Best of 2015 |  Featuring Lori Griffith And Paul Clark
2015 Christmas Guide PG. 24
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ELECTRIC BOARD GUIDE
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DOMINANT PERFORMANCE
w w w. c e n t u r i o n b o a t s . c o m
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Y O U O N LY L I V E O N C E
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速
12’6” x 25.5” / 12’6” x 27.5” / 14’ x 25.5” / 14’ x 27.5”
B OA R D F E AT U R E S
AVA I L A B L E C O LO R S
Custom Race Shape
Yellow/Carbon
LiftSup Handle
Blue/Carbon
Carbon Fiber Construction
Pink/Carbon
Performance Fin
Camo/Carbon
[844] YOLO-BOARD | YOLOBOARD.COM
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4’8 x 20” x 2” 5’0 x 20” x 2” available in: red, blue or green
WWW.TRIPLEXSURFANDSKIM.COM
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52” x 20 1/2“ 54” x 22 1/4”
new “FURY” skim model NOW AVAILABLE
@TRIPLEXSURF www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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Publisher & Business Director Chris Wielinski
Executive Editor Tyler Marshall
Advertising Director Danny Braught
Content Director “2015 is going to be a hard year to say goodbye to for so many reasons. I switched careers to become fulltime at Boarders Magazine which led me on a bunch of crazy adventures like turning 30 in Cascade, Idaho at the Payette River Games, traveling to Orlando for the Surf Expo where I met many influential people in the industry, and paddling down one of the most seemingly remote and physically beautiful natural springs I have ever laid my eyes on. In this issue we want to take you back to some of our fondest memories, exhibit athletes and events from all around the world, and bring you back to show you all of the upcoming boards and accessories for your 2016 season. We are excited to announce the first ever Electric Board Guide featuring 12 of the top boards on the market for you to make a more knowledgeable purchase that reflects your riding style, and on top of that we are bringing back the Boarders Christmas Buyers Guide displaying gift ideas for any boarder out there! Let’s make 2016 another year to remember!” -Dingo
Tyson Geninatti
Junior Editor Justin Hammond
Design Chris Harrison Photographers Contributing Athletes
Danny Braught Justin Hammond Torch Paddles Matt Kuhn Peter Spain Lori Griffith Christie Cichra Mark Payne Paul Clark Steve Jarrett Jaq Raver FlowRider Inc. Thermas Dos Laranjais Cristiano Pereira
Contributing Writers Justin Hammond Tyler Marshall Lori Griffith Victoria Burgess Alexandra Menk John Meskauskas Jorge Morel Sean Reavis
Chris Rockwood Morgan Lohmeier Caroline Villeneuve Josh Smith John Merryfield Gabriel Gray Erin Cummings Gerry with SUP Yoga Brighton Kate Stohoviak Gretchen Turner Luke Hopkins Leah Seacrest Jessica Cichra Sean Silveira Nadia Almuti Parker Payne
For advertising information: 214.683.8317 or danny@boardersmag.com Boarders Magazine is a publication distributed to a targeted list of consumers, board shops and dealers throughout the United States. Copies are also available upon request. Boarders Magazine is a trademark of Lokal Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved without prior written permission of publisher. Copyright ©2015
On the Cover:
Chris Rockwood hanging out at Cypress Springs in Florida featured in this issue’s “50 Shades of Blue with Mr. Gray”
Subscriptions to Boarders Magazine may be purchased online at www.boardersmag.com/subscribe Boarders Magazine Address 1665 Keller Parkway, Suite 400, Keller, TX 76248 Phone 214.683.8317
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Featuring
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1995
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50 Shades of Blue with Mr. Grey
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Electric Board Guide
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Best of 2015
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Leah Seacrest Joins Team Yolo
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World Wake Surfing Championship 4
2015
PRESENTED BY
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@boardersmag
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Holiday Gift Guide Our Favorite Accessories
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Crossing Boarders With Border Crosser Sean Silveira
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Paddling in the Pacific Northwest In a Drought
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Josh Gordon Of The Great Lakes
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Set up your shop, retail store, or become a featured dealer. More info at boardersmag.com/dealer
Shweiki www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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SKISUPREME.COM
WAKE SURF AND REIGN SUPREME
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REIGN SUPREME
#REIGNSUPREME
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50 SHADES
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Words & Photo: Justin Hammond
wit h Mr. GrA y
OF BLUE Y
ou have seen places like this on the Discovery Channel, through social media feeds, and in many different magazines. They are hidden away, hard to find, and nearly impossible to locate without a local who has been there before. This is what makes them so special‌..and this is how you get there! After already traveling over 2000 miles by car from Dallas to Orlando, Orlando to Jacksonville and then Jax back to Panama City, you would think that Danny Braught and I would have had enough adventure. Especially after having picked up 18 year old pro SUP surfer Chris Rockwood in Orlando from Surf Expo. In fact, there was a large part of me that just wanted to stay in the hotel room on Panama City beach that faithful morning we met up
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to look at this small boat ramp that seemed to just disappear into the mirrored image of the creek’s surrounding environment. It was breathtaking, but this emotion failed in comparison to the elation that overcame me In the middle of the Florida Panhandle is as soon as the water went from clear to blue the lowland floodplains of Holmes Creek, sapphire beneath our paddle boards; the and inside of this creek, with surroundings moment we arrived in paradise. heavily forested by Cypress and Tupelo trees, 65 million gallons of crystal clear freshwater It was truly like standing on a piece of glass flows out of the Cypress Spring everyday. We looking into a natural abyss. Gabriel told us started at Gabe’s house and headed north. about the history and community surrounding Off of a backroad outside of Vernon, past a this hidden gem, and their attempts to keep few shacks, and finally circling into a small it as beautiful and uninterrupted as possible. fenced off area we had arrived at the entry He mentioned how he would find jewelry and point for Holmes Creek. As we got all of our pocket knives in the sometimes six or seven gear down and prepped, I took a moment feet deep water. This brought on a longer with Gabriel Gray from local SUP and Surf shop “Walkin’ on Water.” That would have been a decision I would have regretted for a long, long time.
