Beaver Valley Park Brawl Weekend - Izzard & Marshall Win Final Rounds

Feb 6, 2012

Author: Matt Baird

Saturday marked the return of one of Ontario’s best Slopestyle events to Beaver Valley, Ontario with over 150 riders and a dozen leading snowboard brands gathering for two days of back-to-back contests featuring the 2nd annual Park Brawl and the Ontario Grom Park Series. The 3star TTR Beaver Valley Park Brawl presented by Fathom is one of the realest events in snowboarding and they proved it once again with this year’s offering. After 20 years riding in Ontario I was excited at my first opportunity to hit up Beaver Valley Ski Club and their highly reputable snow parks.

Unlike other parks in Ontario, Beaver Valley's main park lays mere steps from the aptly named “Keg” Lodge at the top of the hill, that’s right, the top. Parking at the top of the resort and walking through the snowboard industry village next to the drop-in, it was obvious that despite events like the Canadian Open and The Canadian Shield going on in other provinces there was still ample talent and industry representatives to make for a banger of an event.

Top right photo: Michael Izzard, Overall Men's Champion. Photo: Richard Roth.

There was a fun vibe right from the start as riders and spectators mingled with all of the snowboard industry brands set-up at the top of the park. Music was pumping, the BBQ was firing, Vans was serving fresh made waffles on a stick, the Monster Energy girls were flowing their latest flavours, stickers as swag were in heavy circulation and the newest goods were on display and/or demo from Capita, Technine, Burton, Union, Quiksilver, Never Summer, Salomon, Bonfire, Endeavor, Flux, Vans, Bataleon, Thirtytwo, Spy and more.



Ontario's head judge Jay Beech and his team of Jeff Elmes and Jason and Dave Shoemaker had the hard task of judging the field which included a very strong grom showing complete with coaches from Simple, Shreducation, Alpine, Georgian Peaks and Beaver Valley.

The riders took to this buff course which started out with a sick stair set housing a rail, box and pole jam option. From there the riders had a choice of a flowing line of four jumps mixed with crisp urban line up of rails and boxes. At over 2000’ in length and packed with awesome features the stage was set for progression.

After lots or morning warm-up time and a heads up from announcers Dane Milligan and Tim Hutchinson the show started with qualifications. With each rider getting two runs to show their stuff and qualify for finals the competitive juices were flowing all around. Once the field had narrowed it was time for some serious business. In the women’s open category Jackie Sakaguchi and Victoria Marshall were battling it out for female dominance. While the men’s open saw smooth riding and progressive tricks from riders like Cole Cummins, Jesse Loucks, Tim Chrighton, Christian Primrose, Joel Vachon, Michael Izzard and Jack Heysel.


Christian Primrose. Photo: Richard Roth.

The finals saw the top 16 riders back at the top of the course under the gaze of the snowboard industry village and rider hang out area. After each rider had taken their two finals runs, a best trick jib contest went down on a super fun barrel bonk while the judges tabulated slopestyle scores. Tim Chrighton showed everyone who was boss with a steezy 270 on 450 off to claim the best trick prize of a 20’ Banshee Bungee.

The afternoon apres rocked from the Keg Lodge deck overlooking the Rider Village with DJ Strummer and PBR pumping. The Awards wrapped with a frenzied swag toss!

From start to finish this was a great event, with tons of industry support, incredible prizing, a slick Slopestyle course and the noble goal of re-stoking the Ontario scene and putting out a rider driven event. Mission accomplished ladies and gentlemen, mission accomplished.

Check the Park Brawl podium results and photos below.
Click here for the Teaser Video Edit to see what went down.
Stay tuned for the full video edit dropping soon.

The fun didn't end with the awards though -- the Park Brawl After-Party presented by Monster Energy in conjunction with Fathom and PBR kept the good vibes rolling well into the evening at the Casbah Bar in Collingwood. DJ Strummer had things rocking all night and video highlights from the Park Brawl cntest was showcased on the Casbah's big screen with a Park Brawl Teaser Vid Edit! Pretty sick!

