Active Ride Shop News

I’ve been lucky to get a bunch of photos published this season, 19 so far. Here’s a few of them.

Stephen Duke Transworld Nov 2008

Eric Messier Transworld 2009 Photo Issue

Stephen Duke Snowboarder Dec 2008

Seth Huot, pillow line. Snowboarder Dec 2008

Stephen Duke fs 900. Transworld 2009 Photo Issue

Ben Rice, nose pick transfer. Snowboarder Nov 2008

Chad Otterstrom, chute line. Transworld Nov 2008

Zac Marben, Ollie. Transworld Jan 2009

Robbie Walker, switch front board. Snowboard 2009 Photo Annual

A couple months ago, I wrote a couple times during a bike tour that I was on. It was with Neoproto/People producer Pierre Minhondo and friend Justin “Boosty”. I’ve got the photos edited and posted an album on myspace.com. If you want to see them, go to this link.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhotos&albumID=2013540&MyToken=d7132fb8-bb0f-4643-85d6-1c8f939dcc28

I’ve been going through my photo archives, mainly organizing my snapshots from the past few years, and have been totally reliving the past. I’ll be editing up some stuff and posting it soon.

So I was going through a group of photos from a Neoproto video premier years ago, and came across a snapshot of one of my best friends- Scotty Wittlake. We used to hang out a lot back in Truckee; I lived on his couch for months during the winter and springs. We also were both very into bicycling, and still are. He’s been a bike courier in Portland for a few years now, and I haven’t been able to visit as much as I’d like. He even sold his truck so bikes, hitchhiking, and skateboards are his modes of transportation now.

Scott’s a badass and has been a huge influence on me in the past. He’s a very intelligent and kind person, and will do literally anything for a friend in need. He’s seen a lot in his young life; his grandkids (if they are ever created) are going to be amazed by his stories. Anyways… here are a few photos of him.

p.s. If you didn’t know, Scotty used to ride for Active Ride Shop. Check out the Active movie “One” to see a very unique video part.

Words and pictures.

http://www.snowboard-revolution.com/artist/Robbie-Sell.html

I’ve just updated my website, finally. I have to wait until the magazines first publish my photos until I can put them on my site, because they want the exclusive first showing to the public. So now that the majority of the issues have been out, I can put them in my portfolio. There still are a few shots that I hope will come out, but I’ll show those later.

A few of the Active team riders are on it. Check it out. Let me know what you think, leave critique and suggestions in the comment area please. Thanks, enjoy.

www.robbiesell.com

This photo of Ryan Thompson was just published in the photo annual of Snowboard Mag.

Bad news party people. Our days of Sparks are limited. I’m not talking about the town down the street from Reno, I’m talking about the greatest invention since coffee and Baileys… SPARKS! If you aren’t familiar with this drink (which could be a good thing), it’s a malt liquor energy drink. It’s given me the best/worst of times, and that will only continue until January 10, 2009.

Back to RedBull and Stoli I suppose.

Check it, vote.

Last night here in Reno was the Santa Crawl. It’s an annual event charity benefit for the families of fallen law enforcement officers in the area. There were hundreds, actually more like a couple thousand people dressed up in christmas outfits running around downtown and partying. This year 27 bars were a part of it.

It was insane. Stephen Duke came to town to check it out. Here’s a few photos from the night.

Then this morning I saw some boarding on the television. I think it was the Grand Prix pipe contest. Todd Richards was announcing, which was the only reason it was entertaining. He was pretty funny, like calling out the girls for riding below their potential. Kelly even admitted it in her victory speech, lame. Torah would have killed them.

Danny Davis had a bad ass run. He messed up on one of his big tricks and lost his speed, but ended up doing what I thought was the coolest line in the entire contest; which was a Miller flip to an elgerial.

On Yobeat.com’s photo battle, I’ve got a picture of Active pro Ryan Thompson that has beat out two other shots already. If I make it past this round, I only have one more to win; if so I make it to their wall of fame… oooohhhhh, aaahhhhhh.  

   http://www.yobeat.com/2008/12/firing-squad-robbie-kicks-another-ass/   

  So go take a look, study the photographs, and vote. Here’s an alternate picture from the same photoshoot.  

Star of the infamous Robot Food films, legend of style, perfector of the backside tailslide, insane circus high diver, computer wiz, and new Nike captain- Bobby Meeks made my christmas start early this year.

I decided to have a little product photoshoot with my present. My makeshift studio was sooo ghetto it made me laugh; seriously I laughed out loud while doing this with nobody around.

I did this on the floor of my apt. It was shot on a piece of glass from a cabinet for the reflection. For the light to be focused to a small beam, I used a cardboard snoot and gaffers tape. Then for some light to be bounced around I used some reflective gold paper from the box packaging, and also a foam core that is the back of a poster. To flag/hide some light, I used the box itself and also a t-shirt… real classy I know. I have some legit equipment in line for the future, but was just doing this for fun really; so please don’t hate on me too bad. I’m actually quite happy with the results considering I didn’t use Photoshop and it was just entertainment for myself. Check it out and laugh with/at me.

Bryan Fox is a badass, and I’m not writing that just because it was actually said on the cover of Future Snowboarding magazine! He’s a strong willed individual, which is hard to come by in the pro snowboarding scene. There’s a lot of people out there who are followers, style biters, puppets, pussies, & dummies; but Bryan is not one of them.

