"Document Snowboard staff have been to every British Snowboard
Championships since 1993, so it's safe to say that we're big fans. This year's
event, the British Championships, was held in Laax, Switzerland in March for
the second time and it was a true celebration of everything that is good about
UK snowboarding - but even though there were around 800 people at this years
event, the chances are that you've never made the trip yourself. We have wondered
over the years why the event is not even bigger than it already is and can only
surmise that people still don't know exactly what the Brits is - yes, it's a
competition, but there's way more to it than that. So then, here's 20 reasons
that you should put the 2009 Brits on your 'must go' list for the season.
1. Competition is fun Forget 'over it' pros and those who think that comps
aren't cool
Competing at the Brits is one hell of a good time and if you think you might
have fun, do it. Getting ready to drop into the halfpipe, or waiting for the
boardercross gate to fall never fails to add excitement - and if you decide
it's not for you, then there's loads of other stuff to do!
2. You don't have to be a competitor to attend
With everything in UK snowboarding, it's as much about how much fun that
you can have, not how good you are on a snowboard - just ask the legions of
Mums and Dads who show up every year to support their kids, many of whom can
barely ride, yet lead the charge when it comes to the bar later on. There's
also plenty of people who come for their first week ever at the Brits - the
deal that the organisers offer is so good that many people use it as their
only trip away of the season.
3. Laax has the best park in Europe
This resort is a freestyle snowboarder's heaven, with what is widely regarded
as the best park that Europe has to offer. Don't believe me? Why would Burton
run their European Open event here, then? And why would Orage run the World's
premiere freeski event here? And why, for that matter, would the Brits choose
to return to the resort for the fifth time in 2009? Why indeed.
4. There's more to Laax that the park
While it's deservedly famous for it's park, Laax offers more than 220km of
pisted runs, as well as excellent freeriding, fun tree riding and a glacier
that stays open most of the summer. With so much terrain, it's unusual to
have to queue for more than a few minutes and there's plenty of room on the
mountain so that you don't experience the maddening crowds you get at many
other resorts.
5. The Brits is a good place to get noticed
Since the early days of British snowboarding the British Champs has been
the main event of the season, the one time when everybody in the British snowboard
scene is in one place - and this includes distributors and team managers.
It's an ideal time for unknown riders to shine and impress - and maybe even
pick themselves up a sponsorship deal. The list of riders who have done this
is as long as it is impressive.
6. The Senior men's division is as competitive as any out there
Yesterday's pros are today's seniors. Most of the guys who were on the cover
of the mags ten years ago have moved into the industry as company owners,
distributors and reps and the Senior division at the Brits is their chance
to shine again. With names like James Stentiford, Matt Burt, Stu Brass, Steve
Bailey and Pat Meurier, you better believe that the level of riding that the
over thirties display is something to behold.
7. You'll be riding (and partying) with the stars
There's no guest lists, no VIP areas and no restricted access at the Brits
- you'll be partying with, dancing next to being stage dived on (in the case
of Jenny Jones) the cream of UK snowboarding.
8. Riding with a hangover is better than not riding at all
The bar at Rider's Palace doesn't shut until you stop drinking, and pretty
much any time you go in, there'll be someone to have a beer with and while
this is all good, hedonistic fun the fallout can be disastrous. We found out
on the first on hill day (a powder day, for the second year in a row!) after
getting overexcited the evening before. Still, it's best to realise that many
others on the hill will be in exactly the same frame of mind (state) as you
are, so it's time to suck it up and get on the hill.
9. Snowboarding families are rad
Watching the Knox clan (9 of them, two parents and 7 children) shredding
together brings a lump to our throats. And James Thorne's parents are the
coolest on the planet, Spike (his dad) was raging long after James had gone
to bed, KT (his mum) regularly went dancing on her own and Liz, let's just
say that girl knows how to party.
10. Swiss Public transport is amazing
The Swiss are famous for their organisation, and with good reason. All of
the country's public transport systems are arranged to run in sync with each
other - get to the airport and there's regular links to the main train station.
Trains onwards to the ski resorts depart exactly on time and when they arrive
at whatever valley town acts as a hub to the ski resorts, departing buses
to your final destination are timed to make sure your journey is as smooth
and troble-free as possible.
11. Switzerland doesn't have to be expensive
Stop the presses - it's possible to have a good time in Switzerland without
breaking the bank. For years the myth that Switzerland is out of reach of
most people's pockets has been all-pervasive, but we're here to tell you that
it just isn't true. Of course, dining in the finest restaurants and drinking
cocktails will push your bill up - which it does everywhere - but the canny
rider can get boozy with the best of them and still have plenty of change
left over.
12. The Rider's Palace is sick
True, from the outside the Rider's Palace resembles a wood clad car park,
but it's made the listings of the book 'Hip Hotels' and is well priced, excellently
placed and the centre of many of the week's goings on. From the huge bar/lobby
area where many a night of debauchery goes down, to the basement club where
some of the world's finest acts have performed, no other venue reaffirms what
the Brits is all about - fun - more than the Rider's Palace.
13. Swiss barmaids rule
It's true. If you like girls who look amazing, while giving the vibe that
they want to kill you, then Laax is the place for you - and in particular,
the Crap bar. That could just be my effect on them, of course…
14. Wanna be in a snowboard video? Go to the Brits
Every year, Lockdown Projects film a music video and everyone at the Brits
can be in it - whether you get a background part or a line to sing is at the
discretion of Tim Warwood and Adam Gendle, so track them down and show them
your stuff - check out www.lockdownprojects.com for this year's music video.
In fact check it out for one of the most fun websites in the world and if
you don't want to go snowboarding after visiting you may as well give up for
good.
15. British snowboarding really is a community
Where else are you going to find British Champions riding with all levels
and ages of riders and being genuinely stoked when they're progressing?
16. British halfpipe riding is out of this world
Over the last couple of years, the halfpipe has been affectionately known
as 'the Dan and Dom show', referring to the two riders who have always been
way ahead of the pack - Dan Wakeham and Dom Harington. This pair have been
pushing each other super hard and despite the fact that Dan competed at the
Olympics, with Dom narrowly missing the cut. But things aren't cut and dried
for the future, Ben Kilner's hot on the heels, with some frankly huge amplitude
in Laax's superpipe. Fellow Scottish rider Angus Leith is another one to watch
for the future, as is Sam Cullum.
17. Boardercross is a bloodbath.
A fun bloodbath, though like motocross, boardercross can be one of the most
spectacular events of the Champs - four riders racing head to head down a
course that is filled with plenty of obstacles and other snowy lumps designed
to impede your progress and otherwise make life difficult. The winner of the
boardercross is always the person with the best all round board control (freestylers
tend to do well) and even if you don't win, most faces who have finished the
race are filled with smiles. A good time event, for sure.
18. Tim Warwood is a funny bastard
MC's can make or break and event, and Soul Sports, in their wisdom have hired
the best man for the job - Tim Warwood not only knows his stuff as far as
the sports go, he is also one of the wittiest and fun people to be around
and if ever things start to slow down, or the weather turns a bit rubbish,
Tim is there, keeping people's spirits up and making everybody smile
19. The Home Run
An inclusion for the Brits 2008, this mass start race developed by Red Bull
truly was outstanding. Anyone holding a Brits Wristband got free entry and
raced against over 200 people from the top of the mountain to the bar. It
was the highlight for many in 2008.
20. 20th Anniversary of the British Championships!!!
The Brits in March 2009 promises to bring visitors even more value for money
- the comps, the parties, the great times.
