Method Mag Issue 19.1

R E A L

S N O W B O A R D I N G

19.1

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PHOTO: PONCH I KZ S P O T: M O S C O W, R U S S I A TRICK: BS 50-50 T O F R O N T B OA R D

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PHOTO: ZIZO S P O T: JA PA N TRICK: SLASH

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P H O T O : M A R K U S R O H R BA C H E R S P O T: TA L L I N N , E S T O N I A T R I C K : S W I T C H B OA R D S L I D E

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P H O T O : DA N I E L T E N G S S P O T: S U N D SVA L L , S W E D E N TRICK: OLLIE

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W

elcome back to another volume of Method Magazine. As we have the last two volumes, we open Volume 19 with an issue entirely dedicated to our latest movie, Method Movie 3. These movie-specific issues are special in that we have an opportunity to highlight, on a personal level, the movie crew and their adventures, the highs and lows of a season spent traveling, filming and experiencing the weird world around us. A full-length film is such a massive undertaking for all involved, it only seems right to have ample space to unpack the journey.

Rene Rinnekangas stretches out a plant on the bridge in Rovaniemi, Finland during our end of the year mission up to Lapland. More from this trip in our “More Energy in Lapland” feature inside.

Photo: Ponchikz

Inside you’ll find interviews with the riders, features and journals from Russia, Lapland, Poland, Japan and Kitzsteinhorn, guest appearances and other movie tales generally left behind the curtain.

The riders’ efforts this past season were extraordinary, and I believe that’s well-reflected in their parts. Pwee3000, both our mag and movie editor, and the magician behind the Method Movie art direction, outdid himself once again with the visual representation of our concept. In short, I am extremely proud of this new movie and what the entire gang producers, filmers, photogs, riders, friends and family - came together to create. Our wish is simple; we hope it gets you hyped.

Method Movie 3 will drop on MethodMag.com and Redbull.tv November 19. As with the previous two movies, MM3 will be available for free streaming. Here’s to another killer year with friends.

Cheers!

- Mike Riders: Nils Arvidsson, Len Jorgensen, Zebbe Landmark, Brady Lem, Rene Rinnekangas, Dominik Wagner and friends.

EDITOR: Mike Goodwin michael@methodmag.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Karsten Boysen, DVS, Evgeny “Ponchikz” Pavlov, Jérôme Tanon

SENIOR EDITOR: Chris McAlpine chriso@methodmag.com

PUBLISHER: Method Media Ltd CEO: Chris McAlpine CTO: Steve Dowle FINANCE DIRECTOR: Steve Dowle

ART DIRECTOR: Maciej Przężak PWEE3000.com ONLINE EDITOR: Will Radula-Scott will@method.tv ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Thomas Shapiro tom@methodmag.com Alastair Spriggs CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Aaron Jamieson, Evgeny “Ponchikz” Pavlov, Markus Rohrbacher, Niki Ruhtanen, Jérôme Tanon, Daniel Tengs, Zizo

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given by the magazine. Copyright worldwide of original material is held by Method Media Ltd and permission must be obtained for any use, expressed in this magazine are not necessarily sumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of unsolicited material. Thanks for choosing Method Mag. We sure hope you like it!

09.10.2018 23:33

For over a decade, Bataleon has led the industry in 3D shape technology.

We’ve perfected our patented Triple Base Technology™, producing boards with traditional camber and lifted contact points, making snowboarding more enjoyable for all.

Tor Lundström on the Evil Twin

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bataleon.com

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From Russia with PLEASE HATE US. Nikita Sekh’s got a bone to pick.

PHOTO: PONCHIKZ

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* BS 180 to switch 50

P H O T O : N I K I R U H TA N E N

5 foods to avoid when traveling McDonald’s Gas station sandos Schnitzel (unless in Austria) Kebab Most of the mass production 5 celebrities you’d care to meet Tom Waits Josef Hader Mac Demarco Imogen Caldwell Helge Schneider 5 pizza toppings Tomato Buffalo mozarella Mushrooms Garlic Chili oil 5 ways to break off a relationship Talk Talk

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Talk Talk SMS 5 spots with the friendliest locals Poland Russia Finland Sweden China 5 road trip essentials Water Music Food Knife Red Bull 5 most visited websites eBay Reverb YouTube Method Patreon

5 songs to calm the mind Neil Young - “Don’t be Denied” Norah Jones - “Sinkin’ Soon” Tom Waits - “Heartattack and Vine” Bob Brookmeyer - “Sweet Like This” Ernest Ranglin - “Below the Bassline” Santo & Johnny - “Sleepwalk” Mazzy Star - “Fade Into You” Van Morrison - “Days Like This” Curtis Mayfield - “So In Love” I could go on for a while…

5 ways to change the world Love Stop the greed Motivation to simplicity Openheartedness Respectfulness

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Cab 540 mute

PHOTO: ZIZO

Years on Earth?

Years pro?

Covers scored?

Video parts filmed?

Longest snowboard ridden?

Trips to Japan?

Countries lived in?

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Countries visited?

Euros in your wallet?

Physical snowboard movies owned?

Fishtails in your quiver?

Digital snowboard movies owned?

Longest tomahawk?

Flights missed?

Peaks summited?

Number of pets?

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elow you will find a part-by-part list of the tracks featured in Method Movie 3. Follow the legendary Nigel Tufnel’s lead and turn that shit up to 11!

Intro “13 Monsters” by Lightning Bolt Nils “Old Lake” by The Blind Shake Interlude “Whimsy” by Odd Nosdam Len “Wander” by MMOSS Zebbe “Untold” by Jemu Homies “Sidewalk” by Frankie and the Witchfingers Brady “Enfonce-Toi dans la Ville” by Noir Boy George Rene “Peace Dub” by CCR Headcleaner Dom song 1 “Wanderlust” by Annie Booth Dom song 2 “Nothing” by Negative Approach Outro “Pursue the Nightlife” by Greg Ashley * Huge thanks to everyone involved in getting these tracks in the video.

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18_Mou

WATCH THE UPCOMING

WITH NILS ARVIDSSON

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Pro LURKER. Shot on the star at the top of a building in Voronezh, Russia

PHOTOS: PONCH I KZ

How did you get into urban free climbing?

It’s a mix of two of my passions - climbing and photography and a desire to combine pure action with the development of my photography experience and skills.

Do you remember the first time you scared the shit out of yourself?

One time I climbed on the roof of the general headquarters of the Russian Federation Army with two other dudes. While we were hiding on the roof, as best as I can remember, five soldiers ran out with AK47s or something similar and shouted, “Freeze!

Otherwise we’ll shoot you!” That shit sounded so threatening and so real that I was fully shocked and frozen at the moment.

It was only when the other guys started to bail that I snapped back to reality and followed their lead. It was fast and sketchy, straight on the edge of the roof, jumping from one roof level to another, from building to building. Everything didn’t go smoothly; that was the first time I’d lost the GoPro. It just fell down from the roof straight into the middle of the street.

