Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Sunday Story Behind the Photo with Steve


Let's start this story with some history behind this board:

So the Story goes... In the early days of snowboarding, there was a rider from Washington State named Craig Kelly. He was considered one of the best, and Burton wanted him on the team. The problem was that Kelly was under contract with Sims Snowboards and could not ride for anyone else. So Craig Kelly and Burton founder, Jake Carpenter, would meet in secret to discuss future plans and ideas.

For the 1989 catalog, Burton wanted to give Kelly his own signature pro board, but Kelly wasn’t yet free of his obligations to Sims Snowboards. So Carpenter came up with a solution, instead of naming the board after Kelly they would call it the Mystery Air and would ship the product in wooden crates with the words “Top Secret” printed on them. The move was genius — the buzz around the board was huge.



Kelly went on to be one of Burton’s most successful team riders helping to build the brand to Burton Snowboards we know today. He was four-time world champion and won three U.S. Open titles. After his competition days ended, he pioneered the freeriding movement and traveled the world making snowboarding movies. Tragically Craig's life was cut short by an avalanche in British Columbia in 2003 but he will forever be a legend in the sport.

Now let's get to the story behind my Mystery Air:

In the late fall of 1992 I went to Killington to make some early turns. As I was leaving Killington I pulled up to the stop sign at the bottom of the access road and THERE IT WAS. Sticking out of the snow, in front of a ski/snowboard shop, a 1989 BURTON MYSTERY AIR. Seeing as there were only 250 Mystery Airs made this was a rare occurrence... Even crazier was the shop was using it as a display to let people leaving the mountain know that they carried snowboards.

I couldn't believe it. Here I was in the middle of ski country at one of the busiest stop signs in VT, looking at the first Burton Pro model ever made. It was just sitting front and center in the snow for all to see and while I had never seen this board in person I knew exactly what it was. Most shops never received this board because so few were even ordered. If you ordered it that year it was sight unseen.

I pull in the parking lot and went straight inside and to see if they would be willing to sell it. They looked at me like I was crazy and started firing off questions; "the board in the snow?" "why would you want that?" "I'll get the manager" "the board outside?" "I think it's broken, you want to buy it?" I ended up walking out of the shop with the board for seventy five dollars and they were probably thinking they ripped me off.... HAHA!!!

I still remember seeing that board sitting in the snow and I laugh to myself when I think about how many people saw that board but didn't see what I saw. It's in the collection for good and I'm so stoked to have such a great piece of snowboard history.

The board originally retailed for $499.00 and The catalog blurb was as follows;

The Mystery Air is the most radical halfpipe board on the market. Soon the secret will be out, and you can shred with it at a mountain near you.

specs:
Vertically Laminated Wood Core sealed with ABS sidewalls.
Composite Fiberglass sandwich construction.
Variable Flex Pattern.
Radial Sidecut for natural arc turns.
Freestyle tail kick for tricks.
Cracked Carbon steel racing edge.
Sintered UHMW Ptex 2000 racing base.
Rubber dampening strips between the edge and the sidewall.
Heat treated aluminium tip and tail protectors.
Thermoplastic dampening laminates in nose and tail.
Sixteen hole rear binding insert pattern for extended angulation and stance width selection.
Choice of Multiflex or Variplate binding.
Non-Skid Mat for riding chairlifts or T-bars.
Steel inserts laminated into core.
Shred-ready: Factory tuned and waxed to racer specifications.


Thursday, December 29, 2011

Swell Times.....

p. Lavecchia

WOW!!! What an incredible way to end the 2011 surf year. The coast line of NH was absolutely FIRING yesterday. I think I heard at least a dozen people claiming "best day of the year". All you have do to see the proof is just log on to Facebook and there are photos everywhere!!! Photo after photo of NH perfection! Here's a select few worth checking out.

p. Denning

p. Feild

p. Nevins

p. Carter


Sunday, December 25, 2011

The Sunday Story Behind the Photo with Steve



April 1988, my cuz Ricardo Byrnes, aka "Dickie", John Grady and I were on a mission to ride the "Holy Grail of the East", Tuckerman Ravine...

