Recon-Zeal’s Transcend Shows Us The Future of Goggles

 

This article on ReconZeal’s Transcend goggles contains top quality descriptive writing that impressed me, a picky snowboard blogger.  If you read through the specs and description of  this pair of Recon goggles you will see snowboard writing at its best. Even if you don’t, this is a prime example,  ”The brighter it is, the higher the rate of activation of the photochromic pigment and the darker the lens will get. In low-light situations the lens becomes much clearer as the pigment remains deactivated.” The author is uses a very creative but clear and to the point style of writing for this piece. Writing about snowboard items can be extremely difficult. Typically, the smaller the item the less to talk about, however, that is not the case in this situation. After reading this article I want to learn more about this product, and I can’t say that about most product reviews.

Zeal’s Transcend goggles contains top quality descriptive writing that impressed me, a picky snowboard blogger.  If you read through the specs and description of  this pair of Recon goggles you will see snowboard writing at its best. Even if you don’t, this is a prime example,  ”The brighter it is, the higher the rate of activation of the photochromic pigment and the darker the lens will get. In low-light situations the lens becomes much clearer as the pigment remains deactivated.” The author is uses a very creative but clear and to the point style of writing for this piece. Writing about snowboard items can be extremely difficult. Typically, the smaller the item the less to talk about, however, that is not the case in this situation. After reading this article I want to learn more about this product, and I can’t say that about most product reviews.

True Inspiration – Kevin Pearce

 

The slogan went from “I Ride For Kevin” to “I Ride With Kevin” in one year an 11 months. Professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce endured a horrific brain injury during a warm up run nearly two years ago. On December 14^th, 2011 Pearce rode for the first time. There was a huge crowd there at the Colorado resort wearing the updated “I ride with Kevin” t-shirts on. The appreciation for life is apparent in this young 24 year old snowboard icon. He came out with the decision to the public that he no longer will ride in competitions knowing that another hard hit to the head could take his life or severely cripple him. Concussions and brain contusions are of the most serious of injuries as we do not have cures or medicines for brain injuries. Most effects severe effects of brain injuries come down the road when the victim of the injury reaches elder ages. That is when damaged brains begin to malfunction therefore being more susceptible to diseases like Demesne and Alzheimer’s. I think it is righteous when people preserver through tough times and make it out a better person. This is exactly the case in Pearce’s constant battle with the physical set backs, and the reality knowing that he can no longer compete at the sport he is so passionate about. Although he cannot compete, however, its inspiring to see him get back on the hill without fear. That is the sign of a true warrior.

Partner Story

 

From Passion to Reality

          When it comes to being an avid sports fan, Eric Hansman is no stranger. After being asked what excites him so much, he responds with, “The thrill of being at a sporting event; the people, the food, the excitement, the camaraderie, the smells, everything about it.” He tells about how he has always loved sports, even as a little kid. It is his life’s ambition to become a professional Sports Caster. Eric says that there was one event in his life that cemented this idea as his primary ambition.

Everything Eric loves about sports was present on January 22^nd, 2006. It was the NFC championship game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers, that decided who goes on the Superbowl. Eric and his best friend Alan were 16 years old, and began their journey to Qwest Field early that day with plans to snag some grub before the 3:30 pm game. The gates to the field opened at 12:30 pm, allowing the two eager teens ample time to explore the enormous and invigorating venue. Once they located their seats, their excitement grew as the home crowd boo’d the panthers as they ran onto the field. Then, the Hawks came out. Eric explains it as being the “loudest thing I have ever heard.” The day was panning out perfectly, with the brisk winter air filled with the aroma of beer and garlic fries. Kerry Underwood capped the pre-game with her amazing rendition of the National Anthem.

The game was finally starting! Before Eric knew it, the hawks were up 7 to 0. Then, not long into the first quarter, the hawks drove down the field 57 yards for a touchdown. Three plays later, Lofa Tatupu (Seahawks middle linebacker) intercepted the ball, setting up a field goal. This was the rhythm of the game that day. The Seahawks played phenomenally, forcing multiple turnovers, as well as only allowing 212 total yards against them; giving these die hard Hawk fans plenty to cheer about. Reminiscing about the game, Eric gloats, with a slight chuckle under his breath; “The Game was absolute domination.” Eric, Alan, and the entire home town crowd, were literally counting down the time till they could celebrate the Hawks as NFC champions.

