Fresh Lines: May 2012

LEISE BRETTER,

PART TWO

Hey Slidie peeps,

As we promised here are a couple of interviews one with a great guy Jimmy Churri another with a kick ass lady ripper Nico Mädalesch to fill you in on a bit of the background behind the European scene, their personal riding and of course Leise Bretter.

Really nice guy (photo Leise Bretter)

1. Jimmy,could you tell us a bit about Leise Bretter and where the name came from?

In 2003 in Innsbruck a couple of friends, who love to do a lot of sports had too much time. We are friends and all of us have different backgrounds because we are all from different parts of Austria but attracted to do the same things. We did a lot of sports like Skiing, Snowboarding, Surfing, Longboarding, Riversurfing and of course PARTYing together.

Some do it professional others not, but all do it with a lot of passion.

So we came up with the idea to mix it all together and have a good time.

And as in a city like Innsbruck nobody cares about some guys doing a Snowboard Contest or Skiing Competition, we searched for another challenge and did a head to head Longboard Race.

We started our first Longboard Race in a 7 storey garage in the city. About 40 people were racing down until the police came and threw us out. But it was so much fun that we did it after some months again, now with the permission of the owner.

In the Year 2009 we started our first Snowskate Contest. The “Anzenberg-Rodeo”. The name “Leise Bretter” (means silent boards) came from Martin “McFly” Winkler. It refers to our passion for Boardsports and our cheapsy, reggae, punk, funk style. (not really the “silent” style, but whatever)

That’s more or less the story how our club started.

(photo Leise Bretter)

2. How many of you guys are original members and how has it grown over the years?

We consider all of our friends who are involved in bringing their time, money, ideas and style into our club as original members. It's more like a franchise system, because we are growing and not only by the number of members but also by the number of locations, because our members are spreading all over Austria and even Europe.

Since last year we have a fixed Snowskate Contest in Carinthia, next year we hope to make a Snowskate Contest in Innsbruck or maybe in the south of Germany, as well [editors note: we hope so, too!]. And of course we will have our annual Christian Steiner Memorial in Ramsau.

So it's growing.

3. How was this year compared with the last?

The Christian Steiner Memorial was our 6th contest in the last 4 years. As our Snowskate track is changing every year, each contest is very unique. Last year we had two super hard tracks, one on the Gerlitzen and one at the Stoderzinken. It was more a Snowskate Freeride Contest than a race. So we made the track this year much easier than the year before. And it worked out, very well!

(photo Leise Bretter)

4.How did you get into snowskating and what kind of riding do you enjoy the most?

I started Snowskating in the year 2001 when the Burton “Junkyard” Snowskate and the Salomon Snowskate came out. (Or if you count the Swingbo as a Snowskate it started in the 90´s, but that’s another story.) In Ramsau am Dachstein a group of friends were hanging around after work and so we were going Snowskating and playing around with old Surfboards in the snow and did all sorts of crazy stuff you can do on snow. We also have a Ski Jumping Station there with lights until midnight, and the terrain there is like a huge playground with snow.

But most influence to the Snowskating scene was brought through our Ssk8 Hero, Christian Steiner. He worked as a Snowboard instructor and was a pure mountain boy. Always looking to have some fun and catching adrenalin. One year after the first Snowskates showed up, he build his own Snowskate made of a wooden plank and a ski underneath.(We call it BoB Marley because the grip tape got the rasta colors green, yellow and red.) It worked so well that he always had to wait for us down the mountain. He was experimenting with Surfboards on the snow and did a legendary descent from the Dachstein Glacier to the Valley with a Surfboard

(http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.php?v=1733152375719&set=vb.334272886065&type=2&theater ) He was the guy who always was motivated to have some action, no matter what time it was or if the conditions were good or not. A true friend and big idol for all of us, who tragically died last year in Portland, Oregon. But in fact, I suggest that most of Austrian snowskaters, got infected by Christian with the Snowskating virus.

Christian Steiner

5. Which of the set ups you've tried is your favourite and why?

You think I'm gonna tell you that? [editor's laughing] I've been already two times in the final and never won our “Challenge Cup” the magic Longboard. But it is like waxing the ski, it always depends on the conditions. And what you want to do: park, slope, powder…I like to ride everything that floats!

6. It's difficult to get hold of boards hear in Europe why do you think that is?

There are a couple of reasons why. Burton and Salomon tried to open a market for Snowskates, but it did not work out. They produced way too much than there where people buying it. So big companies don’t want to risk it anymore to step in the Snowskate Business. Besides of Lib-Tec and Gnu, they are the only big company that is still in that business, and even they did not have a single Snowskate at this year's ISPO. (International trade show for sports fashion and equipment) [editors note: true. What a disappointment.] And then it's too expensive to pay 350 € for something most of the people think you can’t even ride. Smaller companies like 0910 don't have the resources to present their Snowskates in shops all over Europe, and shipping from the US is not really cheap neither. In Europe everything comes with a small delay, so if you look back in the last two years there have been only 2 or 3 Snowskate Companies in the States and now there's a growing scene.

