What would inspire a person to precariously balance themselves and walk along a piece of webbing extended hundreds of feet above gorges, waterfalls, and tall towers?  This short video, created by ZEAL Optics Ambassador Chris Morgan, explores briefly explores the motivations behind two avid highliners, Anthony and Corbin, as they practice their sport in Kenton Park, Portland, Oregon.

You can see more of Chris’s work on his website, www.twosherpas.com or on Instagram at @chris_twosherpas.  Anthony & Corbin are on Instagram at @arobslacks and @chundafalls.

I met the homie Lucas Robinson down at Woodward and he decided to road trip up the coast with me and my Brother-from-another-mother Adrian Martinez, and we eventually ended up in his hometown. After a summer of toddler sized bicycles, learning the native lingo, and living out of a tent and a Forester along the coast I found myself in a little blip on the map called Bellingham. Bham, as we affectionately call it, is a little town in the most northwest pocket of the country. As an east coaster originally, I was totally taken back by the compost bins in restaurants, Jerusalem cruisers on everyone’s feet, as well as the 81% overcast days per year. Certainly not the SoCal weather that you see in most BMX edits online, so you can imagine my surprise when I found a tight knit little scene of shredders who were down to make the most of the remaining summer, dodging rain spurts, drying spots with old clothes and towels, and dealing with the bipolar weather that makes the PNW so dreamy.

This edit we threw together I think really highlights the good vibes, friends, scene, and weather that we were able to squeeze out of the last ray’s of sunshine this summer blessed us with. I’d like to shoutout all the homies who were a part of this little project, and anyone who has showed us love around the way.

At first glance in Bellingham, one might not pick up on the subtle hints of a bmx scene. It’s pretty tucked away and could certainly be glanced over. However, the scene in Bellingham really seems to represent what bmx is after all the bullshit is dropped, trends come and go, high seats, low seats, pegs, brakes, riding street, dirt, and park; the list could go on forever. Though all the guys in the scene come from different backgrounds and like to ride different ways, we’re all united by the fact that we just want to be out on our bikes whenever we can, having a good time with the dudes.

Bellingham isn’t SoCal, on average we get rain 168 days a year which pretty much chops your chances to ride in half. We have one skatepark to serve the city’s 80,000 people (which is overrun with lowlifes), a hidden trails scene tucked back in the woods, and though we have some good street spots you have to put in work for it. Bmx isn’t perfect, and it’s not meant to be. bmx is different. bmx is staring at a jump for 20 minutes trying to get your balls to descend from your stomach. Bmx is slamming your body into pavement one second and throwing yourself down the rail again a second later. Bmx comes in a lot of shapes, forms and sizes. From hundreds of riders swarming the streets of LA at the latest sponsored jam, to a couple homies riding the local cut between patches of rain, bmx is and always will be there. Sometimes you just gotta look for it.

More on the way this year as we plan to film a real project so if you’d like to spice up that feed with some hot fire or good laughs just holler at us on Instagram: @lcs_rbnsn & @vacuumssvck P.S.- Let us know what you think of the edit below in the comments. Love it or hate it speak up!! Deuces til next time!

In search of new a challenge, the ladies venture west to the Oregon Coast. The Pacific Ocean, vast and powerful, provides a large arena for our girls to show their skills. Through the fog and waves, Laura, Sensi, Colleen and Lindsay find some luck and score wind and waves in less than ideal conditions. Follow along and come enjoy the final chapter of Where The Wind Blows.

Where The Wind Blows is the story of four diverse professional kiteboarders, who despite their exotic winter adventures, find their way back to the Gorge each summer. Their friendship, passion for kiteboarding and sustaining health connects them in a way that will inspire all viewers. The Oregon summer experience is a multidimensional story that is rich in wholesome food, beautiful scenery, and great adventures. Join us as we follow Colleen Carroll, Lindsay McClure, Laura Mayer and Sensi Graves through the rich fabric of the Columbia River Basin, Oregon Coast and beyond

Where The Wind Blows continues eastward as our group of women chase wind along the Columbia River Gorge. The girls display there diverse skill set as conditions proved tough; gusty winds and fierce currents kept the ladies on edge.

