#07# URBAN BUTTER SHOWCASE JACOB ALBURY & THE ISA
KURTIS SHEA INTERVIEW
Welco me to Issue #07#
Zak Summers: Ollie << >> photo: Mike Bernier
conte photographers: ian ripley
08 (almost) a story about the urban butter showcase
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kurtis shea interview
34 48 darkroom
ents. jacob albury and the isa world championships
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neil blackwood profile the toil and the trouble of the 9: how to grease a season
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Open â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;till April 5th
crabbemountain.com
EDIT
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.” Henry David Thoreau Nick Editor
self-portrait.
IAN RIPLEY
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:::PHOTOGRAPHERS
Where to start, haha. I’ll get the quick and dirty out of the way first. I was born in St. Johns Newfoundland on a dark and gloomy… ah who knows what the weather was like, its Nfld its always changing. I was then transplanted to Dartmouth where I grew up, and now I live in Halifax. I’m 23 years young. I’ve been skating for 10 years, and serious about photography for about 4 and a half years. It all started about 6 years ago after I got my hands on an old 35mm Minolta from my grandmother. Immediately I wanted to know everything there was about cameras, taking pictures and how they worked. After some lazy research one day after high school it hit me. I never truly imagined how limitless the possibilities are with a camera, and from then on I just couldn’t put it down. I upgraded to some better gear, did a lot of research, and went through a lot of trial and error. I was stoked if I ended up getting 1 good photo per roll. Anything more was a simply a bonus. I’d say it was a pretty easy progression into the skateboarding mix, I skateboarded, and I had a camera. If the shoe fits wear it, right? Halifax has always had a pretty tight scene. Everyone knows everyone type deal, but never had a lot of photographers or filmers. So over the last couple of years I’ve been trying my best to help showcase what talent we really have, and to have fun at the same time. Oh and there’s a LOT of talent (Nate, Chris m, and Kyle just to name a few). Skateboarding, and photography combined have taken me on some crazy adventures, and with it I’ve made a great deal of friends. I also know what career path to travel now, as my dreams of being a professional skater faded many years ago!
TOP LEFT: Mackay Bridge in Downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia. BOTTOM LEFT: Bruce Treby: fs-50-50, not quite making it to his feet. According to Ian... “1st time there he fell onto the kink at the bottom and separated his small intestine from the large one. This is round 2, and just shows you the determination of some people.” TOP RIGHT: “Chevy” with a crooked grind.
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13 LEFT: Simon Richards. Fs-180.
LEFT: Kyle MacDonald. Fs-Noseslide. RIGHT: Ian Himself, Shot by Ted Power. Kickflip. “First significant trip to do nothing but skate. Seeing this years ago got me so stoked to shoot skating”
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your shots
DRU KENNEDY
your shots.
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(ALMOST) A STORY ABOUT THE URBAN BUTTER SHOWCASE words and photos by nick budden
2nd Place Charles Stevens
Just one day after what Yankee meteorologists were calling a ‘snowacane’, which turned out to be more rain than snow for Halifax, a horde of Atlantic Canada’s best jibbers showed up in the city to find a set of three recognizable rails back-dropping the Hali waterfront. Projector screens, light shows, and a sound system were present in signature Urban Butter style, and a constant feed to CTV made sure that mom didn’t have to miss the Olympics after driving you down. A quick look at this year's set-up and I was tempted to repack my camera and trade it for my riding gear, but knowing I'd have felt guilty for not having made a mag feature I resisted the urge. Unfortunatly, while climbing up and down the Urban Butter contraption in search of new camera angles, and with snow melting into cold wet socks, I quickly discovered that I don’t know the first thing about using the big DSLR camera I’d bought months ago for the magazine but barely used. I realized that my sacrificed jibbing desires would not result in the story I'd imagined, but instead an almost story of grainy shots and impromptu angles; the fact that my camera batteries constantly died then miraculously came back to life didn't help either. Not long after realizing that my camera skills were in need of a tune up, a scorpion on one of the downrail's posts sent Rene Bidart to the hospital with a broken leg. Riders watched tensely as the paramedics loaded Rene
