Mont Saint-Sauveur once again welcomed some of French Candadia’s finest and challenged them to throw down on an epic setup. Check the video highlights of the 2013 Ride Shakedown…

2013 was a huge success for the Ride Shakedown presented by Videotron. Our 12th edition at Mont Saint-Sauveur drew more than 20,000 spectators! Whether you missed it or simply want to relive the best moments of this year’s event, we’ve got you covered.

RESULTS

1 – Antoine Truchon

2 – Seb Toutant

3 – Jon Versteeg

As you’ll know if you read our full report of the first ever Ride Shakedown to grace European shores, the Shakedown crew brought their successful and innovative contest format to the old continent on March 11-12. After a good couple of days of jam sessioning it was the UK’s up-and-comer Jamie Nicholls who walked away with the big cheque for his consistently awesome riding ahead of veteran Mats Kuselik and rookie Luka Jeromel.

Now you can check the full highlights of all the bangers, including the Friday night rail jam that was won by local ripper Basti Rittig.

Watching this teaser video will make you want to sell a kidney to get to Garmisch-Partenkirchen from March 11-12 2011.

So, finally, one of the most progressive, creative and downright gnarly contests around will make its debut on European shores this weekend. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a stone’s throw from Munich, will play host to the event in its Olympic Stadium. Entry is FREE for anyone wanting to come and check out the heavy riding that the riders will put down on the epic setup.

Riders will have to hit up both the Big Air booter and the unique Rail Jam setup in a relaxed but intense Jam Session. There is no pre-determined order. Riders perform their three judged runs within the allotted time whenever they choose (in the semi-final, the first judged run must be done within the first hour – in the final, it must be done within the first 40 minutes).

Here’s more judging specifics, from which you’ll get more of an idea why this gig’s gonna be off the hook, we’re particularly digging the “they cannot repeat the same trick on their two other judged runs” rule…

- Riders must inform the starter which of their runs is to be judged, which trick they will perform (both during the jump and on the rail) and wait for confirmation by the judges.

- If one of the two tricks called is not successfully performed, no points will be awarded.

- The jump and rail each account for 50 percent of the final score.

- If riders successfully complete the trick called on their first jump and/or the rail, they cannot repeat the same trick on their two other judged runs.

There’s also a fat a fat wad of cash up for grabs to get the shredders even more pumped… so check the teaser and you’ll be hyped to join the carnival of awesome in Garmisch.

Full details, rider list and more on rideshakedown.com

A whirlwind month for the Ride Shakedown: Germany and Seattle in the coming weeks, Mont Saint-Sauveur set for April 1-2.

Ten years of success is worth celebrating in style! On April 1-2, RIDE Shakedown presented by Videotron will celebrate its 10th anniversary at Mont Saint-Sauveur (Quebec, Canada). Following their tradition since 2002, the DIZZLE Productions team promises to turn the event into a huge snowboard party that everyone can enjoy; from the professional athletes – such as local X Games gold medalist Sébastien Toutant, to the determined 80 amateurs, without forgetting the 20,000 expected event goers who will freely enjoy top notch athleticism and entertainment.

Before ending their season at the RIDE Shakedown presented by Videotron, the world’s best riders will have had the opportunity to test their skills at two other international instalments of the RIDE Shakedown – the first on March 11-12 at Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany), and the second on March 18-19 in Seattle (USA), both of which are part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour. These events further demonstrate that DIZZLE Production is making its mark at the international level.

“This year is a milestone for us. Not only are we celebrating our 10th anniversary, but we now have three events in three different countries, one of which is a first in Europe”, explain Brendan O’Dowd and Patryck Bernier, founders and organizers of the RIDE Shakedown. “For our 10th year, we want to amaze both our athletes and our thousands of spectators. They have been there for us since the very beginning, so we want to thank them with the best show we can offer. Star athletes, the RIDE Shakedown partner village, the Videotron LED giant screen, and most of all, the atmosphere, are all ingredients to an event that promises to be memorable for all.” For this 10th edition, the event sponsor, Videotron, will give a handful of lucky spectators the opportunity to watch the riders’ performances from up close; a first for the RIDE Shakedown which will be revealed hours before the event

In total, over $35,000 cash prize is at stake, and the cream of the crop will be in attendance – including all the event’s winners since 2002. Much like the past 10 years, participants will compete on a slopestyle course that combines a big air jump and a unique rail setup only unveiled moments before the competition.

Amateur riders will not be outdone. They compete to earn their spot among snowboarding elites by competing at the various qualifying events that take place throughout Quebec this winter, or by registering online. The schedule and forms for qualifying events are available on the RIDE Shakedown website at www.rideshakedown.com.