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conversation about waterway conservation The higher you climb the farther you swing! and scheduled trash pick up tours in our Now I want to start by saying I was sore for 2 days after this, but it was totally worth it! respective lakes. Anyone 6’4 and 240 lbs would be skeptical of Chris and I were the first to arrive and wasted a rope swing, as I am sure that like me they no time dismounting our boards and plunging have broken a few. This was not the case. I into the year round 67.7 degree chilly water. would climb 15 ft into the tree, leap off, catch, Within minutes we were climbing the trees and swing with my feet barely skimming the and daring fate with what was easily a 45 foot top of the water, and tuck into a backflip. plunge, and even though we knew the water Over rotation was definitely something I only was deep enough, it was deceptively clear did once, and I soon perfected the art of the and made depth perception of the underwater tree jump back tuck. After we all got our fill objects nearly impossible. We both survived, of flying, we grabbed our masks and snorkels agreed that once was enough, and moved and started exploring the roughly 100 ft long on to the rope swing attached to an adjacent and 65ft deep crevice as reported by cave divers. We only managed to explore about the tree. first 40 feet of it. www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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I can still feel that first dive. Pulling down past sunken tree root systems, the pressure slowly starts to increase as I feel my mask tighten against my face. Now, reaching the stacks and crevices of rock created by the intense flow excreting from this dark hole 30 feet down, my ears begin to sting with the pressure. Still further I descend, pushing the limits of the pressure but unable to notice because, as I stop and look around at all of the natural beauty, I am overcome with a calming sensation that seemingly stopped time. That lasted about one second before I realized I needed to get some air. Now, having only experienced this kind of clarity in a swimming pool, I forgot to notice just how far down I had gone. Looking back up at the surface and the kicking feet of my friends, I realized that this was the deepest I had ever been! So kicking with the ferocity of someone being chased by underwater sea monsters, I made my way back to the surface, only to catch my breath and see if I could go deeper! We all took turns with our underwater camera gear, diving down and getting incredible shots. It was more difficult to paddle back to the truck than the upstream paddle was to get there. The clarity of the deep blues are still imbedded in my mind and it is all due to one person. Gabriel Gray is a known advocate for clean rivers and SUP expeditions/adventures, and I know that we are all thankful to have him as a friend because none of us will ever forget that morning.
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“Now, having only experienced this kind of clarity in a swimming pool, I forgot to notice just how far down I had gone.�
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C I R E T D C I E U L E ARD G O B Electric boards have been around for a while, but with more and more companies starting up and offering different models, it becomes increasingly more difficult to make a purchasing decision. The use of electric boards is on the rise. In October this year, California reversed a ban from 1977 that, on January, 1st 2016, fully legalizes the use of electric boards on streets and sidewalks. Since so many state’s styles and cultures are influenced by the Californian lifestyle, we know this is a trend that will only be expanding, and with so many varieties of boards, styles, and technologies out there it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to begin. We at Boarders Magazine now give you the Electric Board Guide that will answer the questions that we faced ourselves.
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25 MPH
10 MILES
45 MIN
5.5 LBS
EVOLVE: CARBON SERIES
22 MPH
16 MILES
2 HOURS
23 LBS
FiiK: STREET SURFER
22 MPH
15 MILES
4-5 HOURS
49 LBS
LEIF TECH: eSNOWBOARD
20 MPH
8 MILES
90 MIN
18 LBS
X
ENERTION BOARDS
28 MPH
19 MILES
3 HOURS
16 LBS
X
ONEWHEEL
15 MPH
7 MILES
20 MIN
25 LBS
INBOARD: M1
24 MPH
10 MILES
90 MIN
14 LBS
WP
BOOSTED DUAL
20 MPH
7 MILES
60 MIN
15 LBS
X
MARBEL BOARDS
25 MPH
16 MILES
90 MIN
10 LBS
X
ZBOARD: SF SPECIAL
20 MPH
22 MILES
5-6 HOURS
28 LBS
X
MAVERIX CRUISER
16 MPH
9 MILES
1-2 HOURS
44 LBS
X
E-GLIDE: GI LITHIUM
22 MPH
20 MILES
1-2 HOURS
43 LBS
KEY:
X - NO
- YES
OTE
CO STR
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MELLOW BOARDS
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Is there a way to make my current deck electric? There are products out there like Mellow Boards state of the art mountable electric drive that allows you to turn any board into a full on riding machine! Which one goes the fastest? We lay out all of the specs so you can weigh your opinions. How do the boards accelerate? We show you models with everything from handheld remotes and digital apps to weight sensors and computerized algorithms. What is regenerative breaking? As you are breaking, the motor stores the kinetic energy created by the deceleration. Can boards use multiple terrains? We have all had the pain of rusty bearings and catching rocks before, so we provide you with options for almost any situation. What board has the longest charge, smoothest ride, or best technology? Well now we offer you answers with a variety of options in one place for your purchasing pleasure!
WP
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Mellow Boards You don’t have to buy an all-new setup to get electric capabilities. The mountable Mellow Skateboard Drive installs in just minutes on any deck and adds powerful propulsion to your favorite board. Two in-wheel motors accelerate you to speeds of 25 mph for up to 10 miles on a charge, while the swappable battery allows you to extend your range. Made in Germany, Mellow comes with some exclusive quality features like a dual braking system and a solid 2 year warranty. For Mellow Board product and accessories visit www.mellowboards.com
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• Top Speed: 40 km/h (25 mph) • Range: 15 km (10 miles) • Weight incl. Battery: 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) • Charge time: 2 h (Fast charger: 45 min) • Mountable on any skateboard (standard 6-hole, 180mm truck) • Power: Remote Control • 4 Riding Modes: Rookie Ride, Eco Ride, Pro Ride, Endless Ride (push once and the cruise control keeps the pace • USB-Port to charge your phone or any USB device on the go • Water and dust proof (EU-Norm IP65)
E v o lv e : C a r b o n S e r i e s Evolve Skateboards: Carbon Series All-Terrain This board extends your carve-sessions to paths, trails and roads unknown with its 8” All-Terrain tires. The Carbon Series packs a serious punch with unrivaled range, different wheel options and a real carbon fiber deck. For the Carbon series and more visit www.evolveskateboardsusa.com •
Top Speed: 22 mph
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Range: 16 miles with 2 hour recharge time
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Versatility: In just minutes, you can switch over seamlessly to our ‘Street Wheels’ to add up to 10 miles on your range and get a more traditional skateboard feel.
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Uphill Ability: 15% Grade
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Weight: 23 lbs. (18lbs with Street Wheels)
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Remote: An ergonomic hand held remote design with speed control, reverse function and battery indicator.
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Deck: Real carbon fiber and kevlar. It’s a unique design allowing our electrics to be incased within the deck. It’s strong yet light. Deck length: 43 inches/111 cm. Wheel base: 32.5 inches/82.5 cm
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Trucks: Evolve’s Double Axel ‘Super Carve’ trucks. These trucks are designed for those who love to carve while still having a responsive feel.
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Regenerative Breaking: Allowing you to break confidently while efficiently adding energy back into your battery.
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Wheels: 8” MBS All Terrain Tires. Street Wheel option is also available.
