Things That I Think are Lame
By Brooke Geery
It's been awhile since I've put the effort into coming up with original content for this site. With the fast-paced money driven world we live in, it's more economical to put my effort into venues that actual offer a return, but every once in awhile I just need to vent. The corporate company I am currently employed by doesn't look highly upon this activity, in fact I am often told to "bite my lip" or "just deal with it", so I do, but not right now. Right now I am going to let everyone know exactly what I've had to pretend I didn't care about for the past three months.
 The only time that freestyle skiing is acceptable is when it's done by a pro snowboarder. Josh Dirksen. Sweet daffy. Photo Mike Arzt. |
1. Freestyle Skiing. Years ago you could always tell the snowboarders. They were the ones with baggy pants and funny colored hair, but now, most snowboarders look pretty normal. Instead it is the ski dogs who take on the role of being "alternative" or dare I say it, "extreme." This is fine, because I've been over that steez for years, but what's not fine is the fact that skiers ride the halfpipe and basically try to act like they snowboard. It's as if they are trying to recapture their youth, but they are all still young. They also attend snowboard camp now, riding with the campers at Windell's. For my money, that's not what I want to see, do you?
2. Snowboard Fraternities. Perhaps you've heard of the Wildcats? If not, you must not be very hip, because they would be the first to tell you that they are the be all, end all of dopeness in snowboarding. In reality, they are a group of "snowboarders" from Vancouver who drink a lot of alcohol. Some of the are cool, Devun Walsh, Chris Brown and the others who actually snowboard, and some of them are far from it. Some of them don't snowboard (they avoid this by never going where there's snow). The truth is though, some members of this little group have the same mentality as the frat you hated (or will hate) in college. As far as they are concerned nothing else could live up to their standards, and that mentality really needs to stay out of snowboarding.
SEE WHAT THE WILDCATS HAD TO SAY ABOUT THIS
3. Dot Com Sponsorships. I have no problem with people making money, or corporate companies trying to cash in on snowboarding, but I do have issues with all these websites that insist upon sponsoring snowboarders, and then not letting them do anything. For $8,000 a year, they buy snowboarders, who don't see past the all mighty dollar, and use their image to sell whatever it is they're selling. I guess my problem is also with the fact that all these sites are lame (yride.com, jester,com etc. etc. etc.) and not the riders who ride for them, but they still suck. The worst part is that while they can provide a snowboarder's salary with the extra boost it needs, they also won't last long. Maybe you heard about Keir Dillon and Anne Molin's $50,000 a year deal with Zoggle.com? Well, it'll probably be hard to cash in their stocks since they went bankrupt a few weeks ago. One thing is for sure, Yo Beat will never sponsor snowboarders.
That's about all for now. Any one who knows me can tell you, I think a lot more than three things are lame about snowboarding, but that's a good start. Don't do the stuff I've just discussed, because you, too, could become lame.
Things that I Think are Lame: A heartfelt list of everything that needs to stop now.
Fun with Animation: These computer things are really amazing. See animations of Gabe Taylor & Brian Richardson.
Obligatory (not so Good) Mt. Hood Coverage: Yo Beat was there, find out who you can be too.
Another Luke Wynen Interview: This time it's on AOL, sweet.
EQX Games 2000: Warm weather, alternative rock and snowboarding.
Ride The White Heat: See the premiere, read the review.
Aye Matey: Skater Island is finally done. Exclusive photos and more.
The Yo Beat East Coast Skateboard Tour: 1 Car, 1 pro, 1400 miles.
Snowboard Marketing Gone Bad: Every wonder where those really lame ads come from? Cavan is on it.
Nationals vs. Nationals: Find out which one is the coolest.
When Did Snowboarding Become Cool: Chris Stepanek reports.
Backcountry Snowboarding Adventures in the Yukon Territory: A little dream story for the end of the season.
The 2000 US Open: Our not-so-comprehensive coverage.
The World Quarterpipe Championships: Welcome to the East Coast QP Season.
Vegas, Baby: And this time I'm not talking about Rut or Manch.
Mt. Sunapee Throws Down: Shane Flood and others rock a QP.