Red Bull pitted three teams from Austria, UK and Czech Republic against each other to see who could make the best snowboarding video. All three teams were blessed with some amazing powder in Kitzsteinhorn, Kaprun in Austria. Continue Reading →
Tag Archives: snowboarding
Firefly – recover, improve, excel
Firefly is a “sports recovery device for serious athletes across all sports.” It is a small battery powered device that an athlete wares behind the knee after strenuous activity. The idea is to increase the blood circulation to your legs to remove the metabolic waste left by exercise, helping your muscles recover faster and taking care of any stiffness in the legs.
The Firefly device uses OnPulse neuromuscular electrostimulation technology to trigger the body’s built-in mechanisms by delivering electrical impulses to a nerve just below the knee called the common peroneal nerve.
That’s the technical stuff out the way with. I tried out the Firefly on day two of a five day snowboarding trip to Whistler, B.C. I was a little fatigued after the first day but held out until the second to try to test the true benefits of the device. Once back to the chalet, I de-kitted, showered and found a spot on the couch in front of the T.V. My calves were sore and starting to tense up a little bit so I thought this was the time to it out.
I took the devices out of there little jiffy bag along with its velcro straps that helps hold it in place, and peeled of the backs to reveal a very sticky, blue/green gel, and proceeded to stick them to my legs, just under my knee towards the outer-side. I then wrapped the black straps around the devices. After about an hour of thinking it wasn’t doing much…Then I turned it on.
The Firefly reminds me a little of the electric ab stimulators you see advertised on late/early T.V. It sends a small electric shock through your muscle, I’m saying that it has the same effect but I think there is a similar science behind it. I wore the Firefly for about 4-5 hours, I even went to bed with it on, it wasn’t painful or irritating at all. Once the power was failing I took it off. In the morning my carves were loose and relaxed, with no stiffness to be felt anywhere in my legs.
Now would I go out and buy them? One pack of Firefly (with a 2 devices in) costs £29.00, a pack of 4 is £99.00. So for a general ‘I’ve been out on the mountain for a day or so’, no I wouldn’t. They did definitely help my recovery but I definitely could of carried on without them without too much difficulty. However, if I was going backcounty boarding that required me to hike or if I was to play my first game of football of the season or run a half/full marathon, where I am going to experience Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), then these devices are worth every penny. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to test the Firefly under these conditions yet because of a ‘hyper extended’ knee injury I picked up in football practice, so an update of the device may well be written in the future.
To get some more information about the Firefly check out their website www.fireflyrecovery.com. I think it’s a very clever device and really great piece of sports science.
Nine Queens Shred up Italy
The Nine Queens Big Air event took place at Livigno, Italy from March 26-30. Big names such as Jenny Jones, Spencer O’brian, Katie Summerhayes and Grete Eliassen came down for almost a week of hard shedding and fun.
Germany’s Lisa Zimmermann was crowned the freeski queen as she pulled a 900 tail grab and her first switch 1080 mute.
Elena Könz of Switzerland became the first snowboarding queen, landing a backside 540 mute and smooth frontside 720 melon. Jenny Jones goes for bronze again with a frontside 900.
A special kudos goes to French skier Anais Caradeux, who was the only girl who went for the huge transfer from the kicker in the middle of the pipe to the landing of the left jump. (click here to see the set up) We are also impressed with Charlotte Van Gils who was the only one to attempt a 1080 rotation.
Watch the clip below to see more of the action.
Top Five Places for Après Ski in Whistler
Whistler is hosting the World Ski and Snowboard festival next month and it’s not just renowned as one of the best ski resorts in the world. Due to its geography it has some of the best local food of any resort. Just half an hour up the road is Pemberton, with its vegetable farms and cattle ranches, and a few more hours away is the Okanagan – home of British Columbia’s wine producers and a centre for fruit farms. To the south is the Pacific Ocean, where some of the best wild salmon are fished. All of these factors come together to give some of the best food in the west.
Grill and Vine
This place is for the wine and cheese lover. For après ski, get the BC cheese flight with the wine pairing. Its surprisingly filling, and due to their Enomatic Wine Preservation System (a system which keeps wine fresh once is been opened) you can sample a range of high end wines by the glass.