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F iik : S t r e e t S u r f e r FiiK Skateboards has combined outright power and range, with lusty agility. Engineered with high clearances, STREET SURFER plays hard and long - on-road and off-road. A shorter wheelbase gets you in and out of tight turns, over tricky terrain, and back to a hard-surface ride to your next destination. STREET SURFER is pure fun. Ride the rocket that always finishes fast! For the Street Surfer and other models and accessories visit www.fiikelectricskateboards. com
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• Top Speed: 22mph • Range: 10-15 miles (LiFePo4) • Power: 800 Watt • Pistol-Grip controller: Wireless (Proximity activated) Step-less digital throttle with Tri-Speed selector; three speed settings give you progressive control for confident board skills development • Board Dimensions: 43”L x 11”W x 9”H • Weight: 48.71 lbs (LiFePo4) or 68.55 lbs (Sealed Lead-Acid) • Lights: LED Head/Tail Lights • Shorter Wheelbase: More maneuverability for tighter turns • Tires: Pneumatic off-road Street Specials with 8.86” diameter. Also available with Heavy-Duty profile knobby rubber, for getting off-road and into the dirt! • Max Load: 300 lbs • System Safety: Low-voltage cut-off switch, with heat overload fuse protection sensor
L e i f T e c h : eS n o w b o a r d This is the one and only eSnowboard for yearround shredding anywhere in the world. It’s perfect for offseason training, cruising around town, or simply adding some adrenaline to your daily commute. Imagine carving down a mountain or snapping a turn on your favorite wave, and now imagine this experience on your daily commute, in your driveway or just cruising around town. Only the LEIF eSnowboard brings the mountains and waves to the pavement. This isn’t ‘like snowboarding’. The LEIF is snowboarding on pavement. For more on the eSnowboard visit www.leiftech.com
• • • • • • •
Top Speed: 20 mph (32 kmph) Weight: 18 lbs (8.2 kg) Range: up to 8 miles per battery pack (varies with terrain and riding style) Recharging time: up to 90 minutes with swappable batteries Max Incline at Top Speed: 15% grade Power: 2,595 watts Wireless Remote: No minimum speed
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Enertion Boards Enertion is known for relentless innovation & high performance esk8 hardware. They cater to the demands of a legion of technolutionary skaters who are at the roots of the electric skateboard movement. Enertion is the go-to brand for builders of electric skateboards who desire high end performance, bleeding edge technology and uber sleek aesthetics. Check out our latest offering: custom made carbon fiber eboards for people who just want to rip. For Enertion boards and accessories visit www. enertionboards.com
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• • • • •
Top Speed: 28 mph Range: 19 miles Power: Dual R-SPEC Brushless Outrunners Weight: 16 lbs Remote Control: Ultra compact rechargeable wireless controller • Charge Time: 3hours • Regenerative Braking • Traction Control System
Boosted Dual Experience the joy of riding. Everyday. Everywhere. Get the feeling of snowboarding, surfing, and wakeboarding right outside your door, thanks to electric motors, powerful brakes, and simple wireless control. For the Dual power and more visit www.boostedboards.com
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Top speed: 20 mph
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Power: 1,500 watts
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Range: 7 miles
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Hill grade: 20%
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Weight: 15 lbs
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Wireless remote control -Accelerate or
apply the brakes easily with a Bluetooth
enabled thumbwheel control so you can
focus on the ride instead of pushing.
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Regenerative breaking - Apply smooth
speed reduction to come to a complete
stop while regeneratively charging
the batteries.
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Marbel boards The entire Marbel Board weighs in at a record setting 10 pounds, making it lighter than any other electric vehicle in the world. It has enough power to go 25 MPH, will take you up to 16 miles per charge, and all of the electronics and batteries are completely integrated into the carbon fiber composite deck. On top of that, it connects with your smartphone to fully customize your riding style and even track rides on your Marbel board. For Marbel boards and accessories visit www.ridemarbel.com
onewheel OneWheel is a totally new experience that is both completely unique while incorporating your favorite elements of other board sports. Have you craved the experience of riding a wave or shredding powder while stuck in the city? With OneWheel you can. OneWheel riders agree: it’s a revolutionary new board sport. For more on the OneWheel visit www.rideonewheel.com
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M av e r i x c r u i s e r The Maverix Cruiser is a street riding electric long board. It has 600 Watts of engine power so you can skate up to 16 miles per hour. With deck construction of quality maple, steel & aluminum trucks, a powerful motor, ABS anti-lock brakes, and not to mention a great look, this is a great board if street is your game. This is a big board with suggested age of 14 and up, and has a weight limited for peak performance riding at 250 pounds. For their Cruiser and other models and accessories visit www. maverix-skates.com
InBoard: M1 Through the concentrated and collaborative efforts of designers, engineers, and athletes Inboard has created a powered skateboard that looks and feels like a traditional non-powered skateboard. This is accomplished through the use of the patented Manta Drive™, in-wheel direct drive, and motor assembly. Inboard seeks to create lightweight transportation technology that flows. For the M1 and other models and accessories visit www.inboardskate.com
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E-Glide: GI Lithium Seven years in production, many consider the GI is to be the best “carving” electric skateboard ever built with pneumatic tires. This beautiful machine is built to last for many years. It has proven it’s durability over the course of time. It rides unlike anything else. Machined parts from the best So Cal machine shops, combined with the awesome MBS Pro Matrix trucks come together to form our best received powerboard, the low slung GI. For the GI and more go to www.E-Glide.com
Zboard: sf special After your first ride, you’ll realize that there is nothing else in the world quite like it! Even if you’ve never ridden a skateboard before, the ZBoard’s intuitive control will have you carving in no time with its weight-sensing foot pads. Speed control is completely variable – cruise at walking speed or race to its top speed of 20 miles per hour. For the SF Special and more boards and accessories, visit www. zboardshop.com
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. uch. e for o v i c l e e h ries w gets off t aught. o m e r The m unity that rnia d o f i l m a A com ood and C to be. t fl e wan hat wait. Texas w s e ac st s The pl adventure unset s e h e t And th e, the mist, id The gl lake. e on th son, y m r Fo Garon r By: Tyle
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A ’ N I S A CH
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DREAM
PHOTOS BY
Lori Griffith www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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I believe strongly in giving back and being involved in community. To this end, I created the Chasin’ A Dream Team whereby I sponsor athletes from each of the various water venues. Team members were chosen based not necessarily on their being the best in their sport, but on displaying superior athleticism, good sportsmanship, altruism, and general all around kindness. To this end, I chose: Kieran Grant, Kim Barnes, Alexandra Menk, James McGrath, Jacob Olivier, Chris Rockwood, Annette Garcia, Chase Modelski,Troy Sloan, Mojo Miller, Billy Swezey and Nicky Turdo.
