Stormtech lifestyle Mag Fall 2013 by Mine produkter

2013 Fall & winter technical outerwear collection

the official magazine

Issue 01 winter 2013

exclusive

adventure in the

Rough & Rugged Travel

with

STORMTECH sits down with the Oscar-winning Actor to discuss his love of South Sydney and the Pride of the League

STORMTECH Athlete

Brad Martin

Balances Reality from Fiction

message from the founder In this first issue of STORMTECH Magazine we have tried to capture the essence of the STORMTECH brand through the experiences of those who use our products in various settings all over the world. These experiences are a reflection of outdoor enthusiasts who depend on us to deliver highly functional and fashionable apparel for use in a wide range of environments. Many years have passed since we designed the first STORMTECH jacket back in 1983, and many new innovations have been added to our product range since then. One thing that has not changed - our commitment to design excellence and technical innovation. The stories we hear from the people who wear our products continue to inspire us and make the challenges involved in bringing new products forward well worth the effort. The end result is nothing less than what you would expect from us - STORMTECH Performance. Blake Annable President & CEO STORMTECH Performance Apparel

CONTRIBUTORS FOUNDER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

EDITOR IN CHIEF

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY

Blake Annable

Christine Hadvick

DESIGN DIRECTOR

DIGITAL IMAGE SPECIALIST

Sandy Chan

Anthony Yang

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Christine Hadvick Ann Migri単o

Allen Gerllays Kelly Annable Jessie English

Kelly Annable Justin Frost Adam Blasberg Jim Morrison IV Lara Stephenson Toby Dixon Scott Kevan Colin Whelan Mark Abdel-Sayed Simon Portbury Kelsey Goodwin

VANCOUVER OFFICE 2560 Boundary Road Burnaby, British Columbia Canada V5M 3Z3

TORONTO OFFICE 100 Commerce Valley Drive East Markham, Ontario Canada L3T 7R2

UK OFFICE 503 Centennial Park Centennial Avenue, Elstree Hertfordshire, WD6 3FG Great Britain

Toll Free: 1.866.407.2222 Email: info@stormtech.ca

Ph: 00 44 (0) 20 8953 3377 Email: info@stormtech.ca

W W W. S TO R M T E C H . CA

| W W W. S TO R M T E C H U S A . C O M

| W W W. S TO R M T E C H . E U

| W W W. S TO R M T E C H . T V

contents Russell Crowe

STORMTECH sits down with the Oscar-winning Actor to discuss his love of South Sydney and the Pride of the League

2013 Fall & Winter Collection

Innovative products that you can work, live and play in

Harbour Air

Behind the scenes at the largest all-seaplane airline in the world

Living on the Edge

STORMTECH Athlete Brad Martin balances reality from fiction

South American Backcountry

Rough & Rugged Travel with Jim Morrison IV

s to r mte c h pe r f o r m anc e a ppa r e l

Fa ll 2013

experience the great outdoors on your own terms

Articulated Adjustable Hood

Full-Length Storm Flap with Snap Closure

Removable Liner

water proof level

high resistance

5,000mm

Breathability

5,000g/m2

Embroidery Access Panel

External Media Pocket

3-IN-1 Interchangeable outshell-liner

Zippered Pockets

SSJ-1

atmosphere

3-in-1 SYSTEM JACKET Liner Outshell

Designed to optimize versatility and function, this H2XTREME速 two-tone 3-in-1 system jacket offers plenty of warmth and stormtech technology for superior waterproof/breathable protection storm tec h perform a nc e a pparel

Fall 2013

World Class Actor

Russell Crowe turns

South Sydney football club into the

most lethal team in the NRL - By Christine Hadvick

s to r mte c h pe r f o r m anc e a ppa r e l

Fa ll 2013

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are acknowledged as the most lethal team in the NRL. (Left to right): Greg Inglis Fullback/Centre, Jason Clark Utility Forward, and Adam Reynolds Halfback.

he South Sydney Rabbitohs are a professional Rugby League football team based in Redfern, a suburb of south-central Sydney, New South Wales in breathtaking Australia. The Club was formed in 1908, making them the oldest Rugby League team in Australia. A 1908 Foundation Club, the Rabbitohs have fielded Rugby League legend after Rugby League legend in their prized cardinal red and myrtle green jumpers. Arguably the most famous legend stems back to the Rugby Union days at the turn of the 20th century, and involves a Rabbitoh, ‘a licensed rabbit culler’ who was paid by the government for the pelt he had collected. It has been said (however not proven), that a number of the original 1908 team members did that job, and would take to the streets on Saturday mornings wearing their cardinal red and myrtle green football jumpers. To earn extra money they would hawk rabbits around the district with the traditional cry of “Rabbitoh!” which echoed throughout the streets. When a Rabbitoh made a sale, they would sling the bunny from their shoulder and skin it right on the spot, which would leave splatter of fur and blood on their football jumpers. When they played in those blood stained jumpers later that afternoon, opponents from wealthier Rugby League Clubs did not appreciate the aroma and would

mockingly repeat the “Rabbitoh!” cry, and that is presumably how the Club came to be called the Rabbitohs. The Club’s first Premiership (match which is like the Super Bowl), was held on Easter Monday April 20 1908 when Souths defeated North Sydney 11-7. The Rabbitohs then went onto win more Premierships than any other Club, securing the first two titles, winning seven of eight attempts from 1925, another five in six years in the fifties, and four more at the end of the sixties. By the mid 1970s however, financial mismanagement and the changing nature of inner city Sydney, eventually lead to South Sydney being pushed out of the National Rugby League (NRL) after their 1999 season when News Limited (Rupert Murdoch) tried to take over the sport. It was a two year legal battle to be accepted back in, and it wasn’t just the court case that got Souths back into the competition, it was the public outcry that was continuous during the two years that Souths were out. However it was 80,000 people marching on the town hall that started the balance tipping back to South Sydney its fans and members. The rebirth of South Sydney Football Club really began on June 7, 2006 after a partnership deal was struck between Russell Crowe, Peter Holmes à Court and the 3,200

