Patrick Hansen.com

Red Bull Project X features Shaun White taking it to the next level. Until they release more footy, check out the Progression video from the site that gives a sneak peak at the caliber of riding and new tricks, like 720º double corks that White pulled on the Silverton Mega Pipe.

And this is just what they released so far.

Check it out here:

http://shaunwhite.com/projectx/#/docvideos/progression

I had a post last season about a secret half-pipe in the San Juan mountains with heli-access only, that Red Bull built for Shaun White. Some people were skeptical about this and thought it was fake or a rumor, but I’m more than happy to say it is official!

Not only was it real, but it has pushed snowboarding into a new phase of evolution with the already progressive talent of Shaun White. White has been pushing the sport to the limits in the past several years making switch 1080º’s a standard in half pipe competition, which even 5-7 years ago, was a pipe-dream for many – no pun intended, seriously – no pun intended.

Shaun White’s website has a special section dedicated to Project X and you can visit it now to get a sneak peak at some of the aspects of this project which will be revealed soon. One o the sections I’m dying to check is White’s New Tricks. To be announced November 3, 2009.

Visit the site here:

www.redbullprojectx.com

I can’t imagine what White pulled on this monolithic super pipe. And to see that he has a new set of tricks even this far into his career is pretty damn impressive. Not that he is old or anything like that, but the learning new tricks with the arsenal White already has, almost leads me to believe that he has not only added new tricks, but possibly created some as well.

Creating s new trick this late in the sport most likely consists of a combination of existing tricks or being the first to do the next largest rotation. I’m very curious to see what White has in this new bag of tricks.

White is arguably one of the best halfpipe riders in the world, and his park skills kill it too. The combination of his prodigious riding talent and the support of Red Bull to construct this environment for him creates an inevitable realm of challenge and evolution that is destined to push the limits even further in a sport that has already grown (freestyle-wise) exponentially only in the past 5 years.

There is also a foam pit at the end of the pipe to help Shaun practice these new tricks which helped White work on his visions of these maneuvers and obtain the confidence and feel of them before taking it to the actual pipe wall. When this hits, it will not only propel White, but the industry into a new renaissance of innovation and possibilities.

Make sure to visit the www.redbullprojectx.com and stay tuned to the unveiling of new tricks and footage from Shaun White.

Active Ride Shop sells to Florida investors for $5.2 million known as Active Sports Lifestyles USA. My previous post noted that Zumiez had a bid for over $7 million, but the sources has not verified and could be rumor, like anything on the web, so they did not participate in the final bidding round.

The auction of the company was ordered by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Riverside, after Active ride Shop filed for bankruptcy. There were several other bids on the company, but all losing out to the investor group.

They do plan on maintaining all 21 store locations ad their online business and the Mira Loma headquarters.

I’m not just writing aimlessly about snowboarding. I’ve been in the game for over 15 years, since renting a Kemper Kid board with Sorels. I’m not saying I’m a pro or anything, as I suck compared to the kids now a days, but I do love snowboarding. It has been a passion, not just a hobby, of mine since back in the day. I have participated in competitions, had some amateur sponsorships and worked in the retail-side of the industry (9+ years). I have ridden many areas, terrain, a variety of equipment, researched technologies and mfg’ing processes, attended who knows how many clinics, and always read a magazine before taking it home. What is say is not the “right” answer or way of doing things, it is just my personal feeling and opinion on a particular subject. I’m just using this blog to drop off some ideas on the topic.

I was recently showing an old friend some skate clips while reminiscing about the “old days”. He had never seen PJ Ladd’s Wonderful Horrible Life, nor seen any of his skills in any other publication. We went to YouTube and viewed a few clips… to say the least, he was definitely impressed.

When this video came out, it was crazy. It was a shop video by Coliseum and it was simply amazing. You will need to do some double takes at his tricks just to ensure yourself he really did that. Switch? Nollie? How many revolutions? Bigger Spins? Where are his magnets?

It is old news, but as we revisited this, it brought back one of the points in skating where you see someone skate and you just get that feeling about how amazing and great skateboarding is and the talent out there.

Check it out below:
[youtube]CKH0x6yXf7s[/youtube]

I chose the Uninc 156cm and Uninc EST binding for my snow arsenal this season. I rode the Uninc 154cm JP model back when they were first introduced. It rode awesome in a variety of terrain. Since then, I’ve been on the Burton Jussi, Never Summer Evo, Elevation Engelsman, and Burton Custom X. All of them have been great boards and are unique in their own rights.

