Poach, snowboard, video and win $5000

by Abha Malpani on

There are four resorts in North America that still prohibit snowboarding: Mad River Glen, Vermont; Deer Valley, Utah; Alta Ski Area, Utah; and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.

Encouraging a “peaceful protest” against the ban, famous snowboarding equipment company Burton is sponsoring a contest where you must to go to one or all of these resorts, snowboard, and submit a video of it. The best video in each resort will win $5000.

Contests are not meant to be easy, but I don’t think this would even be possible! It’s hard to hide your snowboard so I don’t see you getting past the entrance; if you do manage that, how would you go up the ski-lift without being asked to leave your snowboard behind? The only “ski-resort” I have been to is the one at a mall in Dubai, so I’m the last person qualified to even think about smart ways to enter a snowboarding prohibited center, but if any of you can enlighten, I’d be curious to know.

Also, other than the fact that snowboarding packs the snow in a way not very suitable for skiing, and the general complaints from traditional skiiers, what are the other reasons that justify the banning of snowboarding?

It seems like the competition was launched end of November 2007, and there are no videos up yet. For those who are excited by events that make you eat forbidden fruit, the deadline for this one is March 1, 2008. Videos should be 5-minutes long and in *.flv format.

Make sure you read the “Poaching Commandments”; full details on how to enter can be found here.

Get your Ski-Mojo working!

by Abha Malpani on


No, it’s not what you are thinking. Ski-Mojo is gear that will help you ski longer should you not be able to keep that squat while skiing for an extended period of time.

The little mechanism that is strapped to your backside and rods down to your knees and somehow connects into your boots, has been in development for the last 11 years and finally hit the stores last week for a whopping £289 — but then skiing has always been an expensive sport.

Apparently it reduces fatigue and enhances your control and balance on the slopes. I suppose the mojo lets you rest on it in some way; but will you still build the muscle? or will you have to forgo the tight-butt and thigh muscle cuts?

Although I wouldn’t buy it (I’d feel really old), it’s available for skiers of all standards. Want it or not, the website (“this is no hoodoo”) is funny and worth looking at for a giggle.

[Via Guardian]

Spain’s bullfighting craze resurfaces

by Abha Malpani on

The first (and last time) I saw a bullfight was early morning in a cafe in Valencia. I felt so sick watching I couldn’t even finish my coffee, even though I was watching it on a screen across the room. I sat there perturbed as I saw multiple spears oscillating in the bull’s back and a crowd cheering as the animal bleeds profusely whilst running to the swooshes of a red cloth swooned dramatically by some hero torerro.

Culture, tradition, art, amusement, call it what you want – how could anyone take pleasure in watching the slow death of an animal?

As I spoke to Spaniards about this ghastly game, whilst many were neutral, the majority strongly opposed it. With the “sport” legally banned in Barcelona and otherwise predominantly showcased only in tourist season, it thankfully seemed to be on the verge of obsolesce.

Until the legendary matador Jose Tomas decided to spring back into action. Local news channels and the general population seem to be rejuvenated with his comeback. Perhaps the pure ‘hero’ value he left lingering when he abruptly retired in 2002 has overwhelmed people and made them forget that the brutal killing of innocent animals is also at stake with this revival.

This mix-up and mess-up of tradition, art, bravery, and fame, with hypocrisy and human morality leaves me disappointed and confused; and I don’t like it.

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Rugby World Cup: No Girly-Man Helmets To Be Seen

by Brett Atkinson on

With its combination of grace and brute strength, (and a total lack of girly-man helmets and shoulder pads), purists reckon rugby is the “Game Played in Heaven”. The once every four years Rugby World Cup has just kicked off with hosts France being beaten in an upset by the Pumas from Argentina.

The tournament’s on for another seven weeks before the inevitable victory by New Zealand’s All Blacks in the final in Paris on October 20 (but I would say that wouldn’t I?)

Most games are being played in France, but there are also a few fixtures in Cardiff and Edinburgh. Apparently there are still tickets available, so here’s your chance to see what the fuss is all about. Alternatively here are three great bars where rugby fans from all nations will be cheering on their favourites.

  1. Marseille:L’OM Cafe. Marseille is a big soccer town. Zinedine Zidane is a local hero, and this is home base for fans of Olympique Marseille. The city on the Med is also the base for the All Blacks for the next few weeks so expect lots of rowdy but friendly Kiwis.
  2. Paris:Pub Saint-Germain. Imagine your idea of a perfect pub. How about one that has more than a hundred different beers and stays open 24 hours a day? More than perfect I reckon.
  3. Lyon: OL Café is near the stadium and has football memorabilia and more TV screens than dodgy calls by a South African referee.

For information on getting around France by train to the different games, click here.

Thanks to anneinparis16 on Flickr for the pic.