Members of the Club. The voting Members of the Football Club voted by a 75.8% majority to convert the Club from a company limited by guarantee, to a company limited by shares. At an extraordinary General Meeting which was held on March 19 2006, Russell Crowe, a lifelong Rabbitohs fanatic, wrested power of the financially troubled Club on the back of a Hollywood-style speech to voting members, imploring them: “Let’s get into bed together, I hope you respect me in the morning.” Today South Sydney Football Club has resurrected peoples’ belief that they can one day be the Pride of the League again, and most feel the struggling Club has changed for the better since Russell Crowe took over. Even more, the winning percentage ratio for the twenty years prior to the takeover, sat just above 20%, and since the takeover nearly 60%. Adding to that, membership is currently over 27,000 which is a clear indication that belief has come back into the supporters of the Club. STORMTECH has been working with Russell Crowe and his well-established army of Souths management since 2011, and together have launched three iconic Rugby League inspired Club jackets. STORMTECH recently had the opportunity to sit down with the remarkable Russell Crowe - to discuss his love of South Sydney and the Pride of the League.

“We are a professional organization focused on the ultimate goal of success in our sport.” ~ Russell Crowe

storm tec h perform a nc e a pparel

Fall 2013

During the Rugby Union days at the turn of the 20th century players wearing their cardinal red and myrtle green football jumpers would often take to the streets on Saturday mornings, and to earn extra money they would hawk rabbits around the district with the traditional cry of “Rabbitoh!”

You were born in New Zealand and have made Australia your home since you were a small child, how old were you when you were first introduced to The South Sydney Rabbitohs and why is the connection so strong? RC: “I started following South Sydney as a 5 year old. The last time Souths won the premiership I was 7 years old. I’ve always believed that experiencing the team’s success as a little kid made me believe that things were possible in my life. I’d like a new generation of South Sydney kids to feel the same way.” You have two small boys any chance they will take up the sport? RC: “None… one is a rocket scientist, the other is a story teller.” My next question surrounds becoming the owner of one of Australia’s most famous Sports Clubs - The South Sydney Rabbitohs. Outside of being a die-hard fan, you shared a captivating story with Jay Leno on the Tonight’s Show in 2006 about how you were solicited by South Sydney to assist them during financial hardship, and the journey that presumably unfolded from there. You were quoted saying: “This thing would happen quite regularly, where they’d ask me for money because they knew I was a fan of the team, and at one point I just said you know what, I have been giving you a lot of money, however now I don’t want to give you any more money unless I can have a say because I don’t think you’re running it as well as it could be run.” Given all that has transpired over the last 8 years, how has life changed since becoming an owner of one of Australia’s most famous Sports Clubs? RC: “I would be dishonest to say it hasn’t had a profound effect on my family. I am driven by the things that I am passionate about, and when I’m focused on something I don’t look at the clock. I’ve spent too much time on it, but, 6

if you want a result in anything you do in life, it certainly won’t come from not putting your heart and soul into it.” At any point in time did you ever say to yourself “what have I gotten myself into?” RC: “Many, many times. Sports Clubs are political beasts. I am not suited to politics. Sometimes if you want a result you cannot afford the circular process of democracy. You just need to follow one voice and all be on the same page. Mine is a benign dictatorship that has the best person for the job in place, from the chairman of the Board, to the CEO to the head coach to our receptionist. Everybody is there because they are great at their job.” What has been most rewarding about this process? RC: “The communities change in attitude toward their team. They truly are a team to be proud of these days, connected across our district through schools and a myriad of grass roots charities that we help out. We are known as hard working, with high standards and nobody likes playing us.”

alone a staple for many, that said you took the historic South Sydney Football Club emblem and recently gave it a re-fresh, what is the significance behind the new Sons of Glory patch, and why do you believe it has resonated with so many? RC: “Our aim was to rebuild our Club into a brotherhood. Everything we do on and off the field has the element of family attached to it. Having said that though, we do play the hardest ball in hand football code that exists. No helmets, no pads, no quarter given. The Sons of Glory patch speaks to our particular brand of warfare.” What does the future have in store for Russell Crowe? RC: “Darren Arronofsky’s NOAH will be released next Easter, and Winters tale will release later next year.”

RC: “Well, I do this not only with STORMTECH but with our uniform supplier ISC. I’m a big believer in dressing for success. It brings out a certain pride in the players when they look sharp.”

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are considered the most successful professional team in the history of the Australian Rugby League in terms of total championships won, having claimed 20 first grade Premierships. However, despite coming third last year and being one game away from the grand final, they have not won a Premiership since 1971. This year The South Sydney Rabbitohs are entering their 104th season in the Club’s history, and they will compete in the 2013 NRL lead by Coach Michael Maguire. Balanced by strong combative athleticism and impeccable focus, The South Sydney Rabbitohs are acknowledged as the most lethal team in the NRL, and as RC puts it “nobody likes playing us.” Many feverously predict that The South Sydney Rabbitohs are on the heels of taking their first Premiership in 42 years. To learn more about The South Sydney Rabbitohs visit www.rabbitohs.com.au

It’s not an easy task to create a ‘trending piece of apparel’ let

Colin Whelan, Mark Abdel-Sayed, Simon Portbury and Toby Dixon

You have been instrumental at re-branding South Sydney in all aspects of their merchandising programs, and recently you teamed up with STORMTECH to create your Clubs custom players and members jackets, which have been a run-away success and sell out very quickly. What has this experience been like for you?

s to r mte c h pe r f o r m anc e a ppa r e l

Fa ll 2013

contributing photography by

“Crowe’s involvement in the sport brings a glitz and glamour to its historical working class domain and garners interest from those not traditionally drawn to it.” ~ James Macsmith

You know him as an Oscarwinning actor, film producer and musician. He is also the owner of the most successful professional team in the history of the Australian Rugby League, The South Sydney Rabbitohs. His name is Russell Crowe, and this man does it all and then some.

