The latest news from Sydney-based photographer Richard McGibbon as he travels up and down the East coast of Australia covering athletes on adventures and high-action sports events and races.
Being a bit short of mountains here in Sydney I have had to find myself another sport to shoot other than skiing and snowboarding. I figured that I should stick to something that is close to my heart, skateboarding.
I met a group of guys who are setting up floodlights around there favourite bowls and skating them at night. Here’s a couple of shots of the action.
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.
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
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mattias Haunholder throwing down some big turns near St. Moritz in Switzerland.
Last weekend was spent down in St Moritz skiing around Corvatsch and heli-skiing on the border with Italy. The mountains down this way are beautiful soaring peaks with long steep faces. I was graciously invited to go on the trip in order to shoot with big mountain skiers Martin “McFly” Winkler and Matthias Haunholder. Martin and Matthias certainly stepped up and put in some great lines. The snow stuck beautifully to the faces allowing them to ski some steep lines.
Ben Herbert, powder turn, Sonnenkopf, Austria.
Australian born Ben Herbert is a dedicated board rider. Whether its on the big peaks of Alaska or the pounding surf of the Mexican pipeline in Puerto Escondido he is always pushing himself to go bigger and better. His travels in search of adventures have taken him all over the world but it is the Austrian town of Innsbruck that he has come to call home.
Date of Birth:
01.10.1973
Nationality:
Australian with an EU passport
Ben Herbert tearing through the trees near Langen Am Arlberg,Austria.
Home Mountain:
I live in Innsbruck and have the Regio card which offers access to a number of great mountains. Arlberg has been home for many years, as well as the Zillertal, so as a home mountain goes I have a huge backyard. Let’s just say Tyrol.
Sponsors:
Black Flys Eyewear, Never Summer Snowboards, Beyond Snowboard Bindings, Berghaus Clothing, Pull-in Underwear
Favourite board:
I love the never summer boards, they are so responsive and reliable. I’d say my 163 wide is my allrounder,and 168,or the rounded pin 172 for the deep powder days or the steep long lines.
Favourite spot:
Favourite spot is hard to answer. Anywhere in steep waist deep powder with friends around.
Ben Herbert tracking the untracked, Sonnenkopf, Austria.
How did you get involved in snowboarding?
I was living in Colorado in a place called A-Basin and it was freeriders playground. I was skiing at the time. I had a friend come from Australia and convince me to try the board and, well, never really looked back. After the season I then went to Europe and worked in St Anton, also a freeriders heaven, and fell in love with snowboarding.
Favourite Country:
When I’m not here in the mountains I’m always thinking of surfing somewhere warm and exotic ,the last years were spent in sumatra and .phillipines ,i enjoy the ocean very much,diving ,spear fishing ,and surfing .also in the mtns .biking ,climbing and rafting.
Influences:
I’ve been inspired by many great people from all corners of the globe; Chris McAlpine, Russell Holt, Brodox, Steve Trainor, Jeremy Jones, Tom Burt, Nicolas Muller, Alaskan Heli-skiing Company, Cats Trading, Tommy Brunner(RIP) and my awesome girlfriend Chistl.
Ben Herbert tearing through the trees near Langen Am Arlberg,Austria.
Motivations:
I get highly motivated when planning trips for each year. I love to travel and to combine this with the love of snowboarding is only a bonus.
Best Moment:
Too many to try to describe. Dropping into my first line in Alaska was exhilarating and words cannot express it. Everyday in the powder with friends are some of the best days of my life. Being on the mountain and sharing these awesome experiences with friends is priceless……cheers .
Worst Moment:
Injuries have and will always be a pain in the ass. I had a friend who broke his back many years ago. I was first on the scene and it was heavy. After two operations he was told by doctors he would not walk again,although the operation was successful. After 15 months he was walking again and after a few years was back on the board and surfing. For sure one of the worst moments I’ve experienced but with a happy ending.
Last Words:
I’ve enjoyed being in the mountains most with motivated people with the same interests and willing to push the limits,its been a pleasure. Thanks.
Click here to see photo gallery for Ben Herbert
 |
 |
 |
 |
Spring time has arrived in St Anton which means its back-country kicker time. The weather has been warm and our generous snow-pack from the season is disappearing rapidly. The warm slushy conditions has made for some great kicker sessions. The kickers have been built up around St. Christoph Am Arlberg. It’s a great slope for building on. It catches the afternoon sun and has some great views down the valley and over the town below.
The next few days are supposed to hold a bit of rain which means some downtime from the mountain and a chance to catch up with a few projects which I have had planned for sometime now.
Candide Thovex, Cab 900 Stuben Am Arlberg, Austria
Over this last week I have had the pleasure of shooting the talented Candide Thovex. Candide was here in the Arlberg for about 1 week to do some filming for his new project Candide Kamera. The majority of the days were snowfilled powder days as the snow continues to fall here. A couple of days were spent out filming and shooting in Sonnenkopf and the rest at the deep snow paradise of Stuben.
For the blue sky days the Stuben gap jump was built up by Nick Francke of Empire Parks. Once again a big thanks goes to Skye Darden of Line Skis.
