FanHouse

Make Your Own Snow With New Burton Contest

Mike — 2009-01-14T11:35:00 00:00

Do you have too much snow in your backyard and you don't know what to do with it? I hate it when that happens. If you have that same problem, here's your chance to do something creative with all that white gold.

Burton Snowboards and SNOWatHOME are working together on what could be the coolest (pardon the pun) contest of the season and the winner will receive a complete snowmaking system courtesy of SNOWatHOME. Burton is looking for the best backyard snowboard video you can put together. Build a park in your backyard, or use the natural terrain of your favorite urban spot. Call up your crew, get creative and get it all on film.

Put together a sweet edit from your footage and upload it to the Burton website. Burton is going to review all videos and pick the best, so pull out that video camera and get outside. This is your chance to take your backyard park to the next level with the ultimate home snowmaking system.

Contest deadline is March 15th, 2009. Check out the Burton website for more details.

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Get on the Supercross Fantasy Bandwagon

Mike — 2009-01-02T14:46:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Motocross

The fantasy realm is crossing over into the action sports world. Again. There's been a fantasy surfer site for a little while and now there's something for Moto fans. MotoXDream.com gives supercross fans to live the life of their favorite motocross athletes. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned vet, playing MotoXDream Fantasy Supercross is pretty easy. All you have to do is choose four riders from each class every week. Then you just sit back and enjoy the race, because MotoXDream will keep track of your points and position throughout the series.

Headlining and offering up the grand prize, MotoSport.com has provided Tommy Hahn's 2008 MotoSport Xtreme Kawasaki KX450F team bike. This isn't a replica, it's the real deal. This race bike will be given to the overall winner of the series. On top of that, the weekly swag prizes for the top finishers of each race will be getting quality goodies from this year's sponsors like Von Zipper, FMF Casual, No Fear MX, Cycra Racing, Fox, Shift Racing, Sixsixone, EVS Protection, Spy Optics, Rider Down Foundation, MotoSpace.com, and MotoSport.com.

There is a cost to play (when the prizes are that good, I suppose you'd expect that). Before you wonder why you should pay the $25 fee, besides the opportunity to win a fabulous Race Bike and weekly swag, MotoSport will donate $5 of the signup fee to the Rider Down Foundation. And you'll receive a $20 gift certificate to MotoSport.com. Basically, it's only going to cost you a donation of $5 to a great organization helping our fallen riders. Sounds like a good trade-off to me.

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Julian Wilson Skips 2009 WQS for Irons Film

Mike — 2008-12-30T11:40:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Surfing

Life-changing opportunities that come around in our lifetimes are far and few between. That's why Julian Wilson is making the bold and daring move to skip next year's WQS. But this is no shot in the dark. Julian was given the opportunity to star in a film with none other than the Irons brothers (who will also produce the film). We're not talking about chopped liver here, we're talking filet mignon. Surfing with two living legends while getting paid for something that will forever live in surfing movie history, why not?

The 20-year-old Aussie will hit some of the best spots in the world during filming and he may do some competitions here and there, thanks to wild cards that may be available through his sponsor Quiksilver. Wilson finished ranked 247th on the WQS in '08.

Check out more about Wilson's decision at TheDaily.com.

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Gerry Lopez Interview In LA Times

Mike — 2008-12-24T18:35:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Surfing

One of the O.G.'s of surfing Gerry Lopez has a pretty in-depth interview in the Los Angeles Times. Now 60 years old, you might recognize Gerry for a number of reasons. In the '70s, Lopez was widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, tube rider in the world by winning the Pipeline Masters two years in a row. Or you might recognize him for his innovations in surfboard designs. Lopez created the simple but eye-catching Lightning Bolt jag that every surfer in the 70s wanted.

But not me. I don't recognize him for those things. I don't even surf. I recognize Lopez for his groundbreaking film role as "Subotai" in one of my favorite films of all time, Conan the Barbarian starring California's Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger. That film really showed the ruggedness that can only be portrayed by an extreme sports athlete. He is by far the best thing about that film other than Conan himself.

FYI, Gerry has also appeared in other films such as "Big Wednesday," "North Shore" and "Riding Giants."

