Apr 25, 2010
Author: Sara Tollestrup/Photos: Sara Tollestrup and Russell Dalby
Yes this is the Snowboard Canada Women's site, and no that is not a female pictured below. It's actually the man behind the Grenade Games, Commander Danny Kass. April 20, 2010 a.k.a. 4:20 marked the beginning of the 6th Annual Grenade Games (and the second time it has been held in Whistler). It's an event Commander Kass said is all about "the love of snowboarding and end of season fun."
Commander Kass giving the Grenade Games two thumbs up.
The Games started off with a paintball match between the Grenade guys and the 8 Mile crew of Squamish, BC. Kass said that Grenade destroyed 8 Mile. Judging by the splatter on Eero Nimela's mask and the welts rumoured to be covering his back Kass wasn't just making claims. Although there are a handful of ladies taking part in the Games, none showed up to be fired at. Odd.
Eero Nimela's mask.
Later that night Sushi Village hosted an all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink party for the Grenerds. For those looking for a more mellow night it was over to the Telus Ski & Snowboard Festival event of the night, the 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown. Best in Show went to "Panty Bloom," for their tale of how the infamous panty tree (of snow resorts the world over) comes to be. Credit for the film belongs to: Alex Adrian, Joe Gaetani and Chris Zimmerman of Vermont. When asked how they felt about grabbing the $5,000 cash prize Adrian said "It's a shocker. The last time I did something like this was in 6th grade. I'm really stoked." Then Gaetani and Zimmerman piped in saying they planned to spend at least 10% of their winnings at the bar later that night.
Watch "Panty Bloom"
Danny and his lady putting down some Sake Margaritas at the Sushi Village party.
The scene at the 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown.
Panty Bloom's producers (L:R): Joe Gaetani, Alex Adrian and Chris Zimmerman.
The Filmmaker Showdown took place in the Whistler Conference Centre, which also happens to be the home of the "State of the Art" exhibit over the course of the TWSSF. The exhibit includes work from a variety of familiar artists like Ben Tour and Whistler shred Vanessa Stark, as well as pieces from such brands as Endeavor and Westbeach.
Ben Tour x Gordon Nicholas for Color Mag.
Endeavor's collection at the State of the Art Show.
The work of Vanessa Stark, a lover of art and snowboarding equally.
Vancouver's OG brand, Westbeach.
Whistler artist Helen Wojcik's creative display was eye catching.
While Grenade Games partying was already well underway, the riding side of the event kicked off on April 21 with the "Search and Recovery Mission." The Mission was made up of 5 challenges: qualifiers for the dual mogul finals the following day, a snow skate/GT snow racer gap jump, the aptly named "Ollie Over Uranus" high ollie contest, "Huck Your Meat," a spin to win challenge, and an Asteroids arcade game battle. It is our humble opinion that a sixth challenge should have been added to the day's mission. We would have called this challenge "Find Your Friends in the Fog," and it would have entailed locating anyone within a 2 foot radius without suffering from a serious case of vertigo.
This is pretty much all there was to see on Blackcomb during the Search and Recovery mission.
Even through the fog it was apparent that not too many ladies were on hand for the first day of competition. Whistler's own Merceds Nicoll made it out as did Helen Schettini, and Alex Duckworth who took third place in the GT/Snowskate Air.
Mercedes Nicoll showing off her Grenade Games competitor memorabilia.
Legendary snowboarders Jamie Lynn and Brian Iguchi as well as host of other VIPs hit the Asymbol opening later the night. Asymbol is a traveling art show conceptualized by Travis Rice and Mike Parillo. It exhibits the works of internationally-renowned artists with ties to the world of snowboarding such as Jamie Lynn and Tim Zimmerman. Also on display was "I Am Snowboarding," a collection of mixed-media pieces created in memory of pro rider, Jeffy Anderson who passed away 10 years ago.
Two of Jamie Lynn's pieces on display, Including his well-known "Blue Girl."
The Asymbol Opening crowd.
Day 3 of Grenade Games brought competitors back to the old school days of red and blue gates with Dual Slalom Moguls. While most of us do our best to avoid bumps, Grenade's slalomers threw themselves at Davie's Dervish, a course that has been the site of many serious mogul events, including World Cups. Riders risked their knees in hopes of becoming the "Most Radical Dude" of the day. As for the most Radical Dudette of the day, there wasn't one, but there were plenty of dudes who could have passed as dudettes with their long hair and skinny jeans.
Mark Sollors the most Radical Dude of the day.
Brian Bielmann, the winner of the Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown Best in Show and People's Choice Awards, blew the minds of everyone in the sold out Whistler Conference Centre Ballroom on Thursday night. Cheers filled the room throughout Bielmann's slideshow. Attendees said they were touched and inspired by everything from the surf culture conveyed through his photos, his 30 plus years worth of work on Hawaii's North Shore, and the support he had from several family members who had made the trip to the mainland solely to attend the show.
Brian Bielmann's website. Worth checking out: www.brianbielmann.com
More from Grenade Games coming soon...
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