arnette

Fall in Seattle, Washington is 99% a rainy days, so it was truly amazing to have a blue sky and warm day for this Downtown Throwdown.  The crowd was 20 times larger than last year because of this, and the majority of those spectators got to see what could have been their first view of live snowboarding.  Our team of Nick Visconti, Nial Romanek, Spencer Schubert, & Niko Cioffi all dropped hammer tricks during the 2 hour jam session.  Zac Marben and Johnny Lazz both assisted in the judging, but paid no favoritism.  In the end everybody had a great time, we had games and product giveaways, and finished it up at the Arnette Afterparty down the street… local legend Peter Line was partying with us, so you know it was legit.

I caught up with last year’s winner Nick Visconti, for a random Q&A:
 
 
Q: What’s it like to ride your snowboard in a park in downtown Seattle?
A: Snowboarding has traditionally been influenced by outdoor mountain cultures.  However, due to increased growth and accessibility, snowboarding is expanding into urban societies and lifestyles.  Therefore, snowboarding in a park in downtown Seattle?  It feels equally progressive and contemporary.
 
Q: You jib in normal street clothing, but how do you think the guys wearing Gor-tex outwear felt walking the streets afterwards?
A: Some responses need to be expanded upon, this one does not... Hot.
 
Q: What music do you listen to while riding?
A: I listen to a variety of music, mostly influenced by my mood.  At the Seattle Downtown Throwdown, I listened to grungy rock n’ roll.  In San Francisco, I will probably listen to a musical soundtrack or something eccentric like that. 
 
Q: Do you like “performing” in front of random spectators?
A: I don't perform, I snowboard.  I find it fascinating to snowboard in front of random spectators, and in culturally saturated areas.  I am greatly inspired by my environment, and my snowboarding is a product of it. Because of this, I am just as much a spectator of myself as the crowd is because I have no idea what or how I am going to snowboard and project my inspiration.
 
Q: If you could do this style event in another urban region, where would you like go?
A: I am doing this style event in another urban region, home- San Francisco. 
 
Q: How would you feel if skateboarders & bmxers brought a street course to the top of a snowy mountain?
A: The world is so diverse; different landscapes cater to certain sports and lifestyles, but when these traditions are challenged, especially by environmental factors, creativity happens. I'd be stoked to see skateboarders and bmxers get more creative than their traditional mold and get wild in the mountains.
 
Q: Did you have a good time at the Arnette Afterparty?
A: Yeah, it was actually really refreshing.  I was privileged to have a meaningful conversation with a Northwest friend of mine about life, beyond snowboarding.  So it was epic to relax, connect and then as then get wild on the dance floor after.  Bitchin people.  Bitchin event.  Bitchin party.
 
Q: What are you doing right now?
A: I'm at the UNR library pursuing my education.  I can't snowboard forever, but I can use my brain for the rest of my life.  So let’s just say I am investing into my future.