Check out the interview over at the LA TIMES.

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Upgrade Your Snow Experience

Mike — 2008-12-10T12:00:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Skiing-Snowboarding

How often do you explore the backcountry of any mountain range only to find yourself lost? All you wanted to do is experience some gnarly, untouched, virgin snow, right?

Well, I'm with you brother. Once too often have I veered off puny Double Black Diamond slopes to take on whatever Mother Nature presents to me. But once too often have I found myself stuck in a hole or lost in a ditch somewhere, just lying lifelessly as bears or wolves drool at my succulent meaty exterior.

Well those days are over my friend. Two of my favorite companies, Apple and The North Face, have teamed up to create a new and very useful application for your iPhone. Sorry Razor users. This new app will allow skiers, boarders and ski-bladers (such as myself) to navigate through the rough terrain of some of the biggest and baddest resorts around the globe. And with the help of Google Maps, you will be able to see a high resolution map of your surroundings. No more getting lost for me, suckers!

Read the press release for more.

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Quiksilver Builds A Beast In Beijing

Mike — 2008-11-22T21:28:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Kiteboarding, Skiing-Snowboarding, Surfing

China has recently experienced the major excesses of life due to their blossoming economy. They are a good example of how communism can work in a capitalist world... after all just a few years ago, you would never see a Ferrari weaving in and out of busy streets. And snowboarding, what the heck is that? But now, they are experiencing levels of spoils like never before. Indulging in money, cars, and smog, they're headed in a new direction.

As you probably already know, Quiksilver is one of the leading brands in board sports, fashion and all out bro attire. So how fitting is it that Quiksilver has announced that they will be a major sponsor of the Nanshan Snowboard Park in Beijing, China. Quiksilver is teaming up with the country's top park construction firm Mellow Constructions China and the result will be the Quiksilver Nanshan Mellow Park, scheduled to open December 2008.

Of course in the Quiksilver press release there is no acknowledgment that this used to be the Nokia Nanshan Mellow Park with a very similar set up.

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Relive 2008 Globe Pro Fiji with New DVD

Mike — 2008-11-20T14:30:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Surfing

When the Globe Pro went down in Fiji earlier this year, it was the return of the World Tour to the island after one year off. The location didn't disappoint, with spectacular waves greeting the surfers and resulting in some of the best surfing of the year. Kelly Slater led the field, taking the final over CJ Hobgood -- a rematch of the final from 2005.

Changes are you didn't get to see much of the action from Fiji. Maybe you don't like how webcasts look. Or maybe your computer doesn't play video well. Whatever the reason, now you have no excuses to catch up on all that went down since Globe's come out with a new DVD that will give you full coverage from start to finish. Shot in HD Video and Super 16mm film, I guarantee that this will look a lot better than anything you saw online -- plus the soundtrack is no doubt top-notch.

Go buy this DVD now and see how Slater made it to world title number nine.

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Seth Cravens Found Guilty for Murder of Pro Surfer Emery Kauanui

Mike — 2008-11-20T13:14:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Surfing

In front of a jury Tuesday in a San Diego Courtroom, Seth Cravens was found guilty for the murder of professional surfer Emery Kauanui. Cravens was charged for the murder of Kauanui outside his mother's home in La Jolla California. Seth and his crew called "The Bird Rock Bandits" tracked down Seth at his mother's house after an altercation took place at a local bar.

Cravens punched Kauanui, who fell to the ground and suffered a skull fracture. He died in the hospital four days later.

Sentencing has been set for Jan. 12. The four others who were with Cravens have already had their day in court. Three pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter and received jail sentences from 210-349 days. The fourth pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and received a 90-day sentence.

As far as I'm concerned, they should lock up all these Bird Rock Bandits for life. Let them rot in there. Read the entire article at signonsandiego.com.

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Local Surfer Takes The PXM International Vans Pro Title

Mike — 2008-11-18T11:43:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Surfing

The PXM International Vans Pro complete competition yesterday in Puerto Escondido, Mexico yesterday and it was a local, 21 year old Angelo Lozano who took the ASP World Qualifying Series 3-Star title. The day saw a consistent 6-8 foot surf with plenty of tough competition from all over the world including Gabriel Villaran of Lima, Peru, Ryan Turner of Huntington Beach, CA, and fellow Puerto Escondido native David Rutherford.