When the clock struck 0:00, the stadium went dark, as confetti erupted everywhere. “We were going to the Superbowl!” Eric blurted with enthusiasm. Don’t worry, the fun was not over. Walking through Pioneer Square after the game was like one big party for the energized, and well-intoxicated Seahawks fans. Talk about being out of your element for these two 16 year olds. Eric and Alan celebrated with the wild “12^th man” before concluding their NFC championship adventure. With huge smiles on their faces, these two young men went home to watch the game recap on t.v., and to share with friends about the “most hyped up, worthwhile game” Eric has ever been to. This was the point in his life that he dedicated his all to being a professional Sports Castor.

 

 

A game of “In Your Face!” with Torstein Horgmo and Halldor Helgason

This is my favorite game of In Your Face I have yet to see. “In your Face” is a snowboard game that consists of going back and forth matching your opponent’s trick. Much like the well known basketball game “Horse”, for every trick that is failed to copy (land), you get a strike. Once you acquire two strikes, you lose! What would be a friendly game without a punishment for losing!? The loser of “In Your Face” faces up hill on his knees, while the winner mobs at him, abruptly stopping feet short, directly and purposefully dooshing them in the face with snow. What a great game huh!? Yes, yes, we snowboarders have some weird quirks, but thats why there are never dull moments while were around!

Wax on! Wax off!

Learn how to wax your snowboard with Transworld Snowboarding.

 

Waxing your snowboard is single handedly one of the most important duty’s of a snowboarder. It is a myth that new and better technology snowboards have a base that does not require a hot wax every few trips to the mountain to glide smoother on the snow. Think of your snowboard base like a human’s skin. After being outside in the freezing cold for hours, and a lot of friction, our skin begins to dry out or become dehydrated. Common signs of a dehydrated snowboard base (much like dry skin) is when they appear white or ashy. Typically, this occurs around the edges of the board. Plus, fresh wax gives riders much more control on snow and rails.

I have been snowboarding for 11 years now and I jumped on the waxing band wagon a long time ago. Once I began to ride 50+ times a season it really occurs to me how well fresh coats of wax work, and how bad it sucks when your board in not waxed. Nothing is more frustrating when you can get speed for a single jump in the terrain park, or when your in line for the lift and you fall over because your base is literally sticking to the snow. Days like these are when you get home from riding and shoot over to your local Zumiez to pick up a new bar/box of snowboard wax. There are so many different brands and kinds of wax to choose from. Most companies make a wax for every snow temperature zone, for example, warm weather wax, all-temperature wax, and cold weather wax. Once you have the wax, you need two sawhorses, an wax iron, and a scraper, then your ready to wax!

 

Inanimate Object

She loves me? She loves me not. This fun childhood rhyme symbolizes the relationship between a snowboarder and his girl. On some days, everything is perfect, She’s happy.. I’m happy..and we both get along like two peas-in-a-pod. On these days my snowboarding ability seems to shine as well. However, on other days, we don’t see eye-to-eye at all.. I want to do one thing, and she wants to do another. A major problem that remains constant is her inability to communicate. She keeps everything inside, and never tells me what she wants to do. Despite these negatives, the majority of the time we are great! As far as her physical aspects, my girl has excellent curves and is really flexible. I ride her for hours at a time, often several days in a row.

My girl is my new Libtech Travis Rice Pro model 158cm snowboard and I have recently named her Courtney. For avid snowboarders, a special bond exists between the rider and his board that has been around since the sports founding days. We as riders have an unspoken commitment to our boards. This requires aiding them when damaged or wounded, keeping the edges smooth and ding free, keeping the base hydrated by melting countless coats of hot wax on, and dressing them up with and arrangement of snazzy lookin’ decals and stickers, and lastly by throwing a fresh pair of bindings on them.

Snowboards date back all the way to 1963, when a 8^th grade shop student made one out of plywood. Then in 1979, Jake Burton Carpenter began making fiberglass snowboards, officially beginning the sport. Throughout the 1980′s snowboards became more and more advanced by adding a metal edge around the board, and by the invention of “high back” bindings to help with control on hard packed snow. In these times, most mountains and ski resorts forbid snowboarding from their establishments. Thus, creating the bitter and pathetic skier vs snowboarder rivalry.

