Last weekend, the Transworld TransAM Contest Series visited Powder Ridge for one of its stops. As always, the Minnesota riders showed up and put on quite the show. In the end it was Jesse Paul that walked away with the overall victory, but Craig Cameron and Sam Bakken weren’t far behind.

Video Edit from The House Boardshop

Another TransAM Edit We Found on Facebook

If you didn’t know already, Joe Sexton is everywhere these days.  He has been sighted in several videos from Mount Hood this summer and even scored the ender in the new People movie.  To top all this off with a nice cherry, he was interviewed by Transworld recently.  Check out the interview here by clicking the link below or head on over to Transworld’s Site for the real thing.

If you’re wondering why or how Joe Sexton has become such an icon over the past year, all you have to do is watch his ender part in CHEERS. He’s got skills for days—and think about it, he’s in a movie with Seth Huot, JP Walker, TRJJ; if he’s got what it takes to get the ender part among this crew, you know the rookie has earned his stripes. Joe came by the office to skate the new TransWorld skatepark, so I cornered him to answer a few questions. He was itching to skate, so I made it quick.

Stats:  Age: 23 / Hometown: Apple Valley, MN / Home Mountain: Hyland Hills, MN / Now: Bear Mountain, CA

Sponsors: Stepchild, 32, etnies, Union, Bear Mountain, Von Zipper, Nixon, Cal Surf, 1817

What was the highlight of your season:

Filming with my heroes.

Have you been traveling:

I went to Hood, then to Camp of Champions. We also had a Signature Session at HCSC: it was me,  JP, Jeremy—sort of a People Crew session. Keegan was there, too.

Do you have any new sponsors:

Von Zipper, I just signed up with them this summer.

What movie or video part are you dying to see?

Bradshaw in In Color, Gigi Rüf’s movie, and Deeper!

What was your best trip:

The funnest trip was Newfoundland—first trip to a new place we’d never been. I was with Seth [Huot], Jeremy [Jones], Simon [Chamberlain], and JP [Walker].

Did you learn any new tricks?

I learned how to drive a snowmobile better.

Sketchiest moment of the season?

Just contemplating my life after trying a trick for 8 hours. Some of the tricks in my part were like 4 and 5 hours sessions.

Best thing you’ve seen on the web lately:

That Dylan Reider video part.

Before you were a full-time shredder, what did you do for summer work:

I worked at a meat market cleaning up blood and guts—Von Hanson’s Meat Market. I was also grocery bag boy. I worked at an ice rink.

Best news you’ve gotten lately:

My older sister Katie just got engaged, that’s cool.

You got a girl?

I’ve tried that, but I’m flying solo.

What are your plans for the upcoming winter?

Film another video part? Bear early season for sure. Mainly just try to film. Try to get some backcountry shots that will get used.

Minnesota legend Bjorn Leines was recently interviewed by Transworld. As always Bjorn had a few mentions of his Minnesota roots and also his plans with the Minnesota Jib Farm. You will definitely be seeing some shots of the Jib Farm in the upcoming Rome movie titled “The Shred Remains!” Look for the movie this fall, but for now check out the Bjorn interview by clicking the read more link below or check it out on Transworld’s Site.

Original Interview by Transworld Snowboarding.

Name: Bjorn Leines
Age: 33
Hometown: SLC, UT and Big Lake, MN
Home Mountain: Snowbird and Brighton
Currently Riding: Sleds
Sponsors: Rome SDS, Volcom, Celtek, Smith Optics, Power Balance, IPath

What up, Bjorn? How are you feeling?
Great. Just made a long journey from Utah to Minnesota to spend the summer

We’ve heard about your recent injury – the damage from hitting Pyramid Gap with Dan Brisse. What happened to you?
To keep it real simple – I went too slow! We had a fun session the day before, and decided to go back and get some more tricks the next day. It was pretty warm, so we were using salt to get the runway consistent. Dan went first and cleared it no problem. I think it was about 10 minutes before I was dropping in, and the snow was slightly sticky… Since I was going switch, I was also not going fast enough. At the lip, I thought everything was fine so I spun my trick. When I came around, I landed right at the top or peak of the landing, where it was flat. I tried to stomp it, but ended up getting my left arm sandwiched between my leg and chest, which led to a double compound fracture, a sprained ankle and two sprained knees. A few days later I had surgery, and now have two plates and a dozen screws in my elbow. Good times!

Pyramid Gap – can you describe the set-up? How did everything come about to hitting that monster with Brisse?
We wanted to get some good tricks; we needed a big jump! After a couple days of building, we were ready to send it. Dan is motivated; we both just wanted to get some good moves over the Gap.

What’s going through your head when you’re dropping at 50-some mph, looking at 100 feet of nothing below? How the hell do you send it switch??
Well… Usually what’s going through my head is visualizing the full trick before dropping. Once you’re on the runway, I just try to concentrate on being calm and smooth. It takes a lot of commitment and belief in yourself and your ability. As far as going switch, Dan and I both had the same trick in mind! I had to pick a different one-going switch wasn’t my first choice!