Lori Griffith It’s funny, but I’ve always been drawn to the ocean, yet it scares the heck out of me and I don’t usually go in unless I’m on a board. I was born in Canada, raised in Connecticut and the minute the door opened after high school I moved to California. I felt at home there immediately and knew being around the sea is where I belonged. Years later I gravitated to south Florida. I find my peace and balance here. As a photographer and photo journalist, I am involved in all aspects of water sports and have been covering the South Florida scene for several years. I started photographing water board sports and everything just fell into place and I knew I found what I was meant to do. The people are so special that inhabit the water world, whether SUP, Kitesurfing, Surfing, Wake or Skim. The Jupiter/Palm Beach area is fast becoming the East Coast mecca for water sports, drawing top athletes from across the globe and I’m so blessed to be a part of this beautiful world. I’m so lucky to cover most of the SUP surf and SUP race events in Florida including the Ocean Warrior, Miami Orange Bowl, Ft Meyers Battle on the Blueway and several smaller races. I also cover the kitesurfing community at their events, most recently at Kurtis Kite Surf Summit in Morro Bay, CA and photograph for national SUP companies on location involving both water and lifestyle shots. 42
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After moving to Jupiter, I started writing and photographing as the Lifestyle and Beach Correspondent for the Jupiter Courier Newsweekly and I’ve had the opportunity to meet the most incredible people and special access to up close and personal events like photographing the Dalai Lama blessing the Jupiter Inlet from a water angle. I write and photograph many of my riders, in addition to many others that I feature weekly. I have written lifestyle and event coverage articles for major magazines, including SUP Magazine, SUP the Mag, Kiteworld, The Kiteboarder and SBC Kiteboarding. I am involved with an amazing group of watermen/ women and we created Kiting for Kids. It is an annual toy drive which donates toys to children with cancer, heart disease and other life threatening illnesses in our area. Realizing this could be much more than a toy drive, professional athletes Damien Leroy, Alexandra Menk and James McGrath joined to take this to the next level. We decided to make this a beach toy drive, drawing the Kitesurfing, SUP and surf communities together. We challenged beaches worldwide to do their own Kiting for Kids Toy Drive and donate to their local pediatric hospital/hospice or charity and just share what they were doing online and tag us. The idea is exploding and we have had coverage in international magazines. Not only do we help children worldwide, but we have united the water communities for a common goal. Check out Kiting for Kids on Facebook.
Travis Suit Travis Suit recently paddled 80 miles from Bimini, Bahamas to Palm Beach, Florida in an effort to bring awareness to the world of the salt air benefits to children battling life threatening illnesses, like Cystic Fibrosis. Travis’ daughter Piper suffers from CF and he has his little girl on the water every chance he can.
Josh Smart Racing is grueling, but add on the brutal south Florida summer heat index and things really get hot….with Josh Smart
What’s Not to Smile About What’s not to smile about…. Eloise and brother Miles enjoying some sunshine and warm waters in Jupiter Florida after paddling on their moms 404
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IN MEMORY OF ANDRES POMBO By Lori Griffith
It is said that family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs, the ones who accept you for who you are, the one’s who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what. The SUP community is just that, a family, and one still reeling over the loss of Andres Pombo who lost his life in Hood River on a training run for the Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge. A FEW WORDS FROM ANDRES’ FRIENDS IN THE FLORIDA SUP COMMUNITY: VICTORIA BURGESS So many words come to mind when you hear that name. Fun, silly, sincere, goofy, always smiling, helpful, giving, someone you could always count on. And the list goes on and on. Andres was an overall extremely amazing example for the sport of SUP. He was always there to help and teach those who wanted to learn, from kids to his Special Olympic athletes. When it came to putting on his game face, he was ready and would give anyone a run for their money, especially when it came to sprinting. But even at the moments where he was grinding the hardest against his competition, you could always count on looking over at him and seeing a huge smile on his face. This was Andres we all knew! ALEXANDRA MENK But what Andres never imagined, was all the greatness and power he was going to be able to give back to this sport and to the SUP Community. He was not just a paddleboarder, he was a great guy with a great heart with the power to inspire and move a lot of people. HE HAD THE POWER TO REUNITE US ALL!!! He had the power to make his way of living a example to follow. He made us look into our own live’s and appreciate the present even more. He made us get closer to our friends. And he made us love our loved ones even more. 44
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JOHN MESKAUSKAS This SUP community, or should I say family, continually surprises me on how tight knit and positive its members are. Maybe it is the nature of the sport, since the sport itself has positively impacted so many of us. Andres perfectly represented our community and our sport, competitive, but yet, always smiling and always willing to help and just basically leaving people happy with a positive vibe. Our Florida SUP community has now grown even stronger and closer after this tragedy, just the way Andres would want it. JORGE MOREL He was always laughing or smiling and truly enjoyed everyone he met, and they felt it. The #livelikepombo hashtag is all about the way he lived his life and the way his character surpassed so many. It was never meant to celebrate how it ended. It was a tragic mistake that echoed through the SUP community and shook the Florida SUP community to its core. We have some amazing people in the SUP community, and as painful as this is, we will learn from this and become stronger people. Tell people to wear their protective gear. Paddle with a buddy. Let’s keep the celebration of life with all the members present and accounted for. There is no replacing someone like Andres. www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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Save Our American Rivers Fight To SOAR
Buffalo River Expedition with Gabriel Gray 46
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 Photos by Danny Braught www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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2015 Namaste SUP Challenge Winners
Erin Cummings SUP Yoga has become a huge passion of mine, so much so that I opened up my own SUP yoga company (Awakened Yoga SUP) at the beginning of this summer. Being part of the Namaste SUP Challenge really empowered me to take back my own SUP yoga practice. I'm always teaching or doing behind the scenes work with my floating yoga studio and I don't get to spend much time alone on my board. The challenge really created the space for me to be present in my own practice and it reminded me that this is what I love. The best part of the challenge was the acceptance and camaraderie among the yogis; through our pictures we were able to empower and encourage one another.
Gerry SUP Yoga Brighton I’m Gerry and I run SUP Yoga Brighton, teaching SUP Yoga on Hove Lagoon in Brighton (UK). Stand Up Paddledoarding and Yoga are my passions so combining them was always going to happen! As well as teaching classes I’m also the lead SUP Yoga trainer for SUPFit and we provide certification for SUP Yoga teachers in the UK. It has been amazing to see our community grow in the last three years, worldwide and right here in the UK. As well as SUP Yoga I love exploring the beautiful English coastlines, rivers and canals on my board as well as catching a few waves.
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Kate Stohoviak I have practiced yoga for 18 years buy had only been on a sup board or any board on the water three times before the Namaste Sup Challenge. I went out and did my pictures for the challenge on 6 different days. Since I didn't own a board and had to borrow a board from friends I couldn't do them every day but going out six times to do yoga at my own pace on the board allowed me to find my balance and play with the edges of my poses in a totally new light. I found that adding the balance needed to stay on the board changed the feel of the poses and along with the ability to paddle out on the water and be totally alone with no distractions slowed me to enjoy my surroundings and nature more. I also took my daughter out with me two of those times and then a third for her to do pictures and she did the challenge as well. It was a fun bonding experience for us and I saw the fact that she could do the poses on the board build a stronger confidence in her. Since the challenge I have bought a board and plan to extend my yoga certification to include sup yoga and start to teach as I found there is not a lot of it offered in my area. I would also like to later extend my teaching to kids around my daughter’s age and maybe talk to local camps about introducing sup yoga to kids in this area since I saw a huge curiosity and interest in it both in my daughter and her friends.
