Words by JP Pardy @ RECESS.
Recess Skate and Snow along with ATP hosted the 2nd annual wRECklESS Rail Jam, March 13 at Appalachian Ski Mtn. This is one of the only cash purse events in the Southeast for snowboarding. Riders paid a $15.00 entry fee, and all that money went to the Advanced 1st – 3rd place winners. On top of that cash, DC threw in an extra $500 in to the pot.
The rail jam set up that App Terrain Park put together was amazing! Especially if you take into consideration what time of year this is and being in North Carolina. Most people don’t realize how legit shredding in NC is.
Recess Skate and Snow came up with this event concept last year to help push progression in the area, and this year was no different. The setup consisted of a variety of handrail style features, along with some fun polejams, bonks, tranny finders and more just waiting for the riders to get creative and progress on. There were two category levels in this rail jam for both skiers and snowboarders: beginnerish/intermediate and advanced. Guest judges for the event were Windells head digger Keaton Pearson and assistant head digger Chase Weaver.
Beginnerish/Intermediate dropped first in a 40 min jam session that was sick. Local shredder Julien Passajou ended up taking home 1st place, with Reilly Tardiff in 2nd, and Luke Winkelmann in 3rd. Molly Clay won standout ladies award and Zeb Powell took home standout grom. Intermediate Ski wrapped up with Kellen Baker in 1st, Carson Issacs in 2nd, and Thomas Cline in 3rd. The catch with this category is 1st place automatically goes to Advanced finals! This gives the chance to win some cash and ride with the big boys.
Julien Passajou on the Lift Tower feature
The advanced session went off – plain and simple. Riders got plenty of laps during 40 min jam session leading into finals. Finals went down a little different… The Recess crew selected 3 key features out of the course. Each rider got 3 hits on each of these 3 features. Every hit was counted and added to a cumulative score to show ultimate shredding skill! Andrew Sanchez came out on top winning $500.00 and a dope AG Jacket, Austin Leonard took 2nd winning $200.00 and a dope pair of Oakley shades, and Kris Jones rounded out the podium in 3rd with $100.00 and some Skull Candy Headphones. Advanced Ski 1st place went to Ross Rowan, with Tanner Sinclair in 2nd, and Barrett Williams in 3rd.
Andrew Sanchez back lipping his way to 1st place on the Dub Barrell rail
With sunny skies, spring temps, and tons of stoked riders, the day was a huge success. Thanks to Analog for cooking up some dogs for competitors, along with Oakley and DC crew. Ridiculous amounts of product were given out along with a nice wad of cash. Huge props to all the riders for coming out and shredding, Recess Skate and Snow, Analog, DC, Oakley, App Terrain Park crew, Rome, Windells, Skullcandy, Appalachian Ski Mtn, Neff, and Kyle Beckmann (photos).