Technine board sale @ Extreme Pie

Skate/snow shopping site Extreme Pie is shifting Technine snowboards from as little as £136.

Plus there is an extra 15% off for girls by entering the code GIRLSONLY.

Not only that but postage & packing is free for orders above £100.

Boards available are:
The Jib £180 (£153 with code) down from £225;
Street series £187 (down from £275);
Split T £136 (down from £200);
The Dime women's £153 (down from £225),
T-9 women's £136 (down from £200)

For details visit Extreme Pie

Dan Wakeham video podcast #4

 

Our Olympic half-pipe hope hits Laax.

An urgent appeal on behalf of goofy riders

I'm right handed but somehow when I first learned to snowboard, I found it much easier to ride goofy (with your left foot forward) and have been that way ever since. Please don't feel sorry for me but as a result I have been subjected to 'upside down' snowboard graphics ever since!

Why oh why does no-one think about the goofy riders? Even the name suggests you're a bit of a wrong-un. If you ride goofy, by implication you don't ride regular.

Riding goofy is the snowboarding equivalent of being left-handed, or being a 'Southpaw' since that is the slang for a left handed sports person.

"Even the name suggests you're a bit of a wrong-un. If you ride goofy, by implication you don't ride regular."

In some ancient cultures, including Western ones, being left handed was a bit like being cursed.

The word 'sinister' comes from the Latin word for Left but has become understood to mean evil or at best 'unlucky'. Another suggested derivation of the word comes from the Roman name for the single pocket in a toga which was always on the left.

But it's not all bad. Southpaws have been rehabilitated in recent times as 'creatives' since so many designers and musicians are left handed. Chris McManus of University College London has claimed that proportionately speaking, the number of left-handed people is rising and as a group have historically produced more than their share of high achievers.

So why is it then that when 'creatives' design the graphics for their snowboards they either go for a bland 'any-way-up' abstract pattern or if they do produce something with an illustration on it, it often appears kinda upside down to goofy riders?

I mean when I ride my Jussi signature board, even the writing is upside down!

So all you rock star snowboarders out there, designing the graphix for next seasons' signature board, please spare a thought for the goofy rider!

Travel Snowboard Insurance by TGIC (07/08 Rates) :: Snowboard Club UK :: The Riders' Network

Dunx at Snowboard Club UK has arranged a great insurance deal for snowboarders, not only amateur riders like me, but there is also cover for pros and riders who enter competitions.

It covers gear up to £1500 (individual items up to £800) which would have covered me when my last insurance company didn't pay out!

Here's some info cut and past from Dunx's site. Clcik on the link to go to SCUK and get the full lowdown.

GET A FREE QUOTE
Email: scuk@tagconnect.co.uk
Call tagconnect: +44 (0)845 408 0583

These days, we all know that Travel insurance is an essential part of our holiday, but how many of us actually know that our cover is appropriate? Not all insurance cover is the same and tagconnect recognise that many travellers are now choosing more adventurous winter holidays with the emphasis on snowboarding and have therefore worked closely with SCUK for 3 years to design a specific winter sports policy. Our policy offers UNIQUE packages tailored to suit all snowboarders’ needs. Peace of mind, should mean, peace of mind!

Plus we provide as STANDARD cover in all policies:

• Winters Sports cover
• Snowboard kit: Single item limit £800, total £1,500
• Off piste, Park, Indoor, Dryslope
• Personal Liability
• 31 days Winter Sports (Annual Multi Trip)

The schedule of cover which sets out the cover provided by TGIC insurance can be seen on the TGIC website when you obtain a quote.

ALL Premiums include Winter Sports Cover (note: be warned many other insurance companies may not include this within advertised prices).

Loadings for Competitiors and Instructors

For participation in AMATEUR COMPETITIONS an additional premium at the rate of 50% of the above will be charged.
(Amateur = UK events such as AIM Series and the British Championships. Does not include coverage for those making a living from snowboarding).

For participation in PROFESSIONAL COMPETITIONS an additional premium at the rate of 100% of the above will be charged.
(Professional = International events (FIS, TTR etc and events where the participant is being paid a fee for participating e.g Daily Mail show, Inner City events etc..).

Any of the above can be used as additional policys on top of (Single, Long Stay or Multi Trips) for one off events e.g.
British Championships (5 days competition), SCUK member 1-5 days European cover = £21.15 plus 50% = £31.73

Working abroad as a SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR an additonal premium at the rate of 25% of the above will be charged (personal liability cover is excluded, as this should be covered by your employer).

Excess Waiver = £10 per person.

GET A FREE QUOTE
Email: scuk@tagconnect.co.uk
Call tagconnect: +44 (0)845 408 0583
and quote reference number "151005"
To get an online quote and purchase click here. SCUK members need to log in to see the 10% discount link. You can join from just £15

If you are interested in purchasing cover from tagconnect, please call 0845 408 0583 or e-mail our sales team at scuk@tagconnect.co.uk. Please ensure you read your insurance policy carefully.

Travel Snowboard Insurance by TGIC (07/08 Rates) :: Snowboard Club UK :: The Riders' Network

Insurance Cops or Cop Outs?

On Thursday Channel 4 ran the first part of a documentary called 'Scams, Fiddles and Honest Claims' about the insurance company inverstigators who investigate fraudulent insurance claims.

Well, I've been on the flip side and seen how insurance companies dishonestly make every effort NOT to pay out to honest claiments (see my previous blog entry).