Matt Inkpen Front Boarding the homemade deck (yes, he made it himself)
Bubba Armstrong with a cab over 270
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onto the stretcher, and the session got off to an apprehensive start. Overcoming initial fears of the rails' bare legs, Alex LeBlanc cut the tension by yelling at a photographer to get out the way, then jibbing the announcers table and sending clipboards and the table itself flying in the process. Having been asked to judge the competition, and my Buddhist batteries beginning their cycle of death and rebirth, me and my soaked sneakers descended from the scaffolding to take a cold seat in the judges tent for the next few hours. Having warmed up for nearly two hours, riders took to the rails with a vengeance, battling it out in groups of 14 in the hopes of making the finals. Standout riders quickly secured their spot in their heat's top 7 (advancing themselves to the big show). Stu Varley did Cape Breton proud with some of the most styling 270-Front Boards the downrail has ever seen, and Jeremy Page followed this up with clean 270ons-270offs. Logan Farrow, Travis Sabine, Chris Murphy, and Ryan Mansfield also flew the Cape Breton banner; Logan with switch 180gap to 5-0s on the flat-down box, Travis Sabine riding through clean over-180ons-180offs on the downrail, Chris Murphy sticking a 360 off the kink, and Ryan Mansfield throwing blind back-lips onto the down. Not to be out-done, last year's Urban Butter winner Bubba Armstrong dominated his qualifying round with back 180ons-180offs, nosepresses and tailpresses, and cab over-270ons 270offs - all on the downrail.
25 3rd place Chris Slaunwhite winding up for a switchup
By the time finals rolled around the water saturating my socks had turned to ice. The judges tent might have been freezing, but the crowd was warm with anticipation (and beavertails). Darkness set in and the Urban Butter crew kicked the lights into gear turning the run-in green, purple, and then yellow with each flash of the lights. Looking on the set-up one has to wonder how lucky we are in Atlantic Canada to have people that care enough about the scene to put this kind of work into an event every year, and similar thanks has to go out to those behind New Brunswick's stadium-style spectacle, the Hot Shots Rail Jam. Well...enough with the epiphany, and onto the event. Dave Gauvin held it down for New Brunswick with gap-270-Front Boards on the kink and the flat-down and pulled a Front Flip off the flat-down to drag himself into third place. Charlotte Butcher put down solid 50-50 to front boards on the flat-down for the win, and Ann Gilbert took things to the kink for runner-up spot, with 3rd place Sarah Payzant trying to step things up with an attempted Front Board-270off on the flat-down. Chris Slaunwhite threw down some tall-tee style with switch-up270offs on the kink for skier's third, and Charles Stevens got burly with clean 270s onto the downrail. Jeremy Page had by far snowboarding's cleanest 270on 270off on the downrail and took it to the next level with a 270 on 450 off, crowning himself the nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downrail king. Honorable mention must go to Dave Gauvin for doing something different with a clean nosepress lipslide 270 off and to Flouris Bouman for some stylish front boardswitch 50-50 180-outs.
2nd place Dustin Marshal getting creative with a stalefish onto the down
Colin Sutherland left no doubts about his first place spot for skiers by spinning onto just about everything with variety unmatched by any other rider that night, be it ski or snow. For snowboarders' second, Dustin Marshall spun backside onto every rail, throwing a gap in there now and then, and got creative by grabbing some gaps onto the kink's down.
29 Far Left: Stu Varley stylish Front Board Far Right: Ann Gilbert working her way through the kink
Taking top honors for snowshredders was youngblood Ben Horlings. 180on-swtich50-50-back 3off the kink, 270on-270off and super-styling Front Boards on the downrail, 180on-switch5-0-180off the flat-down - 'nuff said.
announcer nick kimball getting ready to give out the awards
Mens Freeski
Girls snowboard
Frozen sneakers, (really) dead camera batteries, and over 5 hours of snowboarding later I packed my things and headed to my car for the drive home. A big thanks to the volunteers who make Urban Butter run, and another one to the riders who make it one of Atlantic Canada's snowboarding focal-points every year. Next year I trade the camera for a snowboard.