Greg Inglis (seen here at right) is undoubtedly one of Rugby League’s superstar players, having achieved virtually everything in the game at just 26 years of age in 2013. Greg recently signed a five-year contract with the Rabbitohs, linking him to the Club at least until the end of 2017.

storm tec h perform a nc e a pparel

Fall 2013

s to r mte c h pe r f o r m anc e a ppa r e l

Fa ll 2013

2013

Fall & winter

c o l l e c t i o n With more than 30 years experience designing innovative products for outdoor enthusiasts, STORMTECH strives to set new standards for performance outerwear. Careful thought and planning goes into every product we make. From the initial design to the final product, our design and development team work with quality standards that are second to none. We build highly functional and fashion forward products that are hard-wearing and provide the highest level of technical performance. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what sets the STORMTECH brand apart.

storm tec h perform a nc e a pparel

Fall 2013

technical outerwear

Developed to keep the cold weather out, our 2013 Fall & Winter collection blends H2XTREME速 technology with functionality, so that you remain warm and comfortable all day long. 3-IN-1

SSJ-1: Cyber Yellow/Black

EB-1: Red/Black

EB-1W: Cool Blue/Black

EB-1

SHX-1: Black/Black SSJ-1W: Treetop Green/Black

ssj-1

AscenD insulated jacket

Durable and high performing, this H2XTREME速 3-layer insulated jacket is highly efficient in cold, wet weather and offers sealed seams for maximum waterproof protection.

extreme resistance

Cool Blue/ Black/ Black Granite

10,000mm

Breathability

10,000g/m2

shx-1

atmosphere 3-in-1 jacket

Designed to optimize versatility and function, this H2XTREME速 two-tone 3-in1 system jacket offers plenty of warmth and stormtech technology for superior waterproof/breathable protection.

water proof level

Red/ Black

3-IN-1

voyageur 3-in-1 jacket

Sleek fitted 3-in-1 H2X速 waterproof/ breathable system jacket is fully seam sealed for enhanced weatherproof protection and features a high loft f leece zip-out jacket liner for added warmth and comfort.

water proof level

Treetop Green/ Black

Marine Blue/ Black

Cyber Yellow/ Black

high resistance

5,000mm

Breathability

W AT E R P R O O F

Black/ Black

5,000g/m2

Stadium Red/ Black

Marine Blue/ Black

B R E AT H A B L E

s to r mte c h pe r f or m a nce a ppar e l

Nightshadow/ Black

Black/ Granite

Fa ll 2013

Nightshadow/ Black

water proof level

high resistance

3,000mm

Breathability

3,000g/m2

SEALED SEAMS

SHX-1W: Marine Blue/Black

BHS-2: Treetop Green/Black

DSW-2: Chipotle/Black DSW-2W: Rhododendron/Nightshadow

SFJ-2: Teal/Black

BHS-2W: Stadium Red/Black

SFJ-2W: Pink/Black

dsw-2

bhs-2

sfj-2

Ultralight and comfortable, this downfilled jacket offers superior warmth and features strategically placed quilted down panels designed to maintain thermal resistance.

This two-tone softshell offers advanced levels of H2XTREME速 waterproof/ breathable performance technology for maximum protection when you need it most.

The superior comfort of polar f leece combined with optimal cold-weather protection from softshell fabric makes this two-tone D/W/R hybrid softshell f leece jacket easy to wear inside or outside.

stormtech Helium jacket

stormtech edge softshell

stormtech hybrid softshell

water proof level

Black

Chipotle/ Black

Stadium Red

Treetop Green/ Black

Nightshadow

Nightshadow/ Rhododendron

Electric Blue

Rhododen- Nightdron/ shadow/ NightTreetop Green shadow

Treetop Green/ Black

Marine Blue/ Black

Chipotle/ Black

Stadium Red/ Black

Nightshadow/ Black

Graphite/ Black

high resistance

5,000mm

Breathability

5,000g/m2

Cyber Yellow/ Black

Treetop Green/ Black

Electric Blue/ Black

Chipotle/ Black

Pink/ Black

Stadium Red/ Black

Nightshadow/ Black

Teal/ Black

Graphite/ Black

storm tec h perform a nc e a ppa rel

durable water repellent

Fall 2013

rescue

royal canadian marine Search & Rescue saving lives on the water STORMTECH is committed to providing the Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue team with high quality, extreme performance gear so that they are well equipped to handle any situation that could arise at sea.

Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue Unit #1 Howe Sound, actual rescue operation off the shores of Bowen Island. Photograph by Justin Frost

s to r mte c h a peppa r f or r e lm aFal ncel a 2 ppar 013 el

Fa ll 2013

n 1978, various Canadian volunteer marine Search and Rescue (SAR) groups decided to create a consolidated organization that would allow them to coordinate their equipment, knowledge, and training on a national scale. Of the six Marine Rescue associations that were formed across Canada, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) is the organization which serves British Columbia and the Yukon. Over 1,000 dedicated individuals have committed to volunteering their time, and work tirelessly to ensure safe and accessible waterways. These volunteers in turn belong to one of 46 community-based units throughout the Region. Each station grows from the communities it assists, allowing the services to be integrated with local needs. RCM-SAR’s area of operations is based on the Pacific coast of British Columbia, which has more than 27,000 kilometres of rugged coastline, over 6,000 islands, and approximately 450,000 square kilometres of internal and offshore waters. It is an extraordinary undertaking to provide search

and rescue response capabilities to such a large area, and these remarkable unpaid professionals meet the challenge to assist those in peril on the sea with determination and pride. RCM-SAR team has access to modern well equipped rescue vessels, and technology 24 hours a day - 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Collectively, over 127 vessels are available through the RCM-SAR for marine SAR in the Pacific Region. RCM-SAR participates in resolving nearly one-third of the SAR incidents that occur on the coast of British Columbia, either as the principal resource, or as an additional response resource. RCM-SAR members also provide pleasure craft courtesy checks to mariners within the communities, and reach out to the public with boating safety education programs, so that more and more incidents can be prevented and waterways are safer for everyone. To learn more about the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) visit www.rcmsar.com.