Currently, the snowboard technology is sky-rocketing through the roof. Boards are becoming so advanced/technical in their physical specs, design, and the material used to construct these bad boys. The industry produces snowboards for every single condition and riding preference, from terrain park killin’, to powder slayin’, to all mountain cruisin’, to gnarly tree swervin’, to tickle all rider fancy’s. Snowboards are evolving from what were somewhat of a toy, to a fine tuned tool riders use to unlock great amounts of fun, friendships, new adventures and the discovery of new zones/features. With the snowboard industry being flooded with new companies and thriving with the big namers, it is getting harder for young entrepreneurs like myself to succeed, however, it is my goal to be producing these types of snowboards within a few years. Snowboards; who new that roughly 30 years later these fun little buggers would remain a key feature in a flourishing and phenomenal sport.

Partner Story- “From Passion to Reality” with Eric Hansman

 

From Passion to Reality

When it comes to being an avid sports fan, Eric Hansman is no stranger. After being asked what excites him so much, he responds with, “The thrill of being at a sporting event; the people, the food, the excitement, the camaraderie, the smells, everything about it.” He tells about how he has always loved sports, evenas a little kid. It is his life’s ambition to become a professional Sports Caster. Eric says that there was one event in his life that cemented this idea as his primary ambition.

Everything Eric loves about sports was present on January 22^nd, 2006. It was the NFC championship game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers, that decided who goes on the Superbowl. Eric and his best friend Alan were 16 years old, and began their journey to Qwest Field early that day with plans to snag some grub before the 3:30 pm game. The gates to the field opened at 12:30 pm, allowing the two eager teens ample time to explore the enormous and invigorating venue. Once they located their seats, their excitement grew as the home crowd boo’d the panthers as they ran onto the field. Then, the Hawks came out. Eric explains it as being the “loudest thing I have ever heard.” The day was panning out perfectly, with the brisk winter air filled with the aroma of beer and garlic fries. Kerry Underwood capped the pre-game with her amazing rendition of the National Anthem.

The game was finally starting! Before Eric knew it, the hawks were up 7 to 0. Then, not long into the first quarter, the hawks drove down the field 57 yards for a touchdown. Three plays later, Lofa Tatupu (Seahawks middle linebacker) intercepted the ball, setting up a field goal. This was the rhythm of the game that day. The Seahawks played phenomenally, forcing multiple turnovers, as well as only allowing 212 total yards against them; giving these die hard Hawk fans plenty to cheer about. Reminiscing about the game, Eric gloats, with a slight chuckle under his breath; “The Game was absolute domination.” Eric, Alan, and the entire home town crowd, were literally counting down the time till they could celebrate the Hawks as NFC champions.

When the clock struck 0:00, the stadium went dark, as confetti erupted everywhere. “We were going to the Superbowl!” Eric blurted with enthusiasm. Don’t worry, the fun was not over. Walking through Pioneer Square after the game was like one big party for the energized, and well-intoxicated Seahawks fans. Talk about being out of your element for these two 16 year olds. Eric and Alan celebrated with the wild “12^th man” before concluding their NFC championship adventure. With huge smiles on their faces, these two young men went home to watch the game recap on t.v., and to share with friends about the “most hyped up, worthwhile game” Eric has ever been to.This was the point in his life that he dedicated his all to being a professional Sports Castor.

 

 

Ride DH2 snowboard review

The 2011 Ride DH2 157cm snowboard is a top dog in the park category. The rocker on this board is unique in the fact that angles upward on each outside of the bindings with the center portion being flat. This gives riders a solid base to work with, yet still maintaining the feel and flex of a true park board. 

 

6-word story:    Score! it’s a new core! Fresh. 

Art of Flight review

Hands down, The Art of Flight is the most visually attractive snowboard film I’ve ever seen. The extremes that Travis Rice and crew are going to continue the advancement of the “so called sport” of snowboarding could literally be diagnosed as insane. On top of that, the drops these riders pull off in this film are ridiculously huge, and the consistency/style of their Gucci bag of banger tricks is becoming mind blowing as well. Back to the visual effects side of the movie, the movie is shot with such high resolution cameras and uses such advanced cg technology, the picture almost appears 3-D at times. Then, there is the music. What a sick combination of modern elctronica-bass-dubstep-rock style of songs that intrigue the viewers ears. Basically, I am more than satisfied with the flick and am more than stoked that I was able to see the premiere in Seattle, Washington this fall.

-Dane G

6-word story:     Game changin’, rider steezin’, snowboard flick.

Washington’s Got Snow!

Snow in the mountains opens Washington ski resorts early

It’s finally time to do a lot more of this….                                                                                                                               (photo by: Kirk Haunreiter)

and a lot less of this…….

6-word story- Snow has fallen early! sooo dope.