Coulton, Crighton Podium as the Simple Crew hits the Volcom PBRJ!

Coulton Conway picks up his 1st place prizing from the Volcom Crew

Volcom’s Peanut Butter Rail Jam went down on Saturday February 11th at Blue Mountain and it was a great contest with a high level of riding from all who entered. The Simple crew had a strong presence with 9 team members spread over 4 categories. 7 of the 9 made finals and there was a Simple rider on the podium in every category. The weather couldn’t make up it’s mind as it changed from snowy and windy to clear skies and sunny off and on through out the day.  The one thing that did remain constant through out the day is the temperature, it was hovering around -20 throughout the day and feeling even cooler when the wind was blowing. That didn’t phase the competitors though, they were hiking and throwing down on all features.

The set up was a 3 rail option.  Zone 1 was a flat tube, it was well set up and saw lots of action.  Zone 2 was an up rail in a boat which had a soft landing making it tricky to stomp and ride away.  Zone 3 could be hit in a variety of ways, it was a flat bar with a close out on the end and then had a down rail at the end of the close out.

In the 15 and under category Simple’s Coulton Conway was one of the leaders of the pack.  He qualified 3rd but stepped up his game in finals and ended up bringing home the Bacon! The tricks that put him on top of the podium were a half-cab onto the tube to backside 360 out, a 5050 frontside 360 out of the ‘boat’ rail, and a cab 270 over the close out onto the down rail.  Also in the finals from Simple were Matt Cochrane and Kaleb Gray who were riding consistent and strong all day.

In the 16+ category Simple had Tim Crighton and Jordan Beatty hustling their way into the finals. Jordan put down some big tricks but didn’t quite have enough to get onto the podium.  However, Tim was working hard and earned himself a 3rd place finish! Tim put down a frontside 270 on the tube to 450 out, a frontside 180 on to switch back 180 out of the ‘boat’ rail, and a cab 270 on the down rail.  In the final minutes Tim was hungry for the top spot and was working on some harder tricks but time ran out before he could put it down.

Natalie Allport was the only girl from Simple and she put down some stylish tricks ending up in 4th spot.  Natalie was recovering from bruised shin bones but wanted to battle through the pain to compete.  Even though she couldn’t crack the top 3 she still earned herself an invite to the PBRJ finals in Mammoth Mountain, California.

Mike Rotsaert and Jesse Loucks were the 2 Simple riders in the Open category.  All of Ontario’s best rail riders were out and riding at their best.  Both Jesse and Mike were looking strong in the group.  Jesse caught an edge while trying to do a frontside 270 on the tube to 450 out and got a concussion which took him out of the running.  He’s ok now and is eagerly waiting to get back on his snowboard.  Mike kept things going in the finals putting down some big tricks which earned him an invite to the PBRJ finals in Mammoth as well.  Mike did a frontside 270 on the tube to 450 out, a cab 270 on the ‘boat’ rail to 270 out which was a stand out trick for that feature and gapped over the close out with a cab 270 to the down rail.  Mike was looking to step up a few of those tricks in the final minutes of the jam but couldn’t land them in time to better his finish.

Volcom put on a great competition as always, giving out free Peanut butter and Jam sandwiches for lunch as well as Gatorade, cookies and chips.  All the kids were happy to get their fill.  The park staff at Blue Mountain worked hard and had a great set up for the contest and everyone involved worked hard to make this a fun filled event.

See you at the finals!

You can also check the Transworld report HERE

Congratulations to the following team members:

Coulton Conway 1st 15 and Under

Tim Crighton 3rd 16+