Photos Danny Kern; Words Keenan Cawley
Dylan Bonnie, go watch dump em’ and you’ll know.
This winter has been a test for all boarders west of the Mississippi. Our spirits – as well as physical abilities – were put on the line. Warm winds kept our slopes slushed and baked with many deeming the west coast as barren. However , through the drought of nay-sayers and willy-nillie , some of us boarders were able to keep our chins up. We realized that the climate simply suited hoodies over jackets and first layer and dressed accordingly. Facemasks were substituted with sunscreen. Shit-snow just had to be considered surf-snow. Though it was far from any “winter” we’ve ever seen, there was still snowboarding to be enjoyed.
This mentality was integral in this weekend’s Rally for Rocker banked slalom race. With over one hundred competitors – and easily double in attendance – the event was an honest showcase that we, as snowboarders, can take pride and pleasure in whatever meteorological crises that the sky throws at us.
Gray Thompson surfin through the vert berm into the pump track
Taylor Carlton, with the help of his recruited cronies and whoever else was down, spent a solid week shaping the course up in ASI, a popular locale for events like the Rally and the Gremlin Gamez. Though the snowpack was notably low compared to past years, the boys simply migrated further into the mountains until they found the right snow, drawing inspiration from field of dreams: “if you build it , they will come.” Such quotation would have to be doctored to something more contemporary like: “if you build it , the will come in hordes and rip it to pieces.”
The outline of the event was simple: Racers got one timed run. And that was it. Fastest run wins .
The course offered some serious carve-age, a little bit of air time, and plenty of opportunity to make what you wanted out of it. Some of the individuals who exercised their creative rights included resident OG Jake Devine – who was gapping turns, cutting corners, and bobbling 180’s back and forth through the banks. Blake Hunter – who managed to get on top of the over-vert wall for a nice 50-50 and Austin ford – who had his retro burton air sabotaged, forcing him to take his run switch. Nial Romanek – who slapped back tail on the coping of the most crucial berm. Tim Humphreys – who won the bitch avec gopro – and none other than Mr. Carlton himself, dropping in last, flying down the course ripping a quasi-michaelchuck on said crucial corner.
Awesome turns for an awesome board.
Once he finished his lap , the course opened up into a free-for-all and the ripping continued, perhaps intensified, as the course not only got faster but boarders started dropping in in much closer proximity. Boy hawdee, it was a good old fashioned hootenanny.
Anyone in attendance could vouch for the importance of this event, in memory of fallen friend Rocker who died in an avalanche, and a benefit for the Truckee skatepark, especially in these testing times. To wrap up the winter with boarding and camaraderie in that caliber is dire; it gave us all the inspiration to make it through the coming (even warmer) months.
Messier holding the high line
Men
1. Tim Humphreys. 26.17
2. Eric messier 26.58
3. Gray Thompson. 26.75
4. Tucker Andrews. 27.22
5. Johnny Brady. 27.25
6. Danny Kern. 27.80
7. David Gray. 27.92
8. Felix Mobarg. 27.93
9. Roan Rodgers. 27.95
10. Brian Bozack 28.04
Women
1. Hannah Fuller. 32.64
2. Ashley Galleher. 33.72
3. Nelly Steinhoff. 34.67
4. Susan Wahl. 35.11
5. Kellie Wright. 35.27
Groms:
1. Keegan Hosetros. 31.69
2. Benoit Rouchy. 32.12
3. Elias Maas. 32.84
4. Phoenix Sanchez. 41.83
Style master: Brett Davis
Biggest Shit Eater: Ian Gill
Snowskaters: Logan Knutzen and Kendra Wilson
Hannah Fuller with the repeat on first place.
Jake Devine discovering the fastest route down the course by cutting corners.
Johnny Brady putting down a nice hand plant for the Iphone paparazzi.
Johnny Brady wondering how his board got so short.
Max Tokanuga practically got barreled on this one..
Messier claiming second place for the day.
Messier has a strong relationship with his board and she just can’t keep her eyes off of him.
Much respect to Mizzle and his very unique style. He may have been the only one to use a berm for a tail block.
Shhhhow much shwag
Silver Serino thanking who ever is up there for this moment in time.
So many dogs at this event, but Pretty Alice was by far the best looking.
Some say that Dylan Omlin in is a wizard when it comes to snowboarding.
Someone thought they’d rather watch the event from the sky with their robo bee.
Spectators sync’d up
Still in awe.
Taylor explaining what snowboarding is to the Forestry Service
This guy took the biggest shit or something i’m not really sure.
Tim Humphreys not only won the entire event, he probably captured the whole thing while doing it.
Tucker Andrews with a lofty redirect on turn 6.
Zander Blackmon ladies and gentlemen. Hide yo kids because he’s probably already found your wife
Always going to need more salt. Always.
Ashley Galleher walking away with a well deserved 2nd place.
Felix Mobarg seeking out the tranny of the step up.
Girl Power
Gray and Kazu aka Z boy looking over the course after practice
Gray happy to be awarded with 3rd place.
Hands down to all the people who built the course. Everything was practically perfect besides the super slow snow.