Camp Academy Series @ Boreal Mountain

Academy Snowboard Co.’s 4th Annual Camp Academy was another great time at Boreal Mountain Resort. This was our biggest camp ever with over 71 campers that attended our spring camp. Campers not only learned new tricks, but learned how to screen print their own camp t’s, how to wax their boards as well as demo the new gear from our sponsors. We also shot a camp dvd which you can check the teaser and more photos out on our website www.academysnowboards.com. Next year, Camp Academy will be expanding and putting on camps in Colorado and Minnesota. If you have any questions about our camps please contact camps@academysnowboards.com.

For more photos and video check out www.snowboardermag.com.

Vans OTW Collection Release Party

Party Time. Photo: The Skateboard Mag

Last weekend Vans threw a monster release party for the new OTW Collection, a refined series of sneakers designed for chilling rather than skating. Vans took over a rooftop in LA to celebrate the event, and hosted Vans family and friends to a night of drinks, music and artwork.

RZA. Photo: LAustin.

The Rza took to the turntables to entertain celebrity guests like Christina Ricci, Danny Trejo, Amber Rose, Mister Cartoon and many more. Check out coverage of the event on on The Skateboard Mag and Transworld Snow.

Sup Bro? Teaser Featuring Eric Willett

Vans x Spitfire "Keeping The Underground Lit"

Okay, since snow season is in a bit of a lull right now until summer camps start up, we're gonna keep posting skate news here to get everyone in the mood to get out and skate! First off is a release that has to be mentioned: Vans teamed up with longtime skate brethren Spitfire on the "Keeping The Underground Lit" project. More than just a collection of hot shoes, Vans skaters John Cardiel and Anthony Van Engelen will work with the Spitfire crew to design and build two new street spots, one in Sacto and one in LA. Check out www.freshngood.com for more info and some closer looks at the goods.

FuelTV Clip Up On www.AndreasWiig.com

Part One of Three segements from Andreas Wiig's appearance on FuelTV's "The Daily Habit" is now up on www.AndreasWiig.com for your viewing pleasure. Andreas talks about his tough season recovering from injury and his time rehabbing in SoCal. And as always, you can find all kinds of video clips, photos, blogs and more on his website anytime you want. Check it out to see how the shred viking is living.

Trouble Gang Mixtape (Free Download)

Our friends over at Frank151 posted a link to Trouble Andrew's new mixtape, Trouble Gang featuring appearances from collaborators like Lil Jon, Spankrock, Amanda Blank, Santigold, Diplo, John Hill, Stunnaman, Hollywood Holt, Curren$y, Ninjasonik, Jackie Chain and many more. Trouble is a longtime shred buddy and loyal Vans sneaker rocker, so we thought we'd share the love and put this out there for anyone who's a fan. Trouble has been on the grind for a while now, and is putting the finishing touches on his new album set to drop this summer. Check out the mixtape for a sneak preview of Trouble's crazy mix of musical styles and influences...

EA Skate 3 Intro

Since snow season in North America is finally starting to wind down (although Colorado did get some more snow this week!), we thought we'd post a little something to get all the shreds stoked to go skateboard. Even if you can't get out and push around as much as you'd like, you can always pretend to skate courtesy of video games like EA Sports' Skate 3. To celebrate the release of the new title, EA released this intro trailer featuring some of today's best skateboard talents, including Vans' own John Cardiel. Check out it, pretty funny stuff...

Snowboarder Magazine Superpark 14 Video

Click on the screen shot above to check out Andrew Hardingham talk to Eric Willett about his balls in Snowboarder Magazine's Superpark 14 Video. Superpark 14 concluded in Mammoth last week, and Snowboarder now has a ton of great photos and videos from the event on their website, www.snowboardermag.com. Eric spent the week launching the giant booter that the Loon Mountain park crew built and proved once again that he is a true contender—look for more in depth coverage of his breakout season on vanssnow.com coming soon.

Snowboarder Magazine’s Superpark 14 Coverage

Eric Willett. Photo: Oli Gagnon

Snowboarder Magazine's Superpark 14 has been going down in Mammoth all week, with some of the best riders from around the world converging at the last big event of the season. Snowboarder invites park crews from around the country to show up and build massive jumps for snowboarding's stars to get crazy on. Vans team riders Eric Willett, Nick Poohachoff and Hana Beaman have been there nailing some last minute shots and filming, capping off another terrific season of shred. Check out more of Snowboarder's coverage on their website, www.snowboardermag.com.

