Pete Thomas Outdoors

Snowboarder says he was pushed off chairlift by skier; 'I honestly thought I was dead'

Police are investigating a report by a snowboarder that he was shoved out of a chairlift by a skier Sunday at Aspen Highlands in Colorado.

Seth Beckton, the snowboarder, fell face-first 20 to 25 feet, but was fortunate to have landed in soft powder and was not injured. “I honestly thought I was dead,” he told the Aspen Times.

“Because I didn’t know where we were [or how high]. It’s not cool to think anyone would do that.” Beckton, 28, did not report the morning incident until the end of the day, at the urging of friends.

This will make it more difficult for police and ski patrollers to identify and locate the skier. But Aspen Highlands Resort and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that they’re reviewing video and have launched investigations.

“It’s not the kind of behavior we want on our mountain,” Jeff Hanle, spokesman for Aspen Skiing Co., told the Aspen Times.

The skier, a white man in his 20s or 30s, was wearing a helmet and goggles while talking to Beckton on the Loge Peak lift. It was near the top of the lift that the skier reacted to what Beckton thought was an innocuous comment, shoving the snowboarder before he had time to react.

The lift operator stopped the lift, but not until after the skier was able to exit the and ski away. There was a third person on the lift, who thought this was an argument between friends.

Said Beckton: “I was really shooken up. I was like, ‘Was that a joke? Did that really happen?”

–Generic image shows skiers and snowboarders at Aspen Highlands. Courtesy of James Hutchison/Aspen Highlands

Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton announces birth of first child

Photo courtesy of Bethany Hamilton

Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm and nearly her life during a shark attack in 2003 off Kauai, is a first-time mom.

The announcement by Hamilton and her husband, Adam Dirks, was made Monday via Instagram and Facebook.

It reads:

“Blessed to welcome our son, Tobias, into the world. Born June 1st, 7.9 lbs. and 21" Long. He is named after his great grandpa Tobias meaning "The goodness of God." Adam and I so in love with our lil guy and are stoked to share life with him!”

Understandably, the posts were flooded with comments by well-wishers. The Facebook post alone garnered more than 500,000 likes and 17,000 shares in the first four hours.

Hamilton, 25,was able to keep surfing at a high level after the shark attack, and her inspirational story was made into the popular feature film, "Soul Surfer."

She and Dirks, a youth minister, were married in August 2013.

 

Blessed to welcome our son, Tobias, into the world. Born June 1st, 7.9 lbs. and 21" Long. He is named after his great grandpa Tobias meaning "The goodness of God." Adam and I so in love with our lil guy and are stoked to share life with him! #stokedmomma Photo: @TimmyHamilton

A photo posted by Bethany Hamilton (@bethanyhamilton) on Jun 15, 2015 at 10:14am PDT

 

Surfer learns the hard way that jumping off rocks to save time is not always the smart choice

Surfers can cut lots of time off their paddle-outs if they venture onto the rocks and jump off closer to the lineup.

But it can be a tricky, embarrassing, and even painful experience when the ocean is not given the respect it demands.

The accompanying footage, captured at Manly Beach, Australia, has gone viral since it was posted to Facebook this week by Peter Matthews.

It shows a young surfer attempting the precarious rock jump and failing badly as people watch and commentate from behind the camera.

The surfer fails to make it over the first wave, which washes him into a small pool, and as he gets back onto his feet with his board in hand, and tries to regain his footing, a second wave sends him shoreward and bounces him off the rocks.

At 45 seconds, as a third wave approaches, a woman can be heard saying, “Oh no… there he goes. Bye-bye!”

Ultimately, however, the surfer scrambles onto the safety of a large rock, looking dejected, and starts walking to shore.

It’s unclear if he rode any waves on this day, but if he did it was with bumps and bruises, and with a battered ego.

–Pete Thomas/GrindTv

Surfer Bethany Hamilton is pregnant; baby due in June

 

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

Life seems to keep getting better for pro surfer Bethany Hamilton, who in 2003 lost her left arm to a shark while riding waves near her home on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Not only was she able to keep surfing at an elite level, and become the focus of “Soul Surfer,” a feature film showcasing her inspirational story; Hamilton found her “soul mate” in Adam Dirks, a youth minister, and the two were married two years ago–10 years after the shark attack.

Bethany Hamiton photo is courtesy of Noah Hamilton Photography

On Monday, Hamilton and Dirks delivered another major announcement: “So, we have a little surprise for you,” the surfer says in the accompanying video footage: “Baby on board!”

The couple is expecting a baby boy in early June, and would not would not reveal possible names.

“Adam and I found out 5 months ago we are expecting a child!” Hamilton, who turned 25 on Sunday, wrote on her blog. “I’m happy to share this wonderful time in our lives with you! We are looking forward to becoming parents early this summer. I’ve always looked forward to one day being a mom and now that the time is coming; it is pretty nerve-racking.”

Because of her growing pregnancy–22 weeks and counting–Hamilton postponed production of a new film titled, “Surfs Like a Girl.” That project comes shortly after she and Dirks finished third in the CBS reality show, "The Amazing Race."

