Going Off Snowboard History Podcast

3d ago

Arguably the most beloved snowboard movie of ’93 captures an essential time—in a unique way. Roadkill, a 24-minute Fall Line Films production, was the birth of “new school,” and a spark that ignited soon-to-be legendaries like Jamie Lynn, Bryan Iguchi and Terje Haakonsen. In this episode, Jen and Tricia sit down with Roadkill director Dave Seoane to expound on the making of this loud-and-fast ode to the road. Stay tuned for talk of technical butters and unapologetic big pants, mad respect to resort riding, and sliding vintage Caddy limos through snowdrifts on the Mt. Baker Highway. They divulge what it took to shoot and release a 16mm film in 2 months, dropping it mid-winter (instead of the next fall) to capture the era’s rapid progression. They uncover what it meant to be a snowboarder in 1993—when freestyle snowboarding was being reinvented by names that are still in our hall of GOATs.

Dec 2

Once upon a time, snowboarders deployed plastic milk jugs for highbacks and donned sneaker-esque “riding shoes.” Today’s snowboard binding is a feat of ingenuity—an embodiment of the right-brain spirit that has always fueled riders. In this episode, Tricia and Jen track down the modern snowboard binding’s strange and true history over half a century. With hot intel from such experts as Trent Bush, Chris Doyle and Dennis Nazari, they trace the evolution from a single rubber toe strap to an injection-molded riding appliance. They reminisce on the lowbacks and T Bolting craze of the “fat stance” era. They talk hole patterns, channel systems, and who invented the highback. And they fearlessly (some would say foolishly) wade into the Great Step-In Debate. After another unapologetically lengthy deep dive, they bring in legendary snowboarder and style icon Russell Winfield for some quality binding banter. Russ divulges such secrets as how heelside carves happened in the days before highbacks (hint: they didn’t) and the backstory behind Ride Snowboards’ seminal ’90s baseless binding.

Nov 18

No highbacks. No cell phones. No chairlifts. All anarchy and style. On the 40th anniversary of a legendary photograph shot by Trevor Graves of Scott Clum, we uncover and celebrate what it was like to be a snowboarder in 1985. In this episode, Tricia and Jen bring in two live human experts, Trevor and Scott themselves, to reminisce and expound on the vibe of the day. They talk about the equipment, tricks and culture unfolding in snowboarding at that time in history. They discuss the tidal wave of influence that snowboarding’s very first halfpipe scene at the Tahoe City Dump, and California characters like Tom Sims, had on the world of snowboarding at large. And how—in a parallel universe out in Utica, New York—this small crew of East Coast riders were creating and defining what they thought snowboarding was, too. Other knowledge dropped: what it was like to live in Tom Sims’ secret Santa Barbara tree house, why everyone wore wetsuit bottoms while they rode, how broke college kids got film developed for free, and what exactly “Burger King” boots are. Link in bio to listen – and score your own limited-edition print of the image. PRINT FOR SALE: Style that started it all. East Street Archives excellently printed a limited run of this 1985 Scott Clum frontside air by Trevor Graves in Utica, NY. Link in bio to get one for ya wall. https://www.eaststreetarchives.com/store/p/trevor-graves-limited-edition-17x22-photo-rag-matte-print

Nov 4

Hop in, graphics nerds. We’re going on a wild ride from the explosion of 80s neon through the pro model snowboard era that kicked off the 90s board graphics revolution, then on to the great consolidation that happened at the turn of the century—and what rippled out when the bubble burst. In this episode, Jen and Tricia bring in a host of live human experts—Brad Steward, Barrett Christy, Shannon Dunn, Lance Violette, Corey Smith and more—to divulge the stories behind some of the most important snowboard graphics and board-graphic movements of all time. Hot takes abound, like why Sims refused to put mountains on their boards and how Original Sin may have been the first brand to bring true art to a snowboard deck. For a fun Going Off drinking game, take a big sip every time someone says the word “iconic.”

Oct 21

Before it became an icy 22-foot U-shaped monstrosity, the snowboard halfpipe was a hand-shaped, Roman Coliseum-style venue where snowboarders would go to see and be seen, meet other misfits, and throw down for a chance to be recognized as best rider in the world. In this episode, Jen and Tricia trace the snowboard halfpipe from its origins in backyard ditches to its machine-cut glory days across the world. They talk about the tools, technologies and tricks that changed everything, and which riders reigned supreme over these early eras. They track down who built the first superpipe (allegedly). They talk about how much it costs to build a modern-day snowboard halfpipe (hint: a lot). And they try in earnest to zero in on which nail was the exact last nail in the coffin for this lauded terrain feature. After an unapologetically lengthy deep dive, they bring in a live human expert, legendary pro snowboarder Todd Richards, to expound on what halfpipe has meant to snowboarding as a subculture and what the future of it may bring.

Oct 7

Going Off is the snowboard history podcast. As the early days of snowboarding begin to slide into the long past, Going Off documents its oral history. We trace back what made it so strange and explosive, why it changed all those lives and still bonds people for life. From the history of snowboard fashion to how halfpipes were born, from the birth of jibbing to pivotal movies, music and magazines, each episode drops in on a new topic. Hosts: Jennifer Sherowski and Tricia Byrnes