Thankfully we made it out quickly and the army guys didn’t catch us.

Any really close calls with falling/death?

There have been dangerous moments, but at all times I’m trying to control the situation. So it’s pretty much safe with really low risk - at least the voice in my head tells me so. But there are always times when something goes wrong. There was a moment not so long ago where I was especially close to the

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end. It happened when I was standing on handrails on the top of the highest cable-stayed bridge in Saint-Petersburg. We were filming a new episode for my project, “The Story of a Shot,” so we had an extra person in the crew, the drone pilot.

Everything was going well but because of the distance the signal to the drone was weak. When the drone made a circle and turned up behind me, it totally lost the signal with the control and automatically started moving “home” along the shortest path… And I was standing directly in the way. I don’t know how but at the last second, as I heard the propellers really close behind me, I moved my body sideways and the machine flew underneath my left hand, five centimeters above my body.

My balance was particularly lost. I had the feeling that I might fall all the way down, and the only thought at the moment was how to save the camera. So sketchy.

What is the tallest or most adventurous climb you have attempted?

As far as the most adventurous, surely it was the picturesque bridge in the Russian capital of Moscow. I’ve tried to get on to it at least four times but each time the mission has failed, until the last attempt. There are a lot of nuances to this one: you need to get acquainted with the place, check the territory instantly, remember where the security guys are, which alarm systems and sensors they use and so on. At the end, the only possible way to avoid detection was to dive to the bridge under water. I put a wetsuit on, put my camera and all the stuff into

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In Talavera de la Reina, looking down from the highest bridge in Spain

Taking in the Moscow sights

plastic bags, taped them, put them into another plastic bag, and taped it again making it DIY waterproof. I swam under water to get to one of bridge poles then climbed up the construction. As for the highest climb, that would be this skyscraper in Moscow, which is 309 meters tall.

Is there a scene for this sort of climbing in Russia? Anyone you look up to?

Back in the day it was really epic and cool to climb up and explore the city from different angles. The guys and even girls involved in the “industry” were pretty famous and respected.

It was a good time, a time when not as many people were able to afford to buy a drone. But life moves along, and nowadays, as drones have become smaller, cheaper and more affordable, almost every kid can create a unique-angled shot. At the beginning I was inspired and impressed by the project, “On The Roofs” by Vitaly Raskalov and Vadim Makhorov. They were kind of icons in rooftops and the underground world. I also enjoyed climbing and pushing limits together with Angela and Beerkus.

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Are the authorities really strict about this?

It really depends on where you plan to climb and which country you do this kind of urban exploration in. The fact is that the laws are becoming more and more strict for doing this stuff. At the beginning it was around a 10 euro fine, provided you didn’t break anything. Now, you could go to prison for up to seven years, and the fines have gone up to 5,000 euro in Russia for certain offenses.

Have you found this skill valuable in your exploration of photography?

Of course! That was one of the main reasons why I started doing this. I wanted to create something unique that no one had done before by combining climbing and photography. I wanted to create different pictures that would really impress, as well as capture, the audience’s mind. In that spirit, I am still climbing on roofs, up trees and electricity poles, just to get the best possible angle for the shot, snowboarding photos included.

07.10.2018 23:57

SNOWBOARDS

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ROADGAP SHOT BY ROOPE HOYNA

SEASON IV LIVE NOW AT VIMANASNOW.COM

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6

3

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Lenny Jorgs packin’ it up! Arching out a classic suitcase on a DIY hip at Kitzsteinhorn

4

2 5

Anatomy of a Chrononautical Air 1. Hand-dug spot 2. Vibrant outerwear (multiple colors preferred for max. speed) 3. Pre 21st century-style grab 4. Star Trek goggles 5. Galaxy print headband 6. Show some skin, man PHOTO: PONCH I KZ

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A feat of poise and precision. Two qualities for which Dom Wagner is well known. Back 180 switch 50-50 movie ender in Helsinki PHOTO: MARKUS ROHRBACHER

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C A

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A

FOR THE HOMIES. PHOTOS: PONCH I KZ (A), N I K I R U H TA N E N ( B ) , DA N I E L T E N G S ( C ) , M I K E G O O DW I N ( D )

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Sketchy street-side BS board on an awkward Polish C-kinker P H O T O S : J É R Ô M E TA N O N

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and annoyed. A deck of cards usually helps me to be happy.

Who’s the best hype man on this Method Movie 3 squad?

Big G Zebbe.

You are absolutely freezing at the spot - what’s the move to warm up?

Push-ups.

Hometown: Oslo, Norway Currently Resides: Oslo, Norway Sponsors: Rome Snowboards, Airblaster, Norsk Tipping, CHPO, New Era Guilty pleasure: Skinny dipping

Any funny encounters at a spot?

Of all the spots in all of Moscow, Zebbe and Brady had set this thing up and we didn’t ride it that day but came back to hit it the next. Guess what? Rival crew! Insane. It was Denis Bonus and the boys and it was pretty funny.

Heaviest bail?

Not.

Coming off last year’s ender part in Method Movie 2, how do you feel about what you filmed for this new part? Did you feel any pressure to one-up last year’s effort?

Last year was insane. Everything just worked out on most of the trips. This year was a bit more of a struggle on my end even though the snow conditions were way better. But I had mad fun on all my trips so I’m super happy.

You spend your summers up at Folgefonna. How did you get involved with the park on the glacier and what keeps you going back?

I became friends with the dudes who built the park and asked if I could help. They got stoked, and I started helping. Seven years later and I am still there. It’s the best place, man! Why wouldn’t I go back?

Where did you travel to film for Method Movie 3?

Oslo, Moscow, Umeå, Huddiksvall and Östersund.

Front lip or back lip?

Back lip.

Any shots that you’re particularly stoked on nailing?

I got this gap through some trees that Nisse (Nils) filmed a couple of years back. I tried a frontside board. Shit was scary, but it worked. It was also really nice to have Nisse there pumping me up.

Mustache or goatee?

Musch musch.

Any tricks that got away, or memorable battles at a spot?

Filming lines with follow cam is always memorable because both rider and filmer need to be on point. We did this one night line in Russia and figured out that it takes longer to build the track for the cameraman than your own track with the features. Pretty funny.

Describe the Norwegian snowboard scene in one sentence.

Insanely controlled.

One thing that caught you off guard in Russia?

Traffic. It’s intense.

Do you prefer to search for spots on Google Earth, or just cruise around a city?

A little Google to get an overview of what’s up but everything looks different with snow. So mostly just cruise.

Weirdest night out while filming for Method Movie 3?

The first night in Russia we went boarding at the local rope tow and there were hookers at the street corner and a lot of new stuff to take in. Eye opener.

Most consecutive days you’ve gone without showering?

Probably two weeks.

What’s the most important thing to remember on a road trip?

To be happy. If you’re sad, let people know. Don’t get grumpy

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The best era of snowboarding was/is…?

Right now, because that’s the only time you can snowboard.

How much would you need to be compensated to shave your head?

