It was really a treat to be out on Calhoun on Thursday. The conditions weren't that great for my snowboard but others were having a great time. We got to test the <A HREF="http://www.downhaul.com/misc/030116/icemonkey.jpg">Ice Monkey</A> but there were just too many <A HREF="http://www.downhaul.com/misc/030116/dri ... >drifts</A> to unleash the power of the Monkey. I did get a few rides on it (so did Jerry) We rode it free footed and tried to make our way around drifts. I had my stkateboard shoes on and the deck packed with some snow. We didn't try to mount snowboard bindings cause of time. It might have been good and easier to blast through drifts.
Long story short, I think the Ice Monkey has got some possiblities! especially if the ice is free of drifts over 2 inches. It feels alot like riding a mountainboard with a kite except the ice is smoother. The construction is top notch. I wish some of the other boards I've ridden had so much attention to detail. Head down to <A HREF="http://www.scubacenter.com/">Scuba Center</A> to check the demo out. Thanks to Larry at Scuba Center and Keith at http://www.mticesports.com/ for making this demo possible.
Master Class ----
Everybody was ripping perty good on Calhoun but I think we would all have to acknowledge that we were in the presence of a few masters of their craft:
Calhoun Dojo January 16, 2003:
Sensei Randy:
Snowboard and Skimbat. Randy was FLOWING with his Skimbat and 183cm MLY snowboard with hard boots. Randy was melding glare ice with soft snow into a unified "one" with his board. I struggle so hard with the transitions between hard and soft yet Randy doesn't seem to even see them. You should have also seen his jibes!
Sensei Judd:
Custom Ice surfer. The only thing I can say about this teacher is that he seems to be suspended by a string from above. Any move he thinks of, he tries. Anything the tries he makes. Judd is beautiful to watch even when he sails in a straight line.
Sensei Vojta
Master of the air! There are not sentances that can describe his craft, only words: High, Huge, "Vojta!", Whoa, Wow, Sweet, "No way!", Rad!, Yeah!. We are so glad to have you back Vojta. You are an inspiration.
OK, that was kind of corny but it's four in the morning and I can't sleep.
Have fun, Be safe,
Calhoun - Master Class
Moderator: MK
