While filming in the backcountry recently with the Pirate Productions crew, snowboarder Sani Alibabic is caught in an avalanche after hitting a kicker into a steep landing. The slope was not all the big in terms of vertical, yet the fracture was deep -- 2-3 feet and the resulting amount of snow that buried the rider significant. A poignant reminder that hazards are inherent in the backcountry and safety precautions are mandatory. Glad you're ok Sani!

Blog: Sani gets buried in an avalanche from Pirate Movie Production on Vimeo.

Black Pearl - sun beaten skull.

Black Pearl Skatepark in Grand Cayman has been around for quite a few years now. It always seemed a bit odd to me to build a world class concrete park on an island in the middle of the Caribbean. Skateboarders aren't exactly known for their huge travel budgets, but I guess it's nice to know that if you're girlfriend/wife is harassing you to take her somewhere "tropical" at least you know you can get your skate on while she's content with a pina colada by the pool.

Photo: J. SullivanSean Malto - nose manual.

Such were my thoughts as I arrived on Friday to meet up with a crew that included Sean Malto, Chaz Ortiz, and Joseph Lopez, all of whom were in Caymen for a long weekend of park sessions, photo shoots by the pool and product testing for Gatorade.

Photo: J. SullivanChaz Ortiz - tailslide.

Gatorade has been examining the "workload" undergone by skaters by applying some sport science techniques better known in the stick & ball realm. Heart rate monitoring, hydration analysis, caloric expenditure and cognitive ability are just some of the metrics observed, with the goal of creating a better suite of products for the skaters of the world.

Sean Malto gets a brief on his heartrate monitor by
Gatorade Sports Science Institute, scientist,
Melissa Tippet

Rather unobtrusive, the testing didn't seem to bother the boys - in fact after a pre and post session weigh in, Chaz was rather amazed to learn he'd dropped over 2 pounds of water weigh in little under and hour.

Photo: J. SullivanSean Malto, Chaz Ortiz, Joe Lopez, Smitty from
Thrasher on an evening cruise.
In addition, despite being limited to the confines of the Black Pearl Park, Malto gazed at his GPS wristwatch/tracking sensor and uttered an OMG at the fact he'd traveled over 5 miles by lapping a concrete ledge for a half hour.

Malto and Lopez - cold chillin - Cayman style.
All that aside, the weekend was a pretty spectacular one. More to come but here's a few shots of what life of a pro skater is on the regular. Not bad.

Derek Peters in Orange Country: Photo Jeremiah Klein

Summer's not far away. Daylight savings is in effect, the rains are tapering off and pre-season sales are beginning to fill the retail racks. Even more of an indicator however was the arrival of a early south swell that filled into California providing surfers a hearty tease of what's to come (hopefully) once school's out for summer.

Of course, Surfline has it covered again

McRent - classic.Having recently participated in Tailgate Alaska I have a newfound appreciate for accessing the goods by way of RV and "roughing it." Tailgate is not a novel concept, just the best place in the world to do it. That said, the folks at K2 are carrying the torch of mountainside camping via their Kamp K2 experience. Those who were there a few years ago at Mt Baker scored, some even were snowed in.
Austria - looks good for April!
This season, K2 moved the operation across the pond to Austria. Tawnya Schultz and Snowboard Mag got the scoop. Check it out.

Photo: J. SullivanSean Malto - Caymen nose grindWe just spent a few days in Caymen at Black Pearl with Sean Malto. The boys from Thrasher Mag were there too. If you have any questions for the Kansas City skater, go check out the comments section of Thrasher's ASK MALTO blog and find out just what makes this Jayhawk-lover tick.