Mountain Biking on a Unicycle

You know all about mountain biking, but I don’t think you’ve been properly introduced to mountain unicycling (aka Muni).  Yes, you heard that right — mountain unicycling.  It’s a subset of a larger sport known as extreme unicycling and it’s pretty crazy.

If you think mountain biking or BMX is dangerous because of the possibility of crashing, then you might not want to check out Muni.  UPDs (or unplanned dismounts to you and me) are a fact of life and there’s no such thing as coasting, given the mechanics of the unicycle.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t do just about everything you can do on a downhill mountain bike with a unicycle — in fact, you can probably do more.  Or at least different things.  And if you check out the video below of Kris Holm, an acknowledged legend in the sport, you will see a few things you might not ever see done on a regular bike (haven’t seen many bikes on the railings of bridges, myself).

Holm also promotes the sport with his Evolution of Balance Award, an annual grant that promotes “non-competitive mountain unicycling adventures in remote places around the world.”  Most recently, the grant was awarded to a group of riders who proposed a route across the isthmus of Panama.  They plan to follow through with the adventure next January.

Though the sport is growing, there are only an estimated 1,000 Muni riders in the United States, so mountain bikers don’t have to worry about sharing their trails too much any time soon.

For more about Kris Holm, check out KrisHolm.com.

Posted in MTB | Tags: Unicycle — | No Comments »

Beachley Classic Enters Round Three

Karina Petroni at the Beachley Classic.

After a lay day and a change to Freshwater Beach from Manly Beach, the Beachley Classic kicked off with two full rounds of action.  While the top seeds advanced, there was a little bit of drama when world No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore was sent to the elimination round after losing in her heat to South African Rosanne Hodge and 14 year-old wildcard Tyler Wright.

Gilmore advanced to Round Three, where she will face Wright again.  Among the surfers who were eliminated in Friday’s action were Serena Brooke, Nicola Atherton and Sam Cornish, along with Hodge.

The day’s events were almost overshadowed by the announcement by Layne Beachley that she is retiring from competitive surfing at the end of the season.  Beachley advanced to Round Three where she will face fellow Aussie Melanie Redman-Carr.

Read more about the day’s action on the ASP World Tour site.

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Posted in Surf | Tags: ASP World Tour, Beachley Classic — | No Comments »

Layne Beachley to Retire

Seven-time world champ Layne Beachley has announced that she is retiring from the ASP Women’s World Tour effective the end of the season.  The announcement comes while Beach, 36, is in the hunt for her eighth title, currently ranked third in the world.

“I feel like I’m surfing the best I have in my whole career,” Beachley said in a statement. “Nothing has really changed on tour except for my attitude. It’s my lack of commitment to winning. I base my choices off my experiences and my experience has told me that you have to be 100% focused and also love you’re doing. Even though I love what I do, I’m beginning to love what I’m doing out of the water more. My passion for competitive surfing has been diluted, and to achieve success and to win world titles, you can’t afford for it to be diluted too much.”

Beachley has been actively involved in her clothing company, Beachley Athletics, as well as a charity, Aim for the Stars.  She also stages the Beachley Classic, the women’s surfing event with the highest-payout on the tour.

Though she’s retiring from full-time competitive surfing, Beachley will still compete on occasion when given wild card entries to events.

“I love women’s surfing. I’m really passionate about it. Just because I’m walking away from the Tour doesn’t mean I’m walking away from women’s surfing.”

Kelly Slater, who won his ninth world title earlier this month, acknowledged Beachley’s career and proclaimed her the best woman ever in the sport.

“Layne is the greatest female surfer of all time,” he said in a statement. “She has continued to … shatter records with her surfing style, technical ability and focus. She will be missed in the surfing world.”

Read more about the announcement here.

Posted in Surf | Tags: ASP World Tour, Layne Beachley — | No Comments »

Bonfire Movie Tour Starts Off Strong

The Bonfire Movie Tour from Bonfire Snowboarding and Monster Energy has just kicked off with back-to-back stops in Portland and Seattle and it provided more than just a good time.  The event also raised nearly $1,700 for Boarding for Breast Cancer.

The five-city tour features two new releases:  Runway Productions’ “See What I See” and Pirates Productions’ “Overseas.”  After Portland and Seattle, the tour moves on to Salt Lake City on Oct. 15, followed by Denver on Oct. 29 and Philadelphia on Nov. 1. (Click here for more about the tour).

Many of the riders from “See What I See” were on hand at both stops, including Leanne Pelosi Jamie Anderson, Raewyn Reid, and Bev Vuilleumier.  Gigi Ruf from “Overseas” was on-hand in Seattle.

Read more about the tour beginning below and see a trailer of “Overseas” below…

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Posted in Snowboard | Tags: Gigi Ruf, Overseas, See What I See — | No Comments »

Lance Mountain X C.R. Stecyk X Nike SB

Over the years, Lance Mountain has contributed so much to the skateboarding community.  As an O.G. member of the Bones Brigade, he inspired skateboarders all over the world.  As a kid, I was always captivated by his unique stylish eyebrows as well. 

Now, Lance Mountain is participating in an exciting collaboration with Nike SB and given the shoe company and the addition of C.R. Stecyk III, you know that it’s going to be an exciting campaign.  I think it may be the most exciting thing he has done in a long time.  Not to mention it will probably elevate his stock shoe heads (if they still exist). 

