BoardSport Source, Issue 90, February/March 2018

HELLO #90

On the cover: On the cover: Pacome Allouis. Vans, 686 & The James Brand. Photo – Julien Perly

We’ve been blessed with stellar snow conditions across the Alps this winter right from the word go, finally giving retailers a fair crack at the whip. Despite a small number of early season discount horror stories, we’re pleased to report that the lion’s share of retailers have held firm, standing strong behind their products and having confidence in the orders they placed last winter.

Nowadays a retail buyer has better access to information than ever before, which undoubtedly aids their decision making process. However, where other markets are working with more and more seasons each year (collections, injections, capsules), the snowboard industry still works on a yearly cycle, putting more credence than ever before on a retailer’s buy, as they stick their finger in the air to gauge trends some 9-12 months in the future.

Fear not! Our in-house snowboard expert, Tom Wilson-North picks apart the snowboards and outerwear offer for 18/19 while Anna Langer looks into goggles, giving retail buyers their perfect reference guide to roam the halls of ISPO with. The 2018 Winter Olympics are just around the corner and SOURCE headed out to Livigno to report on an innovative airbag that the GB team are using as their secret weapon in the run up to the 2018 Games in conjunction with a fascinating coaching philosophy, coined Radical Gains.

Away from snowboarding, Dave Mailman rounds up his Surf Parks trilogy with a look at how these manmade waves fare when hosting professional surf competitions while Denis Houille dissects the FW18/19 wetsuit market.

We’re very pleased to present a preview of ‘A History of Skate Fashion’, written by SOURCE’s very own Skateboard Editor, Dirk Vogel, which takes a look back at how skateboarding has influenced fashion over the years.

In a new feature for SOURCE, we debut our artist profile series, kicking off with prolific snowboard artist Schoph who works with Dragon, Vans, Lib Tech, elm company, Volcom, Asymbol gallery and more. Read on for brand profiles with The James Brand, Dupraz and Mayori while we also speak to C-Skins to find out more about their re-branding.

SOURCE would like to wish everyone a warm welcome to ISPO Munich 2018, the mother of all action sports trade shows and may whatever business brings you to the Bavarian capital be fruitful.
We look forward to sharing some beers in Munich.

Always Sideways
Harry Mitchell Thompson
Editor