How much would you need to be compensated for me to chop off your dick?

Who do you look up to as a boarder?

Terje, Alek, Keegan, Bang, Kazu, Stevens.

How about as a human being in general?

Big daddy. My friends. People who do rad stuff.

What does it mean to be a Norwegian Viking?

It means to be true to yourself and everyone else.

How do you spend your downtime after filming a major project?

Go snowboard, skate and hang out.

Best advice you’ve ever been given?

It will be good in the end. So if it’s not good, it’s not the end.

Last words? Shout-outs?

Eat your vegetables, kids. Let’s go snowboard.

08.10.2018 00:34

Hometown: Järvsö, Sweden Currently Resides: Järvsö, Sweden Sponsors: Rip Curl, Nitro, Vans, Appertiff Guilty pleasure: Salty licorice

How about a favorite non-snowboarding activity in Japan?

Cruising around Tokyo drinking “strong” and walking into random stores and bars is fun. And eating the food over there is so good, too!

Hell yeah - you’re back with a vengeance! Was this Method Movie 3 segment the redemption part? How do you feel now looking back at the year and the part you filmed?

Yeah, you could say so. It was a really fun winter! As always, I feel like I could have done more but I’m hyped on the trips I did.

Got any pro tips for those of us who have never been to Japan?

Bring snowshoes and a snorkel. Also, make sure to have a few days in Tokyo. And don’t follow the shady dudes on the street corners to the bars where you can drink for free.

You had a pretty gnarly injury last year. What happened?

I broke my arm, then did nothing except rehab and bullshit for seven months and still managed to break it again. Then it didn’t heal up correctly after that. It just took forever to get back to normal. It’s still not one hundred percent, but now I have so much metal in there I won’t break it again.

When you are about to give up on a spot, or are getting your ass kicked trying to land something, how do you push through it and make it happen?

If it’s something I really want to get and think I can do I just tell myself that the next one is the one. If there is high risk involved, you obviously don’t want to do it too many times and I just try to focus and really give it one hundred percent. Len and I had What do you do to help keep your head straight during rough a fun mental battle together on a long rail this winter. (*See times like that? shared section between their parts in the video) It’s a mix of hanging on the couch watching some good stuff on the TV, mini adventures with friends, walks in the forest, going How do you know when to walk away? to the gym or something to just keep active.

When the mind and body tell you it’s not worth it anymore.

Sometimes a spot or trick works out way better in the head than What’s your preferred hair dye? How do you decide what it does when you are actually riding the spot. color you are going to roll with?

I’ve dyed it red the most I think, but blue is a sick one! I am not What’s kept ya busy this summer? even sure. It depends on mood, I guess.

Friends, working, skating, road trips with the girl, nature.

Goatee or mustache?

Goatee.

Do you know how to filet a fish?

Yeah, I have done it but I’m sure not an expert.

Front lip or back lip?

I have to go with back lip, but front lips are fun.

Last thing that made you say, “holy shit”?

Just saw a clip of Oski skating. He is insane!

Who has the best facial hair in snowboarding right now?

Halldor. He is a boss!

What’s the most random or most difficult job you have had in your life?

Snowboarding as a “job” is pretty random! I also picked pine cones for a weekend, which is even more random.

You got to go back to Japan for this part. Do you have a favorite location there?

I love Japan. I’ve only been snowboarding in Hokkaido so far, and mainly around Niseko, but that has been amazing.

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Gap to wallride off the roof, to frontside boardslide on a flat down. *See movie for the full line P H O T O S : J É R Ô M E TA N O N

Can you function before coffee?

Hell yeah. More like I can’t function after coffee.

pumping on the Finland trip. The most hype trip ever!

Coffee substitute?

I’ll have a glass of orange juice, please.

Worst person to be on a trip with and why?

Being really slow, negative and not helping out at spots is a bad combo.

Trick you are most hyped on getting for this part?

Riding pow in Japan always feels amazing. And it was fun to do the inverted backside 360 off that pole sculpture in Finland.

Best road dawg and why?

It was fun to hang with Len and Zebbe this season. They are good guys on and off the board.

Any that got away?

A FS 270 hard way that made me bite through my tongue. It also made me miss Max Burgers that night!

Best advice you’ve ever been given?

Don’t look directly at the sun.

Who’s the best hype man on the Method Movie 3 squad?

Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger was making sure the energy was

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Last words? Shout-outs?

Elections are coming up. Don’t be a fucking racist!

08.10.2018 00:35

Keep a close eye on this one. We’ve got the feeling he’s just warmin’ up.

PHOTOS: PONCH I KZ

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Hometown: Iisalmi, Finland Currently Resides: Vuokatti, Finland Sponsors: Rome Snowboards, Oakley, Vans, Säästöpankki, Ponsse, Level Gloves Guilty pleasure: Coca-Cola Where did you travel to while filming for your Method Movie 3 part?

I was only on two trips with the Method crew. I started to film for this project at the beginning of April. At first me and my good friend Anton ”Casanova” Kiiski filmed a few days in my hometown of Iisalmi, Finland and then we moved up to Rovaniemi for a short trip with Zebbe, Nils, Antti (Jussila), Petrus (Koskinen), Zenya (aka Ponchikz) and, of course, Mr.Casanova.

The other trip was in Kitzteinhorn, Austria. We had a really nice park shoot over there! Couple of awesome trips with the Method crew. Thank you!

Olympian, musician, Rome International Am, and talented skater. How does this busy schedule affect your love life? (laughs) Thank you! To be honest it’s been really quiet. I think I’m a little shy with girls.

Tinder at the Olympics… Are the rumors true?

I have no clue but I have heard some legendary stories about it!

boys and I am happy to be part of it. Thank you, Kätfish!

Trick you are most stoked on getting for this new video part?

I’m really stoked about that backside 270 back to fakie. I was so lucky with it because it’s not usually something I can do, so I was super happy to land it.

Were there any tricks or spots in this part that were a particularly difficult battle? Any you almost walked away from?

Yes! It was really hard to make it to the end on that c-rail to double kink. It was a true battle!

Last non-snowboard movie you watched?

Probably Star Wars. I’m that kid who has never watched Star Wars before so I want to watch them all now.

If you could ride only one snowboard for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

The Rome National! I love it. It’s pretty much a normal camber board with a nice directional shape. You can also get a lot of set back on that board.

Were any of the older guys any help this year in filming your part, or helping you approach it or prepare to film it?

Yes! I was on one street trip with the guys and it was really, really nice. They are awesome friends, setting a good mood all the time and super fun to ride with. Totally helpful people and such good riders! It’s been an honor to be on the road with them.

Overall, what was the Olympic experience like? Was it loose?

Did you feel a lot of pressure?

Overall the Olympic experience was nice. Of course, I’ve got a little bad memory from there when I broke my wrist but it’s part Biggest fish you ever caught? of snowboarding sometimes. I’m really happy that I was able to Nothing super big, maybe a three kilogram pike at our summer ride the big air with a broken wrist and land a run in the contest. cottage when I was younger. I would love to fish more and go to cool places like Lapland, Norway and all kinds of other spots.