h2xtreme® shell XJ-2 Developed for extreme durability and performance specifications, this hard wearing H2Xtreme® waterproof softshell is reinforced with sealed seams for enhanced weatherproof protection for use in extreme weather environments.

SEALED SEAMS

(Waterproof Rating: 8,000mm / Breathability: 5,000g/m2/24hr)

endurance 1/4 zip PL-3 Performance high level moisture management H2X-DRY knit construction with stretch component allows for complete freedom of movement and breathability when worn as a layering piece. 1/4-zip neck with flatlock stitching finish.

M O I S T U R E M A N AG E M E N T

(Waterproof Rating: 8,000mm / Breathability: 5,000g/m2/24hr)

storm tec h perform storma tec nche a ppa rel

Fall 2013

Harbour Air

BEHIND THE SCENES at the largest all-seaplane airline in the world - By Christine Hadvick

s to r mte c h pe r f or m a nce a ppar e l

Fa ll 2013

erched in the heart of the city and surrounded by the cascading snow-capped mountains that roll into the coastal shores of the great Pacific Ocean â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these are just a few of the views you can expect to see as you wait to catch your flight aboard the largest all-seaplane airline in the world, Harbour Air Seaplanes. Harbour Air was founded in British Columbia in 1982 by pilot Greg McDougall. Back then McDougall owned only one plane the Canadian Bush, and with that plane he started flying charters for the lumber industry. With his small business well in tow (and in flight), McDougall quickly expanded and soon began offering private charters, which at that time proved to be a niche market. Over time and many flights forward, McDougall soon expanded his company, purchasing more planes and adding scheduled passenger flights along the coastal city and islands, shuttling commuters back and forth

between Vancouver, South Vancouver (YVR Airport), the Gulf Islands, Victoria and Nanaimo. Outside of commuter routes, the company has also capitalized on the tourist market, and offers packaged tours into BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rugged wilderness to view spectacular sights of grizzly bears in the Khutzeymateen Valley, the hanging glaciers of Mount Mamquam or the orcas in Haro Strait. Today with over 30 years of business under their belt and more than 50 aircrafts operating out of eight bases along the BC coast from Vancouver to the Queen Charlotte Islands, Harbour Air has become the largest all-seaplane airline company in the world. Trumping this achievement came in 2007, when Harbour Air became the first airline in North America to achieve complete carbon neutrality in both their flight services and their corporate operations. This evolved when Harbour Air began purchasing high quality carbon offsets to mitigate the climate impact

storm tec h perform a nc e a ppa rel

Fall 2013

s to r mte c h pe r f or m a nce a ppar e l

Fa ll 2013

Today with over 30 years of business under their belt and more than 50 aircrafts operating out of eight bases along the BC coast from Vancouver to the Queen Charlotte Islands, Harbour Air has become the largest all-seaplane airline company in the world.

of all scheduled service, charter and tour operations. This made Harbour Air the first air carrier of any variety in North America, and the only seaplane airline in the world to make all of its flight services 100% carbon neutral. To date, Harbour Air has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to carbon neutral programs and is further pledging to offset its corporate emissions to become the first carrier in the world to achieve complete carbon neutrality in all aspects of its business. The public can now enjoy a carbon neutral experience as they high-tower over the Olympic Mountains, or hover above the rugged and remote shorelines of Vancouver Island. In peak season, Harbour Air’s sturdy fleet of DeHavilland Beavers and Turbine Single Otters record over 145 departures a day on average. All told, the company transports more than 300,000 passengers a year. One of the busiest terminals is their Coal Harbour location, positioned right in the heart of Vancouver’s city centre. The terminal itself is state of the art, and features a sleek interior design that is welcoming and indicative of the outdoor environment. Comfortable oversized seating combined with panoramic ocean views make this airport terminal one of the best kept secrets in the city. Adding to the ambiance, passengers can enjoy complimentary cappuccinos, fresh baked goods, and an assortment of local and national newspapers along with free Wi-Fi. Once outside the terminal, the salty crisp air of the sea hits your face and awakens your senses. Waving you through the tall steel gates

of the walkway corridor is a smiling Harbour Attention to detail and customer service Air employee, who greets you with a wide grin are a reflection of McDougall’s personality, and sends you on your way. No busy line-ups, according to Mark James, a food and fashion no security checks or baggage screenings. In entrepreneur. James has known McDougall an age where conventional air travel is often a for over 20 years and describes him as “a very chore, the Harbour Air experience is completely focused, determined and meticulous individual refreshing. who has high standards and surrounds himself The ease and speed of this type of air with high-calibre people.” service makes it remarkably popular, especially Even more is the culture that McDougall among the “time is money” business crowd, has adopted at his company, which continues says Greg McDougall, who today is still very much involved with the company he founded, and is the acting CEO. McDougall believes that packaging has been the key to his company’s success. “I recognized early on that the difference between being successful and failing in this enterprise was presenting a sophisticated product. The typical image of a float-plane pilot with a ratty t-shirt, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and a plane that needs painting just wasn’t going to cut it. We set out to put a professional polish on the operation. We had our personnel wear uniforms and name tags and we Harbour Air runs regular service to over ten destinations, and their charter really focused on customer flights shuttle travelers to popular southern British Columbia destinations in service.” remote parts of the Pacific Northwest. storm tec h perform a nc e a ppa rel

Fall 2013

The public can now enjoy a carbon neutral experience when flying with Harbour Air.