Girls: (1st) Charlotte Butcher, (2nd) Ann Gilbert, (3rd) Sarah Payzant Skiers: (1st) Colin Sutherland, (2nd) Charles Stevens, (3rd) Chris Slaunwhite Snowboarding: (1st) Ben horlings, (2nd) Dustin Marshall, (3rd) Dave Gauvin Sponsors: Pro Skates, TSG, Omatic, A1, Pro Girl, Aerobics First, Snowboard Canada Magazine, Bend Media, Dakine, Waterfront Winterfest, Oreaganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Molson-Coors.
KURTIS SHEA BY TOM BATEMAN Kurtis is rad. He’s been around for the last couple summers, and has been turning heads with is progression on his board. He skates with a relaxed style and bag of tricks that normally belong to someone far older than his 16 years of age. When shooting photos with him, he approaches his trick calmer and more collected than almost anyone I’ve ever worked with. He is the same way off his board, cool and mature. The kid has successfully bought himself alcohol without being ID’d, something that I (at a legal19) can rarely do. His steady output of quality footage and photos, as well as a handful of good contest finishes are starting to be recognized, as he is starting to pick up a sponsors. I got a chance to ask a couple rushed questions of him; enjoy. -Tom Bateman
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Nollie Photo: Ryan Lebel
Nosebonk Photo: Tom Bateman
photo: Facebook
So lets start with some basic stats, who are you, where you from? How old are you? Kurtis Shea, Fredericton N.B, 16 years young I think almost everyone remembers the first time they saw someone riding a board, can you remember the first time you got hyped off of someone skating? Jorday Fox was my inspiration to start skateboarding, i always used to watch him and Josh Clark play skate in front of my house. How long have you been skating now? This summer will be my seventh year
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Nollie Nose-Grind. Photo: Tom Bateman
Left: Feeble Photo: Ryan Lebel Right: Ollie Photo: Ryan Lebel
How long have you been riding for Eastside now? Any other sponsers you want to plug? I've been on East Side for about 3 or 4 years now. Recently i got on C1RCA (flow), and i think i might be heading for a board sponsor here soon, hopefully.
On any given day, would you rather go skate at the park or skate street? Well, since i live in Fredericton there aren't many street spots, so i actually might have to say park. If i lived in Montreal or somewheres, thats a different story.
Do you like contests? It seems like some skaters love them, and always rise to the occasion, while others avoid them like the plague? Is there any secret to doing well in contests? Personally i enjoy contests, i think the pressure of everyone watching you makes you more determined to commit. My secret to contests is to just do tricks you know you got, then at the end of your run try something crazy. What about shooting photos and getting footage? Whats the secret to getting your trick and not getting to worked up? I love shooting photos and seeing what the photographers can do to them and the angles they get. I respect filmers but i always get a bit nervous because i don't want to be the one to ruin there camera. The only reason i get worked up is if i can't do a trick that i usually do first try or a trick i just landed. I just try and visualize me doing the trick to give me a better mind state.
Half Cab Photo: Ryan Lebel
43 â&#x20AC;&#x153;...the pressure of everyone watching you makes you more determined to commit.â&#x20AC;?
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best and worst thing about living in Fredericton skatewise? The worst thing about Fredericton would have to be the spots, i mean.. the lack of spots. One of the best things about Fredericton would have to be the people that live here. So many crazy characters. Any plans to move out of New Brunswick? Hopefully, when i'm done high school i am thinking of moving to Montreal for a bit, just to be somewhere other then old Freddy here. Summer is right around the corner, do you have any goals or things you want to accomplish skate-wise this summer? My goal this summer is to try and get a board sponsor, and learn a crap load of new tricks.
