By Nicole Purdy. Photos by Megan Purnell and Joey Krank

After days of rain in the Okanagan, the sun finally broke through on the morning of October 6, 2011, creating a shining spotlight on the man-made pile of snow that sat outside Freeride Boardshop. The air had a crisp feel to it, the scaffolding stood ready for 28 riders to shred on, and I had the hallelujah chorus ringing through my ears as I thought to myself “winter is almost here.”

I wasn’t the only one feeling excited for the upcoming season. Freeride Boardshop partnered up with YES Snowboards and Absinthe Films to provide one of the greatest ways possible to get Kelowna snowboarders stoked for winter: A rail jam followed up by a double-feature video premiere!

Lucas Debari, DCP and an auto-graph signing Helen Schettini served as judges at the rail jam.

The YES. It’s A Rail Jam may have been nerve-racking for the participating riders since, for most of them, it was their first time strapping in since April, but as a spectator it was incredible! Ladies stepped it up in front of guest judges DCP, Lucas Debari and Helen Schettini, with Janelle Leclair taking first with her front boards and lipslides to fakie. Stephanie Haines and Zuzy Rocka also stood out and were awarded second and third place respectively in the ladies division.

Winner Janelle Leclair.

As the night progressed, the audience was taken to downtown Kelowna to see Absinthe Films’ Twe12ve and the much anticipated YES. It’s a Movie. The films were showcased at Paramount Theatre, meaning the audience sat back in comfy seats, munching on extra buttery popcorn, and drooling over the untouched powder the pros conquered world-wide.

Second-place rider Stephanie Haines.

The nice and relaxing evening was quickly disrupted as soon as intermission took place and swag was thrown out to the audience. Determined viewers ran down aisles and soared through the air as fast and as high as the free hats and T-shirts could be thrown. The audience also had the opportunity to win a YES. snowboard through a heated hand-stand competition. A Rugged Riders raffle was also held for the ladies. Winner Alaura Ewen was gifted with entry into the Big White Kinky Rail Jam clinic and contest, a 1-year BC Snowboard Association membership, and two tickets to Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

Full name: Shayna Goodwin
Age: 17
Current Hood: Surrey, B.C.
Chairlifts Frequented: Big White
Years Riding: 9 years and 5 years riding park
Favourite Park: Big White Telus Park
Favourite Trick: boardslide 270 out
Shred Soundtrack: anything upbeat
Sponsors: none yet
 
Do you have a pre-contest ritual or good luck charm? Before a contest I always visualize what I am going to do.

Why is the Kinky Rail Jam a good time? It’s a lot of fun to ride with the girls! They are all so full of energy, and you meet lots of new friends.
 
How does competing in a women’s only event compare to competing in one with both guys and ladies? I love competing in both guys and ladies events because they are both so different, they have completely different vibes. In a girls competition everyone is just out there to have fun and meet new friends.

What did you like about the park setup at Big White? I wish the setup had some more difficult features but overall it was still a good time.
 
Who else’s riding impressed you at the Big White Kinky Rail Jam? All the girls did great! I was definitely impressed by Zuzy she pulled some sick tricks!
 
Do you tend to learn tricks on your own, or when you’re riding with friends? I find riding with the guys definitely helps to improve and learn new tricks.

 
What trick were you most stoked on learning this season? I was working on jumps a lot this year so I was definitely stoked about learning cab 5’s off the XL jumps and sweepers on the skinny down.

What are you looking forward to for next season? Everything! Right now I am just excited for Big White to open up again.

Words by Eve Northmore. Photos by Erin Helstern.

For the last Kinky Rail Jam event of the season, the Women’s Snowboard Federation added an 80’s prom dress twist to shake it up and close the series down!

The girls had the time of their lives as they learned that heaven is a place on earth and on April 2nd, that place was Blue Mountain! The spring sun shone brightly down on the girls as they hiked the setup time after time to the tune of Hall & Oates, Glass Tiger, Blondie, Joan Jett and Michael Jackson!

The intermediate girls were living on a prayer as they fought trick for trick through a game of K.I.N.K.Y. for a custom Rugged Riders snowboard and then into an afternoon jam.

But don’t you forget about the beginner girls who, after locking in some new tricks, thrilled the crowd with their new moves in the beginner jam. First-time competitor Rebecca Last had the eye of the tiger as she stomped front and back boardslides and 180’s on the dance floor, taking home the first prize – a shiny new Burton Lipstick.

The advanced girls sweated through the afternoon stomping trick after trick. Everybody wanted to rule the world and take home the grand prize: cashmoney, sponsor goodies, a stunning tiara, and a bottle of the finest non-alcoholic champagne just waiting to be rained down on the crowd!

