Not sure whether Jake uses protection, but he might want to start thinkin about it if he doesn't yet...
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Archive for September, 2009
Absinthe’s Sphere of Influence Tour Hits Chur, Switzerland
First time the Cinema Apollo was sold out in Chur in many many years. The draw?
Absinthe's Sphere of Influence Tour showing NEVERLAND, the 2009 movie release.
Absinthe Sphere of Influence Tour Hits Vermont
Absinthe Films' newest release drops this month, September 2009. Ahead of the the store release and all throughout the season, Absinthe will tour the film around the world with riders and swag in tow.
These pics were from the SOLD OUT Burlington, Vermont show on September 6th.
On hand, Romain de Marchi, JP Soldberg and the producers of Absinthe.
All I can say is that if you have even just a little itch to head out there and hit the "Sphere of Influence Tour" as they're calling it, you gotta get your tickets early... these events are looking to sell-out hella fast.
Slytech Sponsors Absinthe Films’ NEVERLAND
Slytech and Absinthe Partner
Absinthe Films’ high-end 16 mm films live and thrive mostly through corporate sponsorships, and in smaller part by its paying customers, and now the worldwide film tour.
MAUI, HI “I think there is a pretty big mentality shift to be honest. Maybe not so much in the older generation, but definitely in the newer generations.†says Patrick Armbruster when asked about the popularity rise of back protection and snowboard protection in general. “It’s like the sport has progressed so much and the risks have gotten bigger too, so it makes sense to protect.â€
The heightened public consciousness about back protection is the backdrop of how Brusti (as his contemporaries call him) - Absinthe part owner and producer - came to meet Carlo Salmini, Slytech Protection’s chief engineer. With two of the Slytech’s rider’s (Wolfgang Nyvelt and Romain de Marchi) shredding it up in Absinthe’s September release of NEVERLAND, he felt it was a natural sponsorship fit for Absinthe as well. Says Brusti, “We met in person in Milan, he showed me the product and from there on I saw that it was good protection, you know, top solid. Carlo was a guy who wasn’t just talking, but there was action behind it.â€
Just a few short months later, Slytech signed on to sponsor Absinthe Films’ NEVERLAND as well as the European leg of the NEVERLAND FILM TOUR called SPHERE OF INFLUENCE. Says Brusti, “Without the sponsors, we couldn’t produce any snowboard movies. They’re the major funding part, the financial backbone of the snowboard movies, that’s for sure.â€
As the official back protection sponsor of Absinthe Film’s NEVERLAND, the marriage spells a trifecta:
- the cast and crew’s backs are covered,
- the art of cutting edge snowboard film-making can continue to wow fans all over the world, and
- Slytech gains a cutting edge media partner with which to collaborate and plug in to.
Catch Absinthe Film’s release of NEVERLAND September, 2009 (available at major snowboard shops around the world, as well as Amazon.com or Itunes) and the Neverland Sphere of Influence Tour all year long.
Sphere of Influence Film Tour:
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPE
For the first time in the premier tour history the European tour will take place in selected theaters. During 16 days the Absinthe crew consisting of the riders themselves as well as the crew will be hitting up 18 cities throughout Europe and present the tenth film of Justin Hostynek and Patrick Armbruster. Neverland brings snowboarding's premier action sport cinema to you.