Thanks to the amateur qualification, Montreal native Sébastien Toutant managed to pull the rug out from under the professionals in 2006 and took home the big title. The one they call Seb Toots also took home the 2009 RIDE Shakedown, and is one of the most prominent figures in snowboarding today. However, Toutant will need to be wary of friend and fellow team rider Mark McMorris, who has equally made waves this year by taking gold at the Air & Style Innsbruck, silver in the slopestyle category at the X Games and who won the 2010 RIDE Shakedown. American rider Eric Willett is no less a threat, the rider came in third at the O’Neill Evolution in Switzerland.

What’s more, fellow Americans Zack Hale and Yale Cousino, two well-known names in the industry, have confirmed their participation along with 2008 RIDE Shakedown winner Charles Reid.

Other notable contenders include Quebec natives Alex Cantin (RIDE Snowboards rookie PRO rider), Matts Kulisek (winner RIDE Shakedown USA 2010) alongside fellow Canadians Mark Sollors and Matt Belzile.

Unique competition format

While there are many snowboarding events in the North America, the RIDE Shakedown stands out by virtue of its unparalleled competition format. What makes the RIDE Shakedown such a hit and a cut above the rest is its unparalleled competition format. The concept: a laidback, live-it-up event with minimal restrictions on the riders. Spectators are taken to the very heart of the action and treated to a thrill-a-minute show that’s eminently accessible. At the RIDE Shakedown, riders are required to master two different disciplines: Big Air and rail, featuring three different rail options revealed only on the first day of competition. Competitors and fans alike look forward to the moment. While pros are the main attraction, amateurs are also in the game, as they valiantly battle it out in an attempt to make a name for themselves. Every winter, new talent is discovered!

Event schedule, viewing times and more info on www.rideshakedown.com.

Go big or go home: the RIDE Shakedown heads to the Alps for its European debut. Canadian rules, Euro-style. March 11-12, 2011.

Just south of Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen will soon host the very first European edition of the RIDE Shakedown. Unique in its delivery, the snowboarding competition features an exclusive format in which invited professional snowboarders will compete alongside local qualified amateurs for a €35,000 purse.

Previously featured in both Canada and the United States, the free-admission jam-style event, which has drawn over 20,000 spectators, is known for its impressive urban rail features and 50-foot jump only unveiled to the athletes the day of the competition. The RIDE Shakedown is the only major snowboarding event that features a big air jump followed by a rail set up, in addition to the popular “jam format” competition. The concept: a laidback, live-it-up event with minimal restrictions for the riders.

In its milestone tenth year, the event heads to the south of Germany in the hopes to deliver the same energy-packed entertainment to a European audience as a recognized 4star Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour event. Patryck Bernier and Brendan O’Dowd, founders of DIZZLE Entertainment and organizers of the RIDE Shakedown, call the event a spectacle, “It’s fun for everyone whether you’re a core snowboarder or just want to experience the action. We get the audience involved throughout the event. Everything is closed-in and the pros are accessible to anyone who comes to Garmisch.” Being held at the Olympic ski stadium, spectators don’t even have to buy a lift ticket and get on the hill but they can enjoy the mountain panorama – and the free entry, of course!

International professional and RIDE team snowboarder Juuso Laivisto is already confirmed for this premier edition. The Finnish rider carries a 4star TTR event title, winning the 8th Red Bull Nanshan Open in China last January.

EVENT SCHEDULE (free admission)

Friday, March 11, 2011
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration for Planet Sports amateur qualifications/ Relentless Rail Jam
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Planet Sports amateur qualification
3:30 p.m. Qualifying riders announced

4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Relentless Rail Jam qualifications
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Course maintenance
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Relentless Rail Jam
8:45 p.m. Awards Ceremony
10 p.m. Pleasure Magazine presents RIDE Shakedown Afterparty at The Lodge, www.lodge-gap.de (18 years +)

Saturday, March 12, 2011
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. RIDE Shakedown semi-finals
1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Onboard Magazine autograph session with pro riders
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. RIDE Shakedown finals
5:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony
10 p.m. Pleasure Magazine presents RIDE Shakedown Afterparty at The Lodge, www.lodge-gap.de (18 years +)

Calling all amateurs
On Friday, March 11, riders will compete during the Planet Sports amateur qualifications. The first 50 ams to register will have the opportunity to show off their skills and earn one of three spots to go head-to-head with the pros during the semi-finals on Saturday, March 12. For the Relentless Rail Jam, 40 ams will have the chance to carve out a place for themselves among the pros. The registration form is available on the RIDE Shakedown website. First come, first served! For amateur riders interested in participating, qualification rounds will be held across Europe. For complete details, visit the event website www.rideshakedown.com

After checking out this teaser we’re more pumped than ever for when the Ride Shakedown takes its European bow from March 11-12 2011 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Both the setup and the judging format are as innovative as the riding that gets thrown down, there’s a fat wad of moolar up for grabs to get the shredders amped… just check the teaser and you’ll be hyped to join the carnival atmosphere in Garmisch.