Harbour Air’s commitment to safety involves all levels of the organization starting with the CEO, President, to the Management Team, and this is resonated through to all employee training programs, policies, and procedures.

to be awarded year after year as Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. “We have come a long way, and being recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies is a testament to the power of hard work, great people and strong values. Today’s marketplace is not just about investment in the product; it is also about the investment in the people”, says McDougall. Harbour Air isn’t considered the largest all-seaplane airline in the world for no good reason, they invest in their team and have built up a strong and stable company. In addition to being recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Management Companies, last year they were also awarded as one of Canada’s 10 most Admired Corporate Cultures presented by Waterstone. One of their staffers with whom we spoke to was Dock Supervisor Todd Whalen. We asked Todd what it was like to work for the largest all-seaplane airline in the world and here’s what he said.

aircrafts and its passengers arrive and depart the docks safely, and we’re responsible for unloading and reloading the aircraft. I also supervise the loading and unloading of baggage items, refueling, and this all needs to be done with a great deal of care and efficiency to avoid incident or injury, and to ensure that we stay on time.”

How long have you been with Harbour Air?

What are the hazards that you need to be aware of during any given day on the dock?

TW:“Incredibly important! Because we do not necessarily get the opportunity to go inside a whole lot, we are completely exposed out here, so if you’re not going up for bags you might be outside working for 3 or 4 hours without having a chance to go indoors. Staying as dry and warm as possible, especially in the winter months, is extremely top of mind for all of us here. Thankfully we have our STORMTECH gear which helps us battle through.”

TW: “There are many hazards that can happen on any dock. From the dangers surrounding

- photographs by Kelly Annable & Kelsey Goodwin

TW: “I have been with the Company for four years and it has been fantastic, really awesome fulfilling work.”

With a growing business and 50+ aircrafts what are the challenges of maintaining a high standard of safety? TW:: “Safety is #1 around here. As the world’s largest all-seaplane airline, safety has been vital to the success of our business and is key for future development. Our commitment to safety involves all levels of the organization starting with our CEO, President, and our Management team, and this is resonated through to all employee training programs, policies, and procedures.”

the aircraft propellers, to flammable fluids and fuels, to tripping hazards, to the water… we do our best to be organized about how we manage our hazards. It is also vital that we indicate our hazards to our customers and this is communicated both in flight, and then reinforced by our crew who guide the customers to safety when they disembark.” You and your team work all year round outside and in all sorts of weather conditions. Can you tell me how important good quality outerwear is when you’re battling an unforgiving day?

What’s it like to work for one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies? TW:“Amazing, everyone here is like family and so invested in the Company. To get up every day and work with your brothers and sisters, your best friends and then to serve the public and thoroughly enjoy what you do, that’s powerful, and that’s our culture here, everyone is on the same page.” You’re a Dock Supervisor, can you tell us what a day in your shoes feels like? TW: “I supervise all the dockhands here and we service the airplanes. We make sure that the 18

One of the busiest terminals is their Coal Harbour location, positioned right in the heart of Vancouver’s city centre. The terminal itself is state of the art, and features a sleek interior design that is welcoming and indicative of the outdoor environment.

s to r mte c h pe r f or m a nce a ppar e l

Fa ll 2013

Brad Martin living on the edge - By Christine Hadvick

e quietly settles behind the camera and very seldom does the audience actually identify with this adrenaline crushing mastermind, but make no mistake about it you have definitely seen his work. He was Spiderman, he was Batman, he transformed into the Matrix, he has worked in scores of features films like After Earth, Total Recall, Salt, Water for Elephants, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the Underworld franchise, Angels and Demons, Tropic Thunder, The Other Guys, and Live Free or Die Hard to name a few. He is also the exclusive stunt double for George Clooney in such movies as Batman & Robin, The Perfect Storm, Three Kings, Out of Sight, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and The Peacemaker. His name is Brad Martin and he ranks as one of the top action directors in the film industry, and distinguished among the top stunt performers in the world. Brad is also a champion athlete for STORMTECH, and recently we had a chance to catch up with Brad in his hometown of Manhattan Beach California for a casual chat about living on the edge and balancing reality from fiction.

You are ranked among the top stunt performers in the world, what a thrilling job! How did you get into this profession? BM: “It was actually my childhood dream. I grew up watching shows like The Fall Guy and That’s Incredible, and I used to pretend I was a stuntman all the time. I remember jumping over the furniture in my living room pretending

I was a stuntman. As I grew up and eventually went to university I forgot about my childhood dream and started thinking more practically as far as looking for a career, but nothing seemed to really interest me. Finally the idea of a stuntman came back into my mind. Suddenly all the memories of my childhood desires came back, that was it I was obsessed! As soon as I graduated from college I moved to Hollywood and started knocking on doors!” What’s the craziest stunt you’ve ever done? BM: “I wouldn’t consider any stunt I’ve done to be crazy, but I would say that some involved way more concentration, focus and preparation than others. For example, on the original Underworld movie I did a 50’ high fall between two buildings in Budapest. I started the stunt backwards and I came out of one building and fell perpendicular towards the other building which was only 16’ away. If I pushed off too far I would have hit the other building and really hurt myself, or worse. I knew I had the capability to do the stunt otherwise I would have been crazy to take it on, but it took all of my focus to execute the fall perfectly. I was definitely relieved after it was over.” You have made your living pushing your body to the extreme, have you suffered a lot of injuries? BM: “Yes, not just at work but in training as well. I have had two ACL reconstructions, a broken

“Brad is one of the greatest stuntman I have ever met, probably the best.” ~ George Clooney

Brad Martin ventures high above the clouds on a mountain top in Argentina to scout out a new film location. Brad is wearing the PFS-2 Atlantis Ripstop Insulated Shell developed by STORMTECH. Photograph by Scott Kevan

storm tec h perform a nc e a ppa rel

Fall 2013

Live free or die hard On the set of Live Free or Die Hard, Bruce Willis and Brad discuss the fight choreography between him and Maggie Q.

“TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN. If you want to be a stuntman, master your craft and the jobs will come.” 20

wrist, a broken hand, a few concussions and enough stitches to put Frankenstein to shame… but all in all I feel I have made out quite well. Probably the most entertaining injury was early on in my career when one night at trampoline practice I was attempting a double flip with a full twist dismount onto some pads, and my takeoff was horrible. I shot off at an angle and immediately got lost in the air. I have no idea how many flips or twists I ended up doing but I landed on the guide wire to the high-bar which was 20’ away. I ended up with a concussion, I gouged my forehead open resulting in 15-plus stitches, as well as breaking my wrist… that was a hat trick for sure! Eventually I mastered the trick and that was the toughest part, getting back on the saddle but that’s stunts. Rarely does anything get accomplished in one take.”

A typical day at the office for you has involved repelling down buildings, jumping off of bridges, and driving a motorcycle head on into a moving vehicle all the while being blown to pieces in a fiery range… how does one decompress after a day like that?

How fit do you need to be in order to be a successful stuntman? Do you follow a strict fitness and nutrition regime?

And how do you manage to balance fiction from reality?

BM: “Well this is all a matter of perspective. My philosophy may be a bit extreme; however I, as well as all of my peers with whom I respect have found a plan that has proven to work. The main thing I would say is TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN. Martial arts, gymnastics, rock climbing, rappelling, trampoline, weight lifting, driving, never stop. The fitness will be a great by-product of training, but in my opinion also a necessity. As a stuntman, we take tons of hard hits and get bumps and bruises constantly. Being in shape helps to ensure the body recovers more easily. As far as a diet goes, I believe eating healthy is very important as well. Good nutrition aids in everything from a strong physical body to a healthy mind.”

s to r mte c h P ERFORMANCE a ppar e l

Fa ll 2013

BM: “A stiff drink! No, seriously sometimes that’s what it takes. After I did that Underworld fall, I watched playback of the stunt to make sure everyone was happy and then walked directly into a bar on the corner and ordered a shot! That is rare though, and a bit of that was the novelty of having a bar on the corner as well as being done with work for the night. Most of the time it might be just popping a few advil and watching TV for an hour or so.”

BM: “Your fiction is my reality… it’s just a different perspective. I pretend every day. You may watch a movie and think… wow is that violent, but when I’m making that movie I am simply trying to conceive of original and creative ways to pretend to be violent. None of it is fiction to me.” You have had an amazing career both in front and behind the camera, and I understand you are spending most of your time these days directing action films. How did you make the transition from stuntman to director? BM: “2nd unit directing is where my focus is right now. A 2nd unit director is usually the

(Left to Right): Batman and Robin, Brad kicks the feature shot for the movie poster. On the set of Live Free or Die Hard, Director Len Wiseman and Brad plan out a car chase using toy cars. On the set of The Other Guys, this shot allowed for Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson’s stunt doubles to safely jump off the building to their deaths. The pilot to Hawaii Five-0, Brad was Action Directing, Stunt Coordinating as well as doubling Alex O’Loughlin (McGarrett).

director of the action unit - the team that goes out and films the pieces of the movie with the stunt doubles in it. 1st unit doesn’t always have the time to film anything more than the high dollar actors. Certainly on occasion I am sent the actors to film, if it’s a big enough action scene. As far as making the transition, that was just something I foresaw years ago. When I started as a stuntman I realized I couldn’t do stunts forever. The natural progression for a stuntman is to become a stunt coordinator, and then a 2nd unit director. I began trying to coordinate very early on in my career, with little success at first, but as time went on I was lucky and able to make a very smooth transition from preforming to coordinating and now to directing. Today I do very few stunts anymore, but will still get in front of camera from time to time.” In today’s day and age so much of special effects and stunts are being digitized and produced on giant green screens, do you prefer that environment over locational shoots? BM: “No way! Locations and cool sets are so exciting. It always puts you in the moment when you’re on a great set filming, plus there are so much unknown when shooting on a green screen stage, and the environment gets really old staring at a big green screen 14 hours a day. Unfortunately, green screen stages are here to stay and there will always be an element of it in every action movie.”

A couple of years ago you were enlisted to work with STORMTECH to test and validate their gear in some of the most challenging weather conditions, can you explain how important it is to have good quality gear when you’re filming? What’s your favorite Stormtech piece? BM: “Wow! Words cannot express the importance of gear at work. I work under all sorts of weather conditions and need to dress accordingly. When I first hooked up with STORMTECH it was winter in Vancouver British Columbia, and we were shooting a lot of exterior nights. STORMTECH saved me and my crew. I couldn’t have been more comfortable in the freezing rain. Sometimes I would be exposed to the weather for 12-14 hours a night, and I always finished the night warm and dry. As far as my favorite gear, that’s a difficult question because they make the best compression and base layers, they’re fleece jackets are awesome, I wear the FZF-1 & PFZ1 hoodies a lot, and I also love their thermal vests, but the electric blue V-5 they just sent me is pretty insane!” You’re next picture is the Expendables 3, can you tell us a little about what you’re going to be doing?

