Westbound Boarder

Halloween always symbolizes one thing for most people… costume’s, candy, and an excuse to get your drink on. Although for snowboarders in the great northwest, it means that the upcoming shred season is almost here. For me, that is all that it symbolizes. I know that once Halloween is here, I will be playing in powder in a couple of weeks or less…

On this glorious Halloween of 2009, the third annual Backyard Bang Rail Jam took place in front of the Art Institute of Portland in Portland’s premier Pearl District. The rosters were predominantly made up of high school kids as well as a few older contestants who were competing at the AM level. Being one of the first rail jams of the season for us Oregonians, there’s really no better way to get stoked on the best sport than enjoying this “jam style” competition complete with quarter pipes and a sizable down box being ripped by plenty of young shredding hopefuls. In a  rail jam style contest riders are given as many runs as they can fit into their 15 minute heat, which takes the pressure off a bit and made it easier for the riders to land their tricks.

Among the thirty plus amateur competitors there were only five women competing. Although the ladies had the skills and costumes to keep the crowd entertained – these girls were complete with costumes such as a lion, cat, a baby backpack ensemble and then there was tall Sarah. She wasn’t robed like the other girls, but she didn’t really need it. Sarah was sticking 50/50′s and getting more air than the other girls, but didn’t make the final cut. The robed lion, Celeste Rhoads had a great arsenal of tricks, including (but of course not limited too) a cab to 50/50, 180 to 50/50, and the front board slide nose grab  were what really stood out to the crowd and resulted in the comp. win for Ms. Rhoads. Megan Middleton (a.ka. the kitten) took second place throwing a nice 360 over the smaller jump and some solid 50/50′s on the rail. Third place went to Kumara Kelly, who had a plastic baby doll strapped to her like a back pack. Kelley was the least consistent, but probably had the best hustle and the most runs out there.

During the entire three hour event, it only rained for 15 minutes. What? on Halloween in P-town? No rain? Yes ma’am. This made the snow more than cooperative and when you add some Liquid Aloha to the equation…this event was four sure a win for everyone.

Kona Brewing, Co. and many others, are at it again. Bringing you another sick event (check out the infamous pond skim), The Backyard Bang Rail Jam, with beer, prizes and costumes to boot is happening this Halloween – Saturday October, 31st (for those of you who don’t know when Halloween is).

According to the press release, onlookers will be treated to am and pro athlete snowboarding antics, fun games and prizes from the respected sponsors; Bonfire Snowboarding, our very favorite Skull Candy, Mt Hood Meadows, Exit Real World and US Outdoor Store.

The event is free to spectators and those who attend are encouraged to visit the sponsor village where you can pick up your own fresh orchid lei, enter the numerous giveaways (free flight to Oahu sound appealing?!), all while sipping some liquid Aloha courtesy of Kona Brewing, Co., and a few bucks of course.

Our Contributing Writer, Rochelle, will be there to capture the event in mind and of course digitally. So if you see her representing Westbound Boarder, give her a high five, a hug, or a beer.

Who? YOU

What? Third Annual Backyard Bang Snowboarding Rail Jam

When? 10-31-2009 from 12pm-4pm

Where? Art Institute of Portland in the Pearl District @ NW 11^th and Davis.

Why? Be there or be square.

Shaun White has finally broken the curse that historically consumed the Winter X games defending champion. That’s right, history was made as the 2009 Winter X Thirteen came to an end last night in Aspen, CO. Shawn White is the first competitor to ever win a back to back gold medal – in any of the X Games competitions. You think that’s cool? White now also holds the most Winter X gold medals – a record nine, to be exact.

Despite the contrary expectation, it didn’t come easy for White last night. He went into his third and final run in 7^th place and really needed to stomp his last run to even have a chance for the podium.  As White admits, it’s the last run pressure that does it for him, so it’s no surprise that his final run was of gold standard.

White’s winning run included quite the combo – soaring more than 20 feet out of the pipe, he pulled his signature backside rodeo, a backside 900, a frontside 1080, followed by a backside 1080 (a popular combo of the evening), a frontside 900, then sealed the deal with a McTwist.  This run earned him a score of 91.66, just barely enough to bump him past Kevin Pearce’s 90.66. As White was recently defeated by Pearce earlier this month at the Burton European Open in Laax, Switzerland, last night was quite the redemption. Even though they are competitors, Pearce gave White a pound…

No matter who you were cheering for, White deserves some major props as he made Winter X history! Earning back to back gold medals in the Superpipe and achieving the unprecedented 8^th (White also took Gold in Slopestyle on Saturday night) and 9^th gold medals in the 2009 Winter X games.

What exactly drives Shawn White to go so big? From the Flying Tomato himself…”The Amazing Crowd!