Who is your favorite Finnish snowboarder of all time and why?

You are always smiling. How do you ensure good dental This is a hard one; there have been so many good riders from hygiene on the road?

Finland. I’ve been watching Eero Ettala and Peetu Piiroinen Thank you! I don’t know really. I eat a lot of candy and drink since I was a kid but the person I have most looked up to is Coca-Cola but I have heard it’s bad for your teeth. definitely my older brother Riko. I have been a fan of his since I started snowboarding!

Last words? Shout-outs?

Thanks a lot for this opportunity. It’s been a pleasure to be part Describe your band, Kätfish. of this awesome project. Thank you Chris, Mike, all the riders, Kätfish is my brother’s band. We play Finnish punk rock with all the filmers. Thank you Rome Snowboards, thank you friends humorous lyrics. It’s been really nice to play a few gigs with the and family! Thank you snowboarding!

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Floatin’ a smooth BS 180 double tree tapper PHOTOS: PONCH I KZ

Hometown: Leksand, Sweden Currently Resides: Örebro, Sweden Sponsors: Lib Tech, Bent Metal, CHPO Guilty pleasure: Kinder Eggs Back once again for another Method Movie. Do you consider yourself a veteran out there in the streets?

No, not really. I always learn something new on the trips so I wouldn’t say that!

Do you prefer to search for spots on Google Earth, or just cruise around a city?

I’d rather go out and search. It’s easier to get a feel for a spot!

You fuck with bungees?

One time this year, and it sucked.

Where did you take your heaviest slam?

Probably in Umeå on a stupid roof thing! It was small and the slam looks lame!

Which trick or spot felt the best to just be done with?

A nasty kink in Sweden close to Nils’ hometown.

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What makes a good nightclub, a good nightclub?

The funky, groovy tunes that they are playing!

What’s your favorite landmark visited while filming for MM3?

This fat little officer at Toripolliisi in Oulu.

Advice for tall guys on keeping it smooth?

Hmm… Just keep it mellow and don’t rush things.

One thing you cannot live without on a filming trip?

Headphones.

When you are about to give up on a spot, or are getting your ass kicked trying to land something, how do you push through it and make it happen?

I just try to envision myself making it, though it doesn’t work all the time.

How do you know when to walk away?

When my legs are so tired that I can’t stand and my brain feels like a salad.

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What’s kept you busy over the summer?

IKEA and skating.

Most consumed snack while filming?

Probably Kinder Eggs If you had to pick one song as the soundtrack for the year…?

“Arnold” by Luke Million.

Last thing that made you say, “holy shit”?

Oski’s kickflip in his winning run in the Vans Park Series that I just watched!

Goatee or mustache?

Goatee.

Who has the best facial hair in snowboarding right now?

EJack.

Most memorable street session this year and why?

My last clip I filmed for the part. It took me a day and half so I’m Favorite Swedish ripper of all time? hyped I got it! And thanks to the boys for hanging in there and I always really liked how Hampus Mosesson rips. helping me!

Last book you read or movie watched?

Best hype man at the spot?

Lost in Translation.

Len. Best advice you’ve ever been given?

Do you know how to filet a fish?

You’ll figure it out.

I think I know.

Last words? Shout-outs?

Hot date coming up. Are you cooking or going out to dinner? Thanks to JB and Viktor for making this happen again. Grateful I would try to cook and hope it would taste good! for that!

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08.10.2018 00:38

FS invert transfer

P H O T O S : M A R K U S R O H R BA C H E R

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How do you know when it’s time to walk away from a spot or trick?

Usually when the light is gone. I’ve gotten better at it, though.

After all the years you get a feeling for when it’s time to stop.

Worst case you get hurt and it’s just not worth it.

What helps motivate you year after year to get out there, find spots and film video segments?

You just need to mix it up, I guess. Ride with different people, do different projects, or travel to new places. To me, snowboarding is still more like a hobby than a job so I do whatever I think is fun.

Are you a Google Earth kind of spot finder or do you prefer to just cruise a city?

Definitely driving!

Concrete or metal spots?

Spots with good snow.

Front lip or back lip?

Backside.

What is the Bowlriders Club?

It’s a DIY skatepark my friends and I started building a couple years back. Check it on IG: @bowlridersclub.

Hometown: Neunkirchen, Austria Currently Resides: Schladming, Austria Sponsors: Nitro Snowboards, L1 Premium Goods, Blue Tomato, Absolut Park Guilty pleasure: Consumption Where did you travel to film for Method Movie 3?

Canada, Japan, Finland and Estonia.

Location you were most psyched on?

Japan.

Bad habits while traveling?

Eating lots of junk food.

Loser or finder?

More the finder kind of person, I guess.

Tell us a story of when a trip went wrong?

For me, as long as I don’t get hurt, I’m good. Trips never work out as planned, especially in snowboarding. After doing it for quite some time, you learn to deal with all kinds of situations.

Is Austria your favorite place to ride or do you prefer to leave your home country?

I love all aspects of traveling so doing that with snowboarding is the best. You get to ride spots that nobody has touched before, plus you get all the bonuses of traveling: different cultures, foods, people and good adventures.

Legendary skatepark builder and Grindline Skateparks founder Mark Hubbard passed away this year.

Do you have a favorite Grindline song?

“Losing my Mind.”

Now that you’re in your thirties, will you be filming backcountry from now on?

Strictly BC! What’s kept you busy over the summer?

Traveling, some wood work in my family’s woods, the Bowlriders Club, skating, and I got into spearfishing.

Do you know how to filet a fish?

Yes. Will you session a spot using a bungee?

If it’s worth it.

Last book read or movie watched?

A book about spearfishing.

Last thing that made you say, “holy shit”?

Watching Rene Rinnekangas shred the park on Kitzsteinhorn.

What hurts right now because of snowboarding?

Nothing.

Most random talent you possess?

I am good at aiming/shooting, which helps with spearfishing.

Were there any spots or tricks you almost walked away from this year, where the battle was just getting too gnarly?

Last words? Shout-outs?

I had one thing in mind that I knew I wanted to film for this part Thanks for doing rad shit in snowboarding over all these years that I didn’t get. I can’t really say what it was because I want to and for the opportunity to be a part of this project. go back and do it, but it really broke my heart that I didn’t come through.

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Hometown: Chanhassen, Minnesota Currently Resides: Lake Tahoe, California / Minneapolis, Minnesota Sponsors: DC, Dragon, Union, The House Outdoor Gear Guilty pleasure: Sriracha

Whose part are you most excited to see in MM3 and why?

Probably Zebbe. I got to board with him a lot this year and he was on it. I am hyped to see what else he filmed outside of the trips we went on. Also Rene. I never went on a trip with him, but he’s really exciting to watch.

Where did you travel to while filming for this video part?

Russia, Sweden, Austria and Minnesota.

Most time spent capturing a single shot last winter?