Gretchen Turner I've practiced yoga since high school and rowed boats since before I can remember and when I heard about SUP yoga I was both curious and excited. Being out on the water has always brought a deep peace and that feeling is very similar to what one experiences with yoga- it seemed like a perfect union! I started doing some research and came across Lauren Peterson's gorgeous pictures and helpful tutorials on her @namasteSUP Instagram. I joined up with the challenge looking for inspiration to get my practice on the water. I am thrilled to have won the Laird OM board, and cannot wait to bring together my love of being on the water with my always evolving yoga practice. Namaste! www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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E H T F O R YEA
Videography just got real . . . real crazy. While Hollywood stars might complain about these flying snapshots, the wild world of action sports photography has found a new world to play with. The result, some of the most progressive footage ever seen. “River Walkers” featuring Dan Gavere and Corran Addison, a film by waterslust.org; “Wake SUP with SUP ATX”, a film by Boarders Mag and “4 Tips for Happiness in the Workplace” by Yolo Board. Our advice for the consumer, leave these machines to the professionals, leave your cameras behind, get outdoors and enjoy your time on the water.
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TUCK FEST A P R I L 1 7 -20
Loc ation: USNWC - Ch ar l o t t e , N C - T uck F e st.or g
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Boarder: Luke Hopkins  Photos by Danny Braught
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E T T E Y PARIVER GAMES 54
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Photo by Justin Hammond
June 19 - 21
Lo c ati o n: Kelly’s Whitewat e r Par k - Cascad e , I dah o
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LEAH SEACREST
JOINS TEAM YOLO
Yolo Board welcomes Leah Seacrest to the team. Leah serves as a YOLO SUP Fitness ambassador traveling and teaching paddling and fitness technique to potential instructors and enthusiasts. She is excited about upcoming collaborations in 2016 bringing top notch education to the masses. 56
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 Photos by Deanie Sexton
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Ryan Findley and his daughter Adrienne (left), and Neil Uden and his son Jack (right) competing in the SweetWater Brewing Company’s 3 mile SUP Parent/Grom division in which Neil and Jack won first place. Photo Credit: Christie Cichra Along with offering competitive prize money races, the Lake Mary Jane Paddle Race has a strong family and community feel with courses and divisions for all ages and competitive levels, and fun spectator activities for kids and the young at heart.
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1. Start of the year with one of the biggest paddle races of the year. The Hano Hano Huki in San Diego. The groms are all lined up, bragging rights on the line and World Champ Candice Appleby fires the horn. Water start, beach finish and hopefully twice as many kids the following year. 2. The Wild Wild West at the World Wake Surfing Championship in Parker Arizona. 3. Danny Braught in Paradise. 4. Josh Smith focused and surrounded by the beauty of Beaver Lake.
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8 5. Torch Paddle crew lighting the way at Niagara Lake. 6. Halloween wake surfing with Morgan Lohmeier. 7. Female Athlete of the Year, Caroline Villeneuve. “Caro Air.� Photo by Matt Kuhn.
8. On July 31, John Merryfield, a surfer, SUP racer, painting contractor and activist, stand up paddled (SUP) 72 miles non-stop around Lake Tahoe for the seventh consecutive year to raise awareness about animal abuse and his Vegan 1 Day project. Photo by Peter Spain 9. Jenn Bodnar and Cody Groth of Yoga Digest Magazine embracing an acro sup yoga moment at one of their Life Time Fitness classes in Dallas. www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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2015
Photos by Danny Braught
PRESENTED BY
PRESENTED BY
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2015
The 2015 World Wake Surfing Championship presented by GM Marine Technology was a spectacular show and special in many ways. 2015 marked the 20 year anniversary for the WWSC! That is a huge accomplishment for Fineline Sports Marketing and the sport of wake surfing. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions for this memorable year boasting the most competitors ever (151) at the WWSC. Athletes from around the world traveled to Blue Water Resort & Casino to show off their best riding skills behind the brand new Centurion boats RI237. 14 new World Champions were crowned and $100,000 cash purse, water sports’ largest, was distributed to the pro men’s and pro women’s top three finishers in both skim and surf style riding. Make sure to follow the World Series of Wake Surfing next year for your chance to qualify. www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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Warming Up Before his run at Worlds, Noah Flegel using the rope to test out the wave  Photo by Danny Braught
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Caroline Villeneuve Female Athlete
OF THE Y E A R
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Year after year Caroline Villeneuve has continued to push the limits of wake surfing as a coach, pioneer and athlete and today she has reached the culminating moment of her career. She is hard working, talented and honored: “I feel very lucky to be part of the group of people who shaped the sports as it is today... and it’s just a start,” says Caroline. She is the new Queen of Wake- the 2015 World Wake Surfing Champion and Boarders Magazine “Athlete of the Year.”
