Westbound Boarder

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.

Now that you know what to look for in your skate, from my article on, How to Buy your First Skateboard, it’s onto where to make your first skate purchase. Below you will find a few of my favorite shops who have competitive pricing on their skates and will also be great at helping you find the right skate for you. (Note that some are local to the Portland area but they ALL have an online shop!)

Cal Skate Skateboards: If you are new to skating, or simply want to speak with a skate -god before you make your purchase, then Calsk8 has the expert’s just for you. With boards starting from $80 bucks, you are bound to get exactly what you need here. Not a Portland local? They even have an online shop.

Exit Real World: These guys are actually all over town. Read our shop review on them to learn what they are all about and then listen up. You can get your entire skate set up for $100 bucks, and it will be from a skate specialist who knows what they are up to. If you don’t need the help in the store, or don’t live in Portland, you can get the same set up online for only $90 bucks. Think about it.

Shrunken Head Skateboards: Another local gem that even has an online store. Check ‘em out.

Vans:  If you are lucky enough to live near a Vans Store, their full skate set up’s start at only $70 bucks.

Really wanting a great deal on your skate? Check out Next Adventure or Play it Again Sports.

So now you know what to buy AND where to get it. Now all you need it to learn how to ride it. Check back tomorrow for some tips on learning how to skate. Are you a seasoned skater who has something to share share with the rest of us? Let us know as Skate Week wouldn’t be the same without your tips and tricks. Hit us up at westboundboarder@gmail.com.

As I just spent most of my Saturday afternoon hanging out with two of Exit’s longtime employees, Josh and Anna, at the NW 23rd Exit Real World location, it is clear that Exit Real World is like no other board shop in town, maybe even in America!

What sets Exit apart form all of the other board shops around? As NW 23rd Manager, Josh Bond puts it, “this store was founded on the premise that this industry can be intimidating and unwelcoming for beginners and women.  Missy Samiee [Exit Real World founder] wanted to change that reputation.” So Enter Exit Real World! 

The Exit Real World legacy began in 1993 when Exit’s founder, Missy Samiee, was determined to introduce to the world a board shop with both stellar service and a welcoming environment, for all people, at all levels. This crew is doing something right as over 15 year later Exit is still in operations, and with FOUR different locations. Exit Real World began with one shop in Salem, OR, expanded to Government Camp, OR, then to Downtown Portland and about two years ago Exit opened up a 4th store in Tualatin, OR.

In addition to Exit’s excellent service, knowledgeable and experienced employees, this shop has the best selection in town, offering gear for the men, women and even for the kiddos! When I asked Josh what this shop has to offer the ladies, he without hesitation boasted that, ”no other board shop in North America will have near the selection of women’s gear as we do. As Exit is owned by a women, it has more of feminine influence and offers one-of-a-kind items that you can’t find anywhere else in the area.” On top of a killer selection, Exit, ‘strives to present the most avant-garde offerings from the core purveyors of these board sports.’ In other words, Exit supports the little guy by carrying new and emerging brands that you can’t buy anywhere else in town.

Just when you thought your local board shop could not get any cooler, well it can. Exit is also known for their sweet events, parties and premiers! 

• Demo Series: Exit kicks off each snowboard season in the Fall with a Video Premier.  Lookout for the local shop reps, sweet give aways, the earliest screening of the seasons new videos and sometimes even a pro or two will show up.
• Ladies Night: Around each February 14th (Valentine’s Day!) Exit brings you ladies night. The male employees are sent home, and discounts and prizes given to all you beautiful women!
• Bridge the Gap: By far the most exciting event. Exit’s very own skateboard team wants to visit your school. Why you ask? Because Exit Real World is launching ‘The School Tour.‘ Exit is hoping to, “promote skateboarding as a healthy, positive after school activity for youth.” Exit Real World feels that skateboarding, like any other sport builds both strong bodies and instills the determination necessary for achieving success in all aspects of life.
• Greasebus: Exit supports the Greasebus, as it is Portland’s only waste vegetable oil powered shuttle service. For only  $10 buck this bus will take you to Mt. Hood Meadows any day of the week (they even have Gnu and Lib-Tech gear on the bus that you can demo for free!)

Through hanging with Josh and Anna, and watching them interact with their customers (who many they even knew by name!) it is clear that Exit Real World really is a local board shop that has it all. As Exit’s very own Anna Riegel puts it, “Missy Samiee is above and beyond loyal…and this place feels more like a family than a job.” So on top of great deals, service, selection and fun, Exit has employees who love what they do and truly take pride in their store; and it really truly shows.

If you love Exit as much as we at Westbound Boarder do, let us know about your great experience there! In the meantime, get to Exit and shop because all of their Winter gear is 30% off. OH, if you buy a board from them, they will hot wax it for life!

As promised, I am here to tell you where the best snowboard shops in Portland are so you can get that setup you have always wanted! For those of you who have yet to read my post on the Portland SkiFever and the best time to buy your gear, I am telling you, the time is NOW. The local ski and snowboard shops are now overwhelmed with all of the new gear that the 2009 snowboard season has delivered, which leaves most shops desperate to ditch all of their ’08 gear – and they are doing so at great prices.

This is my advice to you:  when you’re in the market for a new board, coat, or whatever it is you may need, always be sure to check the rack from last season. OH and another  trick of the trade – be sure to ask your local snowboard dealer where they are hiding all of their gear from the year before.  In some cases it is hiding in the back, or in a separate room.  Just be sure to tell them exactly what it is that you are looking for and they will be happy to let you know what they have available.

With so many great shops to choose from, it’s hard to know where to go so you can actually find these great deals I am telling you about. So here is my official list of favorites:

1. U.S. Outdoor Store: They have got it all from hiking, surf to snow. Check them out in person, because without a doubt they have the largest selection of snowboard gear in Portland. Also, don’t overlook their Boardshop, which is upstairs, and their closeout room hiding in the very back corner of the Boardshop. With A+ customer service and a giant selection, U.S. Outdoor Store in Downtown Portland is by far number one on my list for sure! For those of you who can’t get downtown, you can shop online at www.usoutdoorstore.com; and be sure to check out their ‘online outlet discount store’ for even more amazing deals. On top of their killer service and selection, they even offer free shipping.

2. Columbia Sportswear Outlet: With 5 locations in Oregon and 1 in California, wherever in the West your board takes you, you’re bound to find great gear for much less at any of the Columbia Outlets.  What do I like to buy here? The Columbia Outlets always have the best deals on your first layer long johns and second layer fleeces. However, whatever you’re looking for they are bound to have – from your first layer to your last, the Columbia Sportswear Outlets have got it- and for a great price!

3. Next Adventure:  Offers new, used and closeout gear for nearly all extreme sports. With featured Hot Deals on their website and a Bargain Basement downstairs, you are sure to find good gear, all while supporting an awesome local business!

4. For those of you who live just outside the Portland area, some my other favorite local shops that offer both excellent service and prices include Hillcrest Sports in Gresham (open 7 days a week!),  Exit Real World (With 4 locations including: Salem, Portland, Tigard and Government Camp) and Play it Again Sports (also has super low prices).

Now that you know where to go and how to find Portland’s best deals, go out there and take advantage! Let us know what you found and which shops you liked best by shooting Andrea and I an email @ www.westboundboarder@gmail.com – we are always happy to hear from you!