Spent a whole day digging out the entire double-slide-type down rail - it was about two inches above the snow - and then probably around three hours to get that barrier jam to front lip.

After two years filming with the Method Mag crew, do you consider yourself cultured? (laughs) Who’s to say. Filming with the Method Mag crew has for sure let me see more of the world though. That has been a big-time plus of filming for these projects - getting to travel to unfamiliar, foreign places just to go snowboarding. It’s the best.

Favorite international destination, for snowboarding or otherwise?

I just went to the Amalfi Coast and that was definitely insane. I rented a moped for a week and had the time of my life.

Have you come upon a favorite foreign food while traveling?

If so, what is it?

I’m very down for the Swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce.

The sweet and savory combo is too good.

Trick you are most stoked on conquering from this past season?

I am pretty hyped on the front board pretzel into the dam. You’d come hauling out of the tranny and have to make your way across a skinny path to the other side of a frozen river. I broke through the ice - ass first - a couple tries before I got it. It was just a great day all-around for the whole crew. It felt like spring break.

How is filming with a Euro-heavy crew? Has it influenced your riding or approach to filming in any way?

It’s awesome. All those dudes are so positive, helpful and like to have a good time, no matter what. Being the lone American, I would frequently be in the middle of these conversations where Best at-the-spot hype man?

I had no idea what they were talking about though. That kept Len and Zebbe are some good dudes to have around. They keep things fun. But I feel like we all influenced each other’s approach the energy levels high. to riding at one point or another.

If you had to pick one song as the soundtrack for the year…?

“Get It On Tonite” by Montell Jordan.

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Rusty gap to 50-50 in the Motherland PHOTOS: PONCH I KZ

Hot date coming up. Are you cooking or going out to dinner?

Taking her out, for sure.

Gnarliest liquor you’ve encountered while traveling internationally?

I asked our Russian guide, Nikita, to get me a bevy from the store. He came back with literally a cup of vodka with a plastic peel-top on it that you’re supposed to take as a shooter. That was buck. Zero to 100 real quick.

Why are riders out of Minnesota so good?

Fast laps from the rope tows, and all the resorts are open until at least 9 p.m. Prime for riding after school.

Favorite Minnesota-born ripper of all time?

Jonas Michilot or Jake O.E. Best part of living in Tahoe?

There’s a huge lake, you can snowboard until June, and it’s sunny almost every day.

For a loose night out in Tahoe, head to…

The Crystal Bay Club, to the Village Pub. If you’re still feeling it, head to Reno.

Ever spent a night in jail?

No, but I’ve definitely picked some buddies up.

Ever gone to the mountain and forgotten something crucial, like boots?

Oh yeah. One hundred percent forgot my board this year going

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to Boreal, but ended up having a great day on a directional 147 that Zander Blackmon had as an extra in his trunk. Thanks again, Zander!

Outside of boarding, what occupies your time?

Skating, swimming, hanging with friends, seeing new places.

Last book read or movie watched?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I guess most kids in the States have it as required reading in high school, but I finally just got to it.

Favorite airline?

Delta, but I rarely can afford their flights.

Most cringe-worthy thing you did while filming for the movie?

First breakfast in Sweden, Len had me try toast with liver paste and pickled beets. I was not down. Also, I ended up in a hospital in Russia, which was not tight. That was straight out of a horror movie.

Ripping through the park, any tricks you just won’t fuck with?

Switch backside 5-0. No way.

Last words? Shout-outs?

Shoutout to DC and Dragon and everybody involved at Method Mag. Thanks for letting me back in the movie for a round two!

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Ninja Len! 50-50 gap over the river!

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I

had never met Wojtek Pawlusiak before. I had only seen him in the Pirate movies and chatted with him online about how I love Polish people and would love to visit. After five minutes with him I already feel like I’m with my homie.

This trip has no other purpose for me other than to meet new guys and see lovely Poland again. Snowboarding is going to be the salt of it, the cherry on top of the cake, as we say in France.

Homeboy Wojtek drives toward Zakopane, and on the ride I catch up with Nils Arvidsson, who I know very well - a true sweetheart and Len Jorgensen, who, like Wojtek, I’d yet to meet until this trip. Snowboard family, it’s a true thing. I don’t know Len or Wojtek but we have the same passion, the same life; we know the same people and watch the same videos. There is no filter. Right into it. Soon enough we talk about life and death, girlfriends - girls in general. Girls. The number one topic after snowboarding. I wish we met as many Polish girls as we met Polish handrails on this trip!

We met quite a few of them.

Zakopane is a beautiful mountain town, with ski lifts we didn’t even take. We just drove and walked around to street spots. A cheap flat is rented. The boards are waxed with an iron pan. No biggie. No stress. No need to rush. It’s the first shooting session of the winter, and nobody wants to break a bone. Recreational pro snowboarding. Let’s call it that way. The truth is, only style matters. I like performance snowboarding, but I love style. I love an ollie over the fence if it sparks the flame of style in my heart, that flame lit many years ago while skateboarding in Paris, watching friends and VHS tapes at the local shop, back when snowboard and skateboard tapes were stacked together as just winter and summer versions of the same activity.

Anyway, Len’s style is nuts. I mean, what’s up with tall guys and epic style? Eero Ettala, Bode Merill, so many others, and Len. Smooth, control, creativity. Wojtek ain’t no joke either.

He’s got so much experience that he knows exactly what he wants. He reminds me of Louif in that way. He spots it, shapes it, and gets the trick he wants. No fooling around, just an execution of vision. As for Nils, well, he looks like a punk, he rides like a punk, but he is just a sweetheart. I said it already but it’s true. He’s a marshmallow with iron legs.

His board control is insane. I’ve seen him jump giant pillows in B.C., ride massive kickers in Austria, and now shred rails in Poland. He can do anything, and always with ease. Never panic. You can tell he lives for the thrill of it. His eyes light up when he spots a rail from the car window.

Wojtek using that imagination

Anywhere we stop, Wojtek is spotted by a friend, or a snowboard fan. He is the local legend - the Travis Rice of Poland.

For real. Everybody loves him, and for good reason. All his friends we meet at spots, dinners, bars, are legit hardcore snowboard enthusiasts. Some of them know my movie, The Eternal Beauty of Snowboarding, better than I do. They know Len’s parts from this and that video. “Come in for a drink.”

“Come in for a tea and grandma’s biscuits.” “I’ll come with you guys and help you shovel!”

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FS 50-50 from Wojtek “The Travis Rice of Poland” Pawlusiak

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What else? Learning Polish is tough but they love it when you can pull off a few sentences in their language. It makes their day. Polish people are proud of their history, and of how amazingly welcoming they are. They have a bit of the same, “We might not live tomorrow” vibe as the Russians, but without the cockiness and the recklessness.

Sweethearts. I’ll be back to Poland for sure, but next time for a wife hunt, not for a rusty rail hunt.

I’ll leave you with my favorite Polish word: “cudownie” meaning incredible, wonderful, magnificent.

