dantheman0177

Super Sweedish Shared Summit Expression Session

Scott, I agree those guys are amazing. Two of them (Tony Ray and Ross Clarke-Jones) live here and they are the most laid back people you will ever meet, until it comes to surfing big waves, then they are just wired. A company owned by one of my best mates makes the rescue sleds that they use behind the jetskis, so we get out there and play quite a bit. But don't get me wrong, I don't ever want to go out in surf THAT big! If you ever make it to Oz, drop me a line and I will get you out there. Dan

Fin, Thanks for the heads up on the dates. I'll be there if it is at all possible (and I am doing everything I can to make that happen). I am hoping to bring along a great mate who has developed an amazing new knee brace, so with any luck, and if you are keen, we might be able to add some to the demo tent for those with dodgy knees. As for other improvements, SES 2005 was amazing, so I find it difficult to see how you could improve it much, but go for your life! Cheers Dan

Fin, Those things are pretty close to carving, but yeah, they are not built for speed. Still, you can lean it over. We have a couple of very similar boards that a mate brought back from China. We ride them down the hills on my parent's farm and that is pretty good fun, carve wise. We have also been towing each other behind the dirt bike and carving off the bank of a dam, and that is good, though a world of pain if you come off. One of the boys has some video, so I might try and get some stills to post if they work. Personally though, surfing is the go. Get a good longboard with some nice stiff fins, a jetski, towrope and a mate and do tow-ins. You get so much extra speed into the wave that you can really lay down the first bottom turn. A much better way to spend summer (if you live near the beach anyway). Dan

I only started on plates this year, but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it is the best way to get down a mountain. Carving on a hard boot set up is just so much better than is softies it is almost impossible to describe. Here's a tip: GO TO SES! I did my first day on plates at Buttermilk at SES 2005 and it was amazing. Everyone was so encouraging and fun to ride with that I couldn't help but improve and there was no other expression on my face than a bloody big grin. Try it and you will love it.

Thanks guys, much appreciated. I will look into it on your suggestions. Baka, I know what you mean about the small hills. My local is Buller which is almost not worth the drive, and too small to carve properly. Hotham is good fun though, so will be doing a week there and a week at Falls. I am also going to do a weekend of carving with MozzMan and a few others at Perrisher. If we can finalise a weekend we will make sure to post the date on here so maybe you will be able to come down and join in . Cheers Dan

D-Sub Now there is a great idea. I am almost ready for new soft boot bindings, so i'd be pretty keen to see what Fin can come up with. I ride with Flow's at the moment because they are quick and easy to get in and out of in the resorts, but ratchets are better for powder or out of bounds. Something that takes the best aspects of each and creates a good stiff binding would be awesome. Dan

Has anyone had any experience boarding in Japan? I am looking at going with the friends for a week or so in Feb 2006 (plan is to do SES then Japan - or the other way around). But looking on the web I am more confured then ever. There are a huge number of resorts and I have no idea where to go or what it good. Any suggestions or recommendations would be great. Cheers Dan

Happy birthday Shred. I turned 30 a month ago, but I am still somewhat in denial.

Bill you are making me very jealous down here! But we have less than 6 weeks before the season opens and I have received my new board (Prior 4wd 169). So while you are all in the middle of summer I will be at Mt Hotham carving, in New Zealand carving and in my bed dreaming about carving! Dan

Hi Dave, I saw your carve board at SES and was incredibly impressed. I would definately be interested in buying one, but I am concerned that it might not be allowed through Australian Customs because of our strict quarantine laws. Have you ever shipped any o/s? To Oz? Cheers Dan

I am a new carver, SES being my first time, therefore I find the lower angles easier to handle. I demo'd the Axis 167 and the Prior 4WD 168. Both were awesome boards. I went up the lift with a guy who raved about the Priors and told me how he found it to ride. My first ride down did exactly what he suggested and it was amazing. I still would have bought the Axis but Sean wasn't selling them at SES, so for a variety of reasons I ordered a new 4WD with a square / flat tail. It arrived in the country today, so I am now hanging out for it to snow down under and then for SES 06. For what my limited experience is worth, I would recommend either board though, definately.

I race in the surf in Australia through my Surf life Saving Club. During summer I race surf skis (a bit like racing kayaks for the surf - I also race sprint kayaks) and during winter I race Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB's or "Rubber Ducks"). Skis and kayaks are a fitness thing, Ducks are a pure adreniline rush. Consider that our gear does over 50km/h and the waves we go through come in at about 25km/h and are up to 10ft high, it is a pretty awesome adventure. It is an ordinary photo, but should give you the idea.

