Category Archives: Snowboarding

Neversummer, SBINZ, Snowboarding, Wanaka

A new and comprehensive guide for teachers and snowboarders

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The hard work of the SBINZ crew is now being represented in a brilliant new publication. Since 2004, I have seen the organisation go from strength to strength, being well represented both in NZ and abroad. We are proud to release the new Snowboard Manual, Your guide to teaching and riding from beginner to advanced. Download it free here.

Below are are some screen shots with some imagery of myself, shot and edited entirely by the talented Keith Stubbs.

Outside Sports have been incredibly supportive helping me ride the best gear and they keep it running well, both winter and summer. Big thanks to Scott, Richard, Mark, Kazu, Elmo and Darren. Also to Carlos at Neversummer for the great board!

Gear for the coming season:

Board: Neversummer Ripsaw 159
Bindings: Rome Targas
Boots: Salomon Malamute

Coaching at Rookie Academy, Snowsports NZ and SBINZ this season. Bring it on!

Proud to feature on over 30 pages in the new manual! Check out some of the exerts below…

A credit to past and present SBINZ trainers who have contributed to the development of the snow sports in New Zealand.

Banked Slalom, Snowboarding, Travel

Banked Slalom Success | The South Island Tour

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What a great season for Banked Slaloms! A very large THANK YOU to all the riders, sponsors, resorts, event crew and supporters to help make these events possible.

TC – 2nd & 3rd
Mt Hutt – 1st
Shredders waiting to drop… Wanaka Beerworks Treble Cone Banked Slalom
Caldron – 3rd
Cardrona
Coronet Peak – 3rd

These events bring the snowboarding community together like no other event. The majority of events I have been to over the years have sold out out because of the atmosphere and good times. Stoked to have stood on the podium 4/4 times this season and rode with a great crew of friends each time. Big thanks to NeverSummer, Candygrind, Icebreaker & Outside Sports. Your support is very much appreciated.

Bring on an even bigger Banked Slalom scene in New Zealand next year… Let’s turn this into a festival…

Cheers for a great season!

Banked Slalom, Snowboarding, Treble Cone, Wanaka

2016 Wanaka Beerworks Banked Slalom | Treble Cone

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A huge thanks to all the competitors, supporters and organisers who helped make the Banked Slalom a great day. Almost 100 shredders turned up for the annual event which was held in the famous Gun Barrel on Treble Cone.

I cannot think of a better way to celebrate snowboarding and the fun people an event like this brings together. Originating from the CORE of snowboarding, this type of gathering stays true to it’s roots and always delivers a great atmosphere.  A tight and technical course made it challenging, even for the seasoned riders and the light made for some interesting line choices.

Banked slaloms in NZ so far…
Treble Cone
Cardrona Alpine Resort
Coronet Peak……

Check out the event video produced by myself and the talented team at 360newzealand.

There I go ... Not sure if I was smiling or crying ... Wanaka Beerworks Treble Cone Banked Slalom
There I go sliding into 2nd place Open Mens & 3rd overall… Not sure if I was smiling or crying … Wanaka Beerworks Treble Cone Banked Slalom

Continue reading 2016 Wanaka Beerworks Banked Slalom | Treble Cone →

International, Rookie Academy, SBINZ, Snowboarding

Coaching | Now online with BK PRO

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It’s an exciting time to be a coach. Especially when technology mixed with a dream lines up to create something unique and engaging.

I will be part of a team coach Bud Keene has put together to initiate coaching through his new online application BKPRO.

If you are training towards an Instructors exam or need some feedback on your carving, freestyle or bumps this will be an invaluable resource.

Look for my free & paid rider tip videos throughout the season ahead. If you have any questions about how you can get involved, just ask!

 

Select your coach

Continue reading Coaching | Now online with BK PRO →

Adventure, International, Japan, Snowboarding, Travel

Japanuary | Snorkles optional 

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All up in the nostrils | shot Keith Stubbs

How can it be so much fun riding through deep snow? The anticipation of a powder day creates a universal energy in a town filled with powder-hounds. The common interest to score that night (night-riding in Niseko is very good) or early the next day is priority, people even leave bars early! Well, the clever ones do anyway.

Ultimate Snow Search Japan guide and shred buddy… Keith Stubbs.

It’s not often shredders here have the privilege of seeing Mt Yōtie, so when she appears, out of respect, we take the time to enjoy the view. I have yet to climb her, but she’s on the list of things-to-do during my trip here. 

I have the pleasure of saying Mum & I are going snowboarding, in Japan! How many of us can say that?!

Niseko Academy road trip – Powder Detours
Ready to shred.
She tears it up. Powder, groomers & park you name it. She’s a legend. Niskeo Academy have a more senior Powder Detour product which gives here the opportunity to shred at a variety of mountains in the area with other people her own ability. Happy days. I joined her on a couple of days earlier in the week which were fun checking out spots in Anapouri Niskeko & a local mountain called Kiroro.  The plan is to ride as much pow as possible within the 3 weeks we have here. A road-trip with Keith Stubbs & friends to Asahidake along with checking out the Sapporo Ice festival. Mean-while we are super stoked to be here and are fortunate to have the opportunity to ride here. Snorkles optional. 

