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Date: 02/04/05
By: Alexandra Sturrup
      
Arriving at the Malpensa airport just outside of Milan, 20 year old skiboarder Ben Wannamaker can’t wait to start his nine hour trek deep into the northeastern Italian alps to catch some fresh powder and compete in the ESS European skiboard contest in Marilleva, Italy. But as he waits by the baggage claim observing the same bags passing by incessantly, it becomes apparent the only powder he’ll touch tonight is at the bottom of his aspirin bottle.
“Your bound to have setbacks,” Wannamaker comments, “The feeling of not knowing what’s coming next, and the excitement of being in a foreign country, alone, with no bags is strangely appealing to me. I have a real nomadic nature, so I really thrive in this situation.”
The next morning with bags in hand, shipped express from the New Jersey airport where the flight made it’s crossover, Wannamaker began his day long pilgrimage to Marilleva with nothing but the smallest of inklings as to where he’s supposed to go, and how he’s going to get there.
After coming from Toronto by airplane, taxi, subway, train, numerous buses, two feet and a heartbeat, Wannamaker finally made it, and it was time to shred.
“The mountains were phenomenal,” Wannamaker remembered. “I got to meet everybody else who was competing, and talk to them about where they were from, how they like the sport, basically just make friends. These guys came from all over Europe and I love to learn from people so it was a great experience.”
Wannamaker and the rest of the riders got used to the mountain for the first few days of the trip, and on the last day of the trip, the competition began.
Wannamaker knew he hadn’t come this far and endured so much to leave without riding his best, so when the contest began, he was ready.
The contest was layed out with three events: A big air session, a rail jam, and a wall ride session. Wannamaker took all three events with a cab 7 in the big air, a 450 disaster in the rail jam and an ally-oop 3 on the wallride. Wannamaker has never landed a cab 7 or a 450 disaster before, so the levels of progression at the contest were incredible.
“When your progress, and learn new things at a contest, it really says something about how good of a contest it is.” Wannamaker said. “It was a nice relaxed setting, I was really stoked on how it all worked out.”
Wannamaker’s track record has been outstanding throughout his past 4 years competing in the sport including victories at the 2002 Mt. St. Bruno Jam, the Bent Films Slopestyle in Whistler and the 2003 and 2004 Mt. Creek Rail Jam.
Wannamaker’s talents haven’t gone unnoticed. Last year Wannamaker was offered the opportunity to design a Ben Wannamaker pro model skiboard for the 2004/2005 season, which is currently available in stores and online.
“I couldn’t believe it when they asked me, it’s the greatest honour for someone to tell you ‘I want to put your name on this because we think people will want it’. Last year when we went to Japan there were kids lined up to get our autographs, it’s the most surreal feeling.” Wannamaker remembers.
His boards reflect his riding style, made to take abuse on urban handrails, easily cruise switch and the wide profile allows for stable riding and smooth landings.
"My influences in regards to style, and the tricks I do come straight out of skateboarding. I’m trying my best to implement skateboard style into this sport, and I feel like these boards were a big step in bringing this style to the youth who are getting involved in this sport.”
Based on the success of this year’s model, Wannamaker has already been asked to create a model for next season as well.
While Wannamaker is kept occupied designing pro model’s and winning International competitions, he still finds time for his second love; Bent Films. At age 16 Wannamaker started his own business making and producing skiboard videos. Since there was only one other manufacturer of skiboard films, Wannamaker was interested in giving them any sort of competition he could. The results surpassed all expectations. Bent Films first movie release, Sickness and Health was picked up and distributed by such big guns as Black Diamond Films in the UK and Skiboardsonline.com and Getboards.com in the states.
“After the success of Sickness and Health, the crew and I knew the only thing to do now is start production on our next movie.”
The second release from Bent Films was White Dwarf, the first full-length skiboard specific video released on DVD. The crew began production in 2001 and released the final project in 04’. White Dwarf is jam packed with amazing footage from pro-riders, Neal Lyons, Andy Stewart, Simmons, Brian Class, John White, Adam Lynam, Ethan Mitchell and Wannamaker himself. The success of White Dwarf has more than surpassed the achievement of Sickness and Health, having sold copies across Canada, The U.S. Europe and Japan.
The purpose behind Bent Films was to raise the profile of skiboarding. Being a new sport Wannamaker hoped to raise more interest to future riders. As the popularity of Bent Films grew Wannamaker wanted to further support the sport that had given him so much. With a lack of skiboard events for riders, new and old, Wannamaker decided to organize contests to go along with each of his shoots for White Dwarf.
“I just want to show the world that there is some structure to this sport,” Wannamaker says, “I’ve gotten to do so many things I’d never be able to do and go places I’d never be able to go if it wasn’t for skiboarding. I just want the sport to be recognized on the level is deserves to be recognized, show the world that skiboarding is far from a fad. It is here to stay.”
Wannamaker’s dedication and love for skiboarding has not only raised his personal status in the skiboarding realm, but also raised the status of skiboarding itself. Already an entrepreneur by age 16 and a celebrity on the snow, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll be hearing from Ben Wannamaker.
“I’m really happy with everything that I’ve accomplished,” Wannamaker said. “Now is the time to just relax, shred some trees with my friends and leave that damned heavy camera at home!”
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