Ride the Fire

We got some new Spitfires in the other day and THEY ARE FAST..
The STREET and PARK BURNERS are a new Urethane Compound from the guys at SPITFIRE. Rated at 100D(street) and 98D(park) to put those ratings into prospective the hardest wheel we had prior was Darkstars and they are rated at 70D. Its a difference let me tell you. Made to be flat spot resistant (always good for you cement guys) it really works too. I took these puppies to Rye on friday night, left stoked, then ran them at Fitchburg yesterday ad still happy and Flat Spot free..

Two Thumbs up for the guys over at SPITFIRE for making an awesome new urethane!

Bill Enos :: WVA

EB team riders Pat Moore, Danny Garrity, Tanner Pendleton, and many others were once just the little kids on the hill like anyone else. They did however have an opportunity to do something unique when they were still young which was to go to school and train at the Waterville Valley BBTS. Every year a lucky group of kids between 10 - 18 yrs old spend their winters under the watchful eyes of the coaches and staff at Waterville Valley NH. One coach tends to come up over and over when Waterville's mentioned and that's former US Snowboard Team member Bill Enos. I'm not going to tell you I know more than you about Bill because I really don't, but after watching him at the park this past week and seeing a bit of how he works, I figured it was time to learn a little more about the man who has helped shape some of the best snowboarders ever to come out of the North East.

BUB: I wanted to pick your brain a bit about what's going on over there at Waterville and where you got your start. We know you have been there for a few years coaching, but where and when did you get involved with just being a rider yourself?
BILL: 100 years ago I grew up skiing, back then there were two choices racing and Freestyle skiing. I was drawn to freestyle because it so different, I competed in Aerials, moguls and ballet. My kids still rip on me a little because I did ballet skiing (now everyone knows) I’m dumb – well anyways the only event I ever went to Nationals for freestyle skiing was Aerials. I did shitty but had a good time. Years latter I was working construction in NY and me and a buddy decided to make a ghetto board out of scrapes from the job site. We did nothing that day except make two boards. When they were done we tested them in a local park, and I was hooked. I went and bought Burton Elite and never looked back. The story gets pretty deep for a while, lets just say I was a screwed up kid that needed to get back on the right track so I moved to Waterville Valley NH to work and ride. So I got a job cleaning the lodge so I could ride all day. I rode everyday met some cool people and progressed to a point where I was ready to compete. Next thing I knew I was at Nationals in Oregon where I won the overall for my age group. Years later I was named to the US snowboard team where I mainly raced, its odd that I raced, coming from a freestyle ski background but I really enjoyed it and don’t regret it. It is the basics on riding and should never be forgot. These days I enjoy learning tricks riding soft boots.

How can you compare professional snowboard competition now to how it was when you were out there competing, and is there an event that you really look forward too in particular that your riders partake in?
Competition hasn’t changed much from when I stopped; there are so many talented riders from the past and riding now. Everything is getting bigger - pipes jumps
I always looked forward to the US open as a rider and so do my kids now

There are quite a few riders from your program that have made their mark in the snowboard world. Who's really stood out in your mind as someone that was a total underdog and worked particularly hard to get to where they are?
Underdog – I think are whole team as always been full of underdogs, they work their tails off. The one that sticks out the most would definitely be Chaz Guldmond. He was always a little in Pats shadow, Pat has always been ridiculous. He just kept working at it and the sky’s the limit for him now.

As a coach what's the hardest part of working with the kids day in and day out, and what do you find most rewarding?
Working with kids never gets old, they help keep me young. I never want to be a coach that doesn’t progress, so I listen to them and they listen to me – it’s the only way to move forward.

What's the typical day like for your crew? How do the kids balance school and riding there and what happens if their not making the grades on and off the hill?
Our typical day at my house starts with me waking the boys up and me yelling at Wes to do his homework. The kids that stay with me all home school, so they do there studies from 8 to 11 then we head up and ride from 12 to 4, then it’s off to workout till 6. Dinner at 6 and then Rock Band for a couple of hours. For the kids that go to the Academy they do their studies from 8 to 12 with teachers and have a study period from 6-8. If you are behind on your studies you are not allowed to ride till your caught up.