 Photos by Mark Payne
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Borders (Top to Bottom): Allison Sos, James Walker, Chris Wolter
1995
PRESENTED BY
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Borders (Top to Bottom): Parker Payne, Ashley Kidd, Keenan Flegel
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FIFTY/FIFTY Bottles
FIFTY/FIFTY brand vacuum-insulated double-wall bottles and growlers keep drinks cold or hot all day with no condensation. Â This amazing ability means they are perfect for backyard BBQs, camping adventures, beach trips, picnics, and tailgate parties. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors that are all food-grade BPA-Free 18/8 Stainless Steel. Pictured: 40z | $37.99 70
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Hydrus Board Tech POW Shredder “Freedom” Pow Surfer: Length/ 4’11”, Width/16”. A revolution in snow sports… Designed to be really fast, to float and make dreamy turns unlike anything you’ve ever ridden before. This board performs in pow unlike any snowboard ever made. Combining a wide surfboard shape and rocker in the front for maximum buoyancy in the deep stuff and snowboard style side cuts between your feet for incredibly smooth turns. The perfect size and flex for all skill levels and nearly all sizes of riders. Our own blend of laminated hardwoods, a lightweight composite core, and parabolic carbon fiber stingers for the ideal flex. There is far more performance to this board than you might think. Ideal for backcountry adventures, this board brings a whole new level of stoke to snow! www.hydrusboardtech.com $479
CrossBoard CrossBoard: Length/ 4’5”, Width/ 16.5” Our own unique blend of hardwoods give it a stiff flex that will add a unique quickness to turns. Size and shape is perfect for all-around cruising and carving. Long enough to have an incredibly smooth feel but not too long to be considered a novelty board lacking performance – this board is surprisingly nimble thanks to the Torsion surf trucks and our own Hydrus 97mm 81AB extralarge, ultra-smooth wheels. Plenty of stability for beginners and more than enough performance for avid riders. www.hydrusboardtech.com $449
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Icemule Cooler
www.icemulecoolers.com
Grand Trunk Grand Trunk - Heritage Hammock The do-it-all, hang-anywhere hammock. Enjoy the freedom to relax anywhere with this easy to hang, super packable parachute nylon hammock. Light weight and compressible to the size of a softball, with super durable parachute nylon that won’t let you down whether hiking, backpacking, in the backyard, beach, or park. Double Hammock Rope Kit and Nautical Grade Carabiners Included www.GrandTrunk.com $69.95
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Phloops Just Phlippin’ Phun! PHLOOPS took that boring ring toss game you used to know and amped it up to a competitive mix of skill, luck and excitement. PHLOOPS is the perfect game for your next outing to the beach, park, or camping trip. Available now at www.phloops.com $64.95
Paddlepolo Discover a first-of-its-kind SUP product that will enable you to radically ramp up your fun on the water! Paddle Polo enables paddlers to play games on your SUP like catch, toss, or target practice. Paddle Polo sticks easily attaches to any SUP or canoe paddle and provides you with countless hours of fun and training, by yourself or with your family or team. It is very similar to playing lacrosse on water! Paddle Polo sticks helps build your business and community. They are great fun for camps, SUP & LAX skills training, water team sports and help increase SUP rentals and sales. Send us pics of your favorite new SUP game at info@ paddlepolo.com. The only limit is your imagination! Buy your set of Paddle Polo sticks at www.PaddlePolo.com. $59.95 - 2 Paddle Polo Sticks & Floating Ball
Slackline Ind Slackline Industries’ Fitness Stand Slacklining is the perfect way to cross train for any board sport. Simply walking on the line challenges balance and strengthens the core, but there’s much more than walking that can be done. The Fitness Stand includes a full-body workout guide to maximize benefits along with the slackline and freestanding frame. Steel construction provides a solid base to slackline anytime, anywhere. www.slacklineindustries.com $319.99
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Syck trix SYCK TRIX BOARD The Syck Trix board is made from maple wood skate decks. We have designed a custom foot pad for the top of the board. The custom bladder jacket combination gives the board the pop you need. The Syck Trix Board Bladders when positioned correctly, will not only improve your tricks but help with core training. Another great advantage of using a Syck Trix Board is the rehab for ankle, foot, knee and hip injuries sustained from board sport accidents. Let the fun began, Stick your tricks with Syck trix. www.sycktrix.com $95.99
UE roll
UE ROLL is a pint-sized speaker that’s shockproof, and IPX7 waterproof, so you can dunk it in the ocean, or toss it anywhere without worry. With a 9-hour battery, 65-foot wireless range and 360-degree sound, this speaker is made for adventure. And, the bungee cord allows you to hook it anywhere, so can you can enjoy music whether you’re in the ocean or on the beach! ultimateears.com $99.00
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Rip Surfer The all-new RipSurf brings the fun and feeling of surfing on water to the landlocked masses! Beyond simply looking like a mini surfboard, the RipSurf actually cuts and carves like the genuine article! Designed in Southern California by surfers and skateboarders, the RipSurf delivers on the dream of sidewalk surfing. Specs • • • • •
32” x 10.75” x 4” Wheelbase: 17” Two colorways: Black and CMYK Availability: Nov 2015 Max rider weight: 220 lb (100 kg)
www.razor.com $99.99
R o c k w e l l W at c h e s
Designed to take gladiator-level use and abuse, the Coliseum is the core of our Rider by Rockwell digital line. A multifunction digital, it features: dual time zone, chronograph with 50-lap memory, countdown timer, and 8 alarms. Case construction is ABS, and band is made of PU. The stadium-style bezel helps protect the lens from scratching and the watch is 100M water resistant for all activities. www.rockwelltime.com $109.00
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CROSSINGBOARDERS
Wake Surf Photos: Geoff Braught  Photos by FlowRider Inc./ Thermas Dos Laranjais/ Cristiano Pereira
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WITH BORDERCROSSER
SEAN SILVEIRA
By Sean Reavis (confused yet… we’re not #jinjang)
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e could start out telling you all the cliché phrases about how “Life’s a journey” or “It’s about the Journey not the Destination”… or we could describe someone who seems to be doing it right and let you be the person to decide which fork in the road is best on your path to excellence. We all hopefully grow and transition from what we thought we could never do, to then having done it, and finding out that now we want something we thought we would never even set as a goal. This process many times involves leaving our comfort zone, starting over, re-learning, adapting, and sometimes even being so humble as to recognize we’ve reached a plateau or pinnacle in our primary goal. In the world of sports – this is very visible. Athletes strive their
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whole youth to quickly climb the charts and be the best of the best; until they reach that goal, then they don’t know what to do with themselves. We all have to leave our comfort zone…bottom line. This means starting fresh with something that we aren’t good at, or even starting something somewhere new where we don’t have a support structure. We should leave our zone, we should cross state lines…as Boarders, we even cross borders. The goal is still to innovate ourselves. Along that line of innovation we find a major force, via FlowRider legend – Sean Silveira. While living with a pro-flowrider, Scott (Power Scootch) Callens, I kept hearing about this nemesis in the sport of flowriding, Sean Silveira. Sure I liked his first name. How could I not? However; it was not until some of us trekked out to San Diego, and visited the center of the flow universe, that I observed more about this unique character -- and what an electric charge he brought to his own sport of Flowriding. He is a well known legend in Professional Flowriding, and equally liked by his peers. We were checking out the center of the big bang – getting the official tour at FlowRider in San Diego. This incredible company continues to establish new FlowRider wave houses all over the world. In all this time of creating everything from Barrels to Blow Up FlowRider systems, there has been one shaman of the flow sent to secure the wave and demonstrate the full capabilities of this inland experience, the mythical Silveira. Sean Silveira is just fantastic to watch. He has a giant focus and can just mesmerize an audience, like he just did in Brazil at the opening of a jaw dropping 180 degree FlowRider. (See Photos) It’s not hard to see that the best riders are the ones having the most fun; and that’s certainly him. He attacks everything with a contagious smile and laughter. This enthusiasm for boarding 78
