Nollie: Tamworth girl's snowboard event Gnar Chicken and Tea review part 1

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June 11, 2008 2:35 PM

Tamworth girl's snowboard event Gnar Chicken and Tea review part 1

Lucy Butler by Ben Schmidt

On Saturday May 31st, after an extended hiatus, UK grassroots girl's snowboarding was reborn as the Gnar Chicken and Tea series of events, the brain child of snowboarder / filmer / events organiser / writer / designer Alexa Hohenberg, made a welcome comeback to Tamworth's Snowdome. I could go on and write about the supreme standard of riding, how the generosity of the evening's sponsors left no one empty handed and how hard ms Hohenberg worked to get everything perfect and on time.

Or I could let the lady herself report back right from the heart of the event - as she has kindly done below, with part one of two halves to her event review.

"One thousand and nine days is a long time. 2 years, nine months and five days exactly- but nonetheless, a damn long time! So finally, I returned with my Gnar Chicken female -focused project. I wanted to see where us woman were with our riding here in the UK. I write this review astounded, delighted and still in shock at the show you ladies put on this past weekend. Officially the sickest riding seen by women in the UK… no doubt!

"I knew the buzz surrounding the event reached a pinnacle when my German, non-snowboard, non-sport, sexy-shoe-wearing colleague, suggested I go to a female snowboard event going on in Birmingham this weekend. Que?… that’s nuts!

"With the biggest attendance the Snowdome has seen in a long time, the 100 plus girls and guys didn’t disappoint the crowd of supporters gathered on the balcony. After premiering Euan Southcott’s movie ‘Freezing Level’ to a room full of appreciative and newly educated snow-worshippers, everyone took to the slope ready to rumble. Hungry and motivated, we bonded over the great love we all share when sliding sideways (or forwards!).

The Tamworth slope by Danny Warren

"As the boxes got a beating in the warm-up, all eyes were on two very tiny rippers that led the way for the standard of the evening. Katie Ormerod aged 10 and Sophie Nickolls aged 13 put-down boardslides, nose-presses and spins on to the Vermin box with such style and consistency that guys twice their age quivered like dribbling babies! Jade Walshy was the youngster rider at 6 years of age. Having obviously inherited the jibbing skills of her father (MK local Walshy!), it was great to see her make it confidently to the end of the box – I hope you like your Blue Skin goodies little lady!

"Invited to high-five MC Southcott at the top of the quarter-pipe, the first challenge of the night sparked the imagination of the riders (and some less-dressed party people!). Although the temperature of the snow prevented an excess of gnarly airs, it was good to see fine efforts rewarded. Harriet Skinner we salut your bum grab! With everyone now getting the feel for the slope, the A-frame and the big gas-pipe seemed like the run of choice. Sarah Morgan led the way with the nicest frontside-boardslides seen in a long while (sick enough to eventually win her the over-all title of Gnarliest Chicken!).

Alexa (left) and black eyed Helen Fox by James North

"A special mention must go out to a girl named Niki who was doing back and front-flips off the Grand Prix kicker. After landing several to a big cheer from the crowd, she landed on her back and was taken to hospital with a suspected breakage. We wish you all the best Niki, swift recovery. Helen Fox also sustained a massive black-eye when ‘bonjour-ing’ the big gas-pipe. When the stars cleared and she regained knowledge of her whereabouts, it wasn’t long before she was getting her sweet revenge, schooling that gas pipe with some super smooth backside-boards. With riders like Jules Chapell and Lindsay Ashdown leading the way for the less experienced chickens to attempt the challenging obstacles, we can safely say the progression, inspiration and fun-enticing missions of the Gnar event were now in full swing..."

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