Stubbsy sending it

  

Walk through a fridge door and anything can happen…
 

Hot or cold … 24/7
Banked Slalom, Extreme sports, Snowboarding, Treble Cone

Treble Cone Banked slalom | Riding with Giants

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A great day for snowboarding…

The 2015 DB Banked Slalom starring a mix of local and pro riders including Terje Haakonsen, Danny Davis, Mikkel Bang, Scotty Lago, Ben Ferguson and Amber Schuecker was battled out on one of Treble Cone’s natural halfpipes. My result was not quite as good as last year because of a wee crash, however I managed 10th. Thanks to Thierry Huet Professional Photographer & Sponsors DB Export and Never Summer NZ.

Bringing it back to how the sport started… Bring on a New Zealand/Southern Lakes Series I say!

Official Video by 360 New Zealand
  
  
  
  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC0Mtqdwao4

Icebreker, Interski, SBINZ, Snowboarding, Treble Cone

Treble Cone Opening Day 2015 |Getting Layered

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For months the anticipation has been growing. Only recently I have been enjoying more Summer in my life so the thought of snowboarding again, especially at Treble Cone got me stoked. Icebreaker ran a Get Layered gig giving away socks keeping people’s toes warm.

Icebreaker Ambassadors
Icebreaker Ambassadors Sam Lee & Brit Hawes – and Finn!
Freshies all day Photo: www.360newzealand.com
Freshies all day
Photo: http://www.360newzealand.com

We pulled into the carpark at TC and there was hardly anyone there! I guess turning up over an hour before the lifts open that was bound to happen. The froth was thick.

Britt Hawes Photo: www.360newzealand.com
Britt Hawes
Photo: http://www.360newzealand.com

Great conditions on and off trail and the whole mountain is open!

Stoked on euro carving Photo: www.360newzealand.com
Stoked on euro carving down Main Street
Photo: http://www.360newzealand.com
Sam Lee charging Photo: www.360newzealand.com
Sam Lee charging – such dry snow!
Photo: http://www.360newzealand.com

Huge thanks to Keith from 360nz who snapped some great shots, Treble Cone & Icebreaker for creating a great day on the hill.

Treble Cone Lift station go Layered with Icebreaker
Treble Cone Lift station got Layered with Icebreaker

Last week: A few days at Coronet Peak, Queenstown  was a great place to get the legs back. SBINZ Trainers Training lasted 3 days and it was great to shred with the crew again. We practiced our Interski presentation and made time to shred freshies. It is super important that our whole team connect pre-season and re-calibrated our training eye. It feels good knowing that good things are in place for an awesome season ahead.

Candygrind, Neversummer, SBINZ, Snowboarding, Treble Cone

Demos | SBINZ demonstrations

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A clear visual picture will always help a learning process. It definitely helps when the delivery is clean, simple and gives the student a solid understanding of the task. It was a privilege to not only present these tasks, but to do them on a world-class mountain like Treble Cone. The following video was a project the SBINZ team and I worked on during a couple of days during the NZ season of 2014.

Great work by http://www.360newzealand.com and the SBINZ Trainer crew. Cheers boys!

Please excuse the out-takes at the end… they insisted on including them!

Candygrind, Interski, Neversummer, New Zealand, Rookie Academy, SBINZ, Snowboarding

Countdown to Interski, Argentina

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To represent SBINZ and travel with such an awesome team gets me stoked. Especially when the next trip will be to Argentina 2015 during September! Earlier in 2014, myself and 5 other fortunate souls were chosen to represent the hard work that the SBINZ team have put in over the years.

Every four years the world of snow-sports instruction sends a team to the Interski conference. Up to 35 nations will showcase their development in skiing, snowboarding and telemark. It is an exciting time for us because we will showcase to the world the teaching theory, riding style and our unique outlook on snowboarding and it’s instruction.

For me, it will be the most unique learning environment I have ever been in. The opportunity to discover new tactics and technical information is literally world-class. With over 10 years in the instruction world I have had the pleasure of meeting many inspiring instructors, athletes and management that have all taught me something unique. In Argentina, we will have the chance to further out skills and bring home to our New Zealand instructors a fresh insight on how we can better the sport.

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Bring part of Interski will also be a massive celebration for snowboarding and the people that make it what it is! The count-down has started and we are stoked to be part of it. Stay tuned on the New Zealand blog over the next year and follow the path we take with NZSIA. If you are intersted in sponsorship opportunities please get in touch with me.

SBINZ Interski team 2015
SBINZ Interski team 2015: Rhys Jones, Sean Thompson, Sam Smith, Dan Burton, Richie Johnston & Keith Stubbs