The worst thing about surf movies is that those sun tanned, blonde hair, perfectly cut cuticle creamed kooks love voiceovers. It is especially annoying when it comes to changing their voice to be the pinnacle of laid back, earth crunchy, bark munchy bravados. Transworld Snowboarding’s “These Days” provides the same, yet does the opposite, providing mixed shots of riding, fun and snowboard time commentary. There are enough adjectives in the first sentence to blow six childrens minds but now it’s time to center the balance and realize “These Days” represents snowboarding in the truest of lights.
Filmed by Joe Carlino, Corey Koniniec and Gary Milton, “These Days” is Transworld Snowboarding’s first release since the mid 1990’s Transworld Videomagazine Series. The opening montage is a culmination of all things board worthy, with the addition of voiceovers from several of the riders. While some may be skeptical of the idea of narrations placed over Donovans, “Rikki Tikki Tavi,” don’t. With raw statements from Lucas Debari like, “A lot of the time I’m thinking Fuck is this worth it…I feel like if you’re never scared you’re not pushing yourself hard enough,” there is no question as to the films value with a line up consisting of Nick Dirks, Jonas Carlson, Louif Paradis and more.
Nick Dirks finishes out the opener with some creative street lines consisting of pyramid sculptures and drop rails. Transitioning between tracks Dirks opens his part with a hefty backside 50-50 on a down-flat-down followed by several rails, backcountry jumps and a burly method properly grabbed between the bindings. Throughout Dirks’ part his velvety smooth street rail style shines through from double kinked backside nose presses to wall rides, making for an undisputed opener.
If yearning for some thyroid burning action, look no further than Capita’s Dustin Craven. Filled with enough backcountry lines to make Jeremy Jones Jealous, young Craven owns the snow in and out of the pow. Legendary Baker Banked Slalom 2007 winner Lucas Debari holds the backcountry section down as he sets things off with a slowly rotated frontside 1080 melon. Threading needles and bashing pillow lines, Debari’s part shreds to the fullest, just wait for his second to last shot.
Tim Eddy’s come a long way since those Burton days of baggy clothes and all around snow thug style. Eddy’s part is undeniably the most creative of all riders. Following a brief insight to Eddy’s snowboarding ideology is a well edited, friend interjected section full of rails and jumps that is sure to stump any hater questioning Eddy’s unique style. In a few simple tricks and terms, Eddy brings snowboarding back to just that, front lips, boardslides and straight presses, none of that switch up, flip flop ish.
In a rather surprising middle section up pops one of snowboarding’s most underrated professionals, Chad Otterstrom. Well into his thirties, Otterstrom has keept snowboarding real for over a decade and it’s quiet evident in his part. Consisting primarily of backcountry shots, Otterstrom presents some of his better known tricks in the pipe with gnarly spins and channel gaps. A quick interruption, though certainly not a step back, is the crew’s quick adventure to India where shots of airs and handplants seemed to be the tricks of the trip.
Some people get boys regulars while other boys get girls normals and though Jonas Michilot is the beholder of the latter, his snowboarding is more than the former. The Minnesotan annihilates whatever is thrown his way. Splitting a part with Eastern Canadian upstart Jed Anderson the two reinforce what it means to be better than good rail riders. Michilot even backs up his rail game with a few moving pictures of him on jumps that shouldn’t get overlooked.
It’s either the snow or the boards constructed in Sweden that makes those riders some of the best jumpers in the world and Jonas Carlson is certainly no exception to the rule. Matched with Modest Mouse’s 2007 single, “Dashboard,” Carlson’s section delivers a perfect sampling of resort and backcountry riding with all four spins on lock down and a quick section from the DC Mountain Lab.
Slam, bam, no thank you man are three different ways to put Louif Paradis opener, have no fear though, Paradis’ rail filled segment will get those filed edges dripping with more aluminum shrapnel than a shot gunned beer gone haywire. Capping things off is Australian import Robbie Walker. Soundly composed of powder shots, double backflips and rails Walker opens up his part with a tight front three over the Mt. Baker Road Gap. Following a solid opening shot, the rail tricks and remainder of Walker’s part do not disappoint.
Though its hard to label any single video as being the best of the year, and many reviews are to come, for now it goes without a doubt that Transworld’s “These Days” is certainly in the number one position. From the opening montage to the credits, Transworld has produced a video that will not only help launch some near future careers but also managed to cover new snow and rails. Combined with the strange yet enjoyable soundtrack, “These Days” exemplifies what snowboarding is all about good times, friends and staying creative. For copies of the video hit up Lahout’s Ski and Snowboard Shop in Lincoln, online at Transworldsnowboarding.com or stop by White Mountain Snow and Skate, say hello to Matt and Lee, and check out their other videos on selection.