Huge thanks go out to Caleb Bosse and his awesome park crew, Beaver Valley Ski Club, Fathom, Steve Jarrett, and the huge list of snowboard brands who supported this great event with over $10,000 in cash and prizes.

Burton, Quiksilver, Electric, Rome, Vans, Roxy, Oakley, Capita, Union, Billabong, Von Zipper, DaKine, Forum, Spy, Endeavor, 686, Rip Curl, Nomis, Technine, Special Blend, Analog, Salomon, Bonfire, O’Neill, Four Square, ProTec, Ripzone, Red, Libtech, Thirtytwo, Dragon, I/S Design, Never Summer, Gnu, Air Hole, Skullcandy, Coal, Anon, Capix, Flux, Celsius, Brass Knuckle Therapy, Banshee Bungee, Go Pro, Snowboard Canada Magazine, SnowboardCanada.com, and SBCwomen.com.

More photos at bottom!

GROMS PARK SERIES
Many of the younger riders from the Park Brawl and tons more were back at Beaver Valley on Sunday for the Groms Park Series Slopestyle in Beaver Valley's progression park. The Groms Park Series is a fun, five event series dedicated to novice thru intermediate riders ages 5-15 who are participating in their local club/resort snowschool snowboard program. Supported by over 40 of snowboarding's leading brands, the Ontario Groms Park Series is the largest grassroots snowboarding series of it's kind in Canada.

Beaver Valley's "Paradise" Progression Park offered a mutliple choice of eight mini features ranging from boxes and rails to jumps and hips. There was something on offer for all ages and levels. It was amazing to see riders as young as four years old shred the park with style. After a best of two-runs Slopestyle and lunch break, the day ended off with a fun park jam, followed by awards where every rider received a prize whether they podium-ed or not.

Click here to check Groms Series results and photos.

Big thanks for supporting the next generation of riders:  Volcom, Burton, Quiksilver, Electric, Rome, Vans, Roxy, Oakley, Capita, Union, Billabong, Von Zipper, DaKine, Forum, Spy, Endeavor, 686, Rip Curl, Nomis, Technine, Special Blend, Analog, Salomon, Bonfire, O’Neill, Four Square, ProTec, Ripzone, Red, Libtech, Thirtytwo, Dragon, I/S Design, Never Summer, Gnu, Air Hole, Skullcandy, Coal, Anon, Capix, Flux, Snowboard Canada Magazine, SnowboardCanada.com, and SBCwomen.com.

BEAVER VALLEY PARK BRAWL RESULTS

SLOPESTYLE
Grom Girls 10 & Under
1. Sommer Gendron (10), Beaver Valley Shred Kids
2. Andie Gendron (8), Beaver Valley Shred Kids

Grom Boys 10 & Under
1. Riley Dillon (10), Simple Snowboarding, Mt St Louis
2. Sam Koven (10), Beaver Valley Shred Kids
3. Jesse Jarrett (10), Beaver Valley Shred Kids
4. Brandon Lea (10), Simple Snowboarding, Mt St Louis
5. Alex Dicks (10), Beaver Valley Shred Kids

Grom Girls 11-12
1. Becca Ballantyne (11), Simple Snowboarding, Mt St Louis

Grom Boys 11-12
1. Kiran Pershad (11), Simple, Mt St Louis
2. Reece Crook (11), Simple , Mt St Louis
3. Andrew Perry (11), Alpine
4. Cameron Kerr (12), Beaver Valley Shred Kids
5. Chet Bartley (11), Beaver Valley Shred Kids

Girls 13-15
1. Ali Cannon (15), Alpine
2. Hilary Gaediner (14), Alpine
3. Samantha Jarrett (13), Beaver Valley