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is what we are all about. It’s why you are reading this unique magazine. It’s why you don’t mind scrapes and bruises. It’s all about that exhilarating feeling that we get when we push ourselves and achieve success in a board sport that we previously thought intimidating or difficult. What happens when our horizons get farther away? We all also decide to do a little crossing over...and that’s definitely a great thing. Silveira has been traveling around the globe, setting up venues and competing with the
best. He spends lots of time on the many great options provided by FlowRider. He also engages in other boarding activities to avoid any monotony in his life; many favorites like, ocean surfing, longboarding and when he can find a boat and lake…his most recent favorite sport of Wake Surfing. He was actually very serious during his last visit to Boarders Mag Headquarters, when he said, “I think I’ve done everything I wanted to do in Stand Up Flowriding. I’m going to start competing in Wake Surfing.” All of us on the boat gave a
hidden smile of excitement for the fun energy we knew he was about to bring to the sport; though we knew he would still continue to evolve the sport of Flowriding via his headquarters at FlowRider itself. Someone who knows this mutual tenure of success, is one of the chiefs of flow at FlowRider HQ, Marshall Myrman - FlowRider COO. When asked about his experience working with Sean Silveira, he had this to say: “Sean has been the face of Flowboarding for www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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8-10 yrs; since, he came on the scene as a teenager. With multiple National and World Championships under his belt, Sean continues to lead the way...even at his advanced age!! Just kidding Sean. Actually Sean is a tremendous ambassador for the sport, and even encourages all of his competitors with the utmost in sportsmanship. He’s also one of the top instructors, and he elicits smiles from everyone he helps along the way.” - Marshall Myrman He was busy with a venue in Amarillo and needed a break from the panhandle life of Texas, so Boarders and Aquashop convinced him to take a mini vacation – Boarders Style. I picked him up at Dallas/Ft. Worth International, where true to his style, all he had was a backpack full of board shorts and 80
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t-shirts. We drove directly from the airport to Lake Ray Hubbard. Our buddy Ryan Gibson had his Tigé Surf boat taking advantage of the high water, and invited us out to take a few runs before sunset. The night went just as expected and we all enjoyed another Texas sunset with good company and cool water to remedy the heat. Silveira began a few runs to get his feet used to wake surfing, and then quickly began to amp up his flow into the wake. It’s impossible to achieve a new trick until you realize you have to fail. He has no fear of failure and that’s why he’s an achiever. Wham, straight out the gate, he went for a 3-shove right after his front side air. We all looked at each other after he wiped out – knowing that eventually we would see some high-energy combos from this guy. He thinks like a competitor and he rides like a person
having enormous amounts of pure fun. He got what he needed that night and we all drove off to celebrate our Venezuelan friend’s birthday…and also get some rest because the next morning was for all those wanting that morning butter during a sunrise session behind Centurion’s monster wave. The pictures say enough when you see the ocean worthy wave. The wave truly was as glorious as it sounds. The weather was perfect, the wave was perfect, and the smiles were from ear to ear. He was our spoiled boarder child for the weekend and we enjoyed every minute of it (except when he was SO HUNGRY hahaha). After a much needed breakfast and morning nap and then lunch (Yes, this guy can eat!), we decided to throw down at Aquashop on the FlowRider. That afternoon and evening,
all the guys came into town for the Flow Series Tour. They were officially competing on Sunday and had the whole FlowRider to themselves to practice. I of course walked in and no one blinked twice… then the Jin to my Jang, Mister Silveira himself steps through the front door and the place begins to buzz. He was surrounded by all his long time flowmates, and even those that have seen him at their local FlowRider in the many other cities around the nation. He genuinely remembers everyone and is so humble in his interaction with his peers. I was hoping to see him go hard and give them a flow-show on standup, but he wanted to gel with some of his body boarding mates. He borrowed a board and just went bananas. If any of the bodyboarders were practicing at 80% - they just turned up to 100% after his little demo. He www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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was doing spins, shoves and fingerflip tricks that are usually the kind you see on standup. He was crossing boarders even within his own playground. The energy was palpable and everyone was pumped. He encouraged a few others to go harder and even showed a few tips to some of our visitors from Australia. The Flow-Dogs arrived on the ASH bus and were all lined up for their runs. Considering that we had 30 people in the FlowRider, it all seemed to go smoothly; everyone taking turns and going big for the next guy. I got excited when I saw Sean finally grab an actual standup board, but none of us were ready for what we saw next. After some ridiculous trick combos that are typical to his runs (i.e. – kickflips, heelflips, 3 shoves, 5 shoves etc.), he pulled off the impossible. He already had our attention and then does a Standup 82
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Rodeo...I’ll let that sink in - a stand up rodeo. The whole venue roared with approval. He clearly knows his ability and exceeds that because he knows how to get what he wants from the FlowRider. He hadn’t planned on competing because he was there to help judge, but was quickly convinced to bring his A-Game the next day and get in the line up. His attitude about life in general is encouraging. Who knows if he gets it from his Brazilian father or maybe from his SoCal lifestyle living in San Diego – what we do know, is that once your feet are used to riding something (a board perhaps), those feet are destined to try anything and everything that is worth riding on. It becomes a part of our DNA. It is the reason we hop on longboards and skate through neighborhoods looking for that stoke
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with our mates. It’s why we invent bigger and better ways to carve artificial waves. It is why we will save our money to go to a place we have never been to before, just to experience what it is like to be a boarder in that world. We’re all crossing borders. Sometimes these borders are in our minds as we sit and wonder, and sometimes as we go off and wander to where we simply don’t mind. During his visit to Dallas, he heard about the U.S. Open of Wake Surfing being held soon in TX. He made the trek back to Dallas, competed and actually won 1st Place in Men’s Outlaw Skim. Keep in mind that this was his first Wake Surfing competition entered. Stay tuned for more coverage online about Sean Silveira’s boarder-crossing to Wake Surfing. We certainly expect him to land big sponsors quickly and take a few more podium spots. Oh and we are still going to see the growth that he and FlowRider continue to deliver, so Don’t Worry dear flow fans – He’s still “bout that life!” Rumor and pics on his social media, even show him using straps now, and learning some flips from the legend of the WaveHouse San Diego Barrel, FlowRider’s very own, Eric Silverman. He’s going to bring his Pro attitude and determination to a barrel near you, an ocean swell near you, a flow near you, a lake near you… you get my drift. If you get a chance to run into him, I suggest that you take the time to meet him and share a laugh. It’s worth it. Remember to see what you do in your own life that is transitional -and remember to fail!…just remember to get back up and KEEP TRYING. Cross those borders and cross train those boards! Just Flow!