Waterville has been known as a mountain that's shown great support to riders over the years, in particular when it comes to building parks. The original boneyard was one of my favorite places to ride as a kid. The staff at WV has always been outstanding when it comes to shop support too. Besides a paycheck what is it about WV that keeps you there?
The Bone yard was very progressive for it’s time, Stimilon did a great job - I liked it two. I believe Matt Gromley was around then, he was ahead of his time and kept it rolling. I traveled a lot then. So I missed a few years. Mike Bettera took it to a new level when he took over and now Luke Mathison and his crew are keeping it real. What keeps me here – good question – it’s the kids – but someday I would like to build progression parks tailored to our coaching, so who knows maybe someday I will get a chance to do that somewhere.

One thing that tells us you're doing something right is the support that your kids give back to you. Your name gets dropped in a lot of thank you's and everyone's wearing 525 gear. What's up with 525 East?
525-east gear was something my friend Stern and I started, but it is really hard to start a clothing company because you need a ton of money. So right now I think it is about having something to believe in and something to be a part of. It may never make it, but in some ways it already has. We have formed a family. If anyone is looking for an artist Stern is your man – cutting edge shit

Is there anything you have planned for the future that you could share with us before you sign off? Anyone you want to give a shout out too? Any Presidential forecast? Favorite color?
Future plans would be to continue to work hard and stay creative, our lives change in so many ways as we grow older, and I just feel lucky I can be apart of all the riders’ lives that have come through our program.

Shout outs – all the college riders that have stomped the grounds of WV and influenced young riders styles, I know Loon is the cool place to be for the college kids right now, but I miss them coming by once in awhile. Who wants to be cool anyhow – it seems like a ton of work.
Presidential forecast – I think Pat Moore would do a good job
Color – Black
Music – Dylan
Best person I know – My wife

I think the biggest thrill in life is to be able pass along your knowledge to someone else and give them something to believe in. Hopefully this carries on for generations at WVA and 525 east long after I’m gone.


"the most important thing I can say is don’t be afraid to screw up, everyone has and no one is perfect. Work hard and good things will happen!"

FOR MORE INFO VISIT:
Waterville Academy Website
Waterville Terrain Park Site
525east

LAST CALL RESULTS

Sorry for the delay but our main site is having issues so here are the 8th annual results from LOON. Scroll down and see the slideshows here on this blog and peep you tube for some clips that have popped up already from random people.

Last week another Last Call went down at Loon Mountain in NH with Eastern Boarder, K2, Oakley, Scion, Skullcandy, Red Bull and Ogio. In it's 8th year and still drawing roughly 100 riders all willing to be tested on new jibs, jumps, and rail gardens set up specifically for the event, Last Call brings New England Spring riding in with a vengeance. The first feature sessioned was Loons giant hip. Luke Mathison, Tom P, Bode Merrill and everyone tossed out whatever they could in the one hour jam. Luke and Tom were busting huge 20 footers and were obvious crowd favorites, Colleen Quigley was hitting it hard even with her bruised heels from the Open, but Bode scored himself a nice new $900 Oakley watch for tossing in some more tech tricks and still large airs. After a BBQ lunch under the Red Bull tent everyone moved on to the 1/4 pipe / hip / giant Loon letters thingamajib. It got pretty interesting watching everyone figure out how to use the letters. Brandon Reis, Big Mike Gonsalves Chris Carr and Bode were all over it. Hand plants , one footers , presses, stalls, and some nasty looking close calls were huge spectator and camera pleasers. Tanner Pendelton was killing himself on a shopping cart perched up on the 1/4 with hand plants and one foot stalls. A few riders tried to figure out the creeper ledges over the hip but after another hour we had to slide on over to the rails and boxes. Sunny skies and a good assortment of 30' rails mostly over stairs rounded out the day. Austin Grainger, Stu Gingras, Brandon Reis and just about everyone else left standing probably would have hiked that set up for another couple hours the way it was going . All good things must come to an end though and Brandon basically shut it down. The top three men and womens overall riders for the day scored cash and backpacks stuffed with clothing and Skullcandy. For the ladies: 3rd place Jordan Parks took $500 plus prizes, 2nd place Laura Rodowski got $800 and prizes, and Last Call veteran Colleen Quigley snagged $1200 and prizes. Mens 3rd place went to Shaun Murphy $500 and prizes, Chris Carr 2nd place $800 and prizes, and 1st place was handed to Brandon Reis $1200 A new K2 WWW, and a full pack of prizes. Oakley best trick watches also went out to Big Mike on the 1/4 jib, and Brandon Reis on the rails. Loons own park builder and jump, jib destroyer Tom P was sent off on a trip to Kamp K2 at Baker too. Huge thanks to Loon again for another killer set up and our sponsors K2, Oakley, Scion, Skullcandy, Red Bull and Ogio.