The conditions were perfect! No wind, 50 degrees, and the stoke factor was high, I waited for days like these... The only problem was we had the worst equipment for hiking and riding Tuckersman Ravine. Dickie was riding a Burton Safarai 175cm square tail, John and I were rocking Burton Cruiser 165cm swallowtails. Our boards weighed about 15lbs, our board bag straps weighed on our shoulders, and our boards whacked us in the calfs with every step we took. But as Dickie and I stood there for this photo-op, we were STOKED! We were about to make turns, it didn't matter how bad our shoulders and calves burned, we were going SNOWBOARDING!!!

This was my second or third trip to the Ravine and I was slowly learning the Tuckerman ropes. I went over the lip for the first time this day and it was the most scared I'd ever been! If I had to do it again with that same board I think I would still be JUST as scared.

This photo brought back so many great memories. Dickie, John and I will never forget this trip. John wrote an article for the local newspaper about the whole experience that day. We met an 80+ year old couple that John interviewed, they had been skiing the bowl for over 50 years!!! So much history in that bowl!!!

When we finally got back to my 1974 Gold Dodge Swinger in the parking lot I just passed out in the back seat.Dickie and John kept the stoke going the whole way home.


Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Sunday Story Behind the Photo with Steve

16 photo sequence of Santos & Katut at the C-Bowl, getting all 3 boxes... Early 90's

The Spot: C-BOWL... Burly, Rough, Legendary.

The Skater: Chris Santos... Burly, Rough, Legendary.

The Dog: Katut... Burly, Rough, Legendary.

Combine all three and you've got INSANE SKATEBOARDING!

I've been sitting here for hours now trying to come up with a way of doing this sequence justice...but between the spot, the rider, and the dog, there's way to much to write down. The pool has over 35 YEARS of skate history and the "Santos and Katut" stories are mythical, and have become folklore among the young.

The only thing I can say is few have ever done this and no one has ever done it with such reckless abandonment...

All hail Santos and Katut


Full Frame Photos Below


















Friday, December 16, 2011

Jones Snowboards Now Available at Pioneers in New Hampshire



After what seems like a long wait we finally got our first taste of Jones Snowboards!!! Thankfully like the board order, winter is also taking it's time getting here. In our first delivery we got 2 Flagships, 1 Hover Craft, and 1 Solution Split. We've got more on the way and would be happy to try and help you get the board your after if you're considering a Jones. Both the Solution and the Hover Craft have already found new homes but the Flagships are patiently waiting here to go where the pitch is steep and the snow is deep.

The picture above doesn't come close to doing this board graphic justice, you truly have to take a look at one of these Flagships for yourself. I've got a 164 and a 168 in stock now. As snowboarding trends towards rocker and shorter boards it's hard to find a true all mountain board for a big guy. If you're a big guy looking for a big board your search is over. The Flagship is HERE!!!!

Big mountain freeriding demands both power and agility. The Flagship defines that balance and is the ultimate board for riders who want to shred like a rhino yet leap like a gazelle.
Jeremy Jones and his legion of podium proven freeriders have battle tested the Flagship for unmatched performance from the bulletproof steeps to the powdery runouts. Mellow Magne-traction keeps the Flagship solid on ice, while the blunt nose, directional rocker and camber underfoot deliver the float and stability necessary to bomb any line anytime. The Flagship knows no speed limit and is no doubt one of the most confidence inspiring freeride snowboards ever produced. Step on it and prepare to step up.


Mid-Month Mustaches for Molly Update


At the end of November I wrote a blog about Steve and I growing Mustaches to benefit the Molly Fund and if you've seen Steve or I lately you've probably noticed our staches are taking on a life of their own. Steve's stache is MASSIVE and mine is, well, it not as big as Steve's but it's still pretty rad. So far our FUNdraiser has been a success but with your help Steve and I want to go next level on these mustaches...

When we first pitched the idea we were only looking to raise about $100 dollars each. As or December 16th we've raised over SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR MOLLY!!! The support for the staches has been RIDICULOUS!!!! People have dropped off cash, check, and even sent us money in the mail!

So here we are, at the half way point and we're ready to up the ante.... WE'RE SHOOTING FOR $1,000 NOW!!! With 15 days left in December I think we can raise the rest with just a little effort!!! So here is were we need a little help, if you can pitch in for the staches, for Molly it would be greatly appreciated... Any amount will truly help, even if it's just $5.


