The Weekender: GoPro's best of 2015, surfing wipeouts, Jackson Hole, more
Each Friday in The Weekender we take a look at the best videos from the week that was—like a terrifying big-wave wipeout reel or a core snowboarding feature film—and we give you a preview of the most important events in the world of action and outdoor sports coming up this weekend.
It’s Their World
The genius of the GoPro isn’t the camera itself but the built-in juggernaut that is the content provided by customers, athletes and filmmakers that the company gains absolute access to. So this week, GoPro released its Year in Review, a look at some of the best video captured on the pocket-sized cameras by ambassadors, athletes and videographers associated with the upstart camera maker. And it’s pretty inspiring. There is no lack of awesomeness in this world.
To The Teeth
I’m a big fan of free flicks on the Internet and there’s no shortage these days. The Hot Grease crew (classic name) is a hard-charging group of snowboarders based out of Colorado and they released To The Teeth this week, a flick that really goes to the core of the snowboarding lifestyle and everything that goes into raising the bar. “We had lots of hospital trips,” says the film’s producer, Paul Kifer. Indeed, you’ll see why: To The Teeth is mostly action but it’s well done.
- MORE EDGE: Farewell to Stein Eriksen, Lindsey Vonn, more
Shipstern Bluff Wipeout Reel
Wipeout reels can be tough to watch but wipeout reels from Shipstern Bluff, a mutant wave in Tasmania can be downright frightening. The wave is mostly towed into—there are some fearless maniacs that paddle in with their hands when it’s smaller—and it has several gnarly steps or shelves that form in the wave face from the uneven reef. Filmmaker Dave Otto released this two-minute outtake piece of terrifying video that was more fitting for Halloween than the holiday season. Watch as some of the bravest surfers in the Southern Hemisphere throw themselves over the ledge of this monster.
- MORE EDGE: Slater's new wave, Vonn avoids disaster, more
Skiing the Light, Dry Powder in Jackson
There is nothing, and we mean nothing, like riding light, dry powder. And in the last month, Jackson Hole has received more of it than it has in several years. And skiers and riders are celebrating en mass. This little gem follows Griffin Post as he surfs the light and dry at one of the steepest resorts in the United States. It’s only 1:30 but it’ll drag you out of your New Year’s stupor and onto the hill.
- MORE EDGE: Breaking down the '15-16 ski, snowboard season
All Day Street Jam
The All Day BMX Shop is an interesting story. It’s located just south of El Centro, Calif. in Baja, Mexico and it fosters one of the strongest BMX cultures on the West Coast. The shop recently hosted a street jam for some of the area’s most talented riders. And the envelope was pushed, to say the least. The opening rail, a 20-foot vertical set of stairs, sent riders tumbling. Fans of BMX will appreciate the dedication to the craft highlighted in this vid that wraps the jam up in a four-minute package with some seriously progressive riding.
- MORE EDGE: Fitness Debate: Can too much exercise be dangerous?
Best of X Games Real Series | ABC | Saturday, 2 p.m. EST
Everybody’s wrapping up the year and in that vein the X Games will air the best of its Real Series this weekend on ABC. The series is an impactful set of video where athletes compete with video segments that include street, snowboarding, wake, moto and skiing. Many of these sports’ best athletes have gotten firmly behind the franchise as they feel these video contests allow them to better highlight their respective sports as opposed to formal competitions.
World Cup Skiing | Jan. 5-6 | Santa Caterina, Italy
It has been a terrible year for snow in Europe and the lack of precipitation and high temperatures have wreaked havoc on the Alpine World Cup schedule. This weekend’s event in Zagreb, Croatia was cancelled and moved to Santa Caterina, Italy midweek. With no timetable for Mikaela Shiffrin’s return—America’s best young female slalom racer—the spotlight turns to Crested Butte, Colo. native David Chodounsky, who’s enjoying one of his best seasons: he currently sits at No. 3 in the World Cup slalom rankings and hopes to move into the top 15 in the overall standings. As of press time, NBC had yet to announced a revised coverage schedule.