Lozano had an impressive showing the entire event at the Vans Pro event, but eventually stepped it up a few notches for the finals beating out former Puerto Escondido event champion Rutherford, and Turner, who posted a perfect 10 and netted the event's highest heat total yesterday.

"I'm very proud and I'm proud of all the local surfers," Lozano said. "We have a lot of good tube-riders here and if we can get some more events I think we can see a lot more Mexican surfers on the WQS."

Find out more about the event here.

PXM International Vans Pro Final Results:
1 - Angelo Lozano (MEX)
2 - Gabriel Villaran (PER)
3 - Ryan Turner (USA)
4 - David Rutherford (MEX)

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Shaun White Video Game Launch Party

Mike — 2008-11-15T12:00:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Skiing-Snowboarding

We have a new president. Big Wow. Our economy is in a huge crisis. What? Where? Shaun White's new video game is about to come out. Hell yeah broooaa!! Ubisoft's new video game has been all the talk lately in the world of snowboarding, video game nerds, burn outs, and inactive teens everywhere and it's due in stores this weekend!

MTV and Target teamed up with Ubisoft to present the videogame with a huge launch party this past Tuesday at one of Hollywood's coolest shiny shirt clubs, on the ever so shiny shirt street, Sunset Blvd. Shaun White was the guest of honor. And in perfect theme with the night, all was "White"... the ladies, REAL snow, an antler chandelier and even a polar bear! The venue was decked with a snow lodge feel, open bars, and Shaun White Snowboarding video game stations throughout for all to test drive.

MTV's reality TV show's whose IT list was out in full form. Audrina from The Hills (never heard of her), Tila Tequila (Myspace chick?), Kelly Osbourne (dating Luke Howell and pro skater, Bam Margera were just a few of the celeb faces seen out in the crowd supporting the new video game launch. Check out some pics here.

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Winter Dew Tour To Kick Off December 18th

Mike — 2008-11-13T12:32:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Skiing-Snowboarding

With the long, extensive, and hectic Summer Dew Tour just behind us, the athletes in winter clothing are gearing up for the 2008 AST Winter Dew Tour set to kick off on December 18th in Breckenridge, Colorado. Announced yesterday were some of the world's best snowboarders and freestyle skiers who will be competing for the Dew Cup and a piece of that $1.5 million prize purse waiting for them at the end of the three-stop series.

The all star roster reads like the who's who of the modern freeski and snowboard movement, highlighted by multiple X Games and Olympic medalists including snowboard athletes Shaun White, Hannah Teter, Andreas Wiig, Travis Rice and Gretchen Bleiler. Freeskiing superstars Tanner Hall, Sarah Burke and Simon Dumont will join the snowboarders on the impressive roster of athletes.

"I'm thrilled for the start of the Winter Dew Tour this December," said Dumont. "This is just what we need to give skiing the exposure it deserves. We'll have live TV coverage and the resorts chosen are some of the best in the world."

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Fuel TV Launches New Series 'Snowboard Diaries'

Mike — 2008-11-13T10:00:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Skiing-Snowboarding

With countless skaters, boarders, surfers, bladers, and heelys, using the Internet to their advantage by giving their fans the lowdown on what they are doing this very second, it's just fitting that Fuel TV launches into a new series, currently only for snowboarders, called "Snowboard Diaries". And what more extreme name can you give than having "Diaries" in the title.

If you think that snowboarding is all parties, bikinis, bad tattoos, and red faces, well then you're like me because that's what I thought too. But the snowboarding profession is a lot more than just that. It includes the basic human value of "the struggle" with the sport, thus making a connection with snowboarders and non-snowboarders alike.

The new series is land on your television on Tuesday nights, beginning on December 30th, 2008 at 8:00 PM. The five-part series will feature some of the most renowned boarders across the land including Kevin Pearce, X Games Gold Medalist Torstein Horgmo, Eero Ettala, Pat Moore, Jake Blauvelt, Hampus Mosesson, Mikel Bang, Mads Johnson, and many others.