Here is the full list of all those who have helped thus far, you all RULE, Thanks So Much;

Buck and Meg Rowlee
Pat Conner
Sean O'Conner
Betsy Rowlee Brewer
Aaron Buell
Chris Daly
Leon McCorckle
Christos and Allision Valhouli
Bryan Parrot
Stew
Frank Viau
Martin Nadeau
Peter Stokes
Terri and Tim Johnson
Billy and Kate Tuson
Bill and Bev Tuson
John and Donna Jolin
Hannah Volkey
Along with a handful of customers who have been feeding the Mustache Jar!

Please find a why to support two dudes staying sketchy for 15 more days!!!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Rainy Day Surf Porn: SURFER MADNESS

On this rainy, blown out Thursday I've got a good full length Surf Film, SURFER MADNESS, to keep your stoke factor at 11. Watch it full screen in HD and get stoked for your Friday morning session. Winds are going to be blowing HARD out of the west so get on it early then swing by the shop to say hi and tell us about your session.

SURF MADNESS! from pinchmysalt.tv on Vimeo.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Looking at Competitive Surfing in the Past and in the Future

I can't remember a better year to be a fan of surfing...

Slater comes back to the tour after winning his 10th World Title, he wins the first stop of the year and goes on to win an unbelievable 11th World Title, but then he didn't actually win it, but then he did!!! He faces off against Owen in 3 finals in a row. A new rivalry is born.

The Brazilian showed up, claiming 4 of the 11 tour stops this year. Medina made the biggest impact by getting on tour at the mid year cut off winning two events, stopping Kelly twice, and doing amazingly well in Hawaii. Medina is the real deal and WILL raise the bar of professional surfing in the future.

Bobby stated his case and left the tour amid a world wind of controversy losing his position at the mid year cut off to a young Brazilian that came on and killed it. In my eyes Medina's showing in 2011 proved that the one world rating and the mid year cut-off is a GOOD THING FOR COMPETITIVE SURFING.... and Bobby is just talking sh*t.

WAVES, REALLY GOOD WAVES for the last 6 events in a row!!! Tahiti, New York, Trestles, France, Portugal, San Fransico, and Hawaii all FIRED!!! Combine waves, with great surfers, and good webcasts and you've got a winning combination.


Here is the schedule for the 2012 ASP World Title Series:
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast – Australia (February 25 – March 7, 2012)
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach – Australia (April 3 – 14, 2012)
Billabong Rio Pro – Brazil (May 9 – 20, 2012)
Volcom Fiji Pro – Fiji (June 3 – 16, 2012)
Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay – South Africa (July 11 – 22, 2012)
Billabong Pro Teahupoo – Tahiti (August 16 – 27, 2012)
Quiksilver Pro New York – USA (September 2 – 14, 2012)
Hurley Pro at Trestles – USA (September 15 – 23, 2012)
Quiksilver Pro France – France (September 26 – October 6, 2012)
Rip Curl Pro Portugal – Portugal (October 7 – 17, 2012)
Billabong Pipe Masters – Hawaii (December 8 – 20, 2012)

Notably absent from the 2012 ASP World Title Series schedule is the Rip Curl Pro Search, but the event will return in 2013. Back by demand we have the Volcom Pro in FIJI!!!


Here are the top 34 surfers for the 2012 season that will be competing for the World Title.
1. Kelly Slater (USA)
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
3. Taj Burrow (AUS)
4. Gabriel Medina (BRA)
5. Owen Wright (AUS)
6. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
7. Julian Wilson (AUS)
8. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
9. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
10. Michel Bourez (PYF)
11. Josh Kerr (AUS)
12. Damien Hobgood (USA)
13. John John Florence (HAW)
14. Mick Fanning (AUS)
15. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
16. Heitor Alves (BRA)
17. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
18. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
19. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
20. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
21. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
22. Brett Simpson (USA)
23. Adam Melling (AUS)
24. Kolohe Andino (USA)
25. C.J. Hobgood (USA)
26. Tiago Pires (PRT)
27. Jadson Andre (BRA)
28. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
29. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
30. Dusty Payne (HAW)
31. Travis Logie (ZAF)
32. Taylor Knox (USA)
33. Kai Otton (AUS) *surfer wildcard (next on the ASP World Rankings)
34. Yadin Nicol (AUS) *surfer wildcard (injury)
1st Alternate: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
2nd Alternate: Willian Cardoso (BRA)
3rd Alternate: Chris Davidson (AUS)
4th Alternate: Thiago Camarao (BRA)


I'm really excited to see what 2012 has instore for surfing. What will Kelly do now, go for 12? Will Mendina dominate? Will Jordy shake off a bad year and come back hungry? Will the young bloods deliver? I guess will have to wait a full year to answer all these question.

