Michalchuk

All the "latest" and "greatest" of halfpipe riding had me thinking about the way its progressed the past few years. Then I started to remember a few standouts that may have been ahead of their time. Its a common thought that a person can only get out above the lip of a halfpipe as high as the wall.. so a 14 foot pipe highest air would be 14 feet. This shot was taken in during the last held Westbeach classic contest on Blackcomb. The pipe was 12 feet high. Mike went higher than 12 feet that day, and did a double backflip. this is a frame on his second of the rotations.. on his way back down.How he did that?? I dont know. He somehow mastered transitions I suppose. The sequence of this was one of my first published shots....

Pretty sweet... wonder what Mike thinks about todays pipe antics?

Trouble at the Airport... almost.. whew!

Well, I was about to write a long blog about how I ALMOST didn't make it on the plane due to my Elinchrome Ranger lighting kit looking suspect. It was opened and then the security staff in Auckland decided that the battery contained was not proper for flight, and to their knowledge had to be a Panasonic battery to be safe for flight...
Anyway long story short, I convinced them otherwise, and they let me on. I googled the issue, and the first thing up is a great write up by DAN CARR - READ IT HERE where he went through the EXACT same thing at the same airport. But he had it sorted. You could benefit if your a photographer flying with a light kit.
Jeff

- winter is on its way... are you ready?

Inventor = Craven

Dustin Craven is an Inventor. Like the title states. Saw 2 new tricks invented in this trip. some kind of chikane 900 in the pipe... weirdness, and a handplant you may see soon that was dubbed the Warlock by Craven and Bridges...
huh?

Sunset @ Snowpark

The other night up at the Snowpark Resort outside Wanaka I was witness to one of the most epic sunsets ever. The lead up to the full epic was also quite amazing. Unfortunately due to one snowmobile blowing a belt, and a second crew coming to session. Things got complicated. Too many people, not enough sleds.. Too much camera and flash gear. My elinchrome Ranger setup was popping for the hour lead up without any issues. Suddenly when a second flash setup from the other photographer was put up directly beside mine, both my setup and his started mis-firing, or just not firing at all. FRUSTRATING.. different channels - still no reason why. Changed batteries, still not working. Possibly was due to distance, but since Pocket Wizards advertise that they should work at a range about 5x longer than where I was standing (AND HAS NEVER ACTUALLY WORKED FOR ME AT ANYWHERE NEAR THAT RANGE) and absolutely nothing between me and the receiver - there was no real reason for any of the issues.

Anyway, missed some amazing shots. Bummed as its been one of the only times I have had a shoot work out weather wise in 5 weeks.

Getting ready to head back home.

West Coast NZ

More down days from snow. Actually just finding more to do than snow...
Explored the West Coast for a few days.
Went South as far as the road went.... beautiful drive.

There was supposed to be a great place to eat there... but it was not open. There was also supposed to be colonies of Penguins there as well... all we could find was sketch beach shanty towns, and this rusty tractor.

So we continued north to yet another place Lonely Planet says is "all time" for penguins. Hiked in 45 minutes, and found only colonies of tiny biting black flies. BUt it was really nice as well...

Further North, we made it up to Fox Glacier and walked in to the ice there... Then up the road for a view of Franz Josef.

Finally finished the day in Punakaiki "Pancake Rocks"

Slept in the car overnight on the Arthurs Pass road, and awoke to KEA birds tearing apart the car, so took back to the road.

Now in a nice hotel in Christchurch for a shower and a night in the city!
Enjoy
Jeff

NEW ZEALAND

THE SHOTS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE LAST NEW ZEALAND POST...

NEW ZEALAND

Back in New Zealand... I LOVE this place.

Wanaka has changed alot since my first trip here in 1994. The downtown big air/ ripcurl heli has come and gone, and now may be here again.. But will never be the same as the parking lot at BARROWS. If you know what Barrows was, then you know what I am talking about.
Anyway, here are a few from the past week adventures...

Queenstown, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Cardrona, Snowpark, South Island Scenic Route, sheep, windy roads, and pies........

Scotty Shaw is one of the best handplanters in the world

Pat Bridges - Editor of Snowboarder Magazine said this inprint a couple years ago. If you have seen Scotts' plethora of handplant tricks, you would have to agree. I on the other hand think he has one of the best POWDER turns in the world... so... I guess he is a really damn good snowboarder. I was going to show a bunch of images of him Jumpin... but that will have to be another post. Wait.... If he is that good at HANDPLANTING, POW, AND JUMPING.... Why is he not getting paid by a bunch of people? Simple answer is... Scott rides because its fun!

--- Although I am sure he would love a big pay cheque for doing it.

Many would say he is one of the most Under-rated snowboarders in the world... So. You do the math. He has a list of "best of's"....

How to feel COLD on a HOT summer day

Shin doing his best to make this snow look deep.. Snorkel anyone?

Skye so deep he could use some scuba... You cannot tell, but this turn is on a Noboard... Yes. FUN

Just think about some deep blower interior POW!
Happy Summer everyone!