For two weeks in late September the Red Bull North American Snowboard team took it over the drink for a non-stop snowdome tour of England, Scotland, and Holland. The crew consisting of Red Bull riders Zach Leach, Travis Rice, Hana Beaman, Pat Moore, team manager Matt Barbour, special guests Scotty Lago, Kevin Casillo, filmer Rich Goodwin and SNOWBOARDER Magazine’s Joel Muzzey and Pat Bridges, quite literally raised the roof in not one, but five separate snow domes. From the hospitable yet humble English slopes of Milton Keynes and Castleford to the enormous 500 meter long runs of the Snowzone in the Netherlands, every bump, jump, jib and bonk was sessioned for all it was worth.
Halfway through the tour the riders made their way up to Glasgow Scotland for the first of what is sure to be many Red Bull Rail Storm events. With the added element of national pride on the line, athletes took to the setup (including five separate rails) with tenacity. Veteran pro Zach Leach joined Pat Moore and Scotty Lago on the American team in this country versus country elimination event. All was going smoothly for the Americans until a few untimely falls in the second round resulted in the English contingent advancing. While the Swiss team would eventually take top honors, Pat Moore would walk away with one of the best trick prizes.
Before the awards ceremony, Travis Rice (who had abstained from competing due to a recent ankle injury) donned a kilt and showed the Scottish crowd the type of showmanship that has made him a standout rider across the globe. Travis didn't give the gap to boardslide a second thought, but he appeared very sheepish about showing the crowd his under-kilt kit. The rest of the evening was spent enjoying pressed hams, Kroninbergs and white rappers singing about guns.
Throughout the trip, when not doing the 'domes or Rail Stormin', the riders found plenty of time to skate, shop, and sight see. The walled city of Edinburgh left everyone in awe, especially Beaman who was overheard on more than one occasion explaining how Scotland could be the place for her. Leach felt the same way about the atmosphere surrounding Amsterdam. Then there was Wolverhampton, an industrial looking college town located three hours northwest of London. It was here that Barbour subjected the crew to both a heavy metal band and a grunge hotel. If you ever get a chance to see New Zealands the Datsuns live, do whatever it takes to score tickets and if you ever get a chance to stay at the Fox Hotel in Wolverhampton, do whatever it takes to find different accommodations.
English Snowdomes, smoke filled Amsterdam coffee houses and Scottish castles are three things that you just can't find in America. Then again, until this trip the Red Bull North American snowboard team was something you just couldn't find in England, so it all makes sense somehow. As the two-week trip came to an end everyone in the crew was fried and looking forward to getting back to the states. With their passports in hand and souvenirs in tow, the riders boarded their westbound flights home. Don't be surprised if these shores see the likes of this crew again sometime soon.