Snowboard in the summer. What? Can it be true? No way! Well for all of you stuck in the Midwest you probably never think about hitting the slopes during the summer. Well I guess that can’t be true, because if you are a die hard like I am, you are probably thinking about how to get back on your snowboard as soon as the season ends. Well, guess what? You can snowboard in the summer, and you should. Located in Oregon, Mt. Hood is one of the only places in the US where you can get your snowboard gear out and hit the slopes during the summer.
I have to admit that I have never been to Mt. Hood for a summer session, but man I would love to go. For those of you who want to excel and take snowboarding to the next level, there are a few different camps that run all summer. Check out Windells Camp, or High Cascade Snowboard Camp. People have different feelings on both of the camps, however I am sure you can’t go wrong with either one. How can you? You are going to be snowboarding in the summer. What can be bad about that?
Either way, if you are in the Midwest and think that you can’t snowboard during the summer months, your nightmare has ended. Get yourself out to Oregon and hit up Mt. Hood. As for me, I also need to man up and take the plunge. I have been thinking about it for years, and I just need to make the jump and do it. For now, I am going to stick to my guns and keep showing you ways to board the Midwest all day, everyday!
If you have ever experienced Mt. Hood in the summer or the winter, please leave us with your story. Hopefully you will inspire the rest of us to get out there!
With a sport like wakesurfing that is blowing up as we speak, there are many different people trying to capitalize on this industry. Why wouldn’t they? Take a sport that allows people to surf on inland waters with an endless wave, and one that doesn’t beat you up unless the board comes back and hits you in the head when you fall. Now only a small fraction of people ever experience the board hitting them in the head, however a large fraction of people are starting to pay attention to up and coming communities such as the slayshTank.
From the time I was first introduced to the slayshTank, they have always been about the riders and the people that surround the surf, wake, skate, and music industries. This community is growing fast and has a big impact on these sports. You can be a part of this group if you want to. Go to slayshTank.com, sign in with your facebook account information, and start interacting! The slayshTank is always updating their site with new videos, music, and industry specific news. It might also be safe to say that they have the best riders from around the world backing them. I don’t think I have to mention names Chase Hazen, Rebecca Ort, Dominic Lagace, and Bri Chmel. Go there check it out, and then get yourself out on a boat!
Snowboarding has evolved into a sport of progression, 1440′s, double corks, and now triple corks. Because of the progression, helmets are not enough to keep us safe. Recently we have seen this scenario play out with pro rider Kevin Pearce who was injured in a life threatening snowboard accident while practicing for the Olympics. As snowboarders are always pushing the envelope and trying to take this sport to the next level, we are going to have to come up with a more creative way to practice new tricks. Lucky for all of us, a few creative snowboarders came up with the BigAirBag.
TheBigAir bag is exactly what it sounds like. It is a huge bag that is filled with air that can be put basically anywhere to practice tricks. Instead of trying to find waist high powder, or taking your chances with trying a new trick for the first time off of a standard jump, you can now perfect your trick before you take it to the slopes using the BigAirBag. This option is going to change the sport of snowboarding and it adds a level of safety that will benefit everyone in the snowboarding industry. Check out the video below to see what I am talking about.
My personal thoughts are that every resort in the US who is trying to produce professional snowboarders at their facility should have a BigAirBag. The bag is safe, easy to set up, and probably pretty expensive. However, I think it is worth every penny and will bring more people to your resort which is the ultimate goal anyway. The bag has also been added to my running list of attractions that will bring you to my dreamy Ultimate Action Sports training facility. It’s going to happen, and the BigAirBag will be a part of it.