Right & Left: 50-50 pop-out Photo: Ryan Lebel
What about this winter? How much have you been on your board? I haven't really been on my board as much as i would like to, the only good place to skate around is in Moncton, the Riverview skatepark and that's about a two hour drive. If you were given an unlimited budget for a skate trip, where would you head? I heard Barcelona was a great place to skate, and i seen some clips of Josh Clark skating there, that would probably be my destination. Top 5 pro skaters: Greg Lutzka, Chris Cole, Ryan Gallant, Cody Mcentire, and Chaz Ortiz Top 5 Go-to Flatground tricks in SKATE Tre-Flip, Nollie Flip, Kick Flip, Switch Heel, and Switch Hard Top 5 non-skate sponsers Doritos, Arizona, Apple, Smart-Pop Popcorn, BMW
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Top 5 people to skate with Chris Ralph, Kyle Graham (Archie) , Sean Murray (BK) , Brandon Meehan, and Greg Brewer Top 5 post-session activites Hibernating, Xbox, TUBING, Food, Guitar Top 5 beverages while skating WATER, O.J, Arizona, WATER, Vitamin Water Any thank-yous/shoutouts? I give a thanks to Brian Muir owner of East Side Board Supply, a shout out to Brandon Meehan in Montreal, hope he's doing good. Also a shout out to 68 East for this Interview.
photo: Facebook
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Nollie 5-0. Photo: Ryan Lebel
DARKROOM.48
Steven Steeves photo: Tom Bateman
Kyle White Back Tail photo: Ryan Lebel
Logan Landry photo: Mike Swain
ask tom about shot.
Marc Gagnon photo: Tom Bateman
Mike Rosengren Kickflip photo: Ryan Lebel
D.J. Burns Front Crook photo: Ryan Lebel
Zachary MacPhee Ollie photo: Christopher Walzak
Dan Cameron Ollie photo: Christopher Walzak
photo: Laura Cox
Jaco Ch
ob Albury and the ISA World hampionships
photo: Laura Cox
The small Australasian country of New Zealand seems to represent many things to many people. Located about as far as you can possibly get from the east coast of Canada, the unique island nation has become a pinnacle for backpackers and thrill seekers alike. This time around however, the North Island's Piha beach would play host to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best under 18 surfers in an Olympic style event put on annually around the globe by surfing's governing body, the ISA. I first got the message from CSA President John Fluke asking me
to represent Canada at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Junior Championships back in October along with a near full boys team hailing from Nova Scotia. Due to the economy we were lacking in the funding department, but if we hustled we may be able to meet all of the payment deadlines and be off to the land of lefts and escaping the grips of a cold east coast winter for a couple weeks at least. Needless to say, I couldn't have been any more physced at the opportunity to represent Canada at such a prestigious event, so with the help of many people I started my fundraising campaign within the week.
photo: Laura Cox
Through many ups and downs December rolled around and we were still not guaranteed to go. It looked like John Fluke and I were the only ones able to come up with the necessary funds and would not be taking a full team as previously hoped for. Although being the sole person to go from the East Coast was a little bit disappointing, I got the official word that tickets were booked and I was entered while visiting my family in the Bahamas for christmas break. Good news for the holidays to say the least! I was back in Nova Scotia for two weeks before taking off to New Zealand and to my dismay it was flat every single day of those two weeks. Craving some water time, and looking to see a break in the cold grey clouds I met with CSA President John Fluke at the airport early on a Sunday morning. Bleary eyed and dragging board bags we were officially starting our two day aviation journey. Time to get lost in translation...
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With what seemed like a few lifetimes passed we landed in Auckland, New Zealand early in the morning two days later. We were welcomed at the airport by a customs official with a huge sign that read "Team Canada" and pushed through all of the mind numbing legal lines. This was definitely a change from the typically poor treatment of the travelling surfer. The mild humid air upon first setting foot out of the airport was a welcome change to the blast of arctic air we had been experiencing back at home. Through mild jet lag and insomnia we were taxied to the hotel, and registered with ISA officials. We picked up two other countrymen at this time, Diego and Nomme Mignot who are Canadian citizens residing in Mexico. With all of the paperwork out of the way we were just ready to get in the water and wash off all of the frustrations that are modern day air travel. After one of the most incredible shuttle rides i've ever experienced we broke out of the jungle and were sitting on a cliff overlooking Piha Beach, the site of the contest. Light off shores, sunny skies and a shoulder high swell running along the sandbar were enough to make us run out over the brutally hot jet black sand. We shared the session with many teams such as the Japanese and Peruvians whom we later became quite close with. The next day the opening ceremonies took place in a park right along the Auckland harbour. With all teams walking down the main street waving their home countrie's flags, pouring sand from their beaches, and ending with a lengthy official opening from the president of the ISA. These two hours would mark the proudest I've ever been to be a surfer with the brotherhood of the special thing we all shared no matter what language we spoke, or where we were from deafeningly present.