Because of this I thought it might be a good idea to give my top tips on how to prepare yourself in case the unthinkable happens and you have your snowboard gear stolen.

1. Save all your receipts

Despite what your insurance company tells you, they will not accept any other proof of what items cost you, even when the invade your privacy and demand bank and credit card statements... and believe me they will demand copies!

2. Photograph all your gear, especially serial numbers

Get hold of a digital camera and photograph all your snowboarding gear, clothing and anything else valuable BEFORE you go away. Keep lots of copies of your photos and keep them stored safely and backed up somewhere (if you have webmail, you can always email them to yourself which will date them too!)

Obviously do not put the photos online somewhere public ... especially the photos which include serial numers of items.

3. Get someone to photograph you riding

It helps even more if you have proof of the gear being used by your's truly. Insurance companies treat claiments like liars and crooks by default but they sound like they're being nice to you while they do it.

4. If the premium is too cheap to be true, it probably is

Any insurance company can offer ridiculously cheap premiums if they have no intention of paying out. Better to pay more and be protected in the knowledge that the company you have chosen is reputable.

5. Go with a company recommended by someone who has used them before

If you can, try get a recommendation from someone you trust who has used that insurance company before - ideally someone who has had to go through a claim with them.

6. Don't hide anything

This is especially true with insurance claims that might have to cover hospital bills if you get hurt. Don't give them any excuse to withold payment later by claiming you didn't disclose any prior medical condition. If you tell them upfront, you can still get insurance in case you get hurt in an accident on the mountain.

7. Don't use Insure And Go

This is only my personal opinion but when I tried to claim for my stolen snowboard bag and all its contents, no amount of evidence was good enough. Everytime I provided them with what they asked for, they just asked for something else, more and more until so many months had gone bythat I practically lost the will to live.

Not only have I never received a penny, they have never actually given me an answer on my claim one way or the other.

They have never ever contacted me without prior provocation to ask what was happening with my claim.

You can't blame an insurance company because someone steals or loses your valuables but I think it speaks volumes about a company's good will (or lack if it) in the way they try to remedy your situation.


8. Don't book a holiday with Air Tours

Not exactly an insurance tip but in the case of lost or stolen goods, you will have to rely on your holiday company to provide proof or evidence.

I think the reps they employed in Livigno were crooks (see my last blog entry) and even if I can't prove it, they tried to intimidate me into accepting liability for my own stolen iems that they 'lost'.

Even if the company were unaware of their employees actions, they did nothing to remedy the situation, which speaks volumes about their integrity.

'Insure And Go' Don't Care About Snowboarders

To paraphrase Kanye West, 'INSURE AND GO' are to snowboarders what George Bush is to Hurricane Katrina survivors.

I had £1500 worth of snowboarding equipment stolen from the transfer coach a few years back during a trip to Livigno, Italy. The reps from the holiday company at the time (who, PLEASE TAKE NOTE, have since changed their name to AIRTOURS) tried to intimidate me at the hotel with a gang of huge 6 ft plus ski guides into 'admitting' it was my fault not theirs.

I'll never book anything with those scum bags again.

'Well,' they said sarcastically, 'you're insured'. As if it was an excuse.

"The reps from the holiday company tried to intimidate me at the hotel with a gang of huge 6 ft plus ski guides..."

I'd lost a brand new top of the range 'Terje' Burton snowboard that I'd never even had the privilege to ride one time, plus my bindings, boots and all my snowboarding clothes. Even the snowboard bag they were packed in. All the stuff I had managed to collect over 4 years of snowboarding.

The sad truth is, I was insured. With Insure And Go. I had heard from a friend that they were good if you got hurt on the mountain - which, let's face it, is the single most important consideration when buying snow sports insurance. It never occured to me that I might get robbed but I bought the premium insurance cover anyway, just in case the airline lost my luggage.

During the transfer from the airport to Livgno, the coach stopped once as we were allowed to stretch our legs and grab a coffee in a nearby cafe. That was the only time coach and my luggage were out of my sight.

When we arrived in Livigno to be dropped off at our hotel my snowboard bag and its contents had mysteriously vanished.

I confronted the reps who said some stuff had been tranferred to another coach as half the party went to another resort and they would track my bag down. later they changed their story and said that had never happened.

I have never lost my bag before or had anything stolen and therefore had no experience of dealing with insurance companies. I had no receipts for my equipment and had no photos of my gear either.

I called Insure and Go from Livigno the morning after my stuff disappeared and explained my situation. They said don't worry. All I needed was a letter from the holiday company to say stuff was lost and maybe a photo of me snowboarding as proof of my equipment.

I provided both.

Insure And Go are liars.

"they asked for more and more proof until months had elapsed and I simply lost the will to pursue my claim"

They never actually turned down my claim. Everytime I provided any info they requested, they asked for more and more proof until months had elapsed and I simply lost the will to pursue my claim.

As a result I hate them even more than the people who stole my equipment (who I strongly suggest were the local Livigno reps of Airs Tours).

Let me say simply this... if an insurance premium is so cheap it seems too good to be true? That's because ot is.

Anyone can offer a cheap premium if they never pay anybody out! As far as I am concerned, my insurance premium with Insure And Go cost me £1500 PLUS the cost of the premium I paid to those crooks.

Next time I will insure myself myself with a company for snowboarders and recommended by snowboarders. I hear Snowboard Club UK do one and will be checking it out.

http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/insurance

It might cost more but if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

Insure And Go? 'Insure And Go Fuck Yourself' more like.