BM: “Well, I will be the stunt coordinator on Expendables 3 and for anyone who has seen either of the first two films you know this franchise is based in big action. We’re shooting in Bulgaria and I have no idea what I will be doing yet because I haven’t even received a script, but I imagine we will run the whole action gambit; huge car crashes, shoot outs, fights, explosions, etc.” What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a stuntman? BM: “I say the same thing every time I am asked this question, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN. If you want to be a stuntman, master your craft and the jobs will come. If you are dedicated and persistent enough, nothing can stop you! Follow your dreams!!”

Brad Martin is the founder and owner of Smashcut Action Design, a full service action and design house that services the entertainment industry worldwide. From live-action previzes, to writing and developing action scenes, to editing action sequences, Smashcut Action Design truly does it all. www.smashcutaction.com

You often head to South America after a picture to enjoy some well deserved R&R, what do you like to do in your down time? BM: “Yes, I have a house on the Pacific side of Panama. It’s definitely my go to place to unwind. I just got back the other day actually. There is horseback riding, insane hikes, waterfalls to jump off of, fishing, diving, but the main draw for me is surfing. If there are waves and the tides are right, you can find me in the water. I say I go there to unwind, but really I am redlining with activities from sun up to sundown. I guess it’s more of a recharge than anything else.”

Underworld Awakening Brad (seen here in middle), rehearses a technical fight sequence with his assistant coordinators Todd Schneider and JJ Perry on the set of Underworld Awakening.

storm tec h P ERFORMANCE a ppa rel

Fall 2013

film/television director and photographer

With a special interest in athletics, martial arts and adventure travel, Jim has shot on almost every continent in over 40 countries, constantly on the search for great stories of extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. - By Ann Migriño

ough and rugged travel is an integral part of life for film/television director and photographer Jim Morrison IV. Early this year, Jim traveled through Chile, Bolivia and Peru filming the story of two young men on a South American adventure. Three weeks on the road with a minimal crew and minimal gear proved to be a great challenge. The motto was to bring only what was needed and only your most dependable, highly functional gear. STORMTECH recently spoke to Jim about following your instincts,

what makes a good story, and his favorite gear for work and life on the road. Tell us how you got into film & photography. Has it always been a lifelong passion for you? JM: I remember always loving photographs. I was in third grade when I bought my first camera. It was a Hanimex Tele 110 cartridge film camera, which I bought at the department store for 18 dollars, that seemed like a lot of money as a kid.

Sunrise on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

I really cut my teeth when my family moved to Asia in 1989. For my first real foray into photography, I borrowed my dad’s Pentax K1000, which he’d had all over West Africa while he lived there in the 70’s. I was very lucky to be living in Singapore with the curiosity of a 13 year old and some freedom to roam the streets looking for cool shots. Little did I know these photographs would later help me land my first internship with Macleans Magazine. Photography didn’t seem like a real job, partially because it was too fun, and partially because I didn’t know any photographers as role models. I figured I would be an academic in History and English or work in the foreign service. I had a quarter life crises at 20 when I realized I wasn’t enjoying my curriculum and so I decided to give photography a go. I got an internship at Macleans Magazine based on my “international” portfolio. I stayed there under my first mentor, Peter Bregg, who is one of the most important news photographers in Canada. I learned a great deal from him. Ultimately I decided to make a move to more commercial photography and decided to go to Milan to shoot fashion. The switch from news to fashion seems like a pretty big move. Had you always been interested in fashion? JM: No! In fact quite the opposite. I guess what

s to r mte c h pe r f or m a nce a ppar e l

Fa ll 2013

interested me about the fashion industry is that I knew nothing about it just that people love it. That is what I am most interested in … passion and why people are passionate about things. But I learned a lot from that time and was really lucky to travel Europe, Asia and the US for a number of years. I shot a lot of editorials and model tests and met some really great people. Now you find yourself behind the lens as a director, how did you make the transition into film and television? JM: Here’s a fun fact for you: I’m a television director that grew up without a TV! But you know, I think my imagination really benefitted from not watching a lot of television growing up. I had to find other ways to entertain myself and make up my own stories. I am not really sure how I managed to land the coolest job on the planet! I guess I really dug my heels in early and committed to “going pro” come hell or high water at a very young age. I’ve always been a “jump in the deep end” kind of guy. I wrote a couple of music video treatments for musicians that I had photographed, and my second one was awarded a small contract. It went highest rotation for 17 weeks and then won a few awards. It was quite a coup. The next year a partner and I launched Maverick Films and we became a very competitive music video house for a number of years. I have always thought of my music video

days as my grad school, and I am very grateful for that time. What do you think drew you to directing? JM: Well … it’s funny, I’ve given that a lot of thought over the years. Initially it was to prove to myself that I could do whatever I set my mind to.... but ultimately I’ve come to realize that it’s not as far a departure from what attracted me to History and English in academics. It’s people’s stories that I am most interested in. You can be in the Muay Thai camps in rural Northern Thailand, war zones in the Middle East, the Death Mines in Bolivia and visit those lives in the most intimate of ways without having to live those lives forever. The lens is a tremendous access point. That is a unique position to be in. I get the sense that it’s the human experience that interests you. So what do you think makes a great story? JM: For me what makes a great story is when it calls you into action. It moves you into a new frame of thinking. The stories that I am most attracted to are those of real people doing compelling things. Relatable characters that when you watch them you think Man! I could do that! You find these stories a lot in documentaries, but I don’t really fancy

Jim filming a scene at the Sol de Mañana gysers, Bolivia

storm tec h perform a nc e a ppa rel

Fall 2013

“It’s people’s stories that I am most interested in… The lens is a tremendous access point.”

Local drivers help to repair an SUV broken down on the Bolivian Altiplano. It’s a two day drive to the nearest town.

myself a true documentarian. I try to do a few philanthropic projects, usually documentaries, every year through my organization the Filmanthropy Group (www. theFilmanthropyGroup.com). But my day to day is more TV and commercial oriented and my goal is to move into feature films and make films about remarkable people doing remarkable things. Historical epics mostly (laughs) You know…. aim low, right?