photo: Laura Cox
Competition started the next day with tough conditions and tough heat draws for the Canadians. Straight to repercharge for all three of us. While the conditions deteriorated over the next few days, the level of surfing remained incredibly high with all countries battling it out for gold. By the third day Canada was out of competition, with all of us suffering losses in big stormy conditions with strong 30mph onshores and driving rain. Although we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t able to crack final rounds, there were a lot of positive comments on Team Canada as a whole. With the help of more local contests for heat practice there is no reason why Canada will not be a top team in these events in the years to come. As Peter Devries showed last year in Tofino, the Canadians are coming! Although we ended up surfing Piha beach in all of its conditions from near perfect to double overhead and out of control through the time we were there, all of the beach break was worth it in the end when we got to experience the fabled left-hand point that is Raglan. I don't want to delve into to much detail about the break out of respect to the locals (even though this place is universally known) but I will say that a magic session was had, and we got to share the lineup with former women's world champion Sofia Mulanovich aswell as our friends from the Mexican and Ecuadorian teams. The day after our magic session at Raglan, the final day of competition was on and we were down at the beach the whole day before our red-eye that night to watch the crowning of surfingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future royalty. Gabriel Medina from Brazil put on an electrifying performance taking an overwhelming win in the main event, boys under 18 to sound off the warning shots that he is the next big thing.
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After getting all the team awards out of the way we were off to the airport and back to slipping jetstreams all the way back to Halifax. Although their were many lasting memories around the surfing itself, the thing that sticks out in my mind still is the vibe of the contest. Never before have I attended such a monumentally moving event as this World Junior Championships. Life long friendships were made, I learned to say “hello” in five different languages, and to test myself in my sport against the best athletes in the world. I am forever greatful for the opportunity, and a HUGE THANK YOU goes out to John Fluke for giving me the opportunity, aswell as Tourism Nova Scotia, Rip Curl, and Quiksilver. Now, where in the world will Canada’s junior team be heading in 2011?
photo: Laura Cox
Neil Blackwood. _profile Age...21 Hometown...Conception Bay South, Newfoundland Years Skating...9 years Reason I Skate...I skate for fun and freedom and as way to express myself while im young and able Sponsors...Element Skateboards and clothing (flow), Vans Shoes(flow) and Ballistic Skate and snow in NL
74 " Origionaly from NFLD, Neils dove head first into the halifax scene with a couple close friends. From that point on it has not stopped, and nothing is the same! Neils is always down, weather it be skating, partying, midnight missions or just kickin it. Best kind all around type deal! If you've had the pleasure to witness this manchild skate then you know he needs no introduction. For the rest of you, Here it is. Now don't say no one told you! " - Ian Ripley
Front Board photo: Mike Bernier
photo: Ian Ripley
Backside Feeble photo: Ian Ripley
OUTRO
IS THE TOIL AND THE TROUBLE OF THE 9 “...how to grease a season” words and photos by nick khatter
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putting #8 into practice. Marc Magee, back blunt shot by Nick Khatter, the useful house-guest
With the current state of the economy, the life of the weekend warrior may soon be coming to an end. So if your shred needs aren’t being met, and you’ve long since given up on pursuing a career as a professional snowboarder, then maybe it’s time you took a season to just grease. But it won’t be easy, especially if you are foreign to ways of the Greaser. So here I give you the tips needed to spend a season as a successful couch surfing snowboard gypsy.