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Nils lacing a nice 50-50 to boardslide combo

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Wojtek, switch ollie

Nils locks in for the long haul with this FS lipslide

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Nils lurking under the bridge, no surprise there. BS 720 PHOTO: ZIZO

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07.10.2018 22:31

A

tooth root inflammation. That was the start of my first-ever trip to Japan. Fortunately for me, it wasn’t my teeth that were hurting like hell, but Pirmin Juffinger’s - my funny Austrian friend and the original filmer assigned on this Japan trip.

Pirmin had already been in Japan for four days filming with Markus Keller and Nils Arvidsson for the third Method Movie when this inflamed root forced him to fly home. His agony led to my opportunity: he called me to ask if I could replace him as the trip’s filmer, and less than 24 hours later, there I was, on a plane bound for the Far East. My trip was just “seven days brutto,” so to say, including the travel time from Berlin to Tokyo and back to Berlin. Oh, that must’ve sounded very German.

Anyway, it was too short of a trip. My CO2 emission rankings out of balance, same goes for the balance on my snowboard, which I didn’t have the chance to practice much. But that didn’t matter, since all I had to do was hike through the snow, set up the tripod, film the boys, hike some more, then hike back down.

All while being dumped on with snow in a way I had never experienced before. Of course, I had seen all the images from, seemingly, everyone, making me feel like I was the last snowboarder on Earth to visit this wonderful place.

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Markus stabbing out a FS 360 PHOTO: ZIZO

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While the scene did look very good on camera, it made me want to swap jobs with Markus or Nils.

Well, leaving out the crazy pillow stacks, perhaps.

Sticking the tripod legs in the snow, I could never secure a good grip. The snow was too deep, too soft. Standing there in the waist-deep snow, with a never-ending stream of pouring white from above, I felt so relaxed. After years of using trash bags to protect my camera from getting wet, I finally bought a rain cover. Like a proper rain jacket for the camera. Additional relaxation.

Markus Keller has been to Japan for eight years in a row now. Nils is on his own streak, three years running. They love the culture, and I fell for it as well. From the ramen to the onsen (Japanese hot springs) I can understand why they keep coming back. Tokyo was awesome as well. Of course. Minimal sleep, maximum beers, ramen, a funny professional karaoke bar called Bauhaus, an all-nighter and a long ride back home. I want to go again. These few days felt like a teaser to a full-length. Hopefully the next trip will indeed be longer, and will spare everyone a tooth-hurtin’.

The Nils Arvidsson Workout Plan PHOTO: ZIZO

Thanks, Pirmin.

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Nils makin’ his exit PHOTO: ZIZO

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Pink-haired tailboner courtesy of Nils P H O T O : A A R O N JA M I E S O N

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Man, ain’t that something… Markus method in Japanese pow heaven PHOTO: ZIZO

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ADS 191 MERCH AD.indd 75

08.10.2018 00:46

April 2017 Entry: Sam Losco Photos: Ponchikz As the filming season approached its close, we turned our sights north, way north, toward the Finnish city of Oulu, and then, the subarctic wilderness of Finland’s northernmost province, Lapland. It began with an invite from our good pal and Method Movie 1 alumni Antti Jussila to set up base at his father’s cabin in Oulu. After a bit of sessioning in the city, it was on to Rovaniemi, Lapland’s capital, and the home of Father Christmas.

We pulled Anton “Casanova” Kiiski out from behind the club turntables of Helsinki to man the video cameras alongside lens veteran Petrus Koskinen while Zebbe, Nils, Rene and Antti ran loose in the territory’s expanse. Fueled by Luke Million’s “Arnold” on repeat, the entourage brought an energy unlike Lapland’s ever seen. More Energy.

180 switch 50-50, switch BS 180 out from our man Antti

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Nils dials a switch tailpress, switch BS 180 out on a tricky, and consequential, spot

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Rene steady creepin’. 50-50 to back lip from the young Finn phenom

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Zebbe, boardslide up and over

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The true smooth operator.

Zebbe tailpress 360 out

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More Energy Gang

Antti and his pops

Casanova preppin’

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The rookie-on-fire, Rene Rinnekangas sending a FS Haakon flip in the Kitz pipe. This kid is so much fun to watch.

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April 2018

F

ew factors can jeopardize a halfpipe session like shit weather. On the flip side, there are few situations, poor conditions not among them, which can hamper Rene Rinnekangas’ electrifying teenage energy or the tenacious optimism of our in-house Method Movie 3 Viking, Mr. Lenny Jorgensen.

Last April, the fine folks at Kitzsteinhorn invited our movie crew up to the glacier for a private pipe build and a bit of spring shooting in their park. They laced us up graciously with accommodations right on the glacier, in a lodge fully equipped with restaurant, bar, gym and game room. Despite Mother Nature’s tempestuousness, the temps were up, and the park was long and on point. We were fortunate enough to have the Austrian all-terrain vehicle formally called Marc Swoboda and the master of Dutch rail precision Jesse Augustinus rounding out our rider contingent, their every move captured by Diggles and Marcus Skin, with Ponchikz on the still frames.

* Len gapping to back lip on the flat bar cutaway

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Aided by the sled work of the Kitz park crew, we made fast moves in the windows of sunlight we were granted, Rene’s face-splitting grin and Len’s bottomless bag of tricks propelling the sessions through the shadowy depths insistent on encroaching upon the pipe. But, to hark back to our opening remark, the right crew can ameliorate such dilemmas, even if it means bringing the hype beyond the planned arena, to an afternoon hand-dug hip outside the lodge (see Full Zoom column), or DIY ski rack session in the dead of night. A most notable moment, fleshed out below, unfolded under that spectacular Austrian nightsky.

On the heels of a day mired in whiteout and drizzle, the clouds broke on the glacier around 8 p.m., oranges and reds and purples brushing the palette of the peaks. There was a collective exclamation - how majestic it looked - and, after a day of miserable weather, how inviting. But nightfall was fast-approaching, descending at 8:22 p.m.

Jesses Augustinus snaking through a front board

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Marc Swoboda plants over the pipe extension

to be exact, a slim 22 minutes from the present, a point Diggles wasted little time or effort driving home.

Len, fresh off a three hour late-afternoon nap, being the positive force he is, kickstarted the rally. “I am going snowboarding. If anyone else wants to come, cool.” I’d also caught a quick rest, and obliged, and we awoke Ponchikz, who, at this point, was quite sick. Though he didn’t look too stoked, very much the opposite, as if death might whisk him away momentarily with an ill-fated swoosh of her hand, he agreed to meet us out there. It’s great to have a Russian in the group. In my limited experience, they are a hearty fucking bunch. No complaints, no bitching.

More on that later.

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Len, Rene and Diggles

This particular session began with Len and I trying to shovel a quarterpipe into a snowbank just above the Alpincenter, across the slope from the lodge where we stayed.

