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 Westbeach Snowflex Series
 A new series for skiers and snowboarders organised by Wayne Taylor.
Here's a review from our friends at ilovelegion.com.  Last Saturday saw the opening event in the Westbeach Snow Flex Championships. This eagerly anticipated Jam format comp attracted a lot of the big guns and some shiny new entourage mobiles from Document and Fall Line Ski magazines. The Rome and Legion teams were well represented and the local lads were out in force too as well as a sprinkling of riders from across the north of England. There was plenty of talent and a good sized crowd of nervous parents and inbred farmers who’d left their pints in the Woolpack for a gawk at the action. The slope itself, or rather the kicker proved a difficult beast to tame for some of the visitors but others really upped their game and went for it. If you haven’t been to ‘Fax or you’ve only seen pictures then nothing prepares you for the steep drop-in. The jump itself is well whippy and I guess you either like it or you don’t. After a fairly relaxed warm up session the under 16s and women were put through their paces, their jam session ran for 45mins and the standard was high. This was the first time I’d seen Jamie Nichols hitting a kicker; the kid has so much style and couldn’t put a foot wrong all day. Needless to say he went on to blow the competition out the water. Mat Macwhirter put in a solid performance to take second and Rome youngster Will Smith took third – not to be confused with the Fresh Prince or the other Will Smith. The final of the under 16 ski event saw Scotland’s Murray Buchan and Graham ‘Flying Ginge’ McGrath battle it out with a young Englishman, Tyler for the final. Murray placed first with the Ginge coming in second – Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. Ginge won’t be feeling too bad about this as Murray kicked his arse. There were a few girls in this section and they were riding particularly well. Kat Miller and Becca Richardson were the only seniors and took first and second. There were a few more girls representing the under 16s and again the standard was pretty high. The most exciting heat of the day, as is usually the case, was the men’s senior ski and board final. Those guys who qualified rode hard and it looked like the constant pace, heat and early morning rises were taking their toll but all of the finalist kept something in reserve and upped the ante for their final runs. Monkey took at least one heavy bail in the warm up that would have left the Terminator in pieces but as always he performed under pressure and threw down a missive 9 which literally had us all up on our feet shouting. How the f#ck does he do that in those Russell Brand jeans!?! Cullom Mytton was great to watch, likewise with Jamie Nichols the skill and easy style on his board sets him apart. Tom Percival was hitting the jump too in a sweet Westbeach jacket and pants combo – at 32 he’s riding like a guy 10 years younger, I guess Legion Dave and I can’t hide behind our age anymore! Apologies Tom if you’re not as old as that! Wayne turned the heat up after the men’s final – just when everyone looked totally done in – and announced a quick team comp. Showing true grit and dogged endurance the Rome team went on to storm this with Monkey, Zach and Mat, they looked like they were having fun too! There were spot prizes galore; Document were dishing out Beanies, tees and a 5 skimpy g-strings donated by Girls Aloud. The eagerly anticipated potential sponsorships from movement Skis and Options snowboards went to Andy Nudds (Boarder) and Joe Tomlinson (Skier) both lads deserved the prize and make up the first two who will be staying in the Dragon Lodge this season. Document Snowboard was also looking for the best unsponsored rider to win a full K2 snowboards set up. Legion funny-man Marcus Deans walked away with the board, the cheeky chap rode well all day despite being absolutely shattered. The entire comp ran on time which is a novelty and there was a real buzz and friendly atmosphere on the slope. It was a good opportunity to meet with our southern friends and we got to meet Blair ‘Hobo’ Donaldson’s English twin ‘Nibbles’! The next leg is in Warmwell on the 16th of June and then the Westbeach Snowflex Championships will roll into Bearsden, Glasgow. Wayne and Gary would like to thank Westbeach Technical Clothing for making it all happen, Briton Engineering for inventing Snowflex in the first place, The staff and owners of the Halifax Ski and Snowboard Centre, the Judges, DJ's and MC, and all our sponsors. plus themselves A.K.A snowskate, who organized the event. The Westbeach Snowflex Series event page can be administered by dunx (Dunx), stu (Stu Brass), spencer (Spencer Claridge) and office (Office). Page views: 4448 |
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