I had to step up the size a little bit, exactly 2cm, so now I’m on the 156cm featuring Burton’s new Infinite channel mounting system. This involves a single slotted track for each binding (front & rear). This is similar to the old school Rev and Forum snowboards that used the track system. It is highly reinforced and the engineering behind the mounting bolt & screw pull together, so I doubt it will ever come loose on its own. You can retrofit fit a Burton binding that uses the disc system, or you can opt for the new EST (extra sensory… something) bindings. If you use the disc, you are limited in stance options. With the EST binding, there are 2 bolts on the exterior walls of the base plate. This allows for virtually infinite stance options (width & angles). This is great especially if you’re picky. Even if you’re not, you can just place your feet practically wherever you want, and mount.

The binding doesn’t feel too much different than their conventional. There is a thinner, foam based footbed on the baseplate, rather than a complete nylon bottom. This does provide a feel more like skateboarding or surfing, where the rider is that much closer to the deck surface of the board. This allows for more sensitive feel and control over your board. Although, since boots still have pretty thick soles, the actual difference is minor. Until we get some thinner boots, then this is how it is. I don’t think you would want much more closeness, as icy landings sucked back in the day of baseless bindings.

As for the board feel… yes, there is a metal slot right up the middle of the board. Longitude wise, this doesn’t effect it in any negative means. I feel it actually compliments the carbon fiber I-beam already constructed into this model board and enhances torsional flex. As for latitude flex, it does affect this in some minor ways. Traditional 4×4 and 3D patterns also affected this too. They had to have extra materials for the foundation of the mounting inserts. So, lateral flex in any board is always somewhat affected and once you mount those bindings on, then there is the big hit. Actually, once you place your weight inside those bindings and board, then that is when you can actually test any true flex of your set up.

From my experience on this set up, I’m definitely backing it up. It doesn’t hold such a major change in ride and feel as anticipated. So, if you want to transition over and you are pretty conservative, then it shouldn’t be such a big risk. If you are willing to try new technology, then this offers a lot in certain areas and will impress. I love it and YES, I would get it again next season.

* note: I feel that there are a lot of companies out there that are good, a few that are great. Burton is one of the few manufacturers who have put a lot of time, R & D, effort into making quality products and I feel strongly about that. They are one of the larger companies, but they are still privately owned. Being successful doesn’t mean you’re a sell out, it means you’re good at what you’re doing. They were even nice enough to buy up Forum during their time in financial distress, to help prevent Ski companies and other corporate vultures from entering into the Snowboard ring.

How could Shaun White pull another gold medal in Super pipe? Well with a run like this: Frontside lien air (huge), then a floating mcTwist, followed by a front 1080º stalefish, to a cab 1080º tail grab, f/s 900º stale, b/s 900º, then the heater, frontside 1260!!!! (with a quick grab!)

CHECK IT OUT:
[youtube]r6Rr0zPisQI[/youtube]

Also, another amazing feat in the big air competition. Switch backside 1260º by 20 year old Torstein Horgmo! I don’t think it got the recognition that, that trick really deserves. He actually went in to he finals with that trick, but won it with a crazy switch backside 900º late rode or “shoulder dip” as some are calling it. I can’t find a clip online, but here is a DC teaser featuring him:
[youtube]BurcsRmNzO4[/youtube]

Not to mention Andreas Wiig’s Slopestyle championship run, again, I’m still finding a clip to embed, but if you want to check it, view this from ESPN’s site: http://expn.go.com/expn/story?id=3216219

Just check this intro. I know it’s old news, but still impressive to display the true art behind skateboarding and how good cinematography can expose it. One of the best I’ve seen for a skate video. Spike Jones does it again!

please note that this intro is in super slow motion, it is probably not your connection.

[youtube]vHX8jezNBTk[/youtube]

Girl’s Yeah Right! was sick too

I just got my copy of DVS’s latest video since Skate More entitled Dudes Dudes Dudes. You don’t need to wait to get your hands on a DVD (which is rumored to soon be handed out for free here and there).

You can view it online for FREE!
It is in parts on YouTube already, but you can view the full lenght directly from DVS’s official site at:
http://www.dvsskate.com/video/dudes_us.html

DVS.com

Aside from being one of my all time favorite books, now Lakai has featured them on a series of shoes! Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are is now part of the Lakai family.

The models are: Howard, Mariano, MJ and Telford

This is in following to Spike Jones’ latest film project. Although, I hear that his movie may be a bit on the scary side, and may not be released for that reason. Even if it is not child friendly, the story has a great theme and concept for any age. The exploration of imagination is beneficial for anyone, and definitely applies to skateboarding.

Spike Jones has been a large factor in the skateboard film industry. He has worked on several projects with the Lakai family, including Girl’s Yeah Right and Lakai’s Fully Flared. He not only captures the traditional skateboard footy and puts it together well, he brings in great cinematic such as Yeah right’s invisible skateboard segway.

You can read more about the movie here:
FirstShowing.net