Quite big, ey?

More than 40 of the world’s top professional male snowboarders will bring their A-game to Germany, March 11-12, 2011, to compete for a € 35,000 purse at the European RIDE Shakedown snowboard event.

The RIDE Shakedown, held at Mont-Saint-Sauveur, Quebec, for the past nine winters, and in Washington State, USA for the past year, is one of the snowboard industry’s most exciting and anticipated competitions, drawing the biggest names in snowboarding, the most promising up-and-comers and more than 20,000 fans to the two-day festival. The inaugural European edition of the RIDE Shakedown big air and rail competition will be held in Germany at the Olympic Stadium Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, is providing us with a worthy panorama.

Rider: Ivan Marchenko, photo: Crispin Cannon

The year 2011 will be a defining one for the RIDE Shakedown: 10th anniversary of the original snowboard event, a return to the United States for a 2nd year and an introduction of a European leg of the competition in Germany. In addition, the U.S. and German events (4 star level) are now part of The Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, featuring the world’s leading snowboarders and world’s most respected snowboard events. With these three competitions, over $100,000 USD will be up for grabs.

“We are obviously very proud to offer the European public such a unique snowboard experience,” said Brendan O’Dowd, co-founder of DIZZLE Entertainment and organizer of the RIDE Shakedown. “Due to the previous success and unique format of the event, we’re expecting to draw thousands of winter sports fans from Germany to Austria. Garmisch-Partenkirchen might be recognized as a ski resort, but with the RIDE Shakedown taking place in the city center and offering free entry, fans are in for a huge treat!”

Rider: Matts Kulisek, photo: Crispin Cannon

The launch of the first European edition of the RIDE Shakedown came to fruition through the efforts of title sponsor Ride Snowboards, a driver in the industry since 1992. “It means a lot to us to bring RIDE Shakedown to Europe and have the chance to introduce this unique event to a new market,” said Wolfgang Buchwieser, European Sales & Marketing Manager at RIDE Snowboards. “A less-formal format and fun atmosphere makes it a highly sought-after competition for athletes and a lifetime experience for fans. Snowboarders throughout Europe will love it!”

Both top-ranked riders and rookies will be hitting the slopes for the RIDE Shakedown’s Planet Sports qualification round to fight for a spot in the semi-finals where they compete against the invited pros. For complete details, visit the RIDE Shakedown website at www.rideshakedown.com.

Dates of the three 2011 RIDE Shakedown events

March 11-12, Europe (Olympic Stadium in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany): First European edition. Same format as the original, with a Bavarian twist;

March 18-19, United States (The Summit at Snoqualmie, located 45 minutes east of Seattle): Second US edition. New this year: a music stage at half-time;

April 1-2, Canada (Mont Saint-Sauveur, Quebec): 10th anniversary of the original event; countless surprises await!

Unique competition format

What makes the RIDE Shakedown such a hit and a cut above the rest is its unparalleled competition format. The concept: a laidback, live-it-up event with minimal restrictions on the riders. Spectators are taken to the very heart of the action and treated to a thrill-a-minute show that’s eminently accessible. At the RIDE Shakedown, riders are required to master two different disciplines: Big Air and rail featuring a rail with various surface textures to be revealed only on the first day of competition. Competitors and fans alike look forward to the moment. While pros are the main attraction, amateurs are also in the game, as they valiantly battle it out in an attempt to make a name for themselves. Every winter, new talent is discovered!

For additional information go to www.rideshakedown.com

High-octane shredding from Mont St Sauveur, Canada.

16-year old Canuck Marc McMorris walked away with the title, his double corks and solid jibbing solid enough to surpass the killer riding from Seb Toutant and Eric Willett, while Megan Ginter took the women’s title with a dope back 7 to 50-50-front 180 off the jib section. The Ride Shakedown is well-know as a shred career launch pad, so you can be sure you’ll be hearing more from these guys: as you’ll see from the movie, they got the skills for sure.