As written about before, I've kinda had a bit of an love affair with snowboarding...
I used to be a straight up addict as a teen. Moved to the mountains to ride for a couple winters after high school. Passion toned down by mid-twenties, and nearly forgot about it during the years in Bali. Yet, upon returning to Canada... oh yeah. It was on.
Prior to coming back, I'd bought a Burton Custom Flying V at clearance discount, putting 10 days on it at Whistler last season. But this season... oh man.
It started with a curiosity to try one more board. (Last year's Burton Custom X, on 40% discount).
Then another, the hard-charging Ride Timeless.
Then another, this year's Burton Custom, with a badass sacred geometry design.
And justwhen I thought that'd be enough, I came across a local manufacturer, Endeavor, and curiosity creeped in about what their powder-specific board would ride like. Next thing ya know, I had a fourth board in my quiver.
And within the first day on it, the curiosity grew.
photo source: Endeavor Snowboards
To some, this story might seem like a tale of over-indulgence.
I mean, c'mon. Who the fuck really needs four or more snowboards.
Yet, it's not a matter of need here.
It's a matter of passion.
So, one thing led to another, and I really got interested in the Endeavor boards.
Burton has always been one of the big snowboard manufacturers. Kinda like the domestic beers of Budweiser in the States, Molson Canadian in Canada, or Bintang in Indonesia. Yet, as I've grown and lived a bit more, I've come to experience the awesomeness of quality craft breweries.
Similar with snowboards, in this case.
Endeavor first caught my attention because they'd used Burton's "Channel" binding system - which after trying on my Burton boards, I had found to be superior. And, the "local" novelty intrigued me. As did the concept of this smaller operation driven by pure passion, rather than the mass-scale corporate mission.
And when I had my first ride on the Archetype, their flagship powder board, I could tell the boards were quality.
Yes, that impression fed my curiosity as to what their other boards would ride like in comparison to the Burtons. Fast forward... many hours spent browsing their website, watching YouTube reviews, dreaming about a couple other of their top-of-the-line rides, the High 5 and Clout.
At first, the High 5 seemed cool, but I wasn't totally a fan of the octopus graphics.
Then, I googled the "spirit animal" description of octopus... "abundance, fluidity, flexibility, shadow work, creativity, intuition, illusion, logic, intelligence, potential..." correlations with the numerological associations with eight... all in all, it sounded pretty rad. So my resistance went down, I eased into a deeper appreciation for the board's artwork, and the idea of getting the board took root in mind mind with a grip that could only be unravelled through actually buying it.
(And while I battled with the dilemma that a fifth couldn't be justified at this point, the last day out at Whistler on the Custom convinced me to sell it, replacing with the High 5. So, up went the Custom on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. And low-and-behold, an email to the Endeavor office quickly unveiled the opportunity to buy the exact board and size at 40% off).
photo source: Endeavor Snowboards
When I laid my hands on that board today, there was just this sense of magic.
Sounds weird, right? Oh well. Fuck it. I'm not making this shit up.
I might be talking (writing) about snowboards here, but surely, the object of focus could be something else and the principles in question could be just as applicable. Cars - Hondas and Hyundais versus Mercedes-Benz's and Lambos. Whiskeys - Jack Daniels versus high-end single malt scotches. Houses - mobile homes versus custom-designed luxury residences. etc, etc.
Undoubtedly, there are significant differences in quality of craftsmanship between, say, an economy American family car and a fine Italian automobile. Same with snowboards.
The price differential may not be as substantial. Nonetheless, the quality and experience vary greatly.
Burton has always made great boards. Yet, the first impression of these Endeavors... wow. There really aren't quite the words to capture the essence. But nonetheless, this attempt is being made, because it's a difference wherein profound inspiration lies. (Regardless of whether anybody here can actually relate to such an overindulgence of something as random as snowboards).
Sure, any snowboard company might be run by people who really do love the sport. Yet, there's just something distinct about a small operation like Endeavor - local, passion-driven, focused on excellence and love of the craft - that is apparent in their product.
Branding may play a part as well. Yet, it's clear that "branding" and "market positioning" and all that blah blah is not what this company was founded on or invested into that got them to where they are today.
I may not have rode the new board yet. But, I'm already thinking about possibly selling the Custom X if the High 5 is just as good, and adding yet one more Endeavor to its place in my quiver. Why?? Is this obsession with more and more snowboards not getting a little out of hand...??"
Perhaps.
Or perhaps not.
Maybe there is some element of obsession in it all.
Yet, maybe it is all driven by passion - or rather, love.
Love not just for snowboarding and snowboards. After all, there are many different snowboard manufacturers and boards. But what specifically resonated so strongly between me and this particular line?
Maybe I don't know completely (besides the reasons listed above).
Or maybe, it's just an appreciation for the art and their craft.
That for whatever reasons, I've recognized an exceptional beauty in the entity this team has created and invested into their products - which serve as both a fine, high-end, precision tool for my all-time favorite sport and a masterful artpiece that fills me with joy every time I look at it in my home.
Honestly, it feels kinda weird to be publicly writing about snowboards like this.
Yet, I don't do it just for the sake of the story. But for the greater points of importance within the story - namely, to share even a fragment of the inspiration.
It may make no logical sense as to why I've gotten so fixated over a plank used to slide down the side of a mountain on. Yet, these boards have me inspired in a way little else has lately. And, it's probably because the inspiration that has gone into them is, in some way, contagious.
Just as, hopefully, the inspiration in this story might be.
Guaranteed, not everyone reading this may relate to the love of snowboards.
But, we can all relate to the love of something.
Whether an object or tool used for a creative hobby or sport, a collectible item, game, food of craft spirit, technology, philosophy, movement, work of art, science, etc, etc, etc.
And perhaps, its these type of inspirations that enrich life such that it's truly worth living.
Or who knows. Maybe I'm just talking out of my ass at this point, rambling on.
Bumbaclaaaaaaat...