But so far she continues to ride waves, and recently visited big-wave spots such as Teahupoo in Tahiti, and Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore.

A pregnant Bethany Hamilton and Adam Dirks; video screen grab“

I plan to surf as long as I can," Hamilton says. "Once the belly is pretty big maybe [I'll] just, like mellow it out and spend more time swimming and just enjoying the ocean and doing other activities.”

Hamilton and Dirks refer to this new chapter as merely another adventure, albeit one with obvious challenges, such as raising a baby with one arm.

Hamilton says she'll simply have to "adapt and adjust," as she has to various other challenges so masterfully for the past 13 years.

Dolphins join SUP paddlers in magical surf session

 

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

Sharing waves with strangers is not any surfer’s idea of a good time, unless the strangers happen to be dolphins.

Ryan Warrington and Kyle Tatam were surfing on standup boards recently at an unnamed destination when dolphins arrived and not only rode waves with the SUP paddlers, but seemed to enjoy their human company.

The feeling, undoubtedly, was mutual.

“One of the most surreal days we’ve ever had in the water,” Warrington states in a description beneath the video, which is enhanced with a bit of "Jamaican Tea," via the New Black Shades, and takes viewers on a brief voyage through an aquamarine realm with sleek and beautiful cetaceans as escorts.

To be sure, this footage is different than the many clips circulating on the Internet, showing SUP paddlers trying to get close to whales or, more recently, paddling briefly among killer whales.

This is a case where the dolphins wanted to be with the paddlers, and vice versa, and the result was a magical session, at what looks to be a secret spot, enjoyed by both parties.

Many people are bound to be envious.

 

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Depression 'no joke'; surfer Sunny Garcia asks fans for help

Sunny Garcia image courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maldives

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

 Sunny Garcia was once a dominant force in pro surfing. He won the world surfing title in 2000, and before retiring from full-time competitive surfing he claimed six Triple Crown of Surfing crowns, at his home breaks on Oahu’s North Shore.

But Garcia's popularity stemmed mostly from the larger-than-life status he had achieved while on the tour. His tirades against judges became legendary. His temper often flared, and punches were occasionally thrown. Sunny Garcia, the beefy Hawaiian, was surfing’s bad boy, a powerful and colossal presence in and out of the water.

Fans loved him, despite the time he spent behind bars–three months in jail and seven months on house arrest–for failing to pay taxes on contest winnings. But today we see a different Garcia, who at 44 has mellowed, but has found himself engaged in a different kind of fight.

 

Depression is no joke waking up feeling like your ready to take on the world then a couple hours later feeling down on life and wondering what's wrong with you well I know I'm not alone and I'm not sure what's wrong with me because I have no reason to feel the way I do and it's been happening for about two years and would love to hear from any of you who suffer these feelings so I can figure out what I should do #fuckdepression #needhelp #whatswrongwithme

A photo posted by Sunny Garcia (@sunnygarcia) on Dec 12, 2014 at 8:03pm PST

On Thursday, the surfer revealed to 63,000 followers on Instagram that he’s battling depression, a mental disease that affects moods and leads to a loss of interest and an inability to enjoy even the most seemingly enjoyable aspects of life.

“I am not as strong as everyone thinks I am,” reads a statement-image along with his post, which is embedded above. In trademark fashion, the words are straight from Garcia’s heart, and sure to resonate with anyone else suffering from this darkest of disorders.

Sunny Garcia at a recent event to benefit children with cystic fibrosis; photo via Instagram

The type or level of depression afflicting Garcia–mild, moderate, or severe–is not clear. But given that he's sharing his feelings on social media and seeking advice, the demons are formidable and he should seek help beyond Instagram, if he hasn’t already.

Depression, which afflicts about 350 million people worldwide, can lead to suicide. That became evident most recently when actor Robin Williams took his life in August.

A person suffering from this illness cannot, in most cases, shake it through meditation or acupuncture... or lots more surfing, as some of his fans have suggested. (However, holistic measures can help and are worth investigating.)

Sunny Garcia (front left) and friends pay a visit to the children’s hospital; photo via Instagram

But a person can seek medical help and get back on track via antidepressants, psychosocial therapy, or psychotherapy–or a combination thereof.

It'll be up to Garcia, of course, as to what level of help he seeks.

Meanwhile the former world champ, based on his Instagram feed, has been busy surfing, visiting kids in the local children’s hospital, and teaching children suffering from other ailments how to ride waves.

Clearly, Garcia is no longer surfing’s bad boy, and hopefully he'll be back to enjoying life to the fullest in no time.

 

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Surf's up on Lake Tahoe, thanks to ferocious winds

As driving rain and powerful winds began to sweep across Northern California on Thursday morning, a few hearty souls braved the elements and went surfing.

On Lake Tahoe.

The accompanying images were captured by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office at its North Lake Tahoe Station.

While the surf may have been up, thanks to 50-mph winds, ski resort operators were hoping the temperature would drop and rain would turn to snow.