As fate would have it, in the five or so minutes it took us to boot up and get out there, the fog had returned and the hill was once again obscured in a whiteout. But we were already out, freshly rested and ready to fuck around, fog or otherwise. The speed for the quarter wasn’t working that well due to the almost ninety degree toe-edge turn the run-in required, and when the snowcats descended and rolled through our berm, it marked the end of that approach.

Ponchikz and Len, ever the optimists, explored and wondered a bit more. Ponchikz had been wanting to photograph someone sliding the metal ski racks the whole trip and this proved to be the a decent opportunity. Once set up, Len rallied off a couple quick 50-50s. The video looked pretty cool I thought - a very old-school, lo-fi, night shot - illuminated only by the headlamp on Len’s dome and the atmospheric glow.

Rene crippling over the channel

After much flash-adjusting we decided that a boardslide would be more worthwhile.

Len nailed a few in rapid succession, but we still hadn’t dialed the photo we wanted.

Len felt they were too zeachy. More than that, his arm kept obscuring his face, and Ponchikz asked him to be wary of that obstruction on the subsequent try. Perhaps by coincidence, or perhaps due to the focus on arm placement, Len caught his toe edge on one of the looped metal dividers on the next try and launched headlong into the snowbank below. I joked about it being soft, thankfully. Len assured me the snowpack had hardened considerably in the last hour. “I am not going to worry about my arm on this next one, Poncho,” Len remarked. At this point, Ponchikz, not a photog to shirk the danger zone - rather one who seems to frequent such regions (see Production Values column) - was laying, more or less, in the landing, looking to get a super-close, head-on fisheye shot. Surely, the shot we wanted, but a sketchy one nonetheless. As if it needed to be any more dodgy, Lens headlamp ran out of batteries. So there we were, prepping for one more go, the spot lit by a pair of iPhones I was holding, one on the feature, one illuminating a touch of the in-run so Len could see where he is going. The sky was breathtaking, but the star-shine provided insufficient illumination.

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Few people in the business with a mind like Len’s. Sex change method off the hip entry

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It all happened in a blink. Len dropped, slid, a pained grunt echoed out, the crunch of frozen corduroy as Len rode out… Ponchikz was doubled over, looking as if, had the sun been beating overhead, he might be shielding the glare, reviewing his work. “You all good Poncho?” Silence. Entranced by the shot? A nice thought, but doubtful. “Poncho you good?” “I am OK,” came the reply, not exactly in an exuberant tone, but fair enough being that he’d just taken a base to the forehead. It sure was a good thing Len was leaning back. It would have been a long night holding together an edge-split forehead until the lifts turned once again in the morning.

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Family portrait: Len, Jesse, Marc and Rene

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I told ya Poncho got up in there! Len’s near-midnight, iPhone-lit boardslide across the loops of death

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Left to right: Zebbe Landmark, Len Jorgensen, Brady Lem, Mitja Legat, Nikita Sekh

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F

rankly speaking, the invitation from Method to join this Russia trip was a big surprise for me. I’d just come off the first winter where I’d had my photos printed in the magazine, and just a few months later, this invite pings by inbox.

Booya! Of course, I was super stoked and excited. In the days to follow, my brain entertained only thoughts of snowboarding and photography. You know that feeling - when you’re sitting on your luggage and anxiously anticipating the beginning of the new adventure. That was it.

We had the crew of all crews: Sir Len Jørgensen, Dr. Zebbe Landmark, Professor Brady Lem and our Moscow guide and resident rough-rider, Nikita Sekh. We also had two G filmers in Mitja Legat and Marcus Skin. It was a full-on international diplomatic mission, replete with Norwegian, Swedish, American, Australian, Slovenian and Russian members. We got a lot of comments about the mix while staying in Russia, especially in reference to Marcus. “Australia, for real?!” “That means you’ve seen kangaroos?” “He had a wombat as a pet, hadn’t he? Ask him!” And so on.

Moscow served as our initial meeting point. The plan was to scope the snow conditions, and follow up our assessment with Nikita, who knows the city like the back of his hand. We’d then decide to either stay in Moscow for a week or rally straight up to Siberia. But as usual, “the first pancake goes bad,” to use a Russian expression. It was a challenge from the very beginning. Upon our meeting, we all realized there’d been a miscommunication and we didn’t have any accommodation lined up for the night. It was already late in the evening but thankfully I found an Airbnb billed as “able to accommodate seven people.”

Yet, when we arrived, it was a tiny flat with just two beds. Floor sleeping experience was a good skill for that night. I can only imagine what a shitty first impression this was for the guys who’d made the long travel and wanted to chill at least the first night before we started working.

The following day we secured another Airbnb, rented a van and began spot-scoping. Our stomachs were full, the mood far better than the previous evening. We had wheels, a place to sleep and life was movin’. We took a quick walk, a sort of “tourist spot check” and visited one of the central parks, where there was a big Maslenitsa celebration. That’s the famous holiday in Russia when people “see off the winter” and celebrate the upcoming spring. Everybody eats traditional Russian pancakes with caviar, sour cream, salmon or anything you want, and drinks an alcoholic honey drink. The observance is completed with a big bonfire burning the statue of “winter.” It seemed like our crew enjoyed the day as it gave the international gang an opportunity to experience our natural culture and tradition.

It was an authentic Russian experience.

Zebbe gettin’ his

Maslenitsa celebration in Moscow

Zebbe’s Shave and Shape, home of the cosmopolitan man

A few days later we had a chance to visit the Red Square. Some of the guys had already been, but they wanted to see it again, and the others were excited to check it out for the first time.

It’s a really good place to be; a place where you can see the history and birthplace of Mother Russia. There was a big street fair going on and the guys bought some souvenirs. So Moscow is nice for being a tourist, when you don’t need to rush or stress about getting things done.

On the other hand, in terms of filming a snowboard movie, Moscow’s traffic makes for a shit-show. We really felt useless, spending at least four or five hours a day just getting to a spot and back home again. Wasting time in a traffic jam overcrowded with angry people was the only thing that was really, really annoying. I guess that’s the main problem of big cities, but the capital of Russia is absolutely huge. Because of this we weren’t able to be as productive as we could have been, and

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Mr. Lem with a switch ollie through history

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Len flexing that vertical snap

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would have liked to be. And that disappointed us a lot. We also ran into some classic scenarios where you build an entire spot only to have the security show up and kick you out just as the riding begins.

This happened at the one dam spot on the river, next to the picturesque bridge. That moment sucked, but not the team spirit did not.

We didn’t give up completely, but decided to come back in a few days.

We ended up finding another spot pretty close to that “restricted” one. It was a classical building on the embankment - the “gates with gap.” Everything was perfect there. We had a good session, got some clips and the guys went harder and harder like Vladimir Putin with making new tricks, until Brady began to feel that something was wrong. He stopped riding but nobody really worried about it too much, as he didn’t have a big slam. There was a big compression on the landing, and he had already broken his ribs three weeks prior, but I don’t think anybody knew about that. That’s why it was a fucked-up scary feeling when Brady got worse. We went to some local emergency room immediately and got an X-ray, but that didn’t help at all. After that we searched for a private clinic where we could get a CT scan. He felt shitty and we worried that it could have been a ruptured spleen or something. Thank God it didn’t end up being an internal injury or bleeding. We got a list of pills and recommendations of stuff to do, and that marked the end of our bad luck.