Romain de Marchi Talks About the Importance of Protection (Part 3)
Romain on Back Protection and Why Everyone Should Wear One
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RDM: For sure it gives you extra confidence. If I hit a rock at least I have the Slytech 2nd Skin to protect my spine. But I also try not to rely on it too much, because then you forget how your muscles work in your body; they are the first armor, right? The Slytech 2nd Skin is more prevention. It’s not because I have a back protector that I’m going to launch a bigger thing. Whether I ride the resort or I jump, I always wear it in case something happens. It’s a precaution. It’s not like, “ohhh yeah, I’m just going riding the resorts, so I’m not going to put it on.†No, I put it on anyway. Whether big jump or not, you know, now that I’m getting older, I got a family, so I kinda need to have that extra protection for me. But I’m not forgetting as well that my body is my first armor. For my state of mind it’s more uhhh… like in a car, you can have one airbag or you can have 5 airbags. Same thing with second skin: I’d rather have more airbags than just 1. SWB: There are all kind of back protectors out there. What was it about Slytech 2nd Skin to make you choose to use it? RDM: It’s easy to put on. It’s really comfortable to wear it. The good thing is, the foam they use, it’s really molding your back, so you really don’t feel it. I’ve tried other ones and they’re really uncomfortable. They’ve been using that for dirt biking at first. I feel pretty confident: dirt bikers get more beat up than snowboarders. When they fall, they hit the hard ground! Snow is soft. It makes you feel even better that it’s tested by dirt bike people. SWB: How were you introduced to the Slytech people? RDM: What went down is… basically, I got hooked up with Shred and they said, “hey, you want to try the Slytech 2ndSkin?†and I’m like “YEAH SURE!†They sent me some and I went riding and I didn’t feel it. I went riding all day and I didn’t feel it at all, “OK, wow! This is a freakin great product!â€Â You have it on and it’s extra precaution for you and it doesn’t even bother you; it doesn’t even make you uncomfortable when you ride so I was like “yeah right on! This is a great product, so let’s do something with it!†SWB: Would you recommend a back protector for non-professional athletes? RDM: Yeah, I would recommend all the protection they can get. Most of the time, beginners just sit on a hump on the slope and if a skier or snowboarder just comes up from behind and BOOM, it could paralyze them. But if you have a back protector, it might save you from that. Helmet, back protectors are key. |
As I left that interview, I never thought that I – as a philosophy guy living in Hawaii with all the inspiration I need around me – would have walked away with so much newfound inspiration to go for whatever I could possibly conceive of.
I want to publicly thank Romain de Marchi for sharing the inspiring stoke he collects through his experiences as a shredder, a father, a world traveler and as a free spirit (the snowboarding world’s own mini Deepak). Thanks also for believing in and endorsing the Slytech Back Protector. It took many years to develop and test, and now that it’s available to the general public we hope it will be as universally loved.
About Slytech Protection
The team and riders at Slytech Protection feel that life is best lived with maximum passion, confidence, comfort and protection (comfortable protection). We’re based around a rider's love for shredding and being free, to keep pushing the limits and to give yourself the chance to get up and ride again. Being sidelined with a bad spinal injury is the last thing we want, and so comfortable back protection is the first thing we grab.
Go to http://slytechprotection.com and signup for more inspiring rider tales from Romain and the rest of the shredders.
Romain de Marchi on the Economic Recession and Being Brainwashed (Part 2)
Romain on the World Economic Recession
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RDM: I’m not gonna say it doesn’t affect me. It affects everybody, but, I think that many people live in fear and they’re like “ohhh no, I can’t do this, I can’t do that.â€Â People have been brainwashed with that and they’ve stopped living. I bet if each individual in the world like they did before the crisis, everything would be good, because money would still be spent, people would still be happy and do happy things and the world would still go around. Now everybody is watching TV saying “ohhh no, I can’t do this, because the TV said it’s fear, it’s economic, and it’s the world war, the terrorism and what not…†I think that’s pretty sad that people have been brainwashed like that and have stopped living just because some dude said it on TV. Of course, the economy isn’t as good now, but I think we are as much responsible for it as the people who are leading our country. I think we should keep living and everything is going to be fine. SWB: ohh man, that’s a great insight. People paralyze themselves by listening to these so-called experts on TV and… RDM: yeah, it’s been like that for centuries, you know like, create fear so that we can control people. I try to have my own opinion. I know times are hard, but it’s hard for everybody, but you keep living and if you can’t pay the mortgage one day and what not, then well, sell the house and do something else. The world is not going to end just like that. We have many options in life, so it’s not worth worrying about a mortgage or things like that.
Part 3 released soon on Back Protection and why we should wear it. |
Romain de Marchi Like You’ve Never Heard Before (Part 1)
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Romain de Marchi says: Stop letting the economic crisis paralyze you; don’t listen to the talking heads on TV news; don’t slow down. Your life and the lives of those around you depend on your passion and stoke. YOU’VE NEVER HEARD ROMAIN DE MARCHI SAY ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFOREMAUI, HAWAII – For a moment there I thought I was pondering the intricacies of the Universe, God, and life with Deepak Chopra – the esoteric Indian doctor, author, philosopher – not Romain de Marchi – ball-to-the-walls, huck-myself-down-any-freakin’-thing – snowboard legend. Prejudiced with images of his suicidal rippings in epic Absinthe films, tabloid sensationalism knocking him as a party freak, and his tattoo covered body, I went into this, our first longer meeting, thinking it would turn out to be another “shoot the shit interview†with another fortunate, yet undeserving rider. I got adjusted, hard. Romain on Travelling
Part 2 will cover Romain on Fatherhood... |
