Jumping With Jussi (Mack Dawg) - dvd review

Directed and edited by Mike McEntire and Jussi Oksanen.

If you’ve always wanted a personal tutorial from one of the best snowboarders in the world and can’t afford a summer at snowboard camp, here’s your chance thanks to Jussi Oksanen's trick tips dvd.

But let me be Master Of The Bleeding Obvious and say right away that this dvd is called JUMPING With Jussi… it ain’t JIBBING With Jussi (now there *is* a name for a blog!). In other words, no rails, no wall rides, no snowboarding across water, no road gaps (although technically that would count) and certainly no urban footage.

Maybe he’s planning a follow up but for now, Jussi has decided it would be most wise to demonstrate 16 of his favourite big air tricks in a specially closed off trick park. A bit like when Hamley’s open their toy store exclusively to Michael Jackson. Think of it as the skill of a ninja combined with the responsible attitude of a sensei.

Beginning with straight airs and progressing through to pulling 900s, Jussi demonstrates each trick with crystal clarity while calmly talking you through it, over and over, making each jump sound as easy as he makes it look.

Seriously though, the approach is clearly designed to encourage your confidence as much as demystify and there must be something to learn here for everyone from beginners to the most advanced riders.

"...Jussi fell just 4 times in the making of this dvd while he landed tricks around 600 times!"

Obviously a degree of ability is required before you attempt to ride in the big man’s bindings, (as the credits go to great pains to point out). And as they also point out, Jussi fell just 4 times in the making of this dvd while he landed tricks around 600 times! So if you are thinking of ever pissing the guy off, don’t forget some kryptonite.

"...and ride out like a champ"

I like to think of JWJ as the snowboarding equivalent of one of those self-belief tapes. You could try taking the soundtrack with you into the park with you, iPod style, or maybe play it over and over in your sleep… you CAN pull a cab 540… you can… you can...

…“and ride out like a champ!”

Verdict: I'd give it 5 out 5 because it's Jussi but I'd give my chances of getting beyond a straight air, 0 out of 5.

Go to http://www.mackdawgproductions.com/ for more info.