Portraits

Nov

2012

Shorty Gilyeat – Mountain Bike Freerider

Shorty Gilyeat, Backflip, Greenvalleys, Australia

Shorty Gilyeat likes to ride his bike…. a lot. His enthusiasm shows on all levels, whether it is pushing those he is riding with to go a bit harder and a bit bigger to helping organise Australia’s upcoming freeride festival Xup. If he is not on his bike he will quite often be on the end of a shovel building up new jumps to hit.

Nationality: Australian Mate !!

Home jumps: Greenvalleys Freeride Park

Sponsors: NSbikesCo, EnemyOne, Rhythm Imports, Push Bike Factory

Shorty Gilyeat, Mountain Bike Freerider

Favourite bike: My very first little blue 12” BMX bike when I got when I was 3 and I owned till I was about 12 before my mum threw in the dump truck before I could fix it. My favourite bike these days though is definitely my NSbikes Majesty, set up with all NS parts its my choice of bike for sure.

Favourite spot: Greenvalleys Freeride Park because I have the freedom to do what i want there.

How did you first get involved with bikes? My dad raced motorcycles, my older brother always rode motocross bikes and they have been my major influences in my life so riding two wheels has always been in the blood for me. After growing up racing go-karts at a high level I felt it just wasn’t enough so I ended up grabbing my old rusted up BMX bike. Luckily enough for me my good mates at that point in my life were the Scar brothers who were heavily into racing BMX so I just tagged along with them where they went. After their influence I’m pretty much at the level I’m at right now with MTB freeride, so yeah good times.

What’s your plans for the future? My plans for the future are all bike related, I’d love to do well in the 2013 FMB tour and keep that going if its possible. At this moment I’m heavily involved with creating events here in Australia alongside a good mate of mine. Our intentions with these events are to not only progress the sport but to show off all Aussie riders and get them international exposure. Many Aussies unfortunately can’t afford to do that for themselves, so for me my main focus now is to give any possibilities to my fellow Aussie riders the dream that I really wished I could live.

Shorty Gilyeat, Greenvalleys, Australia

Who or what influences your riding? Ok, I have 3 people that have a major influence on me. Although we don’t see too much of him these days on a bike, my main influence will always have to be Carey Hart. For those that don’t know what Carey did, he pulled the first backflip in contest on a motocross bike. After I saw that I was convinced that the possibilities in whatever you’re into really are endless. Andreu Lacondeguy is another major influence, this guy has also shown the endless possibilities in progression by creating massive jumps in his backyard and has pulling some ridiculous stuff off on them. And last but never forgotten the late Dane Searls, Dane will always be a massive influence towards my riding, Dane was a big hitter who had a dream to just go big and then bigger and bigger again while pulling the usual insane tricks on those big jumps. I met Dane once and his personality was as awesome as his his riding, So when I grow up I want a piece of those 3 guys in my style.

Shorty Gilyeat, Double Seat Grab Superman, Greenvalleys, Australia

Who or what motivates you to keep riding? The people around me definitely. I’m stoked because I’ve got a young up and coming rider as a good mate and who I always ride with, the crazy kid himself Jack Baker. I met this kid after he begged me to come ride his jumps because I was someone he looked up too, now every time we ride together I’m in awe and I truly do look up to him and his ability to ride a bike, so his progression is definitely my motivation.

Best Moment: My first bike related flight interstate, booking my flight at midnight knowing I had a family BBQ with my girlfriend the next day, and completely not telling her i was in a totally different state till just before my very first run at the demo I went to.

Worst Moment: Having my foot explode out of the ankle socket and completely face the opposite way where the sole of my foot was facing my upwards but to have no physical breaks nor ligament damage show in any x-ray or MRI scan till 5 weeks after it happened.

Tell me something quickly about Xup, Australia’s new freeride festival: Xup festival is going to be one hell of a sick time. We have created something for everyone, so even if your just turning up to watch bring your bike as there will definitely be something you can ride at our event. At the top end there’s big name riders already signed up and with our huge jumps, the level of riding will be insane……Check it out here www.xupfestival.com.au

Any last Words: Seriously, no matter what you choose to do in life, follow that dream and get it done. Life can be cruel at times but if you live it right you will be stoked on the memories that you can sit back and enjoy when your old

Apr

2011

North Curl Curl Pool with Kate McCracken

Kate McCracken, North Curl Curl Rock Pool, Sydney, Australia

Last week I had the pleasure of shooting with the lovely Kate McCracken, a model here in Australia. The goal of the shoot was to make some shots where instead of her being the model being the main focus of the photo she would be an equal part of it along with the landscape. We weren’t sure until the last minute if the shoot would go ahead due to the weather, the heavens were threatening to rain down upon us the whole time. We took the risk and went to one of my favourite beach pool, North Curl Curl rock pool hoping to get at least a glimpse of a colourful sunset.

