Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The next big thing?
For nearly me entire life I’ve been a skier. The fact that I started sliding down snowy slopes when I was four years old has informed my life nearly every day since. It was the genesis of me getting into the outdoors, which caused me to learn to climb, to take photographs, to write, to meet my friends, even to meet my wife. I owe skiing a lot. Maybe that’s why it’s rarely far from my thoughts. Every time I see a steep hill I wonder what it’d be like with a foot of fresh on it or whether those trees would be spaced enough to rip through at max speed.
Skiing has also lead me to other outdoor sports – mountain biking and surfing come to mind. When I was learning to surf I always thought how it would help my snowboarding (what little I do) and if I was more of a snowboarder how it would help my surfing. I always wished there was a way to more freely translate my skiing skills onto the waves. I thought it was just some sort of wishful thinking and a never achievable goal until just recently.
The other day I was watching some footage of big wave surfing and was struck by how much the face of water looked like a burly mountain face. These guys were towing into these huge waves with jet skis – and then it hit me. What if you combined tow-in surfing with skiing? What if you towed into a big wave with water skis on your feet? You could ski the wave. With advantage of being pulled in you negate the concept of actually having to paddle while on your skis (although stand up paddle boarding has my mind spinning too). I think it would be totally outrageous! I’m so keen to try it.
The question is equipment. Do traditional water skis have the lateral stability to hold up to the rolling surface of the wave? Is it better to mount traditional ski bindings onto water skis and wear modified ski boots. Or perhaps snowboard boots, or maybe the binding that water ski jumpers use. Though the concept seems conceived by a 12 year old I do see actual potential for the idea. Maybe it’s silly, maybe it’s stupid and maybe it might not work at all. Maybe I’ll go over the falls with 70’s era water skis on my feet or not even be able to catch the wave. Whatever the result, I’m so stoked to get the experiment rolling – it just looks like so much fun!
Take this
Add this
And you get this!
Skiing has also lead me to other outdoor sports – mountain biking and surfing come to mind. When I was learning to surf I always thought how it would help my snowboarding (what little I do) and if I was more of a snowboarder how it would help my surfing. I always wished there was a way to more freely translate my skiing skills onto the waves. I thought it was just some sort of wishful thinking and a never achievable goal until just recently.
The other day I was watching some footage of big wave surfing and was struck by how much the face of water looked like a burly mountain face. These guys were towing into these huge waves with jet skis – and then it hit me. What if you combined tow-in surfing with skiing? What if you towed into a big wave with water skis on your feet? You could ski the wave. With advantage of being pulled in you negate the concept of actually having to paddle while on your skis (although stand up paddle boarding has my mind spinning too). I think it would be totally outrageous! I’m so keen to try it.
The question is equipment. Do traditional water skis have the lateral stability to hold up to the rolling surface of the wave? Is it better to mount traditional ski bindings onto water skis and wear modified ski boots. Or perhaps snowboard boots, or maybe the binding that water ski jumpers use. Though the concept seems conceived by a 12 year old I do see actual potential for the idea. Maybe it’s silly, maybe it’s stupid and maybe it might not work at all. Maybe I’ll go over the falls with 70’s era water skis on my feet or not even be able to catch the wave. Whatever the result, I’m so stoked to get the experiment rolling – it just looks like so much fun!
Take this
Add this
And you get this!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Shane McConkey Dead at age 39
As a skier I’ve always had heroes. When I was a little kid I imagined myself as Steve Podborski, one of the original Crazy Canucks. Pod was a downhill god, I wanted to follow in his footsteps, blitzing the field on The Hahnenkamm at Kitzbühel and taking world cup gold. It was not to be, I never was much of a racer, ice hockey practice, moguls and powder got in the way. Pod lead to a guy names Scot Schmidt – they broke the free-ski mold when Scot arrived on the scene. The father of Extreme Skiing and my ski hero for most of my youth. I longed to carve lines, drop cliffs and be as cool as Scot Schmidt. Eventually Scot slowed down a bit and let the next generation have a go. In the mid 90’s a Vancouver transplant by the name of Shane McConkey arrived on the scene. From the get-go he was a better skier then anybody around. His ability on steep technical lines was beyond what anybody thought possible. Where I wanted to be faster then Podborski and as good as Schmidt – there was something different about McConkey – I knew I’d never be as good as him.After a while Shane got into Base jumping and raised that sport to a new level too. He did it all with joy, humor (lots of humor) and a commitment to excellence. He inspired a generation of action-sport folks and will be sadly missed by those that knew him in person or just by his amazing exploits on film. Shane died today in a base jumping accident in Italy – the details are not known yet, but you can imagine what happened. You could take solace in the fact that he died doing what he loved, or you could as I do, remember that he lived his life to the full and did it all with a smile planted on his face.