What went down at the session? Anything misty the people should know about?
Check out the new Absinthe film, “Nowhere” and see…! A backside 180 and a switch cork 720 went down… and…

Prior to getting hurt, how had your season been? Where’d you travel, who were your filming with this year, etc?
The season was going well. I had spent a lot of time at Brighton, UT, with the likes of Dan [Brisse], Cale Zima, Jules Raymond and JP Solberg. I also had a couple sweet trips to Canada with Lucas Debari and Jake Blauvelt.

How are you dealing with all the late-season snow, and not being able to get out there? How do you guys stay motivated when things get down for a bit?
It’s been tough! Dumping in Utah-STILL! So, that’s hard for me, but I’m just staying motivated through learning a few new things. I’ve been reading a book about Autogenics, for example. Basically, it’s all about training your mind so you can relax your body-it helps a lot for healing. The downtime has also allowed me to get more involved with Celtek, and I’ve been working hard with Rome on some new products.

Looking back a few years, do you ever reflect on being a member of the original Forum 8? A lot of people out there still see you guys as maybe the best snowboard team of all-time.
Sometimes I do think about it. That was a really unique era for snowboarding, and to be part of, for sure. The team was just really talented and always motivated to get gnarly. Shredding in the backcountry with guys like Devun [Walsh] and Duff [Chris Dufficy], and then riding the streets with JP [Walker] and Jeremy [Jones] helped elevate my riding, for sure-lots of fun memories.

How often do you stay in touch or ride with those guys?
I stay in touch with Devun probably the most, but don’t to get to ride with him since we’re all working on different projects. I see Peter [Line] around-Wille [Yli-Luoma], too-but [Joni] Malmi I probably see the least. Duff is the man-I wish I saw him around more often. JP and Jer live in SLC, but I don’t ever get to chill with ‘em.

We’ve seen a bunch of photos and vids from the Jib Farm. I was hoping you could explain a bit about what you have going on out there?
The Jib Farm is a shred spot here in Minnesota where we had to take things into our own hands. My Dad and Grandpa let us build it, using years of leftover pipeline construction materials. It’s kind of a way for me to get through the summer-building it and dreaming of the shred. This fall, we’re gonna get after some sessions with the Celtek and Rome teams.

I wanted to give you the chance to share a bit about Erik, yourself and Celtek- how it all began, where you are now, what it means to you today?
Celtek began from the desire to build a better snowboarding product; we wanted to bring our knowledge of gear to a higher level. It’s allowed us to create an umbrella-a way to provide for our friends and family. We both learned early in our careers that most snowboard companies don’t take care of their riders for long. Celtek is the expression of true passion and understanding of the shred, from people that love to ride boards-snow, skate or surf! Our goal is to create the best products in snowboarding and offer unique designs that express the lifestyle we all live as shredders!

Couple quick ones… Pay yourself photo incentives, etc from Celtek?
Ha Nope! No photo incentives-all for the passion.

Do you get a royalty check every time “Out Cold” plays on TV? Does Todd Richards?
Yeah, right! Never saw a dime from that… I’m not sure about TR, though…

Last thing. Summer’s here and you’re on the mend. What are your plans for the time off?
Get stronger, and then head down to Chile in August to ride with the Rome team. We’re starting a Rome film project called The Shred Remains! Otherwise, just ride my dirtbike, skate the mini, and hang with my family.

Unless you have been sleeping under a rock, you know that Ryan Paul has been doing big things lately.  The latest big happening for him was an interview with Transworld Snowboarding!  Ryan of course breezed through the interview with his typical laid-back style.  Once again, congrats Ryan!  Check out the full interview on Transworld’s site.

Transworld has been busy filming all season for their new video “In Color” which is due out next fall.  They recently released an edit of their “B-roll” footage and it features a ton of Minnesota riders and spots that you may recognize.  There is even a scenic shot of Duluth which never gets enough love… Be sure to check out the video by clicking the “read more” link below and enjoy the riding by Jake OE, Keegan, and many others. This is a must watch.

Although the Transworld TransAm event was a couple weeks ago, I thought you might enjoy some photos from it.  These photos were provided by David Holm and you can purchase them from the Buck Hill Photo Site.  Once again, congrats to the winners this year Easton Gilman and Emily Blewitt!

All Photos from the TransAm Event

Last weekend, Transworld Snowboarding hosted their annual TransAm Event at Buck Hill.  If you have ever been to one of these events, you know that is one of the best mini-shred setups around.  Tons of riders showed up to throw down, but Easton Gilman and Emily Blewitt walked away with first place and an invite to the TransAm finals at Bear Mountain in California.  Thanks to Eric Waldron for producing this great recap video of the contest.  As always, click the “read more” link to watch the video here.

TransAm 2010 – Buck Hill MN from Eric Waldron on Vimeo.

Wisconsin local Ethan Deiss has been getting a ton of press this year after releasing a mind-blowing video part. He came out of no-where and impressed snowboarders from all over the country. Transworld Snowboarding recently interviewed him as part of their 120 second interview videos. Check it out here by clicking the “read more” link below.