2011 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Teva Mountain Games (TMG). What began as a regional, grassroots whitewater competition has transformed into the largest adventure sports festival in the country and serves as the unofficial kickoff to summer in the Rockies. This year’s festival promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a blockbuster four-day schedule that includes new and improved events, concerts and nightlife.

This year, two of the most spectator-friendly events at TMG, the Teva Slopestyle presented by Chipotle big air bike and the Bouldering World Cup presented by Goal Zero competitions have moved to the twilight hour. Slopestyle will take place on Friday at 6 p.m. in Golden Peak, and will feature some of the world’s best freeriders defying the laws of gravity for a panel of judges, followed by a Best Trick bonus round for more cash prizes. Friday evening will now also include food, concessions and a DJ spinning tunes – the perfect way to get things started before a night on the town.

The fourth installment of the IFSC Bouldering World Cup presented by Goal Zero also moves to the twilight hour; 5 p.m. on Saturday on the Vista Bahn Lawn in Mountain Plaza. TMG’s Great Wall of climbing is home to the only World Cup bouldering event in the United States and the crowd’s only opportunity to see the highest ranked international climbers from 25 countries compete side by side. The champion male and female will be awarded their medals just minutes before the start of the free Bud Light Mountains of Music concert with Xavier Rudd at Checkpoint Charlie in the heart of Vail Village. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Dog competitions have always been a favorite at TMG and the Eukanuba Rocky Dog Trail Run presented by Ruff Wear is sure to attract a crowd. The inaugural 5k run and 1-mile run/walk will start and finish in Golden Peak and kicks off at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. All sizes and breeds (of dogs and their owners) are welcome.

For athletes looking to push the envelope, the Maui Jim SUP Surf Sprint presented by C4 Waterman is now part of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge. Individual athletes or teams can now choose to kayak or SUP down Gore Creek as part of the four-event, two-day competition.

And last, but not least it wouldn’t be a mountain festival without some parties! In addition to the Bud Light Mountains of Music free concerts at Checkpoint Charlie on Thursday night with The Dirty Heads and Saturday night with Xavier Rudd, the new Aloha Happy Hour presented by C4 Waterman, Maui Jim and Korbel California Champagne will take place at the SUP Demo Pool on Meadow Drive on Saturday afternoon. It’s a free block party, TMG style. And the social highlight of the Games, the Teva Mountain Ball, has moved west to bōl at the Solaris and will go down on Saturday at 10pm. Don your favorite Tevas and get ready to party like a raft guide.

Visit, www.tevamountaingames.com.

Skateboarding has gone a long ways since the days of Dogtown and the first ollie; once considered trivial at best,  skateboarding has evolved into one of the most popular activities with American youth.   Last weekend I got to check out the Element Make It Count skate contest in Delano, CA.

Towards the end of 2009, Element finished up a four part documentary showcasing the companies defining moments and compelling story -from it’s humble beginnings, to a forward thinking global brand.  Their work and responsibility towards youth beyond skating is evident in programs like Elemental Awareness, founded upon the belief that a person can positively impact thheir world through active involvement in their passions and offer sholarships and educational opportunities.

Element Skating is currently on tour with an international contest series called Make It Count, creating the opportunity for the community to come together and reognize the passion their town has for skateboarding.  The overall winner at each location gets invited to a YMCA Skate Camp this summer for the opportunity to get sponsored by Element.

Levi Brown, a sponsored Element rider, said of the contest in Delano last weekend, “Good turnout.  Fun time.  The Kids ripped.  And it brought the community out.  That’s what it is all about.”
Continue Reading

“PlanetExplore is an online community designed to help individuals and families learn about and participate in outdoor activities and events in their area. Powered by partner organizations that share our passion, PlanetExplore is a portal to the outdoors designed to inspire and enable people of all ages to become regularly active outside, and to develop the benefits gained through a connection to nature..” -www.planetexplore.com

On Saturday, February 13th, 2010, in New York City, The North Face (TNF) combined efforts with The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) to host the first regional event for PlanetExplore. Through the collaborative work of several volunteers groups, as well as these two aforementioned companies, the youth of the area had the opportunity to experience the outdoors in their own backyard via an all-day outdoors program.

The launch event was called the “Winter Warm-Up” and set up in Swindler’s Cove on the Northern end of the island. Activities included hiking, fishing, photos in Himalayan suits with an Everest back-drop, a variety of games and gear stations, hot chocolate & soup & smores, fun with insects and reptiles, athlete poster signings, prizes & giveaways, and much more.

Arriving in NYC on Friday afternoon, I met up with fellow TNF athletes, Heidi Wirtz (climber) and Tim Twietmeyer (enduro runner), to assist the PlanetExplore team with both the activities and the area outreach. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of organizers that include Brook Shinsky (TNF), Akiima Price (NYRP), the Aloft Group, and many more on-site staff, our team met some amazing young people, along with great volunteers and other friendly faces. Continue Reading

Skateboarding is not something that we normally follow but someone sent me this video of 11-year-old twins, Nic and Tristan Puehse. It is great to see today’s youth out pushing the limits as opposed to sitting in front a TV or computer. Remember these 2 kids….you will see more of them in the future.