Bearfoot Bistro
This high-end restaurant is one of the best in town, with an impressive wine cellar, vodka ice room, and a shy but award winning female chef, Melissa Craig, who is happy to tailor a tasting menu to suit your preferences. If you are lucky, you many even see the host, André Saint-Jacques sabering a champagne bottle. If you love food and wine the Bearfoot is not to be missed.
Southside Diner
If you’ve had a night on the town and feeling a little worse for wear, this is the place to come – its breakfasts are delicious and will set you up for a day on the slopes. Try the pancakes or the brie-stuffed French toast. But be careful when ordering that Baileys coffee — it only comes in doubles!
Sushi Village
The Canadian west coast is famous for its sushi – some have even branded the area with the high accolade of the “best sushi outside of Japan”. In Sushi Village, fresh fish caught by local fishermen makes its way onto the menu, alongside fish from around the world. They are famous for sake margaritas — a unique way to celebrate a good day on the slopes.
Splitz Grill
They make epic burgers and it’s a favourite with the locals. Splitz has been consistently voted the best burger joint in town. Filling and affordable, you can have anything from bison to lamb in your burger. Wash it down with the locally-brewed beer and be prepared to wait in line for a table.
Bam’s Bamboo Zip Neck Baselayer: Men
Bam is a UK brand started in June 2006 by founder David Gordon. The clothing is completely made from bamboo fibre and is 100% biodegradable. As a company they are ethical, responsible, fair and environmentally friendly.
When I first found out I was going to review the baselayer, I had not heard of the company before. This, I think, is quite common. Bam seems to be a company for people in the know. Even on their website they state, “Our business is growing almost exclusively from word of mouth, as people who try it are impressed enough to tell their friends, etc.”
After I found out a little about the company, and clothing, I was very impressed. I love the idea of environmentally friendly organic clothing. This is the type of product we at Sea to Sky Lifestyle get very excited about.
So it ticks the organic, green, good-for-the-earth type boxes. But how did it do in the comfort department? Well… fantastic! I primarily use the zip neck baselayer while snowboarding. It has now become part of my kit. It’s tight without being restrictive, and the way the fibres are woven together allows for brilliant flexibility. I really enjoy not having to wear too many layers under my jacket. I find lot of layers make me feel a little bit like the Marshmallow Man, and the Bam baselayer allows me to leave the hoodies and T-shirts at home.
Bam boast that their clothing is great for just about any sport. The clothing features include staying dry, thermo-control, antibacterial, anti-static, anti-fungal, UV protection, and being good for sensitive or allergy-prone skin. The fibres absorb and evaporate sweat and stay highly breathable. Because of the antibacterial feature of the fabric, bacteria doesn’t live well in the fibres so the clothing doesn’t get smelly — even after a couple of days wearing it. This makes it good for your skin and your nostrils.
As a company goes, and products go, Bam is great. If I can convince people to spend that little extra on this sports clothing I will. It is definitely worth it. I know you can go to Sport Direct and pay maybe £10.00 to £25.00 for one of their polyester baselayers, but by paying £45.00 for this Zip Neck Baselayer, you are a getting much superior product in every way possible.
Brits on Boards: Episode 3
Here is the latest Episode of Brits on Boards. This time they head to Scotland and speak to Lorna Dalgleish. Happy Shredding!
Brits On Board: Episode 3: The Scottish Adventure from Brits On Board on Vimeo.
Jenny Jones post Olympic Interview
Olympic bronze medalist Jenny Jones gives an interview to Brits on Broads on her medal winning run and why being 33 gave her the edge.
Cooler x Brits on Board – Jenny Jones Exclusive a Snowboarding video by cooler
Female Athletes Shine in Sochi
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Sochi 2014 has been a controversial Olympics – human rights abuses, terrorist threats, allegations of corruption, and an overspend of billions, to name but a few of the issues that has plagued the 24th Winter Olympic games. But if one good thing has come out of it, it’s that British female athletes have proved to the UK and to the world they are at the top of their game. Continue Reading →
Unknown Snowboarder Wins Gold Medal in Women’s Halfpipe
There have been some surprising results in the snowboarding competitions – Shaun White failed to medal in the halfpipe and Kelly Clark, the most decorated female snowboarder and favourite for the gold, only managed a bronze. Continue Reading →
Shock Result in the Men’s Snowboarding
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and snowboarding superstar Shaun White (USA) did not medal at the men’s snowboarding halfpipe. White, who has dominated the sport for over ten years, came fourth – missing out on the bronze medal by two points. Continue Reading →