In a few days we returned to the dam spot where we’d gotten the boot. To our surprise there was another Russian crew, with Denis Bonus, riding on it. We decided not to spend a lot of time there. Brady still felt injured, but the painkillers were doing their job and he rode out a trick in a couple of tries. Len also landed a real stylish one before two water security police turned up on a big airbag boat, commanding through the loudspeaker that we needed to leave.

Likely the security guy who had first spotted us had finally called them in, since we’d been ignoring him. But we had two crews totaling 10 people versus only the three security counting this new boat duo, so even the boat guys and their loudspeaker had to call for backup, and that was our little victory! We finished up and bailed before they returned once more.

After a couple more days in Moscow, we decided to switch up locations and check out some little towns outside of the big city. If you venture just 50 kilometers outside you enter a whole different world, a world of angry cops, spraying saliva as they shout straight from the car while kicking you out, friendly cops who ask you to move out politely and give you one more try to do the trick, just so they can capture it on their phones, alcoholics who invite Zebbe and Brady to drink with them in-between the runs at the spot, random dudes who’ve never been anywhere abroad and are super stoked to see a real man from another hemisphere, namely Australia. Most of the people were friendly, but there were a few assholes, whom I would smash in the face with pleasure, like the dude who stopped his car in the middle of the road to dump trash.

He was driving with his family - his lady and a little baby. There was a garbage can some 20 meters away from the place where he stopped the car, but he decided to take 20 steps in the other direction and drop all his empty bottles on the ground. Len saw this and, as he’s from one of the most eco-minded countries in the world, got mad. We approached this dude to tell him that he’s “wrong.” First it was a polite question: “What are you doing man? There is the trash box just over there. Go and throw your bottles into it.” His reaction was insane. When he realized that only I could speak Russian, he started talking shit. After all, just before he left, he gathered all the trash he had in the car - he spent some time to find it all - and demonstratively threw it on the ground, jumped in like a kid and quickly sped off.

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Bus boys

Caveman boardslide from Dog with Sword, aka, Nikita Sekh

Not the best day of Brady’s life.

Russian hospital pose

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Len tweaks a method into the bank at the dam spot

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Another funny moment for ya: Brady discovered something truly remarkable in one of the supermarkets. On one of the missions, the guys jump out of the van to get some goods from the store. When they return Brady is in an excited mood, saying something about vodka soda... He repeats it a few times and then gives me a can that looks like a standard Coca-Cola can, red and aluminum. He doesn’t want to hear that I’m feeling super hungry and don’t want to drink because my stomach is going to be mad about it, and everybody in the car joins in to argue that I just need to try it. Well, the pressure was too much and I decided to take a sip. And I made it a classic big sip at that. “What the fuck?” I exclaim. “Warm sparkling vodka!”

It was disgusting! No soda at all, just 40% alcohol sparkling vodka. I’ve been living in Russia since I was born, but never once have I seen a sparkling vodka! I couldn’t even imagine that was possible to make. By the way, after that, almost everyone bought some as souvenirs for the homies.

Brady is a party-boy, always looking for some fun, drinking beer in the bathroom while Zebbe gives him a stylish new haircut, or chilling at the spot with some Russian locals, taking sips of an unnamed liquid/liquor from his new buddies. Zebbe is a dancing-soul, a team mood creator. He’s super active, singing in the car, and straight shaking his ass out there until everybody starts feeling the vibe and having a good day. Len is a real rider as much as a real cook! Oh, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried his chicken salad! Truly something special.

Marcus, he’s the best Australian ever! Ready to help at any moment, and the dude who can sit with his camera in a treetop for two days, enduring absolutely freezing, negative 28 degrees Celsius temps for a good clip. He’s the man! Nikita - he’s the dog with sword! Such a cool dude, and my homie. He’s mad, he’s rad, he’s best in one-footed, no-footed tricks and any tricks involving vodka. And Mitja, the backcountry boss, with insane experience; a superfriendly professional. You can learn a hell of a lot from this guy!

What a time, what a group! Such great people, as individuals, and altogether as one crew.

“One team, one dream.” That’s how we do it.

Some luck for me to shoot in Russia with them!

And an insane blessing from heaven to travel on to Norway with the guys: staying at Len’s cabin - where there’s a ridiculous spot with a frozen waterfall 20 meters from the front door -delighting in cozy, homemade breakfasts at his parents house, seeing and taking part in one of the most creative events in Fred Perry’s Bench Press, filming in the streets and walking through the deep pow for hours. But that’s another story…

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Boardslide to BS 180 line from Zebbe

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Photo: Daniel Tengs

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Rider: Nils Arvidsson + Len Jorgensen

Location: Sundsvall, Sweden

Trick: 50-50 / Boardslide

08.10.2018 01:05

Photo: Ponchikz

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Rider: Len Jorgensen + Zebbe Landmark

Location: Norway Trick: Ollie

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Photos: Markus Rohrbacher Rider: Dominik Wagner

ov n burg

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Location: Quebec, Canada Trick: 50-50

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Photo: Daniel Tengs

Rider: Nils Arvidsson

Location: Sundsvall, Sweden

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Trick: Rock Jam

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Photo: Ponchikz Rider: Rene Rinnekangas

Location: Lapland, Finland

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Trick: BS wallride to front flip

08.10.2018 01:07

Photo: Ponchikz Rider: Antti Jussila Location: Oulu, Finland Trick: Nose tap, BS 180

Photo: Niki Ruhtanen Rider: Dominik Wagner

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Location: Helsinki, Finland

Trick: Gap to FS board

09.10.2018 23:45

Photo: Ponchikz

Rider: Zebbe Landmark

Photo: Ponchikz

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Location: Norway

Rider: Zebbe Landmark

Trick: Switch 50-50, SW BS 180 out

Location: Moscow, Russia

Trick: Chivalry

08.10.2018 01:07

WE’LL C AT C H YO U SURFERS IN THE LINEUP! B R A DY L E M , N I K I TA S E K H A N D T H E “ M O S C O W M A H A L O.” PHOTO: PONCH I KZ

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RIDER/LOCATION

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UNION SPECIFIC INNOVATIONS

EVOLUTION OF A REVOLUTION " The synergy I feel between my boots and board is next level. The reason is the Strata, and it is the best connection I've ever felt."

-Torstein Horgmo

TECH HIGHLIGHTS: 1

2

STRATA HIGHBACK

STAGE 6 BASE

A modernistic approach to a classic, time proven shape.

Direct Injected Duraflex ST. Lifetime Warranty Guarantee.

4

3

FORMA ANKLE STRAP

FUSED VAPORLITE

Strength and rapid response on the outside, fit and pillowed comfort on the inside.

The most waterproof, durable and vibration canceling material ever created.

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