VANS INTRODUCES FREE VANS HUB APP FOR IPHONE AND ANDROID

Vans’ Leads Action Sports Industry in Consumer Mobile Interaction with 4th App.

Cypress, CA (May 5, 2010) – Vans today introduced the Vans Hub app available for free immediate download for iPhone at the iTunes store as well as for Android OS phones. The Vans Hub news aggregator app allows consumers to join the inside conversation with Vans’ numerous bloggers while gathering Vans’ skate, surf, snow, girls and music news along with Twitter, Flickr and YouTube streams in one location. The Vans Hub gives users the chance to be the first to share info and opinions about new products, events, contests, special offers and whatever is going on in and around Vans culture.

“It’s evident that Vans’ consumers not only crave entertainment and information at their fingertips and on the go, but they’re also engaging with their favorite brands as never before,” said Doug Palladini, Vans Vice President of Marketing. “Vans is committed to leadership in technology making it possible for interaction with consumers in unique, meaningful ways.”

The Vans Hub joins the growing collection of Vans mobile apps. Vans released Vans Sk8: Pool Service, a 3D skate game featuring Vans skaters early last year and followed that up with the Vans Warped Tour Official App allowing fans to keep up-to-date with the latest Tour happenings. In late 2009, Vans introduced the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing App, making the first live mobile webcast application for any action sports event available to surf enthusiasts.

About Vans
Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel company, is a brand of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC). Vans collections include authentic footwear, apparel and accessories, snowboard boots and the Pro-tec line of protective gear and are sold in the United States through more than 250 company owned stores as well as independent retailers. Internationally, Vans sells its goods in approximately 70 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and foreign offices. Vans promotes action sports lifestyle and youth culture through support of athletes on boards and bikes all over the globe and through progressive events such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans Downtown Showdown, the Pro-tec Pool Party and the Vans Warped Tour®.

Vans Snowboard Boots: 2010/11 Boot Preview

Andreas Wiig III Colorway (Orange/Grey): $249 & Hi Standard Colorway (Gum/Hana): $169

Mike Lewis over at Transworld Business did an interview with Vans Category Director Jared Bevens a little while back about next season's line and how Vans fits in. It's an interesting read with some behind the scenes info on the boot program, check out the full story over transworld.net.

What are the biggest trends shaping the hardgoods market for next year?

Reverse camber compatible snowboard boots.

How have you responded to the industry-wide oversupply of last season?

Produce what you sell. Wouldn’t it be nice if the snowboarder was actually incentified to get into their local shop and get that great new product early because it might actually sell out if they don’t.

How are you working with retailers to help ensure strong margins?

Not over supplying. Making great compelling product backed by a comprehensive marketing program and service that helps maximize sell through during the prime full price window.

How do you see the hardgoods marketplace evolving next year?

Likely to see continued consolidation at all levels.

What are the biggest changes you’ve made to your hardgoods business model in the last year ?

SKU efficiency. Every item addressing a specific need and having a compelling reason for being.

What opportunities do you see for hardgoods sales? (are you focusing more on kids, women, rentals, core retailers, chains, Internet, entry level product, high end, split boards, etc., etc.)

Innovation that improves the experience to build excitement, continues to give snowboarders a reason to buy or upgrade and helps improve the rider retention rate. Cost of participation continues to skyrocket. We need lower cost options that increase the demographic pool of potential participants instead of looking for more dollars out of the same group.

Dawn of the Shred III

WIn Andreas Wiig's FourSquare Jacket

Andreas is a man of many talents. From lapping parks in Colorado to filming huge booters in the BC backcountry, Andreas needs a versatile jacket that functions wherever the snow falls. He also knows you want the same out of your jacket, so he wants to hook you up with his autographed Foursquare jacket packed with features to keep you warm, dry and riding all day. All you need to do to win it is tell us the favorite part of your jacket and his autographed jacket could be all yours. Check out www.facebook.com/FoursquareOuterwear and post your favorite jacket features on the wall now until May 7th. We’ll pick the best answer and send the lucky shred a new jacket.