As of the time of this post, snow in the Lake Tahoe area was falling only above 7,000 feet.

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Cody Townsend honored for 'insane' ski line on Alaskan slope

Cody Townsend (circled in red) descending a cavernous chute in Alaska; video screen grab

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

Cody Townsend was honored Saturday at the 2014 Powder Awards for skiing what was deemed the most challenging line of the past year: a ridiculously steep and narrow tunnel-like chute in the Alaskan wilderness.

The accompanying footage is provided by MSP Films, which describes Townsend's chosen route as the “Most insane ski line EVER.”

 

Most viewers, whether they ski or not, probably will agree that it requires a high skill level and a touch of craziness to even contemplate negotiating a chute so ominously vertical, dark and narrow, with rock walls only inches away, and with an exit window visible only as a thin crack of light.

Townsend, before his descent, can be heard saying, “Oohh, I’m getting nervous,” but his run was completed stylishly and without consequence, other than to further establish the freeskier as a major talent among his peers.

The exit window is visible as a mere crack of light; photo via Facebook

The chute is located in the Tordrillo Mountains in south-central Alaska.   Townsend was honored, along with other top male and female skiers, by Powder magazine during its annual awards gala on Saturday night at Salt Lake City.

Townsend, who lives in Squaw Valley, California, claimed three awards, including Best Male Performance, based on his many segments (including the footage shown here) in MSP Films’ “Days of My Youth.”

Cody Townsend at the podium during the Powder Awards; photo via Powder magazine

The night was a validation of sorts for an athlete who needs to update the Awards section of his Facebook page, which at the time of this post read: “Three-time Powder Award nominee … Zero-time winner.”

Of a year that also included cover appearances in four different ski magazines, Townsend told Powder, “It’s one of those things where the snow ball just picked up speed real fast. I never skied to win an award. I’ve always just kind of followed what I want to do. So many things that went into it this year, it was because that’s what I thought was going to be the most fun.”

As for reaction to the accompanying footage, which is being widely shared via social media, perhaps a comment by Brian Cano on the MSP Films Facebook page sums up the general feeling: “Good GOD!!!”

Lake Erie surfers hit the waves during N.Y. blizzard

 

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

A blizzard that has buried much of western New York in snow is keeping most residents hunkered down indoors.

But two adventurous surfers saw in the stormy weather an opportunity to ride a few waves, with a guarantee of not having to deal with crowds.

Meet Kevin and Christian, who live along the shore of Lake Erie and like document their adventures around and beyond, and apparently in, Lake Erie.

Video screen grab

As the mother of all snow storms swept over Buffalo and the surrounding area, Kevin and Christian took note of conditions—26 degrees, 35-mph wind and a wind chill of 13 degrees—and donned very thick wetsuits before heading to Sunset Bay for what was presumably a very short surf session.

They looked to be having a great time, though, while so many New Yorkers were struggling to cope with the weather.

But then, Kevin and Christian are the hardy, outdoorsy types, so this should not be too surprising.

States a passage on their WNY Expeditioners Facebook page: “Every day we’re blown away by the quality and variety of experiences our land, water, and weather create. Where else can you ice climb in the morning, run whitewater at lunch, and surf at sunset all in the same day?”

Where else, indeed?

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Bamboo the rescue dog actually knows how to skateboard

By Pete Thomas/GrindTv

The problem with most “surfing dog” or “skateboarding dog” videos is that they feature pooches merely riding on boards after being placed on them by their owners.

Bamboo is different. He’s able to climb onto the skateboard by himself, propel himself using his hind legs, and even steer in a subtle manner.

Probably not X Games material, but remarkable in his own right.

Mike Bolaris, Bamboo’s owner and skate partner, uploaded the accompanying footage to YouTube in September, but it began to circulate on social media sites this week.

Bolaris said via email that Bamboo is a rescue dog, part of a litter born in the desert near San Bernardino, California. The mom was a stray black lab and the father's identity is unknown. Bolaris adopted Bamboo when he was 8 weeks old from Labradorsandfriends.org.

The dog seemed to take to the skateboarding lifestyle, which is so prevalent where Bolaris lives in North San Diego County.

“Some days I’d skateboard on our morning walk so Bamboo could get a little extra exercise before I had to work,” Bolaris explained. “One day, I let him try rolling down a very small hill and he liked it.

"After that, on our morning walks, I’d give him an opportunity to try the skateboard for a few minutes and he figured out how to push and steer the board all on his own.”

Portions of the footage show Bamboo using his hind legs to run and gain speed when the board slows down, and steering slowly around cones in the parking lot at Seaside Beach.

“All I did was make it safe and encourage him with praise and a few treats,” Bolaris said. “After a couple of months he could skate all over town and I was tired of having to run alongside him, so I bought him his own Carver [skateboard].

"With two boards we started playing a game in the Seaside parking lot where he’d follow me on his board and get a treat when he catches me.”

Maybe Bamboo is X Games material, after all.