Category Archives: Wanaka

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, 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

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Adventure, road trip, Treble Cone, Wanaka

Winter buzz | The annual TC slog.

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There is a constant layer of frost in my backyard that continues to remind me winter is here to stay. The mountains start opening this weekend and there are plenty of excited people in town anticipating a great season ahead!

7am:
Tom & I hit the road bound for Treble Cone’s access road. Maybe we should’ve ridden from town but our coffees would spill.

Ready to roll
Ready to roll

7:30:
With a very short warm-up, we ride from the TC arch and start shedding layers…

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Adventure, Mountain biking, New Zealand, Travel, Wanaka

Riding into the Alps | Aspiring Hut bike packing 

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Few people will venture beyond the sealed road along the Matukituki valley. Especially with a mountain bike! I had ridden this track to Aspiring but before, but this time we planned to stay over night.

Sheep are awesome!
On the right track

Within 2.5 hours we drove out of Wanaka and ridden up the valley while taking photos along the way. Only a few river crossings to tend with which made both driving and riding great fun! Memories of jumping in puddles those years ago flood back to me.

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Candygrind, Extreme sports, mind resolutions, Neversummer, Snowboarding, Sports therapy, Wanaka

Spring Camp | Riding with the pros

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Around 100 athletes & coaches took control of Cardrona’s finest features last week and the progression was mind blowing. With the Whitestar lift spinning & sleds shuttling skiers and boarders there was every chance for great things to happen. Coach to Shawn White, Bud Keene stated Cardrona Spring camp jump progression setup. If you can’t get it done here, then maybe you can’t get it done at all…

 “…If you can’t get it done here, then maybe you can’t get it done at all” – Bud Keene

The SBX course shaped up beautifully throughout the week challenging athletes from Australia and New Zealand to discover new limits of speed, agility and edge control. I was fortunate to be up there for a few days helping the NZ riders Carl Murphy & Duncan Campbell on their form. After working with Carl during the 2014 season on Treble Cone, it was great to see his progression using the skills from riding TC’s challenging terrain & strength training from the gym.

Carl Murphy Adam Dooney
Carl Murphy Adam Dooney

 

SBX Cardrona
SBX Cardrona

Variations of the AirBag were set up along the Super Pipe wall along with the bottom. The biggest bag in the southern hemi was catching athletes on boards, skis and even a sit-skis! Jody Blatchley has been ruling it on his sit-ski this season and nailed his first back-flips onto the giant pillow. Impressive!

Triples, triples, triples… Cheers of Stoke rippled across the home basin as new personal bests were made. Coaches tactfully challenged their athletes to bring new found air awareness on the jump line. Fewer speed-checks were made every day as racers pushed themselves over the rollers and berms. Old fears were controlled more and more each day as new heights were reached.

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Neversummer Riders throwing down.
Neversummer Riders throwing down.

Exciting and progressive times all week as many of them raised the bar getting ready for the northern hemi winter… Breckenridge will be a destination of choice for the park riders along with La Molina Spain, where Carl will compete in his first F.I.S race for the winter.

 “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear… not absence of fear.” – Mark Twain

Much to look forward to during the next year and it has never been a greater time to be involved in snowboarding.

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Adventure, community, International, Lake Wanaka, Sports therapy, Wanaka

TEDx Wanaka

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A capacity audience left The Rippon Hall on Saturday buzzing with ideas after the first ever TEDxWanaka. The event, which took place on a perfect winter solstice, could mark a turning point for many in more ways than one after an enlightening programme of seven speakers plus entertainment and local food and wine.

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Adventure, Extreme sports, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, Richie Johnston blog, Snowboarding, Treble Cone, Wanaka

A NZ Freeride Story Ep. 1

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This will be a great story to follow as a great shred buddy of mine Colin Boyd prepares for the World Freeride Tour. Check out his summary of the NZ season while he trains at Treble Cone & Cardrona during the 2013 season here in NZ. Documented in style by Lachlan Humphreys, they paint a unique picture their journey together.

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, Wanaka

Wanaka for Gigatown 2014!

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Gigatown is a 12 month competition run by Chours New Zealand to decide who will be the first town in the Southern hemisphere to access a one gigabit per second (1Gbps) internet connection.  That means 100x faster internet than what we are currently using. For all of us here in Wanaka, and for those who would like to live here, this would be a huge step to help our community develop further and encourage future investment, business development and greater opportunities.

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Extreme sports, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, Richie Johnston blog, Rookie Academy, Snowboarding, Treble Cone, Wanaka

2013 Winter Season: One to remember!

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That feeling you get when the pressure is on… deep in the belly and mind. My deep breathes attempt to calm the roller coaster of nerves. As I visualize the course below, flashes of red and blue flags fade away as the mist rolls in over Treble Cone. The NLP skills were coming in handy in both competition and in instructor training.

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