Kevin Imamura says, “Lance loves the Blazer and so does Craig.  But asking them to simply collaborate on a shoe would be doing a disservice to the collective “lifestyle” we all consider ourselves a part of.  It started with a simple conversation ove ra year ago between old friends and ended with a project that has taken us back to the essence of skateboarding.”

Nike has put together a special mini site to promote the shoe.  It includes a nice abstract short film/teaser reminiscent to a Gus Van Sant movie.  It’s dope!  Check it. 
 

Posted in Skate | Tags: Lance Mounatin, Nike SB — | No Comments »

Volcom’s Final Teasisode

Volcom has slowly been releasing what they call “Teasisodes” for their “All The Days Roll Into One” documentary featuring the Volcom Skate Team.  What is this skate movie about?  I guess it’s kind of like Volcom’s version of MTV’s “The Real World” but cool.  And less annoying.  And more fun.  And less dramatic.  And less desire to want to punch somebody on that show. 

So what took course over the month of May, the Volcom skate team roomied in an apartment in Brooklyn, NY with the sole purpose of skating epic New York spots. While out there they did a ton of filming, and since they had such a great crew and some amazing filmers, they decided to team up with the boys over at Fuel TV to bring you a 30-minute show on their trip.

I’m hoping we get to see some of the amazing culture that NYC has to share.  Maybe they went to see a Broadway show.  Hopefully MaMa Mia.  Or perhaps take a nice peaceful stroll into New Jersey.  We’ll see. 

The show is called, “All The Days Roll Into One” and will premiere on Fuel TV on October 20th at 8 pm – The last one is below. 

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Posted in Skate | Tags: Volcom — | No Comments »

Louif Paradis, Nick Dirks On “The Daily Habit”

Another jammed packed episode of Fuel TV’s “The Daily Habit” airing thursday, October 9, at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (6:00 pm Pacific Time) will feature Louif Paradis, Nick Dirks, Fabia Gruebler and musical guest Rachel McGoye.

Co-founder of Misschief Films, Fabia Gruebler will show us the fab footy that the women in snow are packin’ this winter. Also, snowboarders Nick Dirks and Louif Paradis give us the scoop on the new Transworld video “These Days”. Plus, singer/songwriter Rachel McGoye performs on the Habit stage.

Louif Paradis’ sponsors include: Ashbury, Bonfire, Matix, Salomon, Deluxe Board Shop, DVS and ifound.  Nick Dirks sponsors include: Ashbury, K2, Airblaster, DaKine, and Comune.

Posted in Snowboard | Tags: Daily Habit, Louif Paradis, Nick Dirks — | No Comments »

Japanese Motors Performs “Coors Light”

Just a few weeks ago we saw a series of Hi-Shredability featuring surfer Alex Knost and his unique behavior and his even more unique surfing style.  He’s what ADHD looks like on surfboard and it’s entertaining.  In the series, he introduced to us his band called The Japanese Motors.  His love for the Japanese auto industry is apparent in this song called “Coors Light” 

The Japanese Motors are a band of Southern Californians fronted by professional surfer Alex Knost.  Vice Records just put out their debut album this week and apparently it’s one of the best albums to bone to since Songs in the Key of Z so they claim.  I wonder if it’s better than this. 

Posted in Surf | Tags: Alex Knost, Japanese Motors — | No Comments »

Target Gets Special ‘Shaun White Snowboarding’ Game

We already told you about the $10 million ad campaign Ubisoft has planned to promote the November release of ‘Shaun White Snowboarding’ — now comes word that there will be a special edition available only at Target.

Target’s a long-time sponsor of the red-haired wonder and will have an edition of the game that will feature exclusive locations, characters and an indoor scenario — the only one in the entire game.

Of course, the indoor environment where White and his pals can hang out is named the Target Chalet, and the exclusive location is Target Mountain (not sure where that is…  Utah?).  But what’s wrong with a little cross-promotion.

If all that sounds good to you, then head on over to Target and get a $5 pre-sell card to make sure you can get the game as quickly as possible.

For more about the game, check out the official site.

Posted in Snowboard | Tags: Shaun White, Ubisoft — | No Comments »

Mike Aitken Injured; Donations Sought For His Recovery

BMX Dirt rider Mike Aitken, who just last month celebrated a win at the Salt Lake City stop of the AST Dew Tour, was injured in a crash Sunday in Pennsylvania.

Aitken was filming a video part at the Posh trails when he crashed doing a 360 spin.  He suffered multiple injuries, including broken bones in the face and jaw.

Aitken was reportedly disoriented and convulsing when brought to a local hopital and was sedated.  He has yet to regain consciousness though he has suffered an additional seizure and has been diagnosed with bleeds on his brain.

Aitken did not have insurance and a website has been set up to provide updates about his condition and to accept donations for his recovery.

Visit MikeAitken.com to learn more or go to 5050BMX.com to make a donation.

Aitken’s injury again brings to light the dangers of the sport, with Stephen Murray’s accident and subsequent paralysis last year being the highest profile.  The Athlete Recovery Fund (ARF), which was formed earlier this year — partially in response to Murray’s accident — has just been featured in USA Today and will be helping raise money for Aitken.

Posted in BMX | Tags: ARF, Mike Aitken, Stephen Murray — | 3 Comments »