This episode features a rider who owns possibly the best turn in snowboarding. I'll caveat that with 'that I've seen in real life' because the general concensus is that Josh Dirksen has the best turn, but I've never ridden with him. I have ridden with Owain however, and I wanted to follow his line and ride like him and I've not felt like that for a long, long time.

Owain is a coach and lives in a little village about Bourg Saint Maurice, which is where I used to live, but we met riding with a crew in Tignes whilst out at the Dragon Lodge early season. Whilst sharing a chairlift I found out a little more about him, his work on Jenny Jones' workshops, his involvement in Protect Our Winters (POW) and his life as a local in Tignes, and he just has a warm, low key energy that I really like, as well as some serious skills.

We talked a bit about the camp we are running in March and if he'd like to come and spend a day coaching with our clients and then we talked about coming on the podcast to talk about his career in snowboarding, one which is acheivable, should someone listening want to endeavour on a similar path.

I'm stoked he is coming on our camp, I can't wait to get some tips myself, and for the whole group to unlock the next level of their riding, as well as all the other cool stuff thats gonna be happening. If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

If you are interested in getting Owain to work on your snowboarding, you can check out his website here: https://www.motionsnowboarding.com/

If you want to know more about Protect Our Winters, you can here https://protectourwinters.uk/

If you are interested in merch, we have T's and Hoodies in all sizes, hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their sale is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/

We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/

I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/

Peace x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Carr is one of those riders whoo, in the 90's, was living for dryslope riding. A regular at Becton and Hillingdon, as well as a face and contender at any give drylope competition, Chris carved himself a nice little niche in snowboarding. Sponsored by Morrow and Special Blend (two holy grail sponsors) he may not have gone the biggest, but had a distinct and solid style honed from countless hours lapping dendex kickers.

Fast forward 30 years, Chris has lived and ridden in the USA, Austria and France, has worked in many different positions in the industry, finding ways to keep his dreams of shredding alive. He zigged to Austria when most of the UK scene was in France, was in Mammoth when the scene over there started popping off, got sponsored by Bud Ice, which for a snowboarder at the time could have been a nail in the coffin, but he took all these experiences and, started a company to act as the go-between between brands who wanted some of snowboarding and actions sports' shine and the core of the industry.

It's quite the journey and one Chris is still on as he takes his (nearly grown up) kids to the mountains and pushes himself to stay ahead of them. Its great to see and after 30 years of knowing Chris to say hi to, a pleasure to actually spend some time with someone who is still frothing for the shred.

If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

If you are interested in merch, we have T's and Hoodies in all sizes, hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their sale is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/

We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/

I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/

Peace x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a great example of how Snowboarding, possibly unlike other 'sports' can bring people together. I'd never met Hannah before and we sat down as strangers, but by the end of the interview I felt I'd made a new friend. Then we went shredding and had a great day with a solid crew, some up from Bourg and other Tignes locals, all chopping around in the bit of pow we had, laughing on chairlifts and basically, doing what snowboarders do.

I wanted to tell stories like Hannah's because doing a season is a joy in itself, and for some, one season turns into a life and a career. I wanted to show that is is possible, no matter where you are from, that you too can carve a life out in the mountains, and that there are people that speak your language, come from where you come from, doing the thing you might want to do.

It is totally do-able and hannah is the proof, that as well as snowboarding, she had carved her career doing other things she loves too, it isn't just a subsistance lifestyle of doing whatever to get by (well, it might be early doors) but you can pursue your other passions out in the mountains and live a life that is rewarding in all aspects.

You can find out more about Hannah by visiting her instagram @hannah.tadasanayoga

If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

If you are interested in merch, we have T's and Hoodies in all sizes, hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their sale is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/

We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/

I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/

Peace x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If there had to be one skier who blurs the line between skiing and snowboarding, it is Jim Adlington aka Skier Jim. He doesn't necessarily ski like a skier, and is definitely 'one of us' in terms of personality and outlook. Its quite mad that given the community in Tignes which he would fit right in with, he lives over the mountain in bat shit crazy Val D'Isere, a town which has transformed in many ways since I was last there 31 years ago. In fact Jim lives in the same apartment block that I first lived in for two weeks whilst trying to find a job and life over there when I was 19, which wa a bit of a mind bender.

Jim owned and ran Planks, a very succesful clothing brand out of Val and he talks candidly about that story arc, why it closed and what he is up to now. He loves DJing, which we did talk about a lot before and after I pressed record (a bit geeky even for me!) we took a walk round Val, Jim certainly is part of the furniture there, we could barely walk for 50 yards without someone stopping to say hi, and it was great to see someone be as fondly regarded as he is.