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PADDLING IN THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST IN A DROUGHT By Nadia Almuti
T
he Pacific Northwest has typically been a safe haven for whitewater enthusiasts, but it has been an abnormally dry year. Coming into this summer, many of the watersheds had less than 25 percent of their average snowpack. With a record low snowpack and persistent drought, we were forced to adapt and try to find creative places to paddleboard and explore nearby rivers. My home base for paddling this summer was White Salmon, WA. Nestled on the northern edge of the Columbia River Gorge, this town receives its namesake from the amazing White Salmon River. The river is fed by underground springs so even during a low water year it rarely gets too low to paddle. The White Salmon is an amazing technical river with everything from class II-V. The middle section is a tight fun stretch of class III-IV rapids ending with Husum Falls. The Lower section begins with a class III drop called Rattlesnake and features a fun surf wave called Cave Wave. The Bottom section, known as the Lower-Lower, was unnavigable due to a hydroelectric dam until recently. With the dam removed, this stunning class II-IV canyon is now open to paddling. It plunges deep into the earth, with towering basalt cliffs on either side surrounded by surreal mossy forests. It winds through the canyon and empties out into the mighty Columbia River, the 4th largest river in the US.
 Photos by Paul Clark
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After paddling the White Salmon, stopping at Big Man’s Rotisserie near the takeout in Husum, WA is a must. Trevor’s unique chapatti wraps with BBQ chicken and Pork are incredible! It is the best way to end a day on the river. Oh and don’t forget a cold can of Rainier. As the water in the White Salmon started to drop I branched out to explore the Lower Deschutes River. The Deschutes was designated as a Wild and Scenic River for its outstanding geology, fish habitat, wildlife, and recreation. Crystal clear water flows through an arid and rugged landscape. Meeting up with a few friends we paddled the Harpham Flat to Sandy Beach Section. This is a busy stretch of class II-IV whitewater. Lots of commercial raft trips takeover the river on the weekends. This section has a remarkable big water feel. There are several closely spaced amazing rapids with large haystack waves and beautiful columns of basalt jutting out of the raging torrent. Three hours upstream from Harpham Flat, is the Big Eddy section of the Upper Deschutes. This is a steep series of class II-III+ rapids right outside of Bend, OR and can be pushy for newer paddlers. The river here winds and drops through a lava field, scattered with www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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Boarder: Nicole Mansfield  Photos by Paul Clark
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large ponderosa pines growing up out of the basalt. This area is the stomping ground of Paul Clark, a Hala Gear athlete and professional photographer. Paul showed me the lines through the Big Eddy section, which we lapped multiple times, stopping short of the burly class V Lava Island Falls. Despite being the same river, the upper Deschutes has a secluded and alpine feel when compared to the lower. The most challenging run of the summer was the White River, which empties out into the Lower Deschutes. In 2001 Tygh Valley State Park “closed� the river to kayaking citing safety concerns. American Whitewater, an organization that actively campaigns to maintain access to whitewater, has long regarded this closure as inconsistent with state and national river management practices. Scared that we would not be allowed to paddle the White, a group of us snuck in a rugged quarter-mile trail winding deep within the canyon to the historic hydroelectric power plant at the base of Celestial Falls. We put in at the base of the falls and paddled down. Another waterfall portage later we were going down what I would guess to be 40 CFS of water. This is an extremely low flow. The class II+ rapids were very shallow and technical. A few also required a walk through. The beautiful arid landscape and unique geology was definitely worth all the hard work of getting into and down the river. Paddling out into the Deschutes at 4000 CFS, felt like entering the ocean in contrast to the volume of water we were just paddling. Despite the record low snowpack and drought the Pacific Northwest was facing this summer, the paddling in the region is remarkable. Now that I am back home in Colorado, I look forward to returning to the Northwest when the rains come, the waters rise, and other rivers are accessible.
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“Despite the record low snowpack and drought that the Pacific Northwest was facing this summer, the paddling in the region was remarkable.�
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Boarder: Nadia Almuti  Photos by Paul Clark www.boardersmag.com | Winter 2015
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JOSH Gordon Of The Great Lakes By: Justin Hammond
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s you may have come to realize, Boarders magazine brings you the best of shredding and surfing inside of the ocean’s borders. So it may or may not come as a surprise to you to find out that our very own Great Lakes are host to some fascinating weather phenomenon, an ever expanding surf culture packed with history, and some nice overhead waves! Ideal wave conditions here are offshore winds that would be similar to ocean surfing, but instead of riding the swells from the storm passing usually miles away, the surfers on the Great Lakes have to bear all the elements of the storm itself. These forms of waves provide a small window of opportunity for surfers and require a greater patience while dealing with the harsh conditions. Waves can be sought out all year along the coastlines, but in the autumn and winter a different situation arises wreaking havoc and providing breaks to all of the freshwater surfers across the glacier dug waters of our Great Lakes. The “Witch of November” is the term used to describe the intense winds that pummel the Great Lakes every autumn, threating ships and harbors, and creating amazing swells. Dramatic drops in the atmospheric pressure brings in cold artic air from Canada and mixes it with the warm Gulf winds of 92
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the south to create near hurricane force winds and generate large swells. Now it doesn’t necessarily produce the longest rides, and the majority of surfable waves are knee high to overhead, but the point is that it’s still surfing. It still has a dedicated surfing culture, sanctioned surf events, and a melting pot of multicultural surfers. We bring you to Ontario, home of local standup-paddle surfer Josh Gordon, where their Canadian Province boarders three of the Great Lakes and provides ample opportunities for surfers to explore, expand, and grow their passion. Josh was the one that first brought the culture to our attention and, upon further research and conversations, inspired this story. The photos provided to us by him and some other local contributors from Ontario show the true ferocity that our Great Lakes are subjected to, and it shows just how far some of us are willing to go for the thrill of the ride. He told us that there has recently been an influx of new surf shops and local shapers to compensate for the growing number of people willing to brave the frigid temperatures and surf the fresh water waves. Many clubs have immerged from the massive immigration of expats to the province looking to continue the sport that they fell in love with back
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 Photos by Jaq Raver
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home, but none has the reputation of the Wyldewood Surf Club who put on beach cleanings and promote the stoke of surfing on a regular basis. Josh has seen a serious ramp up in local contests recently, and with the events being sanctioned by not only the Eastern Surfing Association, but the Canadian Surfing Association as well, Ontario has also seen bigger names and bigger sponsors. Josh is no stranger to competition himself, having competed for Team Canada for the 2014 ISA SUP World Championships in Nicaragua. You can find him paddling out into the swells of Lake Huron where they hold a qualifying competition in the municipality of Kincardine. Last year’s qualifying event, The 2nd Annual West Shore Huron Classic presented by Billabong, was the largest surfing event in the history
of the great lakes. 54 brave and adrenaline soaked souls took on the near freezing conditions to compete in men and women’s longboard, short board, and SUP. The top three surfers from this event get invited to the Rip Curl Pro in Tofino, British Columbia; The Canadian National Championships. These surfers transition from lake to ocean and compete in the top of their class. Josh Gordon won the top podium place in SUP Surfing. Pablo Bonilla from Mexico, who won first in the longboard division of Lake Huron and second in SUP division, then won the West Shore Waterman’s Award, also went on to top the podium in the longboard finals at Telfino. It goes to show what Boarders has been saying all along, that surfing doesn’t have boundaries.
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