THANKS TO: Fin & Michelle for organising a fantastic week. All the sponsors for providing great gear to demo and give away. Everyone I rode with (esp. Pete & Rich) for the encouragement during my first hard booting experience. Sean Cassidy for the pointers. You are a guru. The St Moritz crew for some great times. Felt just like home, and will definately be staying there again. The raffle ticket gods for winning me an awesome set of TD2's. Now just have to buy a board to mount them on. The snow gods for the conditions. NO THANKS TO: United for my total stuff up of a flight schedule. You couldn't pay me enough to risk flying into Aspen again. All up I had a blast guys. Definately worth the trip out from Oz and hope I can be back again next year, with luck bringing some mates along for the ride. Cheers Dan

Sorry mate, must have slipped my mind. I have told EVERYBODY else that I know. LOL. I am doing a week of general visiting and holidaying, then a week in Whistler, topped off with SES. Will catch up with you for a beer on night 1.

Plane is leaving in 24 hours!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Mozz, Assuming I enjoy SES and become a carving devote (as I am sure I will) I will be there with bells on. As far as getting gear in Oz, I just got my boots fitted today in Melbourne at Skiman Bob's in Hawthorn. They actually sell Deeluxe boots and have been considering restocking alpine gear, as opposed to just ordering in when someone wants something. The guys there have done a bit of carving and seem to know what they are talking about, so for anyone in Vic, this would be a fair starting point. See you in a few weeks. Dan

Elisa Blonde hair and blue eyes I got. Intelligent conversation is sometimes debated by my friends, but I will go out on a limb here and say that I can hold my own. My only problem is a few thousand kilometers across the Pacific Ocean (Australia). If you are at SES or ever get to Oz, would be happy to try to impress you....lol Geez Fin, what the hell are you running here? Some sort of internet hook up page???

Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday dear Aisling Happy birthday to you Hope you had a good one. As for me, I am still in denial that mine is only in 2 months and nobody will acknowledge that I want to count backwards from 29 rather than forwards!

Mozz, I would be super keen for a weekend of carving in Oz. Hotham has some runs that would be pretty good. Buller is well groomed but gets tracked out and bumpy most afternoons by the day trippers. Haven't been to Falls or Thredbo, but I am happy to do a road trip to where ever will have us. As for SES, all paid for as of yesterday, so will definately catch up there. Cheers Dan

Geez Matt, now you tell me. I am doing a week in Whistler then flying down for SES straight after. Unfortunately I have booked my flights already (strong Aussie dollar has to be taken advantage of) otherwise I would have been happy to do the road trip. However would be happy to catch up, either in BC or CO. Cheers Dan

01 - Michelle 02 - Fin 03 - Brian (I know you are coming:-) 04 - Ray 05 - Ben Schurman 06 - Geoff Vincelette (staying the whole week) 07 - Bob Jenney (Whole week plus a week in Summit County) 08 - Jeffrey Day 09 - Ken Lao (also maybe there a week early and late: Feb 7->25?) 10 - Jim Callen (Gonna be there every day and then some) 11- Jeff Cooper (already carving in Colorado November 29 04) 12- Rob Cox + following week in Summit County 13 - Dan Hayden (after a week in Whistler)

I believe that the maximum luggage allowance on United is about 20kg or 44lbs (all checked bags in total) before you pay excess. I was also told last year that they will not load a bag if it is over 60lbs because the baggage handlers supposedly won't touch it. However I managed to do a trip to CO and up to Canada two seasons ago with a snowboard bag of 185cm length that weighed in at 74lbs, and last year my bag was well and truly over the 60lb limit. BUT....if you are nice to your check in agent, they will usually check it for you. And if all else fails, when they ask you to put your bag on the scales, stand it upright and hold it steady, with just a little subtle upward pressure to reduce the displayed weight. However I strongly recommend the "be nice and smile" approach (and an Aussie accent doesn't hurt either).

Mozz, Got my air ticket booked on Friday. $1649AUD MEL - LAX so I am all systems go. I will be staying at the St Moritz when I get around to finalising that booking (spent all my spare cash on the plane tix). Where are you flying into and when? If I get up to Sydney before Feb I will drop you a line and try to catch up for a beer. CAN'T WAIT PEOPLE!!! Dan

ARCrider, The whole Whistler thing is a long story (got sick en route this year and never actually made it) but want to just finish off my tour of Canada. But I do get your point about extending the SES. I might have to consider it. To all those looking for cheap accom, the place I was supposed to stay at this year in Aspen (again, never made it) is the St Moritz Hostel with rooms from $36 USD a night. Could be worth a look, as long as you don't mind hostel accommodation. Dan