Hopefully it will be as exciting getting there as it was this year.

And remember when it comes to SURFING no one knows it like PIONEERS!!!!!!!





Monday, December 12, 2011

Fully Stocked with Loaded Longboards and Orangatang Wheels for Christmas at Pioneers in NH!!


These are the hot item on every kids christmas list this years!!! Pioneers in New Hampshire is fully stocked with all of them!!!!



Loaded Tan Tien Completes!!!



Orangatang Skateboard wheels!!! In Heat Wheels, Stimulus Wheels, Durian Wheels, 4 President Wheels.

Loaded Freeride Gloves

Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Sunday Story Behind the Photo with Steve

Photo from Snowboard life volume 3 number 5 March 1998


It was the beginning of April 1983 and I found myself in Lake Tahoe California with The Burton Team for The First World Snowboarding Championships at Soda Springs Ski area. It was a record breaking snowfall season for Tahoe that winter.. 45 feet!

We arrived at Boreal Ski Area where we would be staying and freeriding for the next week. There was SO much snow. I remember walking over telephone wires and then siding into the porch of our third story condo. The parking lot had 50'+ snow banks and as I rode up the chairlift, the mountain looked like a wave that was jacking up. It felt like it was going to come over and break on top of me.

After the contest we had a day to ride before heading south to score a surf in Santa Cruz. So we decided to search out a place to hike. It was overcast when we headed out of the parking lot and turned east on I-80. We saw a nice peak just east of the ski area on the opposite side of the highway in Tahoe National Forest. So we took the next exit and headed back west to a rest area just east of Boreal Ski Area.

The six of us piled out of the car, grabbed our boards and just went for it. I was wearing my winter school jacket, jeans, and work boots. Coming from a skateboard and surfing background I didn't have any winter outerwear like the rest of the team that came from a alpine background. I would joke about my jeans saying "once they freeze they'll be waterproof."

We all took turns taking the lead hiking in snow/powder that was knee to waist deep. Back in the day if you wanted to get turns you had to earn those turns, so even though we hadn't hiked anything of this size before, we were all in good hiking shape. This was no small backyard hill we were climbing, this was a mountain and we had nothing to save us if we got in any trouble.

After hiking for many hours, we finally reached the summit. We sat there taking it all in. We knew these were going to be our last turns in Tahoe until the following year. We laughed and joked about the previous days and our current situation, we had no water and no food... nothing but 2,000 vertical feet of powder ahead of us.

Right after this photo was taken the clouds started to roll in and we scrambled to get our boards strapped on. As we headed down the mountain I remember seeing huge drop offs, if you went the wrong way or slipped, you were done. We all laid down trip ending turns and as we made our way towards the bottom, we ran into a natural half pipe which made for a great ending to a trip that I will never forget.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Awesomely Awkward....

People will claim that Dane Reynolds is the best surfer in the world... I'm not going to do that, I'm just going to say that he is the most interesting surfer in the world...

Click Play for evidence.


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas Ideas for Skateboarders at Pioneers in New Hampshire


As Christmas approaches I thought I would just toss a few ideas around to help you out with that skateboarder on your list. At Pioneers we carry all things skateboard related so if I don't mention it here there is probably a pretty good chance that I have it here at the shop. We also have gift certificates that take all the guess work out of Christmas shopping.


New wheels and bearings. Nothing breathes life into your old board like a new set of wheels and bearing!!!

Skateboard brand apparel from Brands like Volcom. Tee shirt, jeans, sweatshirts and sweaters.

Skateboard videos for instruction and entertainment.


A cruiser skateboard complete. Super fun little boards for bombing around the neighborhood or reliving the past.


A new helmet


A set of Soft Trucks- these are great for practicing skate tricks in the house or the basement!

We've also got lots of cool stocking stuffers and we've got plenty of ideas!!! Swing by the shop or give us a call and we'll help you out!!!