Seeya Saucerboy – we’ll miss ya!
S
the best chair ever.
Sometimes I need something a little extra to put me into the Hawaii mode when I’m writing – that’s when I turn to the Hawaii-Chair! It’s a great ab workout and you can’t not get into the aloha state of mind! Check out this video to see why. I was sold as soon as I read that it could support 300 pounds – just the thought of a person weighing one sixth of a ton jitterbugging their way to fitness, nausea and a chiropractor bill bigger then a Waimea wave was enough for me to haul out the visa and order me one of them things!
Happy Friday everyone!
Scott
Happy Friday everyone!
Scott
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Gym Jones
Photo copyright Gym Jones Recently I’ve been reading about a new concept in training that has sparked my interest. Ever wondered how all those actors got absolutely ripped for the movie 300? Enter a familiar name for the climbers out there Mark Twight. Yes, Dr. Doom has reinvented himself as a fitness trainer. Those not familiar with Twight should make the effort to have a bit of a look around. In the 90’s Twight was at the forefront of the alpine climbing game, putting up some seriously insane routes in Alaska, The Canadian Rockies and in Europe. While there are many that put up new climbs it was the style with which Mark climbed them and the style in which he philosophized about them that set him apart. Twight’s writings read like a philosopher born as the bastard child of Ian Curtis and Patti Smith – dark, infusing musings about the philosophy of pain, suffering and staunch climbing ideals. He held himself under the highest of microscopes and didn’t care what warts the rest of the world saw. Really interesting stuff, highly recommend reading – he’s been a huge influence on me as a writer.
Back to getting strong – Twight has started a gym, come cult in Salt Lake City called, Gym Jones (great name). There are no aerobics classes, child minding facilities or peppy post-rave techno to shake your spandex clad ass to. This is a dungeon of pain, punishment and re-birth. Loud punk music prevails as medicine balls are thrown around like rugby balls, free weights are dropped from head height and progressive sets of pyramiding exercises are suffered through. The training philosophy is based on an idea of muscle confusion – they throw the strangest combinations of exercises at you and you’re body can only build strength or crumble. Odd combinations like dragging massive tractor tires, pull-ups on a bar that spins in your hands and one arm bench presses. From the outside it looks like the perfect environment to get seriously strong. It’s a take no prisoners, you’re 100% in or fuck off attitude that allows it to have a uber-fit swagger. It isn’t open to the public, you have to be invited to join and only the very strong of character will survive. You can go for a two-day seminar to see if you have what it takes, but that’ll run you $1800 USD. Have a look at their website here to have a look at what they’re all about. kinda makes one feel weak by simply not being there and doing all that right now.
Food for thought.
Scott
Monday, March 9, 2009
2 songs
Two songs - one creative, one loud.
Beck - Clap Hands. simple, cool, why didn't I think of that.
Betchadupa – Drop D. Liam Finn at about age 17 on NZ tv. Before growing a beard and getting a looping pedal he absolutely rocked the house. Listen to the host say, ‘oh my god’ when they finish. Circa 2002.
Beck - Clap Hands. simple, cool, why didn't I think of that.
Betchadupa – Drop D. Liam Finn at about age 17 on NZ tv. Before growing a beard and getting a looping pedal he absolutely rocked the house. Listen to the host say, ‘oh my god’ when they finish. Circa 2002.
Rhythm Guitar
Often people ask me what it’s like to work alone. While true I’m not confined to a cubical, have to label my lunch or fight for parking – to say that I’m a solo artist is a bit of a misnomer. With almost everything I do there is a collaborative element to it. Sometimes it’s obvious, like with the film I’m currently working on (check the preview HERE) and other video projects I’ve done, there is often a music element created by somebody else. Usually these tunes are provided by old friends – in the Cycling the Sandbox trailer you’ll hear a couple of tracks by my friends in dDub (Camel Song and Hesitate No – off of their latest release Medicine Man, check them out HERE). Sometimes old friends really means old friends, for my Abridged - Day 75 video I used a track called Unable to Pick Up written and performed by Jeff Munt who I went to kindergarten with – talented guy.
