep pleading for you to make. That worked out so well for Nike SB. The over under on Dave yelling at me? even money. it's gonna happen.

Ugly - Splash page, ew.

Now if it would snow we could place these snowboards under our feet and test them. Until then it's websites, bikes & skateboards.




* Note under new FTC rules I have to disclose all relationships with companies I mention. So, I know Dave we hang out. Drink beers. Discuss Vietnamese Cuisine. Go snowboard on Monument snowboards and hang out n' stuff. OK, thanks FTC I feel the same way as the one time I had to explain to somebody why I asked Chick A vs. Chick B to the prom. Awkward.

A week to remember: Hitler takes a Banana, Bloggers and the FTC, YoBeat vs. Burton, Hoon changes another diaper

So it was a big week for snowboarding. About 8 weeks later than the rest of you, I learned that Hitler snowboards and got suckered into buying a reverse camber snowboard from Lib Tech. I also learned that he is a model, he reviewed Transformers, hates the new Boeing plane and is into BMX and mountain biking. Man, he's a busy mass murdering dictator. And all I could think about was how could such a loser in a tight suit with a cheap comb-over and a fucked-up moustache convince a nation to go apeshit and how could he get so much ass?

The Federal Trade Commission (aka the FTC) announced that starting December 1, bloggers need to disclose their sponsorships, payments, etc. or get fined. So going forward, we'll have to disclose any cash payments, freebies, schwag or other crap that we get from companies, PR agencies and the like. Honestly, I think that full disclosure is warranted, when cash is involved, but other wise it's kinda silly. In advance of that deadline, I'd like to disclose the following items that I have received from various companies. Padre, I have received some very exciting stuff:

• Some leftover clothes for my wife from Roxy when she was pregnant
• Some leftover sales samples from Analog, including a one-piece that blew up on the coldest day of the winter. I think I still see the cumstains from the excitement (I kid, I kid)
  
• A few leftover t-shirts that don't fit my fat ass
• An iPhone surf report app (the review is coming I swear!)
• A leftover Never Summer SL-R 155 (such a rad board in UT)
  
• A bunch of leftover sales catalogs and a few stickers (not diecuts, DOH)
• Some leftover stuff from Pro-tec when I busted my kidney (teenage girls made fun of my turtle shell)
  

Ok with that out of the way, the latest drama involves YoBeat versus Burton. Evidently Brooke from YoBeat visited the Burton compound as part of their annual Fall Bash over the last weekend. She posted her experience here. Someone from Burton called asking "WTF? We don't like you and are pissed that you were trashin' on our company party." Brooke then took down the post. Other people posted it elsewhere and THEN Brooke responded on her personal blog here with a post that said "dudes, I'm a journalist, what's the big deal?" So, now the original post is back on YoBeat. Phew. Anyway, my take on this he said/she said is that like many things on the Interweb, it's probably blown way out of proportion. Everyone is speculating about new media, crazy, eye-ball strategies and something that is more complex than the Da Vinci code. Honestly, I got bored after Todd Richards (he's so dreamy) weighed in and said "this is all total crap." (holy shit, did he mention my name in the comments?).

Oh and by the way, I've now just changed my daughter's third poopy diaper in the last two hours. Ahhh, I never realized how much dealing with my daughter and the snowboard Internetz are so similar. Fatherhood rocks!

Some interesting footnotes:
 *Hitler was a very, very, very, very bad man.
*Caramel fountains, hot dogs and hoon: a natural fit. 
*Note to Action Sports companies: I love you and will continue to do so as long as you send your leftover castaways. Pay it forward biotch!*Looking for Brooke's blog, I accidentally googled "Brooke Berry" to find Brooke and found this instead (SFW I promise).
*Poopy diapers are not a laughing matter. Or are they called poopie diapers? 

When Bloggers Attack Part 367

I imagine the original post that started this turd tornado was a funny post and nothing more. Let me stress the "I imagine that ..." part. I'm not a mind reader so I can't even really begin to asses intent. But, I've worked with Brooke and have collaborated with Jared (both instances back in the Lat34 days) they always seemed pretty stand up and professional to me. That's what makes this funny and yes me saying something about it only adds fuel to the fire. But, I don't care this is my blog. I have the microphone and until you nancy's step up with something to contribute you're going to listen to what I have to say. Got that chumplestiltskin? OK, moving on...

In her follow up on media, revenue and ethics Brooke makes some valid points. Actually it's hard to argue and having spent the past 13 years working major digital media outlets as my day job ... I have all sorts of perspective. The only thing I find really interesting is the "take it down, put it back up and take it back down" ping pong the editorial went through. This seemed to be a strange blend of "I won't get paid, I don't care about money, shit somebody might lose their job". Trying to navigate the world of digital media and action sports is a weird squirrely place. Everybody is your friend one minute and then the next you get dropped like its hot. So, it's important that you maintain an even keel whenever possible. Theirs is not a comfortable position (like the back seat of a Yugo) right now and you know ... it flat out sucks.

So right or wrong to post the a quick article slamming Burton and then defend it later? Here's the short answer: say what you want, when you want, and man the battle stations when shit goes south. This is one dilemma I'll never really face though. I don't have advertising on SOTN and I live on the East Coast diminishing any possible Bromuda triangle encounters and well lets be honest any filter of my really caring about industry went aloha long ago. When it comes to running your own content ship there are times you will point straight to the iceberg and go full steam ahead. Sure you might sink a few times but eventually it'll correct. Until then hold fast Brooke and Jared. Your shit ain't broke so please don't go trying to fix it.

