Extreme Seperation Anxiety?

The extreme-sporting world (for lack of a better term) is a complicated mix of familial fragmentation: a metaphorical broken family. No matter how much we separate and distance ourselves’ from each other in the name of individuality, a taste of that community feel that we all love is apparent. It all comes back to community.

If we look back (which is a good thing now and again), we see our sport in a family tree of sorts. We see that Snowboarding rose from Skiing and Skating. Skating grew from Surfing. Wakeboarding developed from surfing and waterskiing. Wakesurfing spawned from surfing. Wakeskating came from skating and wakeboarding. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

As you can see, many of our sports not only have similar aspects. Most have risen out of a need for something different by using other sports as a springboard, becoming their own, becoming isolated.

Now, this isn’t a game to trace back the roots of our sports and label one better than the other, it’s to look at the past to find out where we are at now and, hopefully, where we are going. So, the main question here is, “where do we want to go?” We are the people that will define the future, that are defining it.

Where do you see you and your sport in the overarching world of extreme sports? Statistics show that most people who participate in one x-sport participate in 4 others. So, given this, ask yourself these questions and let your voice be heard.

Should there be community?
Is there a community to find?
Where do I fit?
Where does my sport fit?
Should it fit?

It's Time for Something New

It's been talked about. It's been written about. You've even thought about it to some extent. Your favorite magazine doesn't quite cut it. There is something about it that you don't like, that you would change if you could.

You have a few choices, but there are flaws in them all. Out of all the alternative sports magazines out there, there are a few that you actually buy. You love one for its sick pictures, one for it's writing, one for it's approach, one for it's design, but none hold the entire package. Your sports are covered by a few magazines each, but do any of them fit your wants and needs for your fix while away from your sports?

Why is that? The real question is, "What is the entire package?" What makes a magazine stand out to you?

Is it the writing? What types of writing?
Is it the pictures? What makes a good picture?
Is it the articles? The features or the fiction?
Is it the travel section, the reader response, or is it simply the pictures of scantily clad females?

Here is a chance to post your opinion and have it be heard.