Being a complete kiteboarder requires performing well in all conditions, Colleen, Sensi, Laura and Lindsay, show the power of collective energy, as they push each other to bring a high level of riding to the session. This is Where The Wind Blows.

 
WATCH THE NEXT EPISODE: Where the Wind Blows Episode 3 – Coast Bound

Where The Wind Blows is the story of four diverse professional kiteboarders, who despite their exotic winter adventures, find their way back to the Gorge each summer. Their friendship, passion for kiteboarding and sustaining health connects them in a way that will inspire all viewers. The Oregon summer experience is a multidimensional story that is rich in wholesome food, beautiful scenery, and great adventures. Join us as we follow Colleen Carroll, Lindsay McClure, Laura Mayer and Sensi Graves through the rich fabric of the Columbia River Basin, Oregon Coast and beyond

Here is Episode 1 of Where the Wind Blows -  a web series that celebrates the pursuit of outdoor adventures, highlighting the beautiful landscape of Oregon, the fulfillment of an active lifestyle, and nature’s bounty on earth.

Follow these four professional female kiteboarders as they chase wind and show off the natural goodness of their local playground.

Where The Wind Blows is the story of four diverse professional kiteboarders, who despite their exotic winter adventures, find their way back to the Gorge each summer. Their friendship, passion for kiteboarding and sustaining health connects them in a way that will inspire all viewers. The Oregon summer experience is a multidimensional story that is rich in wholesome food, beautiful scenery, and great adventures. Join us as we follow Colleen Carroll, Lindsay McClure, Laura Mayer and Sensi Graves through the rich fabric of the Columbia River Basin, Oregon Coast and beyond

WATCH THE NEXT EPISODE: Where the Wind Blows Episode 2 – Chasing Wind

This Summer, I took a trip down to the world renowned kiteboarding mecca Hood River, Oregon. Accompanied with myself was the incredible Aaron Kawak and Croshane Hillyard. My 1st time here could not have been more fun! We found some sliders, huge cliffs and of course, some prime phenomenal wind. Here is a quick recap of the trip, check it out …

Thank you to our following sponsors & affiliates:

North Kiteboarding, Discrete, Goal Zero, Nectar Sunglasses, Exult Kitewear Australia, Spreadstoke, 3b extreme, Rossignol, Ivue, and RuggedTec

Music: Fitzpleasure (Betatraxx Remix) – alt-j
Rider: Andrew Muse
Gainer: Aaron Kawcak
Videography and Editor: Croshane Hillyard
Cameras: 5d mk2, Lumix Gh4

I haven’t written nearly as much as I wanted to these last 6 months. Getting caught up in the everyday hustle and bustle of life, of starting up a business (this site), and of being a massive procrastinator are my excuses, albeit crappy ones at that. When I decided to take a 6 month sabbatical back in November, I was pretty lost on what I wanted to do with my future, both personally and professionally.

I can’t exactly say that I’ve found what I’m looking for during this time off, but I can say with certainty that it was the correct thing to do.  I often wonder if I have the balls, guts, and sheer determination to continue to follow my dreams and passions. But then I look back on all the amazing experiences I got to share this winter, how many incredible stories I’ve read on this site, and how many people I’ve got to meet and learn from.  And I realize that yes, my life is my own. The decisions I make and paths I follow are the ones I make, and no one else’s.  It’s mine to live with and do good with. If that good is to continue pushing others to follow their dreams and passions by inspiring them to do the things they love, then that makes it all worthwhile.

Apart of the goals I made when leaving my job were to ski as much as possible, to travel, and to open my mind.  I did in fact ski my brains out, meet amazing people along the way, and travel to the Pacific Northwest where I continued to push my boundaries on the mountain. Looking back to my travels, I’m reminded that no matter how scary something seems, or how daunting an obstacle appears, it’s rarely as scary as you make it out to be. With that said, here are some pictures from Whistler and Bachelor taken back in March.

Here’s to always moving forward, never looking back, and a summer full of single track.