The weather held off and it didn’t start to rain until we were packing up to leave. The storm clouds provided a fantastical brooding atmosphere to the shots. The weather also brought with it some wind which twice manages to take my flash out. Not that bad except both times the flash ended up in the pool. I am happy to say that both it and my trigger survived though. Kate also ended up in the pool at one stage while trying to cross to the rock in the middle. She took it in good humour and we turned it to our advantage with some shots in the pool as well.

Many thanks go to Kate for her time and good humour, I’m sure not every model would have taken falling in the pool like that so well.

: Kate McCracken, North Curl Curl Rock Pool, Sydney, Australia

: Kate McCracken, North Curl Curl Rock Pool, Sydney, Australia

: Kate McCracken, North Curl Curl Rock Pool, Sydney, Australia

: Kate McCracken, North Curl Curl Rock Pool, Sydney, Australia

: Kate McCracken, North Curl Curl Rock Pool, Sydney, Australia

: Kate McCracken, North Curl Curl Rock Pool, Sydney, Australia

: Kate McCracken, North Curl Curl Rock Pool, Sydney, Australia

: Kate McCracken, North Curl Curl Rock Pool, Sydney, Australia

Feb

2011

Miranda and Gy

Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

Just had 10 lovely days in St. Anton am Arlberg. Beautiful weather for the most part which was great except it had been so nice for so long the the snow was rubbish. There wasn’t really much of an option for shooting action sports there. I didn’t even end up buying a pass or going up any lifts.

I did manage to meet up with a lovely couple Miranda and Gy who were hoping to have a portrait session there. They wanted a selection of photographs to show at their wedding later in the year and had an interesting idea of Doing a shoot in a simple wedding dress and suit but with the snowboard boots on as well. Sounded like fun shoot. Below are a selection of the shots.

All were done with one Speedlight and my new Bowens reflective umbrella set up off camera on a Manfrotto travel stand and using Elinchrome Skyport triggers. The umbrella gives off a much nicer light for these shots than the harsh light of a bare speedlight.

: Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

: Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

: Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

: Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

: Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

: Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

: Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

: Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

: Miranda and GY around St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

Jun

2010

Chris Cab: Skateboard

Chris Cab is a character with a lot of personality. His open and easy going attitude reflects in his skate style. With his hometown boasting one of the best skateparks in Europe, The Cradle, his roots are dug firmly into old school, skating mainly bowls and vert. Now things are moving for him in a slightly different direction with the release of a his own designed skateboard and the beginnings of his new company, Wasted Youth Skateboards.

Name:

Chris Cab

Date of Birth:

23rd of January 1982

Nationality:

Austrian / South African

Hometown:

Alpbach Valley / Brixen

Sponsors:

VANS, Wasted Youth Skateboards, Skullcandy, Electric & X-Double Shop

Favourite board:

Wasted Youth Splatter Plank

Favourite spot:

Washington Street & The Cradle

Website:

www.chriscab.com (currently under maintenance)

Other sports do you participate in?

What are “Sports”?

How did you get involved in skateboarding?

Skateboarding got hold of me, when I was around 10… 😉

What motivates you to skate:

The inner drive, the hunger to skate every day, feel the pain, dedication and passion. Those are the things that motivate me…

Who or what are your influences:

Dogs, Wife, Parents, Wasted Youth Crew, Thrasher, too many to name…

You have just released your own skateboard. How did this come about?

I was tired of begging for boards at Black Label, so I asked my homie Adi from the XDouble Shop in Innsbruck, if he was down to do a shop model with my shape and my design ideas… He was down and they sell very well… I am stoked for I am riding exactly what I want!

Austria is better known for its skiers and snowboarders. What is it like for skating?

We have the 1st cradle in the World, one of the best parks in Europe if not the best! Since Dreamland poured ‘crete in Tirol, there have been bowls and pools popping out left and right in Austria. So I think it is pretty cool if you down with transitions. Street skate wise, I have no clue, gotta ask someone else.

Favourite trick at the moment:

Favourite trick, must be the invert but all time it will be the frontside rock….

Best Moment:

You gotta be kiddin’ me… Waaaaaay too many to count!!! But surely every time I learn a new trick or ride out something big… 😉

Worst Moment:

Same, same but different. But again, surely every time I get hurt badly…

Plans for the future:

Get my skateboard sales from my company ”Wasted Youth” up and running so I can travel again, but real plans…… none. Taking it day by day. The only thing I know, is that my wife and I will be moving into a little farmhouse by the woods, where I can finally build my own concrete wonderland and live a happy life…

Last Words or anything you would like to add:

Rollerblading sucks, Skateboarding is everything, Viva lá WASTED YOUTH!!!

See more skateboarding shots here

Dec

2009

Aline Bock: Snowboard

The winter season of 2008/2009 saw German snowboarder Aline Bock make her entrance into the Womens Snowboard leg of the Freeride World Tour. Her smooth and easygoing style led her 2nd overall in the 2009 season. This season she is looking to step it up a notch and take the top spot……so long as it is all in the name of fun.

Aline Bock, St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria.