Sometimes the collaboration takes on a more subtle form – when I’m doing my day-job of researching and writing for Lonely Planet I get all sorts of help from people all the time. When I’m on the road I get heads up on cool things, points in the right direction and other forms of collaboration that make my job not only easier, but possible. Once I get into the office the book becomes a very collaborative effort with co-authors, editors, cartographers and designers all working together to make a great book. With all this in mind, I’m actually pretty keen to share with you a whole bunch of names. These are the names of people who’ve helped out with various projects over the past few years. It’s a big list; I’ve had lots of help. You might see your name; you might see a name you recognize - I wanted to take the time to say thanks. These books wouldn’t have been possible without you!
The list
Canada:
Big thanks to: Kelly Sutherland, Henry Roberts, Don Bender, Ryan Collyer, John Creary, Dave & Anne Frick, Bryan Haggarty, Craig Kitchen, Joanne McPherson, Paul Newmarch, Ned Myopus, my Attorney Gavin Harrison and to all great people I met on the road. To My Grandma K, philanthropist, world traveler and a great Canadian – we miss you. Mom and Dad for all your support over the years, and most of all to my wife Sophie – for everything.
Caribbean Islands:
Thanks to my fellow authors, our fearless leader RVB, the dynamic editing duo of Marina Kosmatos and Lucy Monie and the cartography skills of Alison Lyall. On the islands I was showered with help from too many people to mention, here are some of the all-stars: Porter Williams, Delana Modeste, Zuri Reid, Nigel Fleming, Mark McLean, Melanie Clifton-Harvey, PJ Jones, Smitty, Ned Myopus, Adrian Nankivell and Neal Hitch & Family. And a big thanks to all of the hoteliers, restaurateurs and fellow travelers whom I met along the way, and most of all to my wife Sophie – for everything.
Cycling New Zealand:
It’s my name on the title page, but this book was most definitely a team effort. So a huge thanks to all those contributed, great and small. To my terrific editors: Janine Eberle, Bridget Blair. Kiwi cohorts and fellow LP scribes: Charles Rawlings-Way, Errol Hunt, Brett Atkinson, Peter Dragicevich and Sarah Bennett. To all the great people who opened their homes to me, pedaled trails with me and shared their experiences for the benefit of this project: Tim Miller, Alice Hill, Christian Martin, Adrian Nankivell, Debbie Nelson, Dan Gerard, Dan Bainbridge, Louise Parker, Mark Banham, Ned Myopus, Brett Black & Toby Stanton. To all the cyclists, travelers and random folks I met on the road who offered such great honest advice, thank you! To mom and dad for buying me my first bike all those years ago and to my wonderful wife Sophie – for everything.
Hawaii:
Much mahalo must go to all those that helped with this edition – first to my wonderful Editor Emily Wolman and superstar co-author Sam Benson. Cheers to the many people who helped so graciously while I was on the road: Jeff Bushman, Kyle Bernhardt, Grace Dixon, Ann Shaver, Ned Myopus, Adrian Nankivell, Toby Stanton, Chase Jarvis, Celeste Brash and Kieran O’Leary. Many thanks to Jack Johnson and Eddie Vedder for providing the soundtrack and as always to my wonderful wife Sophie - for everything. Aloha.
Lots of names and lots of help. Thanks. There are some repeat offenders in there including my wife Sophie who deserves to be thanked 4 times in this email, even more if I had the space.
The genesis of this post has a lot to do with my love of collaborative efforts on art projects. I’ve loved working with guys like Jeff Munt and the whole dDub crew, its great fun. Are you a fellow artist? Do you make music, shoot pictures, video or write words? Drop me a line, I’m always looking for the next partner in crime!
Cheers
Scott
Sometimes the collaboration takes on a more subtle form – when I’m doing my day-job of researching and writing for Lonely Planet I get all sorts of help from people all the time. When I’m on the road I get heads up on cool things, points in the right direction and other forms of collaboration that make my job not only easier, but possible. Once I get into the office the book becomes a very collaborative effort with co-authors, editors, cartographers and designers all working together to make a great book. With all this in mind, I’m actually pretty keen to share with you a whole bunch of names. These are the names of people who’ve helped out with various projects over the past few years. It’s a big list; I’ve had lots of help. You might see your name; you might see a name you recognize - I wanted to take the time to say thanks. These books wouldn’t have been possible without you!