"'Snowboard Diaries' promises to be a unique observation into the lives of some of snowboarding's most compelling characters," says Sandy Stevenson, Producer, Friday Productions. "Expect some surprises in these shows!"

Sounds pretty deep. Like the stuff you would write in a diary. Be sure to tune in.

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'Daily Habit' In NYC For RevTour

Mike — 2008-11-09T08:48:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Skiing-Snowboarding

Fuel TV is getting ready for a week of Oakley programming coming in January. It started last month when the channel covered the super-elegant, invite-only world premiere of Oakley's all-women video "Uniquely." White linens, holiday silver, a red carpet and a Ming and Ping Show were the setting for an ultra-feminine night for the premiere that took place at Oakley headquarters in Foothill Ranch.

The entire cast of "Uniquely" including snowboarders Gretchen Bleiler, Marie-France Roy, Elena Hight, Anne-Flore Marxer, and Chanelle Sladics; skateboarders Lauren Perkins and Lyn-z Adams Hawkins; surfers Karina Petroni, Leilani Gryde, Kira Shepard, Sage Erickson and Claudia Goncalves; skiers Kristi Leskinen, Grete Eliassen and Angeli VanLaanen and wakeboarder Amber Wing arrived by bus from Encinitas, where they were spending the weekend surfing and bonding in a beach-side mansion.

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U.S. Vs. Brazil Game Challenge

Mike — 2008-11-01T21:49:00 00:00

by MikeIt's time to see who's on top of the surf world. When we wanted to learn who was the best basketball team in the world, we witnessed the US vs. Spain in the FIBA games. When we wanted to see who had the best tennis players in the world, we get to see the Davis Cup. When the world wants to determine who has the best rollerbladers in the world, Arlo Eisenberg hosts "Arlo's World Blade Day". Now here's our chance to see two of the most dominant surfing countries in the world to go at it (sorry Australia).

October 30, 2008: - - The National Surf League is proud to announce the USA vs, BRAZIL Game Challenge presented by Oi November 8-9 in Maresias, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The event will be a best-of-three games battle featuring some of the worlds best and most innovative surfers.

Representing Team USA will be 3-time world champion Tom Curren, Shane Beschen, Cory Lopez, Jamie O'Brien and Clay Marzo Team Brazil will be represented by current WCT #4 Adriano De Souza, Fabio Gouveia, Bruno Santos, Marcelo Trekinho, and Danilo Grilo. The event will broadcast on live TV both days on SPORTV.

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Nikita Chickita Touring USA & Europe For 2009

Mike — 2008-11-01T21:28:00 00:00

by Mike
I have to admit, all-female sport teams are almost, if not more, exiting than most male teams. Why do I think so? Well it comes down to one thing. Fundamentals. You can't beat great fundamentals. Just check out my favorite synchronized swimming team from Canada. Just flawless! An all-male team would not be able to create the same fluidity in their maneuvers due to a lack of dexterity. It's just unfortunate for me that team Canada hardly ever comes through Los Angeles.

But lucky for me, another one of my favorite all-female teams, Nikita, will be coming through next year for an exciting tour of the US and Europe. Nikita Chickita is an open-invite slopestyle contest that you know will be an extremely relaxed and fun atmosphere. Up for grabs will be cash and prizes galore for both the top Pro and Am riders. As in previous years the top Am rider will receive a one-year sponsorship with Nikita. Ana Rumiha and Alice Gong, European and USA winners respectively from 2008, have had great times being a part of the Nikita family. Now it's your turn to get on that team...

If you think you can hack it, sign up here for the U.S. stop in Mammoth Mountain -- coming Feb. 2009.

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Bra Boys Not Getting Respect They Deserve

Mike — 2008-11-01T17:16:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Surfing

It's hard being a Bra these days. Whether you're a Bra from the Orange County or a Bra from the Bra Boys, life isn't what it used to be. For the O.C. Bras, long are the days of the 90's and early 2000's when dressing like a modified cholo and driving around in your lifted/lowered S10 Chevy Pickup. And you were even looked up to and admired. Now you're experiencing a gentrification of skinny emo kids with angular haircuts and bad tattoos taking over the land. Well, I guess the tattoo characteristic stayed the same.

