Westbound Boarder

This week, some of the best from around the web!

• Fireriding? Check out this pretty sweet vid posted in Transworld.  (Caution: Don’t try this at home, ladies!)
• “Halfpipe? Hasta la vista!” says Gretchen Bleiler: In her new blog on espnW.com (its ESPN’s new blog network for professional female athletes) Gretchen Bleiler takes a moment to reflect upon her past 10 years as a professional rider, ultimately sharing that she will elimate most halfpipe competitions out of her schedule this season and focus on more creative riding.  Snowboarding is one of those amazing sports where the competition circuit definitely isn’t the only way for riders to showcase their talents; in fact, as pro riders try for seasons and seasons to perfect their “perfect run,” creativity can often get lost in the shuffle.  Kudos to Gretchen for wanting to put the fun back in her routine!  Ultimately, that’s what snowboarding’s all about.
• Sheckler’s New Flips: Check out Ryan Sheckler’s new flip campaign for sponsor Flip video camera.  What do you think?  Flippin’ cool, or total flop? (Note: Proceeds from his customized flip video cam sales go to support The Sheckler Foundation, and his videos will run on air until Dec. 12).

One more round to go.  In perhaps one of the biggest (and this year for sure the most hyped) summer action sports contest series around.  Get ready!

Tomorrow, the Dew Tour heads to Las Vegas for the final stop of the summer competition, where athletes such as Shaun White, Paul Rodriguez, Jamie Bestwickand Ryan Sheckler will battle it out for the championship title.  Additionally, Las Vegas local Carey Hart and Hart & Huntington will host a freestyle motocross Best Whip competition in conjunction with the Championships.

The Dew Tour Finals begin tomorrow and run through Sunday, so make sure you stay tuned in because it should be a wild ride (and a great show!)

The Dew Tour consists of five major, multi sport events spanning across the country, with a cumulative points system. The Tour features skateboarding (men and women, park and vert), BMX (park, vert and dirt) and freestyle motocross. At season’s end, the overall points leaders in the five disciplines will be crowned year-end champs and awarded the prestigious Dew Cup title. A Portland, Ore. stop is on the schedule, so listen up…

Shaun White is at it again. This time he will by fighting for the Skate Vert World Championship title at the Dew Tour Skateboarding Open. It all goes down this June 25-26 at Boston’s legendary TD Garden. Those competing against White this year include Dew Tour defending champ, Bucky Lasek, Boston Local Andy Macdonald, Alex Perelson and vert legend Bob Burnquist.

In addition to the Vert Competition we have also got the Skate Park World Championship competitors, including Paul Rodriguez, Chaz Ortiz , Greg Lutzka and defending champ Ryan Sheckler.

Dew Tour Schedule:

Links we love this week, and so will you!

• Skate Week Recap: We just wrapped up Skate Week this morning here at Westbound Boarder, and what a week it has been!  From top skate shops in Portland to how to choose your new ride, Danielle brings you the 411.  Check out a recap of this week’s best skate week articles here.
• Top 25 Young Surfers: This week, Surfer Magazine released their list of the Top 25 Young Surfers in the World.  The list is great, and features the inspirational stories of all 25 surfers and how they got into the business.  Only one problem – not a single female is profiled in this list.  If you were to add just one to this list, who would it be?
• Axe Commercialization, Will Ya?! There’s a debate going on over at the HUCK blog on pro riders giving in to the monetary commercialization of the board sports industry, this time with skater Ryan Sheckler’s recent appearance in an Axe body spray commercial.  Check out the convo and leave your thoughts.
• Women Talk Sports: This week while surfing the net, we came across an awesome network of blogs called “Women Talk Sports.”  It was started by three female athletes (including one of my colleagues over at Edelman!) and aggregates the best of the best from around the net.  Whether you want to read about female athlete’s personal basketball adventures or BMX riding, this network likely has a blog for it.
• Costa Rica anyone? Vancity Allie posted some awesome pics of Costa Rica; almost as good as being there! (Almost…)
• Interview with Leanne Pelosi: At the top of her game is the World of female snowboarding, this flippin’ chick is on fire.  Check out her recent interview with Transworld here.