Another in the series of original "Shredman" illustrations. Copyright by Jay Grell, these drawings were done in 1988 with some illustrations as early as 1976,

In life we find friends that become dear to us and inspire us to do great things, I was lucky enought to meet Steve Klassen while running the Professional Snowboarding Tour of America (PSTA). Steve competed at all of the stops and ended up winning the overall tour championships. Now he spends his extra time with his son Kaden who is going to become a world class snowboarder. What I like most about Steve is that he is genuine and truly loves the sport and cares for the people he meets and is one of my life friends.

From time to time

From time to time we find ourselves in incredible places with extraordinary vista's. The Sierra's are like that, one day is so different from the next and you have to enjoy all the moods of the mountain. If you live there the experience is muted by all the stuff you have to do to make a living and take care of your family, its easy to loose that. If you don't live there, you miss it all the time and  want to return as soon as you can, that's a challenge to. What it means is savor the time you get to spend in those incredible places and really take time to spend with your family. Those mountains will be there with or without snow and with or without you.

 I did go snurfing that weekend and it was good, my new kids boards are a success.

Wonderful snowstorm

Incredible snowstorm for the Sierras over the weekend of March 17th. By monday the new snow was really light and it was a beautiful day to be on the mountain.

Tahoe, March 18, 2012

Taking time to go snurfing with friends is always a great reward. The new kids board are a success.

If you surf, you should have a snowsurfboard, Snowsurfing, Inc. is building handmade boards that compliment your quiver. If you are interested in a board or a custom made stick. Just let us know by posting a comment on the blog. JG

A good day in the Sierra's is much like a good day at the beach. The got over 4 feet of new snow and it was one of the best days ever and the best day of this season. We are really excited for the launch of the American Pro Surfing Series (APSS). I am sure it will be as good as the day I just had riding powder at Sierra Tahoe. More to come on this.
JG

Back in 1983-84 I came up with what I called the Hy-Bak, it was the first design that would later become the infamous "Highback", I'm not sure how many millions of them have been made by now but I do know that this is where it started. JG

Deep in the heart of this Savage land

High Sierra Mammoth and June Mountain

Once and a while you just have to do it, it was a thursday evening, I was hankering for some time on the snow. The Snowboard Grand Prix was going to Mammoth and I heard the weather was bad for the event and was delayed. I contacted the Technical Delegate and aske if he needed help, without hesitation I was buying a plan ticket to Mammoth. Upon arrival was brought directly to the mountain, checked in and got my credentials including the lift pass I need to access the event. Upon finding and meeting the TD, we decided that there was little for me to do, as an official I inspected the venues, checked for safety, watched the training, qualifying and final runs. The event was pretty much seamless, Friday was the longest day and the race committee did a great job. It was really fun to visit my old stomping grounds and ride with Steve Klassen, one of the best friends you could ever have. He took me to runs on Mammoth that were a real challenge and breathtaking. What a great time at Mammoth. The trip didn't end there, we decided to go Snurfing at June Mountain, we loaded up 8 boards, rode up to the main lodge and set up at a table with all our boards.  The weather was incredible,  we checked the temperature at 2 pm and it was 55 degrees in the shade. the snow was a mixed variety, following a storm 3 days earlier. We set off to the lift and thought history would be made again as the lift attendant said "those boards aren't allowed here" Ching.....
Snurfing is legitimately the sport the resorts will treat like the did to snowboards, the attendant called his supervisor and we were on our way, the main requirement is that the boards have a leash and we had already taken care of that. Up and away, lift serviced snurfing. The truth is if you have the determination, the boards performed beyond our expectations, traversing, fall line carving, trees, catwalks, and the thrill of your life on a board with no bindings. Order your board from Wave Rave Snowboard Shop in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Have a great time. JG

Jenny Grell Snurfing two trees at Sonora Pass, June 2011.