Who can it be now? The girls thought as they waited patiently for the winner of day to be announced. You don’t get money for nothing…winning both Best Trick with a hard way 180-onto the down-flat rail, and 1st place overall, Genny Ross killed it! She was so excited, she just couldn’t hide it, taking home the cold hard cash with a slew of badass banger tricks.

The girls partied all night long in the village at the Rusty’s after party. Celebrating good times (come on!) and yet another season is a wrap!

RESULTS:

GAME OF K.I.N.K.Y
Mel Maynard

BEGINNER JAM
1.Rebecca Last
2.Selina Lai
3.Clare Zeltner

INTERMEDIATE JAM
1.Mel Maynard
2.Logan Cordiner
3.Heather McGee

ADVANCED JAM
1.Genny Ross
2.Catriona Boyd (Forum, The Boardshop)
3.Taylor Bull

Rugged Riders: Kinky Rail Jam 2011 - Blue Mountain from Rugged Riders on Vimeo.

The Kinky Rail Jam series is sponsored by BURTON, VANS, SBCWomen.com, Matix, DVS, Dialogue Headwear; sanctioned with Women in Snowboarding and AOS.

Photos by  Erin Helstern

Full name: Genevieve Stuart-Ross
Age: 21
Current Hood: Whistler, BC (for the summer)
Chairlifts Frequented: Blackcomb (currently), Blue, Louis, Mont Cascade, Edelweiss
Favourite Park: Whistler
Favourite Trick: Frontboard
Shred Soundtrack: I'm really into one song playlists. I change it up but, this year I enjoyed riding to Waka Flocka Flame - No hands.
Sponsors: ?

Do you have a pre-contest ritual or good luck charm? My best friend Heather and I usually travel together for snowboarding contests. I'd say she is my good luck charm, or the magic she holds in her flask - takes the edge off a little bit.
  
Why is the Kinky Rail Jam a good time? I had a lot of fun riding in the Kinky Rail Jams this year. The Ontario scene holds a large amount of girl riders, and over the years riding in contests, everyone has become good friends. I feel as though the Kinky Rail Jam is more of a fun day of riding with friends than a contest; and riding with friends only delivers a good time.

How does competing in a women’s only event compare to competing in one with both guys and ladies? It is definitely more of a relaxed atmosphere riding in women's only events. Contests can be intimidating, especially when there is a bunch of boys riding and watching. Its nice having more time to hit features, and actually talk to the other riders, without all those "serious business" vibes.

What did you like about the park setup at Blue Mountain? The Down Flat Rail! I had some fun on that rail. Also, the spring conditions, slush boardin' is the best!

Who else’s riding impressed you at the Blue Mountain Kinky Rail Jam? The majority of the riders are my friends, and they all killed it. Taylor Bull's riding really impressed me. She had some nice tricks on the Down Flat Rail as well, and definitely deserved to make it into the finals.

Do you tend to learn tricks on your own, or when you’re riding with friends? I think my friends really influence me to learn new tricks. Whether it is riding or even just watching The Lost Boys or Whis Birds, my friend's style and level of riding inspires me to do harder tricks. Learning from friends makes trying tricks for the first time a lot easier than on your own. I learn with friends.

What trick were you most stoked on learning this season? I was happy that I learned hard way 180 back to regular, and happier that I did it on the Down Flat Rail at Blue.

What are you looking forward to for next season? If all goes according to plan, I'd like to take my winter semester off from school, and live somewhere for a season like Colorado, or Mammoth. If that doesn't work out, I'll be looking forward to boarding in Ontario, and Quebec with my friends. I'll plan some trips out west for sure, and just go with it from there.

To the winner go the spoils! Look out for Genny next year!

Photos by Jess Tasker

Full name: Dallas Rourke
Age: 17
Current Hood: Falmouth, NS
Chairlifts Frequented: Martock
Years Riding: 8
Favourite Park: COP
Favourite Trick: switch bs 270 out
Shred Soundtrack:  fun songs
Sponsors: 'Rents, Rossi, Dakine

Do you have a pre-contest ritual or good luck charm? My friend made me a bracelet so that's my lucky charm.

Why is the Kinky Rail Jam a good time? because you get to hang out with your friends and learn new tricks.

How does competing in a women’s only event compare to competing in one with both guys and ladies? Less pressure.

What did you like about the park setup at Martock? It was lots of fun.

Do you tend to learn tricks on your own, or when you’re riding with friends?With friends—way more fun.

What trick were you most stoked on learning this season? Back 1 on front 1 off.

What advice would you give a girl who’s never done a contest but wants to give one a try? Just try it 'cause they're always lots of fun and you meet new best buds.