It just takes time that people and companies realize that.

pic by Fresh Lines

7. How can we grow snowskating in Europe?

Don't worry, that will be happen soon. We are trying our best to do so.

8. You told us about a possible comp in July is it going to happen and is a Leise Bretter trip to the US on the cards?

We are always open for some events, it just depends on the motivation of our members, but we definitely will have a Longboard Jam in August, maybe a Snowkate Comp or a Riversurf Comp in Summer as well.

US Tour would be really cool but to be honest there are some points which make me think about it twice. - I ve heard bad stories about: US immigration, fingerprinting and stupid questions -And you are not allowed to ride a snowskate in all ski resorts! Is it true that ski patrols can give you a speeding ticket? Noooo.

It really would be great to participate in those crazy Snowskate Comps like the Serpentine Massacre, the Ralston Cup or the Minus 7 O´Melee and to shred with all the amazing US Snowskaters. By the way big- Hands Up- for Predog and Florida Powderkates who supported our Contests without missing a beat. Thanks again.

And besides that, there are so many close places I would like to go Snowskating. (Visiting our French Mates from 0910 or maybe Scotland?) [editors note: attention Granite Reef!]

(photo Leise Bretter)

9. We saw lots of Libs at the comp is a Ralston on your Christmas list?

A Ralston, a Predog, a Minus 7, a Florida Powderskate, a Fuse, a 0910 and I really would love to ride the 49” Bamboo Rival Snowskate. Because as they say: “Some people design there boards to replicate skateboarding on snow. I designed this board to surf on the snow”. - Rival Snowskates

10. We loved the comp, Is there anything you think could make the comp any better?

No. Our motto each year is the same, make the best without big effort- cheapsy style-

That’s the cool thing with our club everybody gets involved and is coming up with an idea to bring himself into the action. Right the opposite of perfection, that’s our key to success. But I would like to have an additional Jump-, Park-, Rail- and Boxes Session in the next year. If you have seen the “Eagle Mountain Park “up on the hill, where we had our Starting Gate you know what I mean. (http://www.facebook.com/leisebretter03?filter=2#!/eaglemountainlab ). And of course more Snowskaters.

Oldie but a Goodie, Leise Bretter

And from the Captain to the only lady competitor in the “Christian Steiner Memorial” contest – Nico.

Bad Ass Hill Killer

1.Hi Nico. You were the only girl who took part in the Leise Bretter contest and you kicked ass! Can you tell us how you got into snowskating? Do you own a snowskate?

. ...well thanks, I think its a pity that I was the only girl competing.
I started snowskating about 7 years ago with the very small Gnu and I remember it was really hard for me but I enjoyed it so much that for one winterseason I left my snowboard at home and just went with the snowskate on the slopes :-) I own 2 Burton decks.

2. We know that you are a kick ass snow- and skateboarder. What do you like about snowskating and how does it compare to other board sports?

I think snowskating is a mix between skateboarding and snowboarding so if you are a good skater and have no issues with snow it's a perfect sport for ya!

photo by Rick Davy

3. Could you ever see the day that you lose your straps (bindings) forever?

I destroyed both of my knees with snowboarding and for me the day will definitely come where I will not be able to ride my snowboard like I am used to and then I will go to live at the beach and only surf.

4. Do you like to listen to music when you're on the slopes and if so, what are you listening to at the moment? What gets you pumped?

I was listening to sounds while riding especially hip-hop, but I prefer to hear the snow and my surroundings.....for better concentration.

photo by Fresh Lines

5. You told us about the Snowskate Rodeo in Innsbruck which was unfortunately on at the same time as the Leise Bretter comp last year. Can you tell us a little bit about that and how it compares to the LB event?

The snowskate rodeo at the springsession in Kühtai near Innsbruck is very similar to the Leise Bretter. There is also a track build up and a lot of competitors are taking part just for fun and having a good time together.

6. What was the highlight of the Leise Bretter event for you and what do you think could be done to make it bigger and better?

The highlight for me at this event was to see all this people again who came for Christian our friend who died one year ago. I wish we could spend more time together and meet more often. I think it was an awesome day and for sure next year will be kick ass too.

photo by Leise Bretter

7. Any shout outs to any one? Anything you would like to add or say for yourself?

Thanks that you all came to this event to have a wicked day and lots of fun! spot on ! Next year more girls please!!!

PICTURE GALLERY

all photos by Fresh Lines