IT'S STILL HERE!!!

I know it's hard to believe that this once before highlighted LIB TECH 180cm Grocer is still here from last winter. What's wrong with you "men" out there? Look, if you want to take down a powder day like it's a tundra wookie on roofies then you need this in your quiver. I'm tossing out a once in a lifetime deal to the man with a dream. Once tagged at $500 in its prime, you can now score the beast for $200 bucks. Just having this conversation piece in your livingroom is going to scream "I'm a mans man" even louder than driving a bright yellow Lambo through Miami after the bars close. We're open until 8pm.

FIND A BROOM AND SKATE

It's 60 out and the snow is melting if not melted off all the outdoor parks and streets. Fitchburg ( pictured above ) has already been getting hit up in the past two weeks. Go skate Acton MA, Nashua NH, North Hampton MA, Pepperell MA, Hudson MA, Worcester MA, Fitchburg MA, and Peabody MA. They all have cement parks now if you have been living under a rock or are just getting into it. Greenfield MA got a face lift a bit back and is fun too. There's way more out there besides these town parks also. Check out concretedisciples.com for parks all over the country. Every little park offers something ... gas up the whip, pack it full of friends and explore what's out there besides what's in your own town. Most town parks are open to anyone and are FREE as skating should be. Some require helmets but that's even rare. If your town hasn't built a park yet then get involved and get one going. Chances are the town will get behind it as long as there's a crew that really helps them work towards the goal. Make it happen.... they don't usually come to you.

ASS GAMES

Word is the date is the 6th not the 9th as posted on the flyer Don't show up on the 9th

The moment you have all been waiting for is finally here! ASS GAMES 2008 at Crotched Mtn April 9th. Win some random stuff from ASS and EB. Jib, jump, chuck, huck, bonk, HAUL ASS whatever..just come on out and join the ass man and some of the Nashville NH crew. It'll be fun... seriously. I'm not kidding. ASS GAMES.

WORLD 1/4 PIPE CHALLENGE

Snowboarder Magazine, Timber Ridge VT, 1/4 pipe, Rome, fire, snowballs, transfers, gaps, crashes, fireworks, glory, whiskey, jibs, mini bike, interns, pros, guitar, BBQ, $1,000 in quarters, gauntlet, fun, as it should be. I would write something interesting if my brain wasn't so spent. Look out for all sorts of video and pics on the interweb. I found a good bunch at www.snowrev.com they have video too. Scroll down for my pics from one of the most chill and still wild "contests" of the year. Thank you Pat Bridges for reviving the World Quarters. Next year you should hand out a new liver to the party MVP.

SLIDE SHOW info

Hopefully the slideshows don't completely slow your computer down. For some reason loading them as an album is giving me crap. If you click on any shot going past you will open the shot for a larger view and be able to view them through photobucket. If one looks like it's not there hit refresh and look again. Feel free to leave comments on the blogs where you can but do not click on anyones "comment" if it looks like you should be able to. Chances are it's not a link. If we figure out a way to squash that we will.

LAST CALL AT LOON MTN 2008

LAST CALL AT LOON 2008