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Tom Scrace introduces Latest Extreme
Hello Latest readers. My name is Tom Scrace, I am an action sports nut so you will have to forgive me if I am a little over excited…
Brighton has become a hub for action sports in the UK, producing an avalanche of companies, athletes, services and events that play a big role in the nation’s action sports arena. On our very own doorstep we have kite surfing, climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, paragliding, zorbing, kayaking, BMX-ing, skateboarding and even skiing and snowboarding. For the latter we do need snow, but the last two years has certainly produced the goods with Stanmer Park offering a variety of runs if you are prepared to hike!
Tom Scrace - Windover Hill, Wilmington, East Sussex
Here in Latest Extreme I take a look at what Brighton and Hove has to offer as well as updating you with news from across the country and around the globe, bringing you interviews with great sportsmen and women from the world of Extreme Sports, and details of events and competitions.
We look forward to hearing your feedback, so please drop me an email with what you would like to hear about in the feature to comment@thelatest.co.uk.
If you are stuck for inspiration look no further than two Kite Surfing legends who created a storm on YouTube: Jake Scrace and Lewis Crathern. Two years ago the pair jumped over Worthing Pier and Lewis more recently Brighton Pier, all in the name of extreme fun.
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Click and save the image to get your hands on your free wallpaper. Rider: Andy Webb Photo: Tom Scrace
Profile
Andy Webb,
Pro Snowboarder
Age: 29
Hometown: Brighton
Sponsors: Stepchild Snowboards, Magic Toast, Love Inc, Drop Gloves, Spy Goggles, Rude Chalets, Bandit Bandanas, snowworkers.com
So Andy, how did it all begin?
I remember one snowy day in Brighton in ’95 I’d taken my sledge down the park in Saltdean and I’d try standing up on it and stuff like that. I made a snurfer [funny looking prototype snowboard from the 1960s] with a piece of rope on the front and tried to ride it down the hill.
How do you become a pro?
My best advice is to practise and train incredibly hard. Save your money and spend as much time on the mountains as possible. Ride with people better than you, have a mate with a camera and try to get noticed. Be original.
Where has snowboarding taken you?
All over the world! I went to Whistler, Canada, for my first winter season which was epic! So I went back for a second year before doing three winters in Mayrhofen, Austria, two in Morzine, France and last winter in Lake Tahoe, California. My best single trip was to Niseko, Japan in 2009.
Other than snowboarding what do you get up to?
I work as a graphic designer, I’ve designed for Westbeach, SnowSource Ltd, RipperZ and British Winter Athletes. I started playing the guitar a couple of years ago so I try to practise that most days. I also like to party but then who doesn’t?!
Brighton’s your favourite place in the UK then, what brings you back?
My family and friends are here, and it’s such a wicked place to be in the summer. The beach is always a great place to hang out. Imagine the best bits of London by the sea and without the crowds!
What would you advise a Brightonian to do in your position?
Definitely learn to drive! It’s a real shame there’s not much in the way
of snowboarding facilities around Brighton. The new Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead is only a couple of hours away though. Surfing and skating will improve your balance so get involved! Surfers and skaters almost always take naturally to snowboarding, like my brother Neil – who rips!
Highlight of your career to date?
Landing a one-footed backflip a couple of years ago for a film contest in Morzine. That felt pretty amazing!
For more info on
Andy, check out www.andywebbsite.co.uk
Andy Knights reports on the relentless London Freeze Festival
As autumn turns to winter my thoughts immediately turn to snow.. and mountains. Alas I still have to wait a couple of months to get my first ski trip in, but to whet the appetite there is no better way than spending a weekend in London where the Relentless sponsored Freeze Festival plays host to the biggest winter sports and music festival the UK has ever seen.
With the iconic Battersea Power Station as a spectacular backdrop, over 30,000 avid snow fans watched in awe as some of Britain’s and the world’s finest skiers and snowboarders threw down some awesome tricks in the Big Air Comp while acts such as The Streets and Groove Armada blasted the audience with some epic tunes.
Arriving on Friday I was stoked to see the ‘Battle of Britain’ in full swing with the crowd going nuts for the action. The competition was fierce with the insane James Woods winning the skiing and the ever impressive Billy Morgan taking the snowboard title…
Friday also saw 32 international riders take part in the Freestyle Ski Big Air comp. These guys really delivered and pulled off an incredible array of tricks. New Zealand’s Jossi Wells fought his way to first place and took home the much deserved crown.
By the end of the evening I was on sensory overload. Groove Armada had just put on their immense Red Light audio/visual spectacular while earlier in the day Zane ‘love this tune..bang’ Lowe and Brighton’s very own Rizzle Kicks got the crowd going.
Saturday exceeded expectations and delivered another huge day. The music was pumping throughout the day with Duke, True Ingredients and a host of DJs revving up the crowd, the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup Big Air was going off with the flying Finn Janne Korpui taking top spot. The Europeans came out on top in the Europe Vs the Word battle – if only the same could be said for the Euro! For those in need of refreshments there were plenty of choices at the Coors Lite Apres bar where beer and Brighton’s fave Tuaca was keeping everyone warm – a perfect combo in time for The Streets’ last ever performance. Dry your eyes mate, everyone loves a comeback.
The retail area was very cool and showcased some great new clothing, boards and skis. One brand In particular, Inspired Media Concepts, went the extra mile and had brand ambassador and skiing royalty John Sprigs signing T’s and Hoodies, while also helping launch the brand to the UK market. It was also great to see Brighton’s Snow Film Fest back where they belong, showing the latest ski and snowboard movies including Tanner’s new film Retallack and ‘never seen outside of Japan’ Car Danchi 5 – one of the greatest Cult snowboarding film ever made.
Not willing to release my first grip on winter in the final hours of Freeze I went in search of old friends and fun, which I found easily at the Inspired stand. The staff, athletes and music were all pumping, and everyone having had one of the best weekends of the year. Check out Brighton based company Snow Source (www.snowsource.co.uk) for inspired clothing and grab a piece of this stupendous new range.
Check out the site for some of the riding action: www.relentlessfreeze.com and get stoked for the coming winter.
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Click and save the image to get your hands on your free wallpaper. Rider: Billy Morgan, Winner of Battle of the Brits 2011. Photo: Tom Scrace
November 23rd, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Awesome articles… can’t believe there hasn’t been anything like this before. Seems ridiculous as Brighton has such a massive extreme sports community.
I surf on Brighton coast regularly and would love to read about other people who do the same – maybe even their tips on where else in the UK would be good to surf!? Keep it up!
JD
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Dear Andy,
This is all fabulous, wish I could have been there to spend the day with you all, that slope looks mental!:)
Love you
Justinex
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Finaly a decent segment in brighton that’s talking about extreme sports (esp snowboarding)! i’ve never even heard of S2AS! gonna chek it out this weekend.