Nationality:
German

Home Mountain:
Innsbruck/Nordpark

Sponsors:
Roxy, Völkl, Deeluxe, Ortovox

Favourite board:
The new Völkl Freeride Freestyle Board – Eco Cashew 157

Favourite spot:
Arlberg/Austria

What other sports are you into?
Surfing (Longboarding)

You are surfing regularly in summer these days. Is this something that you are looking to pursue further or something that something that is just for yourself?
I would love to compete in a Longboard competition soon and see if I can perform well….
That would be so much fun, I think… But I will take my time for that as I really try to never become last

Aline surfing at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia

How did you first get involved in snowboarding?
My whole family (one sister and one brother) were somehow always into sports. My parents were ski instructors in former times, so we always went to the mountains to go skiing, biking, hiking etc…
When I was 12, my dad bought me, my sister and my brother a snowboard for Christmas…we were all really excited…… I started snowboarding two years later (1997) and I loved it….!!! I always went snowboarding with the guys from my hometown Überlingen – unfortunately there were no other girls who wanted to hit some kickers. But I did not care, I was addicted and loved riding with the guys!!!
Since then snowboarding is a big part of my life (13 years now), a passion, a hobby, a job….
I started with freestyle halfpipe competitions when i was 15 years old and changed to slopestyle some years later. It has always been fun to travel to different places and parks to meet other riders, to compete, take photos or film etc., but there was and is nothing better than a powder day with friends at home .
I never heard a lot about freeriding competitions until I entered my first Freeride World Qualifier in Austria/Montafon 2 seasons ago. It was just too much fun riding some nice faces in perfect conditions. The fact that you can express yourself and your riding style being creative with choosing a line took my full attention. So here I am now, being a rider of the Freeride World Tour trying to integrate my freestyle background in my runs. It went really good so I ended up 2nd at the overall Freeride World Tour ranking.

Aline Bock, St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria.

Do you think your freestyle background helped you on the Freeride World Tour?
I definitely think it helped me a lot as I love to jump off some cliffs and do tricks. My goal is to integrate more freestyle tricks in my runs in the future. In Sochi/Russia I just focused on some jumps in my run and I think it was the reason that I have won. So I keep on riding with the passion for some freestyle. I hope it will work out.

Aline Bock, St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria.

Will you be going on the tour again this year?
YES, that´s the plan for now

Any plans to compete in any freestyle or halfpipe contests again?
I think it is almost impossible to do both, as I have a really tight schedule with the tour. But I am totally fine with that, as a freeride competition is also a freestyle competition for me. -As long as I try to integrate some tricks in my runs.

What’s your Favourite Country?
As I haven’t discovered the world yet, I cannot tell…But I really like Portugal as I have spent some time there just now. I actually love the ocean and the beach, it motivates me a lot and gives me energy that I need to refill after a long season.
A country with a wonderful beach, no tourists and great waves gains definitely more points

Influences:
My family and my friends…

Motivations:
The ocean and some waves, the first snow in October and my friends who cannot wait to go riding again in Autumn… It also motivates a lot if I see some big fat snowflakes coming down on my face…

Plans for the future:
My future plans are competing at all Freeride World Tour Stops again. Plus there is an ALL GIRLS extreme sports movie planned. Fingers cross that we can make it happen.

Aline Bock, St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria.

Best Moment:
My parents surprised me at the Verbier Extreme -The final World Tour Stop – last year. I had tears in my eyes when I saw them… It was a great feeling to get their support!

Worst Moment:
Every injury is an awful moment in my sports career!

Last Words:
Don´t take it too seriously, it’s just snowboarding

Jun

2009

Matthieu Perez: Snowboarder

French snowboarder Matthieu Perez has been living and working his way around the European Alps all his life. Originally from a small town in the Pyrenees he now finds himself based in the snow sure region of Tirol in the Austrian Alps.

Date of Birth:
Somewhen in the mid 70’s

Nationality:
European

Home Mountain:
Pyrénées forever. Insane landscape and technical terrain

Sponsors:
Arson, Deeluxe, Arva, Shred optics, Pipolaki

Favourite board:
Capita Charly Slasher 164 aka the « Shovel » Best board in powder, it is surfing with a skate control, IT IS A MACHINE. So far the best powder board I ever rode.

Matthieu Perez , St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria

Favourite spot:
Domaine du Tourmalet, Pyrénées, France

How did you get involved in snowboarding?
I was a skier for many years, was skateboarding, my friends were snowboarding, I jumped on train and never left the path.

Plans for the future:
Being happy and make my life an artwork.

Favourite Country:
Planet earth

Influences:
My parents have been a source since the first day. My family showed me the community side of life, life showed me the rest. My grandpa was a ski pioneer in the Pyrenees and is still the reference for me. Snowboardwise, AK pioneers, Johan Olofsson and my riding partners played an essential role in growing my passion every day.

Motivations:
I like bad weather, low pressure brings me exultation and fills up my expectations.

Matthieu Perez, Powder turn on the ridge, St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria

Best Moment:
Every morning when the sun rises.

Worst Moment:
Every morning I go to work.

Matthieu Perez , St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria

Last Words:
Big up to the people who supports me, protect mother nature, enjoy the journey.

Click here for Matthieu Perez’s photographic gallery