And poor Bra Boys are experiencing the same kind of resentment from society. It looks like fighting and getting drunk in public kind of got old. Not to me though. I think that's the life. Especially well into adulthood. Well check out this story below from News.com.au.

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The 4th Annual Jibassic Pro Invite

Mike — 2008-11-01T17:09:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Skiing-Snowboarding

The 4th Annual Jibassic Pro Invite went off in Lake Tahoe last Saturday and after several off years, the event proved to have a revival. No problems with the course and plenty of pros killing the rail with locals and ams pushing everyone to do their best.

In the end it was a trio of local guys who battled it out for the win. Smokin' Snowboards rider Andrew Brewer out of Reno impressed the judges with his consistency, style, and plethora of tricks on all parts of the feature awarding him 2 G's and Southwest gift cards.

The judges were almost equally impressed with Brandon Cocard, who took second, and third-place rider Forrest Bailey. From the jam-packed action, jibtastic setup, and major level of stoke. Boreal's team deserves some major kudos for pulling off an awesome pre-season event. Nice work friends.

Check out the Snowboard Mag for more photos of the event.

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Action Continues at the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro

Mike — 2008-11-01T16:55:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Surfing

After a few days of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Imbituba, Brazil, the competition continued Friday. The locals definitely ruled the day, with 15 of the 16 heats featuring Brazilians, though only five advanced, including ASP World Tour surfer Heitor Alves, who had the day's top heat with a 15.83. They will join five of their countrymen who advanced straight to Round 3.

There were few upsets in the round, though Aussie Adrian Buchan, who won a tour event earlier this season, was sent home by Raoni Monteiro. Among the surfers to advance were the Hobgood brothers, Chris Ward, Jordy Smith and Ben Bourgeois.

For more about the day's action, check out the official press release.

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Get The 2009 Northwave Team DVD For Free

Mike — 2008-10-29T11:21:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Skiing-Snowboarding

It's not often that companies give away free swag and if they do, it requires you to attend their sometimes less than spectacular event or you must be some extraordinary standout of a citizen to win their free prize. If you're too far to attend these special events, you don't even bother because it's not even worth your time unless the event is bodacious. Or if it's a competitive giveaway, your low self-esteem prohibits you to even try to compete for the prize.

Well the new Northwave DVD has no strings attached. You can be any Joe Schmo and still get their 2009 DVD. This is a lot better than the free stickers I got from the World Industries Menace stickers I received in 1995. The video includes Pro Team Riders: Matt Beardmore, Patrick McCarthy, Hans Ahlund, Alexis Waite, Matty Ryan, Seth Huot, and more!

To reserve your free copy, email: intern02@northwave.com and write "Team DVD" in the subject line. Include your full name and address.

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Put Your Artwork On A Ride Snowboard

Mike — 2008-10-29T11:13:00 00:00

by Mike

Filed under: Skiing-Snowboarding

I'm pretty sure that a good percentage of you kiddies out there who are sitting in class right now are not listening to your teacher. About 25% of you are discreetly eating food that you bought during your snack period. I'd say 50% of you are probably texting you're your bros about some fake story regarding some fly honey you were with this past weekend when in actuality you were babysitting your grandma. And the rest of you are probably doodling some sick drawing you've been working on for about 30 minutes.

Well we've said it before to taggers and other artist around. Get your stuff out there. Ride Snowboards for the 7th year in a row is holding their annual Snowboard Art Contest. Contestants from all over the globe partake in Ride's exciting contest for the chance to have their art displayed in a medium like none other. On top of that, artist will also be competing for cash and prizes.

Judged by the Ride Snowboards Creative Team, the top 50 entries are posted online, of which the top 30 are displayed at an art reception held on Ride's turf: Seattle, WA. The finalists will compete for the grand prize of $1,000 and a custom snowboard featuring their winning artwork. Every year they get truly amazing entries, so get a little creative and a lot crazy, and they'll look forward to seeing yours for SBA7!

Go over to Ride Snowboards for all the info.

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