A few years ago, during the filming of the original “People” film, I hitched a ride with Bryan from Tahoe to Mt. Baker. If you aren’t familiar that route, it’s about a 12 hour drive. I’m not a psychologist, but got to figure him much better by the time we got there. He’s got strong morals and beliefs, with a great family background. Even though we may differ on some opinions, I appreciate his honesty, intelligence, and character to back it up. He’s not afraid to speak his mind (which I have done in the past and ended up with my foot in my mouth), where most publicized figures sugar coat everything in fear of criticism. He even keeps his life drug and alcohol free, now that’s some amazing will power! …no way I could do that one. All of these reasons are why I call him a badass!

Fox is also a badass on a snowboard. Watch Neoproto “Some Kinda Life”, or any of the “People” films for proof. I really dig his style. His urban riding is heavily skate influenced, instead of looking like he’s performing in “Ringling Brothers” circus act. And when out in the backcountry or park, his jumping is on point. I doubt you could name 5 pros who spin frontside off their toe edge; a lost art which Fox is keeping alive.

Anyways, I just received a message from him this morning which inspired me to write this letter. It’s big news, which I won’t blab about yet… maybe soon, but not yet. Here are a few of my photos of the “powder cowboy”.

Over the years I’ve been going to Reno to party, many times going to Fritz’s bar. The owner Derek, is a snowboarder and a very cool guy. He’s hosted numerous video premiers and rail jams in his parking lot. He’s created a cool scene in the stereotypical jock/hick area of Reno… and unfortunately it’s coming to an end.

Sadly he’s closing the bar at the end of the month. Earlier this year he was diagnosed with cancer, and needs the sale to support his treatment. I’m doing what I can to help him out, please help if you can also.

Here’s an article from Reno’s KTVN Channel 2 News:

It’s a fixture in town.
You’ve probably stopped by or perhaps have seen it right there near U.N.R. campus.
The owner of Fritz Bar and Grill is facing an uncertain future. Morg and his friends get together for a Thanksgiving meal. But, this is the last year they’re getting together because the owner has put the bar up for sale, its doors are closing just next month.

“I’m trying to sell it to get money for the bone marrow transplant,” says Morg.
Early this year, Derek Morg was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease. Chemotherapy treatments began in July. But, the worst news came about a week ago.
“It’s the most aggressive form,” adds Morg.

A bone marrow transplant is Morg’s only hope for survival and it has to happen soon.
Jonathon Chapin, Morg’s best friend says, “He has 6 months to live. If he gets a bone marrow transplant he’s got a 40% chance.” Morg explains, “They give you a real hard dose of chemo. But, they take your bone marrow out first. Freeze it. And then they basically kill all your cells and give your own bone marrow back to ya.”

Since he’s self-employed, he never really looked into getting health insurance for himself. “We’re looking for Medicaid assistance. It makes it a little more hard since he owns a small business. It makes it difficult to fill out the applications.” says Morg’s girlfriend, Kara Knespler.

Now, he’s selling the bar he opened six years ago.
“Having to close your business is hard. Having to close because you’re sick and battling to survive makes it even harder,” says Morg. Knespler and their friends gather for a last thanksgiving meal inside Fritz. “He’s willing to fight. There’s a lot of people in his corner willing to fight with him. Do what we need to do to make things happen.” says Chapin.

Looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills is scary.
All of Morg’s family lives in Chicago, so it’s these friends who are coming together to help put on fundraisers and benefits for the bone marrow transplant. The transplant will happen at Stanford Medical Center in January. “We’re trying to network as hard as we can to get local businesses and people to not only spread the word, contribute what they can.” says Chapin.

Fritz will close on December 20th, the last day of the semester.
“I hope it remains a college bar because I think a lot of people had a lot of fun. It’s what’s needed around this area.”

Morg says after his bone marrow transplant he’ll be coming back to Reno to recouperate and start all over again.

To Contribute:
The Derek Morg Fund
2692 Spearpoint Drive
Reno, NV 89509

Upcoming Event to Benefit Derek Morg

Punk for a Cause
Fritz Bar and Grill
December 6th, 2008
1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

   A couple weeks ago, I submitted a photo of Active rider Ryan Thompson to yobeat.com for a photo competition they do. I was honored to make it to the next round. Take a look at my new competitor and make a vote.     

http://www.yobeat.com/2008/12/firing-squad-robbie-sell-week-two/    

  Thanks yo.  

I’ve been reorganizing my photo archives and came across these photos that have never been seen outside of my computer. It’s been fun remembering these moments.

Here are 3 photos from december of 2005, while I was filming my video part for the first MDP-People film “People”. I was in Minnesota along with Mitch Neslon, Ryan Thompson, Curtis Woodman, and Darrel Mathes. We had full pro photographers there at the time, being Andy Wright and Rob Mathis. After I got my shot at these spots, I took out my camera and went on the other side of the lens. I never submitted these photos anywhere, so here’s their first look into the public.

I sessioned this ledge first, getting a lipslide to fakie on it. Then Mitch Nelson got a backside tailpress on it.

This kinked rail is right across the field from the ledge. Ryan Thompson got his shot right before sundown.

This rail has since been hit by JP Walker, Jeremy Jones, and others. But first person to step up was Curtis Woodman!

  Last february I got invited to join the MDP-People crew over in Tahoe.  It was with Brian Fox, Stephen Duke, Louie Fountain, and Josh Mills (funny the crew was  all Active team riders).  Here’s a few photos from the weekend with my homeys.   

Louie & Brian.     

Louie, method, gap.     

Josh Mills.      

Josh Mills, backside 5.     

Beef ox.     

Brian, dicey branch gap ollie.    

Stephen Duke had some sled problems.      

Duke with a perfect method tweak.     

Brian found this tranny finder gap, did a fs 180 and luckily did it perfect first try, because that landing was a stump with just a little snow on it.  No repeats could have been done.     

Mills, back 5 from another point of view.       

Louie’s helmet says it all.