Jims love for the mountains is infectious, as is his interest in life. We talked a lot about all sorts of things and the podcast is only part fo that, I"m very much looking forward to hanging out with Jim again as soon as possible (he says loading a bag with vinyl in anticipation of the call...)

If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

If you are interested in merch, we have T's and Hoodies in all sizes, hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their sale is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/

We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/

I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/

Peace x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Lewey was hand building snowboards in the Alps, or Japan, no-one would bat an eyelid, but as a guy building boards in the UK, he stands out as different. But Lewey is a prime example of someone being exactly where they want to be in life. Sure, he could be a bit bigger and maybe have an employee or two, but as someone who loved snowboarding, who found someone needing an apprentice to learn how to build snowboards, local to where he lived in the West Country of the UK, whose Dad was working nearby and popped his head it to see they had received his application instantly pushing his CV to the top, is a wild set of circumstances. Or meant to be.

I enjoyed making this episode so much, from getting to know Lewey and our conversation, to the time spent building a board and getting hands on in his workshop.

Lewey isn't just a snowboard brand, maybe not even a brand, but he is a craftsman. Every board that comes from his factory has felt his hands a hundred times, the only automated process being a C&C machine to router the shape and the inserts, everything else is done by hand, and it is glorious.

You can watch the process in a video up on our Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/c2ApXTeo1tM

And you can find out about DOUK Snowboards by heading to their website here: https://www.douksnow.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooHJEi3JmLCJw0FYx6sCsKvAdTrRlXQNJATkKQRo7UrBprB_2Be

If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

If you are interested in merch, then hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their new website with all this seasons product is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/

We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/

I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/

Peace x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stewart blasted into the snowboard industry, missioned with hooking up a team of riders and spreading the Oakley name as far and as wide as possible, and boy, did they choose the right person.

Anywhere he went, he would look after his team and associated people, if he saw someone on the mountain struggling with their goggles, bam, he'd hand them a pair. He was generous to a fault, I can only wince if I think how much product Stewart used to give out, but then again, that was his mission, and Oakley make fucking great goggles. In fact, I've pretty much always used them.

Stewart took that mentality to other sports too, watching Olympic athletes all wearing Oakley sunnies, that was his doing. His energy for looking after people took him around the world and he has countless outrageous stories to tell, we only scratched the surface in this interview, but he is genuinely one of the most generous individuals to have worked in snowboarding and there are a ton of riders who owe him their careers.

Thank U Stewart x

If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

If you are interested in merch, then hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their new website with all this seasons product is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/

We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/

I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/

Peace x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ash is another one of those people who has an infectious energy for snowboarding. His path has taken in many facets of the lifestyle of snowboarding, from a job in the industry to playing in bands out in the Alps, (probably in the wrong order) and maybe he lost the love for it at points.

As a community we are thankful that Ash is still with us. Sadly, the lifestyle of snowboarding can be an easy place to get lost in, and I think this is a conversation that is starting slowly to be had, but one that there are quite a few people who aren't willing to have it.

If you are worried about the amount of alcohol you are consuming or worried about a loved one, then you can speak to Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 which is an NHS service, or you can get help and advice from https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help-now or https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

Luckily, we do still have Ash and his infectious laughter and smile, and I for one, hope to see him on a board soon, and take some laps and hear some more of his stories on a chairlift.

If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

If you are interested in merch, then hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their new website with all this seasons product is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/

We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/

I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/

Peace x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Izzi has an infectious love of snowboarding, everytime I"ve seen her, she has a big smile on her face and you can tell she is so stoked on snowboarding. We met at the Spring Break and I'm sure Shannon from the TSA had mentioned her, so we got chattng and I found out she runs meet ups for snowboarders, which, I'd never really thought was a thing. Back in the day, you just went where there was snowboarders and you got chatting. But I guess these days, with higher social anxiety, amongst other problems, people want to feel like they will be safe and putting on social events is a great way to welcome more people into our great world.

Through her social events, there is a burgeoning crop of people who just love snowboarding and the people around it and are finding 'their tribe' which is great to see, and The Reason magazine championed that in the latest copy of their magazine.

Snowboarding in the UK needs people like Izzi to keep the community alive, we all live such disparate lives, but getting together with fellow snowboarders is always a joy, so if you need companions for the shred, take a look at https://www.instagram.com/snowcone.social/?hl=en-gb

If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

If you are interested in merch, then hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com

We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their new website with all this seasons product is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/

We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/

I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/

Peace x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.