Boys 13-15
1. Bryden O'Gallagher (15), Georgian Peaks
2. Jaden Dankevy (13), Alpine
3. Connor Labbett (13), Alpine
4. Alex Jafs (14), Simple, Mt St Louis
5. Chris Sharland (14), Alpine
6. Will Craik (13), Beaver Valley

Women 16+
1. Victoria Marshall (20), Blue Mountain
2. Jackie Sakaguchi (24)

Men 16+
1. Michael Izzard (16), Icarus Shreducation
2. Tim Crighton (16), Simple, Mt St Louis
3. Jesse Loucks, Simple (17), Mt St Louis
4. Cole Cummins (17), Horseshoe
5. Christian Primrose (18), Mt St Louis
6. Joel Vachon (17), Dagmar

Go Pro Camera Best Trick
Cole Cummins (17), Horseshoe -- BS 720 Tail

Barrel Bonk Jam
1. Tim Crighton (16), Simple, Mt St Louis
2. Cole Cummins (17), Horseshoe
3. Christian Primrose (18), Mt St Louis


Tim Crighton. Photo: Richard Roth.


Jesse Loucks. Photo: Richard Roth.



Joel Vachon. Photo: Richard Roth.


Bryden O'Gallagher. Photo: Richard Roth.


The Park Brawl's "Rider's Hangout" offered amazing spectating right next to the first stairset feature with a perfect view down the course. Photo: Richard Roth



The Monster Energy lounge was popular spot in the Park Brawl's "Rider's Hangout".


Brandon Hoffman. Photo: Richard Roth.

Tim Crighton, double-C box. Photo: Richard Roth.


Victoria Marshall.


Jacki Sakaguchi.


Six year old Cameron Spalding, shotgun pole.


Jaden Dankevy.


Beaver Valley's Luke MacPherson.


Ten year old Jesse Jarrett.


Andrew Perry.


Rider's Hangout.

Nine year old Luke Pruski. Photo: Richard Roth.


Ten year old Sam Koven. Photo: Richard Roth.



Ten year old Riley Dillon. Photo: Richard Roth.


Eleven year old Kiran Pershad. Photo: Richard Roth.



Eight year old Liam Brearly.


Eleven year old Becca Ballantyne.


Will Craik. Photo: Richard Roth.


Ten year old Alex Dicks.






Michael Izzard.


Vans waffles were a big hit. Photo: Richard Roth.


Fathom's Tim Hutchinson caught waffling! Photo: Richard Roth.


Dane Milligan on mic and PBR. Photo: Richard Roth.


Dane and Head Judge Jay Beech. Photo: Richard Roth.


Beaver Valley Park staff, Ryan Ceasar (left) and Caleb Bosse. Photo: Richard Roth.


King of Swag, Fathom's Tim Hutchinson gets ready to start another brawl. Photo: Richard Roth.




Men's age 16+ podium (left to right): Cole Cummins (4th); Tim Crighton (2nd); Michael Izzard (1st);  Jesse Loucks (3rd); Christian Primrose (5th).


Women's age 16+ podium (left to right): Victoria Marshall (1st); Jacki Sakaguchi (2nd).


Boys age 13-15 podium (left to right): Alex Jafs (4th); Jaden Dankevy (2nd); Bryden O'Gallagher (1st); Connor Labbett (3rd).


Girls age 13-15 (left to right): Hilary Gardiner (2nd); Ali Cannon (1st); Samantha Jarrett (3rd).


Boys age 11-12 podium (left to right): Cameron Kerr (4th); Andrew Perry (3rd); Kiran Pershad (1st); Andrew Perry (3rd); Chet Bartley (5th).


Girls 11-12 podium: Becca Ballantyne (1st).


Boys age 10 & under podium (left to right): Sam Koven (2nd); Riley Dillon (1st); Jesse Jarrett (3rd).


Girls age 10 & under podium (left to right): Andie Gendron (2nd); Sommer Gendron (1st).

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