#8 Marc Magee, 5-0 shot by Nick Khatter
1. Plan
Ahead: Don’t half ass
things. Save enough money for at least a month of snow
bumming. If you’re a student, that means getting a good summer job. Your ability to live like a sewer rat will dictate how much money you’ll need, so be realistic. *Another method widely adopted by pro snow bums, is getting “sponsored” by the government. Get a job where you bank mad hours but get laid off come winter, then cash in that Employment Insurance and BOOM you got yourself a six month government paid holiday.
2. Pick
a spot. Somewhere you already have some
connections. Having a couch to land on is a huge stress relief. You want to be as close to good snowboarding as possible, so look for connections in mountain towns (Banff, Whistler, Revelstoke etc..). If you can’t afford one, and aren’t willing to clip all season, look for a job that will provide a resort pass. Don’t expect to make or save much money in a mountain town. Your scars and memories will be all you take away.
3. Reach
out. Use all the social tools at your disposal to
find hook ups. Get at friends you haven’t spoken to in a few years, let them know you are coming to shred and need a spot. Get on CouchSurfer.com and find some people in mountain towns.
4. Pack
lightly. Be incredibly discriminating when it
comes to packing. Seasoned gypsy snow bums will tell you to pack as light as possible. Take only the essentials: snowboard gear, camera gear, laptop, passport, lots of socks and underwear, and one pair of jeans. When you’re floating around in the snowboard industry, nothing is easier to come by than a t-shirt or a hoodie. Hang around events for product tosses.
5.
Travel cheaply. Avoid expensive flights. Buses
and trains offer student deals. Keep up to date with ride shares on Kijiji and Craigslist. Don’t be afraid to approach people in the parking lot of ski hills or gas stations at the end of town. Hitchhiking in small towns is effective, especially around ski hills. 5 hours on the side of the highway only builds character.
6. Live
like a hobo. This means eating and
drinking cheaply. Try brewing your own wine or beer. You’ll be a hit come late night after parties. Pre-drink before the bar and don’t be afraid to smuggle some in, or grease forgotten half-drinks. Cut out fast food and eating out. A bag of rice, a value sized container of pasta sauce and a few can’s of chick peas can last you months. I once met a guy who lived off a bag of oats for 9 months.
7. Be
the ideal guest. If someone is letting you
live on their couch, or in their closet, it doesn’t mean you’re a roommate with equal rights. If your not paying rent, you need to be the perfect roommate. Do the dishes. Clean the house. Make house meals. Buy beer and always leave some in the fridge. Be positive and upbeat at all times. If you’re even the slightest bit shitty, you could upset a delicate balance and find yourself looking for a hostel.
8. Make
yourself useful.
If you can find a cheap digital SLR, or a vid cam, it will increase your chances of making new friends and having a better experience. It will also help people come to terms with you leeching off them. Brew beer, knit toques or snare rabbits; do something besides shralping, boozing and fighting.
9. Prioritize.
This will make sure that come February you’re not back in your parents basement broke and strung out. So have some goals. This will put a loose chain on the tendency to get blacked-out eight nights a week and sleep your winter away. Opt for a snow-cave rave in the backcountry instead of “Dollar Highballs” at “Greasy Magee’s”.
10. Don’t
wear out your welcome. If you said you’d only be on the couch for a month,
don’t stay for three. Keep moving. Check out new towns and resorts. This will not only grow your gypsy powers, it will keep you from developing a reputation as a ragamuffin or town drunk. Your stories will be cooler if they are about drifting from town to town like the Littlest Hobo.
11. Have
fun. Don’t take this vacation for anything but
that: a vacation. Don’t bring your Ed Hardy gear or your hair gel. Quit your job or take a leave of absence. Don’t try to go pro or even get sponsored. Don’t worry about your kit, or buddy on next year’s double reverse camber biodegradable Green Peace board. Find some friends and shred. Snowboard as much as possible. Pop ollies and lay down Euro carves. Soak up the snow and don’t be a hater. Snowboard and have as much fun as you can, always. Remember, you’re greasin’ it and living the dream.
GOODBYE!
end.