Land of the long white cloud

Last week here in NZ we had beautiful sunny skies everyday, but so far this week isn't the warm spring weather we were hoping for. Monday and Tuesday were scheduled days off as the forecast wasn't looking so flash and everyone was in need of some rest.

Today was our first day back up at Cardrona for the last week of spring camp. When I woke up it was wet, miserable and foggy and it got no better by the time I reached the mountain. Despite the conditions I ended up having a great morning riding just working on simple but important things.

 At the top of the pipe, riding into the unknown

The airbag set up and a short lived break from the whiteout

Cardrona Spring Camp

I am back in New Zealand and today was our third day up at Cardrona. They have a great spring camp set up with an airbag, halfpipe and slopestyle course. Yesterday was a whiteout and we only got three runs in before they called it off at 10am but today the weather was beautiful. Hopefully it will stay that way for the rest of my time here.  

NZ take two

Packing again! I'm heading back to NZ for a short spring camp. It should be a soft and fun pipe at Cardrona and it'll be great to ride and see my friends again.

Also Burton have sent me a new board to try out, The Fortress. It's a little stiffer than my Feelgood(which I love), so I'm interested to see how it goes.

Stay tuned for updates from NZ....

Go CATS!!

Malibu lovin

A few months back I asked dad for a new Mal. It didn't take any convincing as he was keen to experiment with a new shape, one that would be particularly good for nose riding.
Not long after "The Brew" was born.

It features:

• At 23" wide and a much fuller nose area (19"@ 12 up) this shape is very stable for walking and provides for longer time on the nose.
• A 3/8" deep teardrop concave provides lift.
• The bottom shape is a combination of roll and vee, with ultra soft rails right through to the tail to drag it down when hanging your toes off the other end.
• A larger than normal fin is essential to eliminate slide and hold the line set for the ultimate noseride.

Walter White & Jesse Pinkman aka Dad & Mawson in the shaping bay

Point Leo glassing factory

Our new boards before they hit the water

Mahalo dad :)

World Cup @ Cardrona

The WC Halfpipe was run this past weekend at Cardrona. Unfortunately it did not go as planned for me. On my first run I made an error and took off early for my front 5 landing on the deck and then bouncing back into the flat bottom 22 ft below. I was unable to take my second run but luckily nothing major was wrong and I'm just feeling stiff and sore now.

Holly and Nate both did well placing 2nd and 4th.

Womens results: 

1. Xuetong Cai China

2. Holly Crawford Australia

3. Ursina Haller Switzerland

Mens:

1. Janne Korpi Finland

2. Yiwoi Zhang China

3. Dimi DE Jong Holland

Sunny Days in NZ

I made it out of Christchurch! Four days of blizzard conditions, hours of standing in queues and many telephone calls later I finally got a flight to Queenstown. Woo hoo! What a relief!

Upon arrival I was greeted with beautiful sunny skies and it hasn't changed since. I've had four days riding now at Cardrona and everyday has been great. The pipe is fun and the snow is good. 

I'm staying in Wanaka with my friend Paula Mitchell, I love it here. NZ is so beautiful(when its sunny) and Lake Wanaka is no exception. Here is some photos from the last few days.

 On the hill before 7am yesterday. Yawn.

Watching the sunrise at Cardrona

Early morning Cardrona pipe

Kelly Marren's birthday party last night. Thanks for the fun and food!

This guy ate appetizers, two large mains and two desserts. Tummy Ache? 

Stuck in a winter storm

Early yesterday morning my dad dropped me off at Melbourne airport for my three hour flight to Queenstown, NZ. It all went smoothly, we made our decent but just seconds before the tarmac the pilot hit the throttle and accelerated rapidly back up into the sky. We were re-routed to Christchurch as it was unsafe to land in the blizzard conditions.

I was re-booked on a flight at 8 am this morning but when I awoke to howling winds and snow I knew it was not going to happen. I arrived at the airport to see all flights had been cancelled. They got our hopes up with talks of shuttle buses but that was impossible with every road into Queenstown closed.

So I'm back in the airport hotel again tonight and most likely tomorrow night as well. I'm hoping for an improvement in the weather but looking out my window now it looks like the 50 year storm :(

This was the highlight of my day.....   Jealous Ellen Trigger?