Globe Bantam Cruisers at Pioneers in New Hampshire!!!!!


How RAD is that VIDEO???? How FUN is skateboarding!!! This video embodies the reason that every skater started skating for!!! Steve and I are going to live this tonight and have our own Bantam cruiser session at the park tonight! We'll be cruising the big pool on our Bantam Cruisers and our wives will be hanging up on the deck in bikinis sippin fruity drinks!!! Everyone is invited as long as you bring your cruiser and a pretty girl in a bikini to compliment the session!!!


Globe is taking it back to the days when these were the only boards available to get your shred on. For many, these were the boards they learned to skate on, now Globe has reinvented and reissued these fun cruisers. The Bantam is Globe’s latest addition to their cruiser board line up. These may look like the boards of yesteryear, but they definitely are not.


With a 30-day guarantee on the board and a lifetime guarantee on the trucks, the Bantam Cruiser is not a toy. The board is stiffer, the trucks are wider and the components last longer than anything in the market. These little beasts have been tested on the streets, backyard pools and any ramps we come across. The Globe Bantam is the real deal Holyfield so come down to Pioneers and pick one up Such a great gift for a dad who skated these back in the day or as a Christmas gift for the person who has everything!!!

Did I mention this is all Steve's son Gavin wants for Christmas???

SKATEBOARDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, December 5, 2011

The Sunday Story Behind The Photo with Steve


September 3rd 1989

It was labor day (last day of the summer season 1989) by 6:00pm Hampton beach would look like a ghost town compared to the last sixty days and it would be all mine for the next 9 months. I opened The Board Shop at 9:00am, it was overcast w/ showers and strong NNE winds 20+mph w/ storm surf conditions.

All the tourist were packing up and heading home early due to the weather. The traffic was backed up both ways over the bridge by noon and I had a couple of hours off to grab a session. The only problem was, I wasn't going to be driving anywhere. So I figured the southside of Boar's Head would be my best bet and possibly the only place to surf. It was windy, cold and raw and I was going to have to walk from the beginning of Ocean Blvd, by the bridge to Boar's Head. So I threw on my 5/4mm Body Glove winter suit w/ boots knowing I would be plenty warm to walk both ways and get a session.

Grabbing my Spectrum 6'4 I started the hike, the tide was high and the surf at Hampton Beach was double overhead. As I walked down the sidewalk along the ocean I remember everyone stuck in traffic looking at me. I felt like a KOOK! They were probably saying to themselves "Surfs up DUDE" "Look at the guy w/ the wetsuit on..HA.HA" What they didn't know was that I was about to score an incredible session that I will never forget.

I finally reached the sharp corner at Boar's Head. I went through the condo parking lot, then started the walk out the rocks to "Box on the Rocks". This spot usually only breaks in the middle of Nor' Easters and to have a Nor' Easter at the beginning of September was unheard of. The surf looked to be head high and super fun.

I jump in the water just above Box on the Rocks and made my way out to the line up. After scoring many waves with no one around, except for the cars rounding Boar's Head, I noticed someone standing on the rocks. It was John Walsh, local surfer, photographer, and web designer. John snapped this picture of me and I'm sooo stoked to have it!

I remember walking back to the shop and that KOOK feeling completely changed. I walked w/ confidence. I knew I had just scored something special. If I hadn't just scored I would have been doing the walk of shame. Even though nobody saw the session it didn't matter.

My favorite part of surfing, skating, and snowboarding is getting those sessions that are so special. Then two hours later you're standing in line at the grocery store and your mind starts thinking about how a half an hour ago you were slashing the death box at the C-Bowl, or dropping the head wall at Tuck's , or scoring overhead sets on Labor Day all by yourself and everyone around you can't even understand the concept, or that it even happened.. LOVE THAT

Thanks for the pic John

Friday, December 2, 2011

Oakley Goggles at Pioneers in NH!!!

The all new AIRBRAKE!!! The quickest lens change on the market and it comes with a spare lens!!! So Rad!!!




Crowbar


Crowbar

Crowbar


Ambush



O-Frame

O-frame

Oakley does everything right and their goggles are no exception. Tons of colors in 5 different styles! Awesome fit, they won't fog, and they're helmet compatible! Get into it!!!