We went to Whistler last week and had the time of our lives. It was a pretty special thing to share with the boys about what snowboarding actual gives you. Not sponsorship, accolades, prizes and trophies…its friendship. The fact that a 50 year old man can make, maintain and have new friends at this age and feel like a 16 year old kid all week was amazing. Not to mention what a smile and rad conversation I had with the boys about it on the drive home. They totally understood it and respected it. Thanks everyone.
Mac packing the sport up. The burban was full of skate, snow and bike shit.
On the drive up thru Vancouver, we stopped by to see TJ Schnieders denim shop, The Shop Vancouver. It's so rad to see someone who was so immersed in the shred be as passionate, if not more with their professional choice after.
Then we got to Whistler, and hooked up with this crazy ass chick, Julie Smith. Mother of Truth Smith, the most up lifting, positive, stoked - skate/snow kid in the world. And you can see where he gets his juice from. Julie managed to meet up with us in some shape, way and form everyday we were in Whistler and sprinkle fun dust on the day.
My partner in crime, snow time, and on going negotiations of dad lyfe, Jason Cline on the outside, and our gratious host, Chad Chomlack in the middle. Jason and I learned lots from Chad this week. Patience and just rolling with shit for the most part. Mr. Cline and I are trying our hardest to "Chad" shit more.
I like this shot Brian Finestone took. Sums up my week of #dadcamin.
I thought I invented something while up there. GoBro on top of my lens so I could double down on photos and video. Then I went on Amazon and found that the gadget exists for $8. It's pretty rad.
And with all that above, I leave you with the story that was sent to Snowboarder Mag about the camp.
After handing in his pro shred card 20 years ago, Rob Picard started the Whistler Valley Snowboard Club as a way to continue snowboarding every day. The initial goal of the club was to show local Whistler kids all aspects of ripping the mountain while hitting some of the contests thru out British Columbia. The program grew from 5 kids the first year, to over 80 these days developing some of Canada’s top snowboarders.
Rob Picard and camper.
During the summer, WVSC used the Camp Of Champions facilities to continue practicing what they were preaching in the winter. So when the air was let out of the Camp Of Champions tires this summer, Rob and crew grabbed a compressor and blew new life into the snow, keeping COC’s 28 year summertime glacier snowboarding torch alive, and Whistler Valley Summer Camp was born.
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With help from Whistler Blackcomb, and park builders Ty Weed and Lucas Ouellet, a progressive jump line was built, as well a rail line for the kids to throw down on. And throw down they did during the inaugural first week.
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Jadyn Chomlack
Hips galore in the public park.
Sean Dog
Finn Finestone
Killer weather graced session 1. From the WVSC park you could access the public park making laps long and full of everything you could imagine during July shredding. Snow conditions were fast and the t-bar lines were minimal. The week blew by as afternoons on the hill, led to evenings in the newly built Whistler Skate Park, as well as top to bottom bike park laps.
Does a bear shit in the woods? No but a old man that had too much coffee does still shit his pants.
7 kids + 5 dads in Whistler Bike Park = one hell of a good time.
Group shot. Props to Brian Finestone and Scott Keuling for the tour de Whistler.
A big thanks to Whistler Valley Snowboard Club, Whistler Blackcomb, Rob Picard, Joe McAdoo, Antoine Malingrey, Sam Weston, Josh Howell, Gunner Marquis and the Chomlack family for the invite, coaching and hospitality.
For more information about Whistler Valley Snowboard Club, as well as next summers camp plans, contact them here.
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