As per the previous post: I want one!
...I've had a quick search on the web and the prices seem to vary quite a bit - maybe there are some subtle differences between similar models? Anyhow, here's a clip showing one of the Century Optics fisheyes being applied:
I went for a skate yesterday morning with a couple of friends; it was a good session and I've been reminded of it all day today. I'm obviously out of shape, not good.
The skating was though. Unlike usual, I was skating some street. I'll just clear something up in case anyone was wondering: I kinda feel weird differentiating between street and ramps/bowls, because (a) I'm a novice, so any notion of specialisation seems wrong, and (b) I don't skate nearly enough - so it's just "skating" to me.
Anyhow, we were skating street, and I spent a good while trying boardslides and frontside boardslides on this sweet little rail. It was pretty motivating 'cos I suck at any frontside rail action on a snowboard; maybe I'll learn something here? I don't wanna big this up mind, I'm talking about a 12" high, flat rail, and me sliding about 18" and dropping off switch. Still, it felt good, and the regular board slides were longer :)
The skate park, known to locals as "5 bridges", or just "bridges", is also the location of the new mini-ramp being built that I mentioned briefly. It's local - around a mile from my house - and under a bridge, so it's always dry. Unfortunately it turns out that it sucks. I think they got some building company to make it rather than someone who knows how to build a ramp. We tried skating it and the transition was horrible. Never mind - the bowl at Silksworth isn't that far away.
While we were there I spotted this kid with a clever little handle for his video camera. I asked him about it and he told me it put it together using two l-shaped brackets and a rubber handle; it looked similar to this, or this. Man, I can't believe I haven't made something similar before now...
...I'm wondering if I could make something with shock absorption built in?
As I took a quick look around the web to investigate camera handles (hence the above two links) - I noticed that a lense on one of the featured cameras peaked some interest from other readers. It peaked mine too. A Century Optics .3x 37mm. Here's an example on youtube.
I think it looks impressive - although it's not like I know too much about this stuff. After all, I've been interested in a wider-angled lense for a while now and never found one. Obviously looking in the wrong places...
Here's a little context regarding the previous post. My current phone contract is coming to an end and I'm planning to hook up an iPhone. My desire has been doubled due to Ciara's recent acquisition of the 8GB version; watching her use it makes my phone look so primitive and un-cool. I want one.
The chalet we're staying in this season, in Morzine, is missing an Internet connection, also primitive. So, I was wondering if it would be practical/easy to update my blog using an iPhone. Hence the quick test.
I'm obviously not up-to-date because there are apparently a few blogger apps available for the phone and I haven't even seen them. There are ftp programs too - although I don't know how flexible the process of getting some photos taken with the phone onto this website will be? I pretty much always downsize photos, or edit them in some way...
There's also the question of network coverage - will 3G be available out there?
Still, it's a possibility, and it might turn out to be really handy. I'll just have to wait and see...
I want one! This is just a quick trial run - posting from Ciara's iPhone... A bit clumsy to begin with but I'm sure it could work well enough while you're out and about. Sick
I've started to look around at the various snowboards on offer this year; my criteria being freestyle/jib. As I started to make a list I thought I'd check out the boards I was considering a couple of years ago (has it been that long?) when I bought the T2. At the time, my shortlist looked like this:
I'd also been considering: Nitro T1, Bataleon Evil Twin, Jeenyus Eddie Wall and the Capita Travis Parker Texas... but at the time, these boards were dropped from the shortlist.
Well, from the boards above (both lists), I am now considering: Rome Agent, Rome Artifact, Ride Kink, Sapient Evolution and the Nitro T1. But there are some problems... first off, I don't like the graphics on a couple of those boards - the Artifact and the Kink. I'm not sure that's a good enough reason to not buy a board, but for me, it's a big factor. I don't want crap graphics. Second, it's hard to source the Nitro and the Sapient from the UK...
Then there are boards that I wasn't considering last time. I'm currently in America with work - so on the way out here I put the flight time to good use, pouring over the new WhiteLines Buyer's Guide.
Although a little hesitant, I'm interested in the Lib Tech Skate Banana. There's also the DC MLF; both of these boards are new to me. Add in the Ride DH, which I've breifly ridden in the past and liked, plus it continues to be reviewed highly. And finally two Forum boards: the Youngblood and the Eddie Wall.
Taking out those with bad graphics, that makes the following list:
Towards the end of last season I mentioned that I'd bumped into (well, exchanged emails) Tom Gordon-Walker from NonStop Snowboard during my visit to Fernie. Speaking to him over the summer, he asked if I'd like to post a review about Cat Boarding in Fernie.
Naturally there's a mention of NonStop, but, for anyone who's thinking about trying catboarding/skiing, but isn't quite sure what's involved, this is a great run down of what's involved - so read on...
Fernie is one of the most special and fantastic resorts in North America, the secret is definitely out on how great it is, but if you rush you can still experience it in relative solitude. The main reason it is so great is the snow, specifically how much snow it gets. In two consecutive weeks this winter Fernie received 170 cm and 140 cm, that is pretty amazing! Riding the resort here it is pretty easy to see why so many people flock to Fernie and keep coming back, the terrain is steep, deep, tree filled and has tons of hidden little gullies to play in. However, even on the best days the resort will become tracked out and that is the time to turn to the cats!
Cat boarding is a lower cost version of heliskiing, loads of fun but not quite so hard on the pocket! The cats give you access to terrain well outside the resort that is always untracked and uncrowded, pretty much the ideal scenario. In Fernie there are several operators, Island Lake and Fernie Wilderness Adventures either of them are excellent to use and will be able to find you that untracked powder we so crave.
A typical day starts early, say 7.30am, when you meet at the cat base for a safety briefing, and kit supply if you need it. Then it is onto the cats for the first climb, you will usually get between 7 - 9 runs in a day (each taking 20 mins or so, so save your energy). Once you get out the cat you will see what Fernie powder is really about, there is tons of the stuff and it is all for you and your group. It is well worth adjusting your kit before you set off (moving the bindings back) as the snow is so deep that it can feel really hard work with your usual stance. Then its up to you to let rip, the guides will give you a good idea of where to go but there is a good degree of freedom on each run. I can say I have never seen powder like it and hope you get to ride the same. After 7 or so runs you will be feeling pretty tired, the really deep snow conditions do take there toll. The runs are full of trees and you will be loving the riding in these conditions and you will be leaving the day totally stoked but knackered.
A day as amazing as this is included on all NONSTOP Snowboard 11 week courses. For those of you that don't know NONSTOP run snowboard instructor courses in Canada at Fernie, Banff, Red Mountain and Whistler. Their courses train you up to Canadian Level 2 allowing you to instruct pretty much anywhere in the world. For more information check out www.nonstopsnowboard.com.
Tom.
I've got to agree with that - a day riding backcountry with a cat as transport can be an awesome experience. We went catboarding when we in Fernie; you can read me review of the day here, there are some extra photos (including barrel roll action) here, and here's the video we made of the day (it's also in that first link):
I've decided to get the Dakine Split Convertible. I guess I'll find out soon enough if I like the convertible design - but I've been impressed with all the other DaKine products I've owned so I'm expecting to like this one too.
I ended up getting the bag from Two Seasons, along with some new pipe gloves - as my old ones are wrecked from using them on snowflex (yep, I do fall enough to wear my gloves out). They're starting to get new gear in for this season and there are still plenty of bargains from last year (I got the DaKine luggage in the sale) - so it's worth checking out!
All I need now is a new snowboard...