Jeremy Jones Leaves Rossi and Goes Solo (sort of)

I'm not what you would call a "smart person" but it didn't take a rocket scientist to take notice in the 90's and early millennium the rise of two snowboard phenoms named Jeremy Jones. The first being Jeremy Jones from Utah who went on to become a urban shred legend and of course flaunt his right wing tendencies on the cover of Transworld. At least I think think it was Transworld. I've lost a good chunk of the past 10 years so i couldn't even begin to t ell you for sure. I just remember a patriotic looking blue man group guy with a crazy mohawk. Whatever floats your boat. But, point here is that's street or rail Jeremy. I want to talk about big mountain Jeremy.

I was intrigued but not shocked when I read that Jeremy was no longer working with Rossignol.
It's not shocking from the standpoint that Rossignol and other longstanding members of the shred universe are hurting financially. The harsh reality is that team riders are a cost center and not a profit center. Despite having a prolific line inside Rossignol snowboards being an amazing rider doesn't always sell product if you are constrained by a rough market image. That being said I've road JJ's Rossi boards at demos and won't lie ... I enjoyed them. So whatever the story is on that front I'm unsure but I wasn't expecting him to go the route of starting his own brand: Jones Snowboards. Now I'm likely the last person to the table but it's worth talking about. Why? Well, glad you asked. It's pretty simple concept: this is pretty fucking punk rock.

I'm going to remove the potential economic uphill battle Jones snowboards may have and take a quick trip back down memory lane. Ski resorts used to not allow snowboarding, companies sprouted out of garages and if you snowboarded and a another kid snowboarded you were automatically kin. Snowboarding was about doing what we wanted to do. Not what conventional wisdom told us was the right thing. Starting a freeride board company in today's Olympic, X Game hyper fueled slopestyle, halfpipe and jibbin bonanza is just shy of crazy. But, take one of the best free riders, a guy who when I watch ride I think of Craig Kelly and the effortless flow that comes with the relentless pursuit of new lines, it becomes less crazy. Rise or fall for Jones snowboards giving it a shot is a giant leap where most are to chicken shit to even try. My hope is this, Jones is successful and ushers in a new generation of all terrain shredders. With Travis Rice driving next level contest in Jackson Hole, backcountry freestyle pioneers like Jamie Lynn having a resurgence by doing collabs with Vans, Jones snowboards could be another clue in the hard to decipher freeride code that is snowboard marketing and presence.

So I'm not shocked, I'm not intrigued, nope ... I'm hopeful. Seeing somebody take a chance, attach his name to brand is like painting a big bullseye on your back. But one could venture that having the cajones of big mountain Jeremy would make you a little less risk adverse. So what's the moral of a this story? Jeremy will be crushing it on a board that bears his name but is his name. South of the North wishes him a big high five best of luck and for all of you out there to scared to do something, take a chance.

Review: Dear & Yonder

You may be wondering: why is Hoon reviewing a woman's surf movie? Honestly, with an avid longboarder wife and now a little girl who we hope will become a great little ripper, I popped the DVD for Dear & Yonder into the laptop with some curiosity on my last plane ride home.

The film starts with a brief "history" of women's surfing. To be honest, I almost turned off the film, but then you gotta reset your expectations. This film isn't geared to be the next Taylor Steele film for a bunch of 16-year old testosterone-crazed ADHD kids. This film is for the ladies and as such, starts by giving you the story that no one else has told: namely that women were surfing in Hawaii with the guys way before Cap'n Cook came calling.

The historical section is a bit hokey, but it works. Dear & Yonder quickly transitions to the near past with the rise of Lisa Andersen, Layne Beachley, etc. With the pages of history set straight, we then see a nice little exchange between Andy and Ashley Davis (of Ando and Friends). One surfs while the other watches their son and does the wave count. I suspect that I'll be in similar shoes shortly.

To characterize and explore all different types of wave-riding, the film also follows Judith Sheridan. Judith is a bodyboarder who routinely mixes it up with the best of them in the cold waters of Santa Cruz and even Mavericks. You've probably heard of Liz Clark and her around-the-world surf adventures from Patagonia or Surfer mag. We all get that wanderlust bug, and it's impressive to see Liz chart the waters around the globe in search of waves, friends and adventure.

Dear & Yonder also includes female surfers near and far from Kassia Meador to shaper/surfer Ashley Lloyd to Sophia Mulanovich and Sally Fitzgibbons ripping it up on tropical waves. The film charts the progress of women's surfing, and it paints a beautiful, compelling picture. From my POV, this film is just the start, and I'll be looking for now a Taylor Steele-esque equivalent of women's surfing as the segments with Sally Fitzgibbons, Stephanie Gilmore and Sophia Mulanovich steal the show.

At the end of the day, I'll leave it to Lisa Andersen to explain what makes the trips (and subsequently the film) behind Dear & Yonder so compelling:

“What’s great about Dear & Yonder is that it has captured some many different individuals and the way they look to the sea to experience life, it really highlights how everyone’s experience can be very different at times.  The girls in the film have taken it to a whole new level. It is this story of the bond with the ocean and using it as a means to escape the world that we can all relate to.

“The talent of the future generation is just so tremendous and the sport has gotten so young, all of the sudden you have 15 year-olds breaking records and winning contests and I look forward to watching these girls holding the thrown for a while and seeing how far they can take women’s surfing.”