Local snowboarding enthusiasts are champing at the bit for snowfall to hit the slopes, as evidenced by the annual Thanksgiving Throwdown at Freedom Skate & Snow. (submitted photo,/Jennifer Whyte)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Ready to shred

Snowboarding community excited for winter season

Oct 15, 2021 | 6:00 AM

In the coming months, snowboarders will be itching to hit the slopes at hills and mountains in northwest Saskatchewan, especially in the Battlefords.

Several local members of the snowboarding community recently held their annual Thanksgiving Throwdown, where a makeshift slope and snow in the Freedom Skate & Snow parking lot allows for their first experience of shredding powder. Brennan Lampitt, co-owner and manager of Freedom Skate & Snow, said there’s a far more optimistic atmosphere amongst the snowboarding community, after COVID-19 restrictions left less options for gatherings.

“If someone were to close the opportunities for people to go out to hills and mountains, there’s a lot of heartache and despair that goes along with that,” Lampitt said. “Anyone can relate, if you’re a 10 year-old hockey player that’s [likely] all you want to do. If someone says you can’t go do that, it’s devastating.”

“The buzz is super high this year and everyone is very excited for the season to come.”

A growth in interest for winter activities picked up last year and that will likely continue heading into 2022. Lampitt said the independence boarders have compared to a lot of team sports that rely on arenas and gymnasiums is one of its attractions.

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“It is something where you can go at your own pace and you’re not letting anyone down by not showing up,” he said. “It’s a good activity at this time.”

As with many alternative sports/activities, Lampitt said the snowboarding community is quite tight-knit and relies on a lot of volunteer work. In putting on the Throwdown, he was pleased to see several younger boarders, including his son Rio, take charge in making sure the event still took place this October.

“My son Rio has never known a winter without it,” he said. “So, they said that this is going to happen and made sure it did. We old dudes said we would help, but the kids are taking over.”

One of the ways that Lampitt said he sees the growth of the sport in the region is that the initiative of local kids putting in work to pull off events. A roadblock for some is that many younger boarders don’t understand the time commitment it takes.

“They haven’t had to put in the sweat equity,” Lampitt said. “So, it was cool to see some of the young guys to take charge with the throwdown, but I’d still like to see more of that.”

Rio Tucker (submitted/Brennan Lampitt)

Rio Tucker echoed his dad’s sentiment of the importance of keeping traditions alive. While the throwdown had around 30 boarders and 75 spectators, compared to 60 boarders and more than 200 spectators in 2019, he said it was still valuable as an outlet to showcase their passion for snowboarding to their neighbours.

“It brings the community together and shows people what we do,” he said.

Tucker added he’s seen the same increase in interest to try out snowboarding for the first, especially with kids. Given the contingent they have regionally, he’s expecting a solid turnout over the next few months.

“We have a pretty strong representation here in Saskatchewan, especially in North Battleford,” he said. “If Table Mountain can open on time, hopefully we’ll have a good start.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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