It sounds appropriate for a guy that tends to jump in the deep end! You recently went to South America for a project. What brought you down there? JM: Yes. I went to South America to shoot a travel pilot that fits in somewhere between OLN’s Departures and Ricky Gervais’s An Idiot Abroad called Smallwood/Bigworld. It was an amazing shoot. We went down with a

Jim films a scene on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

s to r mte c h pe r f or m a nce a ppar e l

Fa ll 2013

micro crew. I shot and directed it, I took my field producer to coordinate and get us out of jams as well as a strong camera assistant/2nd camera operator to be my tech support on the road. This shoot had to be lean and mean. It’s a dream gig for me to shoot cinematic images while exploring the world. With a small team there are a lot of challenges when you are packing

gear and I am sure every project is different. Do you have a philosophy for how you prepare to travel? JM: Well I knew that we had to be light with both personal baggage and production gear. It had to be all manageable to lug around and jump on and off planes, trains, buses, SUVs. Finding the balance of having enough to make amazing content versus being weighed down with schlepping gear around was tough….. but that is always the case in travel photography/ filming. If you don’t take something you think “Oh man! I wish I had brought that piece of gear” and if you bring it you are like “Oh my God, why did I bring this thing? I haven’t used it at all!” I had a one personal bag limit for everyone. We had two large production bags so the load could then be shared beyond my camera assistant and I. When you are travelling for work, the gear you bring can make the difference between a swift, successful shoot and one plagued by discomfort and missed opportunities. Can you share with us some of the key items you brought with you while filming in Bolivia and Chile? JM: For camera nerds, I packed a Canon C300 and a few choice zoom lenses for our A camera plus a small audio kit. The Canon C300 is a really great pro camera yet its body is small and unassuming so it’s perfect for this kind of lifestyle shooting. We could have it out on the streets or bus stations without drawing a huge amount of attention. Our B-cameras were a Canon 5d mark 2, Canon 7D and a GO PRO for special circumstances. I have a blog entry about this if anyone is interested in how we managed. It was summer in South America but we were also going to be changing environments a lot while we were on the road. We started in Chile, went through Bolivia and out of Peru. We were in dramatically different elevations as well as climates so we had to be prepared for a lot of different things but not lugging tons of stuff. How about clothing or personal gear, do you have special needs while shooting? JM: A must for me when I travel, particularly for work, is that I have to feel comfortable. Truthfully most of my bag was loaded with STORMTECH gear for my personal stuff. I tend to pack for layering and as often as I can 4-way stretch type material especially pants. Shooting can be physically demanding. I mean, on this trip alone we were on sand dunes sandboarding in Chile, racing down Bolivia’s “Death Road” on bikes while we lean out of the car trying to get shots, traveling on top of SUV’s through the salt flats, shimmying

(Left) Field producer Lara Stephenson takes in the sights at Laguna Roja, Bolivia. (Right) Jim inside the Death Mines in Potosi, Bolivia.

down horrifying tunnels in the Death Mines, scrambling up rock faces in the Atacama desert, dealing with cold nights and altitude sickness in the Altiplano all whilst shooting and lugging equipment. Yep, it was awesome! To ensure I stayed protected against the elements I always had my STORMTECH rain jacket with me which I really love, because their gear is super waterproof and offers incredible stretch technology. Because much of this shoot was hand held or steadicam operated, and was at times very kinetic, that meant having comfortable gear with a good range of motion was really important. I also brought my favorite STORMTECH hoodie the PFZH-1, that saw a lot of action in the field and the fabric was strong, durable and most importantly warm. As a base layer I always wore a STORMTECH compression shirt, and the other thing I brought that I really loved was the new XBP-1 H2X-DRY® stretch laser technical polo also made by STORMTECH. That polo is seriously lightweight and highly breathable with excellent stretch, and it was perfect because I could shoot in it all day and then head out for a casual dinner. This stuff all fit into my GBW-L waterproof duffle bag which was totally golden for a trip like this. I took the same bag for a 4 week shoot in Thailand last year. It’s a bit minimalist for some, but it’s perfect for the way I travel. It’s rugged, easy to clean and actually pretty versatile because it converts into a backpack which is very handy when I find myself trekking through rough terrain.

It sounds like you really know what you need to ensure comfort while on the road. What do you find is the hardest part of travelling for your work? JM: For the past few years I’ve spend at least 250 days on the road per year. I guess it would be keeping up with any kind of “normal” life, although I truthfully don’t really know what that means. I am really not wired that way. Not having a regular schedule like everyone else can make it difficult to do other activities that require a routine. Sometimes I wake up in a hotel and I am not sure what city I am in for the first few minutes. That’s kind of weird. What’s on the horizon for Jim Morrison IV? JM: Well I have a few TV projects in development that I am hoping will see some green lights later this year. They are of course travel based. I also have a couple of feature films I am developing that I am super excited about, and I’m off to the Philippines in the next few weeks to embark on another adventure. Jim Morrison IV is currently series directing the hit television series YOU GOTTA EAT HERE! for the Food Network. To follow his new and upcoming projects visit www.jimmorrisoniv.com - photographs by Jim Morrison & Lara Stephenson

Laguna Blanca on Bolivia’s Altiplano sits at 4350 meters above sea level.

storm tec h perform a nc e a ppa rel

Fall 2013

NO WONDER WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE CONSISTENTLY RATED THE #1 RESORT IN NORTH AMERICA

P: Eric Berger

Visit whistlerblackcomb.com for the best deals and offers

www.whistlerblackcomb.com

980709 w w w. s t o r m t e c h . c a

w w w. s t o r m t e c h u s a . c o m

260245 |

45204

w w w. s t o r m t e c h . e u

usa: 89864

canada: 89869

w w w. s t o r m t e c h . t v