The list
Canada:
Big thanks to: Kelly Sutherland, Henry Roberts, Don Bender, Ryan Collyer, John Creary, Dave & Anne Frick, Bryan Haggarty, Craig Kitchen, Joanne McPherson, Paul Newmarch, Ned Myopus, my Attorney Gavin Harrison and to all great people I met on the road. To My Grandma K, philanthropist, world traveler and a great Canadian – we miss you. Mom and Dad for all your support over the years, and most of all to my wife Sophie – for everything.
Caribbean Islands:
Thanks to my fellow authors, our fearless leader RVB, the dynamic editing duo of Marina Kosmatos and Lucy Monie and the cartography skills of Alison Lyall. On the islands I was showered with help from too many people to mention, here are some of the all-stars: Porter Williams, Delana Modeste, Zuri Reid, Nigel Fleming, Mark McLean, Melanie Clifton-Harvey, PJ Jones, Smitty, Ned Myopus, Adrian Nankivell and Neal Hitch & Family. And a big thanks to all of the hoteliers, restaurateurs and fellow travelers whom I met along the way, and most of all to my wife Sophie – for everything.
Cycling New Zealand:
It’s my name on the title page, but this book was most definitely a team effort. So a huge thanks to all those contributed, great and small. To my terrific editors: Janine Eberle, Bridget Blair. Kiwi cohorts and fellow LP scribes: Charles Rawlings-Way, Errol Hunt, Brett Atkinson, Peter Dragicevich and Sarah Bennett. To all the great people who opened their homes to me, pedaled trails with me and shared their experiences for the benefit of this project: Tim Miller, Alice Hill, Christian Martin, Adrian Nankivell, Debbie Nelson, Dan Gerard, Dan Bainbridge, Louise Parker, Mark Banham, Ned Myopus, Brett Black & Toby Stanton. To all the cyclists, travelers and random folks I met on the road who offered such great honest advice, thank you! To mom and dad for buying me my first bike all those years ago and to my wonderful wife Sophie – for everything.
Hawaii:
Much mahalo must go to all those that helped with this edition – first to my wonderful Editor Emily Wolman and superstar co-author Sam Benson. Cheers to the many people who helped so graciously while I was on the road: Jeff Bushman, Kyle Bernhardt, Grace Dixon, Ann Shaver, Ned Myopus, Adrian Nankivell, Toby Stanton, Chase Jarvis, Celeste Brash and Kieran O’Leary. Many thanks to Jack Johnson and Eddie Vedder for providing the soundtrack and as always to my wonderful wife Sophie - for everything. Aloha.
Lots of names and lots of help. Thanks. There are some repeat offenders in there including my wife Sophie who deserves to be thanked 4 times in this email, even more if I had the space.
The genesis of this post has a lot to do with my love of collaborative efforts on art projects. I’ve loved working with guys like Jeff Munt and the whole dDub crew, its great fun. Are you a fellow artist? Do you make music, shoot pictures, video or write words? Drop me a line, I’m always looking for the next partner in crime!
Cheers
Scott
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Mountains of Color
This past weekend I went on a very cool trip into the New Zealand mountains. Here in the Southern Alps we are lucky enough to have some of the most stunning scenery around – and this trip into the Park Pass area was no exception. I’ve decided to post a selection of images from the trip under the theme of color. It seemed at every turn was a fresh scene best exemplified by the stunning color palate.
Many thanks to those who’ve checked out my trailer for Cycling the Sandbox. If you haven’t seen it yet, scroll down and have a look. Or click here to go to my Youtube page where you can watch it.
I’ll leave you today with a comment that was left on my previous post, “The Importance of Suffering”. Mark’s comment has a great turn of phrase and adds a bit more perspective to the mix, “Perhaps pain and suffering are the puffer fish sashimi of the spiritual world – served correctly they’re a delicacy, but force-fed or scoffed down without thought they’re poison.” Keep the comments coming, I love to read them and love the discussion they help to foster.
Cheers,
Scott
Many thanks to those who’ve checked out my trailer for Cycling the Sandbox. If you haven’t seen it yet, scroll down and have a look. Or click here to go to my Youtube page where you can watch it.
I’ll leave you today with a comment that was left on my previous post, “The Importance of Suffering”. Mark’s comment has a great turn of phrase and adds a bit more perspective to the mix, “Perhaps pain and suffering are the puffer fish sashimi of the spiritual world – served correctly they’re a delicacy, but force-fed or scoffed down without thought they’re poison.” Keep the comments coming, I love to read them and love the discussion they help to foster.
Cheers,
Scott
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
