The swell, she is a-coming, mateys! (At least we hope she is…) The window for the first ever Loon Mountain Whale Watchers opened on December 16, 2014. Closing on January 16, 2015, there might be as little as 48 hours notice depending on how Captain Shanesaw is feeling.
Nope, you’re not mistakenly on our brother site, The Inertia. This is not a surf contest. It is only acting like one. And the swell isn’t a completely natural swell — there are machines involved as it’s a celebration of the manmade feats achieved at Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire. It does need to be cold, though!
Hear it from the Loon-ers themselves:
This first-of-its-kind event is set to take place on the manmade white caps at Loon Mountain Resort, home of New Hampshire’s most powerful snowmaking. This never-attempted event will bring together the most creative snowboarders on the East Coast for one unforgettable session.
What makes for an unforgettable session? It works a little, or rather a lot like this: riders keep an eye out for “massive white snowmaking whales” (read: snow machines), follow them around, and shred their wake. The event begins with a 60-minute open jam. Riders find their favorite “trannys, gaps, whoops, etc.” Once they’ve identified them, Park Staff is on hand with shovels to fine tune the spots. Then, the session starts as riders focus on whatever sections they want to, encouraged to either hike it or take laps via the closest chairlift. Basically it’s introducing itself as one of the gnarlier races/free-for-alls that side of the Mississippi.
While the event itself ought to be more than enough, there is more. The prizes? A new Lib Tech Waterboard and complimentary fishing charter courtesy of FV Jah Reel. But the only way you’re going to win either of those is by putting on a real humdinger of a performance — head judge Mike Ravelson is going to be right there with everyone, riding with the rest of the pack. And it’s going to be a pack, alright: with no age groups or divisions, only overall style and creativity matter.
So get ready, and… YEW!
For updates, check out the site, join the group on Facebook, and be sure to follow Loon Mountain on Instagram.
