DIYX STRT JAM 2024
Östermalms IP & Sergels Torg, Stockholm, SE
Words by: IV Stuart
Photography by: Isami Kiyooka
As we’ve watched our beloved industry evolve over the past few years, for better or for worse, some things remain the same. Snowboarding is for the people, by the people. And Ethan Morgan has done a better job than most supporting that claim.
Gone are the days of tradeshows, in are the times of rider owned events. While we may not have the same gatherings from years prior, something is to be said about annual events that encapsulate the ethos of snowboard mentality, and act as an early season kickoff for the snowboard world. Not exactly a contest, but more of a gathering. And Ethan Morgan’s DIYX STRT JAM event has captured that vibe better than any year after year.
Night One
We start off our weekend of festivities celebrating 30 years of Method Magazine, in Nalen. Nalen has historically been around since the late 1800s, hosting numerous events ranging from political meetings to sporting events. Snowboard legend and now musical superstar Trevor Andrew kicked off the main event with a show in the main room. From McTwists to sold out shows, Trevor continues to be a name that resonates with all types of life. Through the fog of smoke machines and cigarette smoke – overseeing the mosh pit in the middle, you knew you were in the midst of an all time snowboard party just by looking around and seeing the amount of collared shirts and beanies cluttering the room. As well as seeing Jed Anderson in a bucket hat. But through the attempts of crowd surfing and security denying it, you could still tell you were at the site of importance and not just snowboarding superstars
Friday
Friday takes us to the main reason we’re all here; snowboarding. Specifically to the spot from Louif Paradis in Deja Vu, and Chris Grenier’s infamous Pull Fart. The forever renowned green closeout drop to downrail was the site of the first event. Gnarly enough to become one of Chris’ enders; and also gnarly enough to become a spot for DIYX. Also encompassing the surrounding down rail and recently added middle split rail, just to give a few more options to the sessioning riders
The jam starts off mellow, Austin Vizz and Pat Fava start off holding it down as always; the rail gods themselves, whether they’re in Euroland or not. Austin started us off with a delicious BSBS to BS tailslide swap sameway. And Pat let us all know he was in the mix with a delightful BS 270, while later busting it back out shirtless once the money was on the line. And Egan Wint showed us all how to properly gap out to the down on the split middle rail.
Zeb Powell later showed us the size of the drop, being one of the first to go from the close out to down and instantly snapping his stiffer than average board. In addition, Paula Benito showed the crowd how to properly FSBS through the separated rail in the middle. Fridge and Darcy Sharpe also displayed to all of us Americans how to properly handle the gap out railbusting out hardway FS270 to the down, while busted Fridge an insane tap-to-270-front board-bring back.
While some had triumphed, some also paid the ultimate piper. Unfortunately, Truth Smith was one of the first to pay that piper. After completely destroying gapping out on the middle split rail, Truth was taken down by the beast. Having to eventually sit out the rest of the event, luckily we can all look back on his picture perfect nollie shifty gap out lipslide on that same split rail. But Joey Leon of Rome Snowboards stardom brought us all back down to earth by being the first to attempt and successfully land gapping from the close out to the middle downrail with a delectable 50-50 to FS Lipslide, furthermore shutting down the session
While all the chaos had begun to dwindle on the first set up, the crowd and riders began to work their way over to a downrail to wallride line, which was soon to be set on fire.
As expected with DIYX, the flames are sure to bring disarray. After a quick Darcy Sharp fire taco, and many other notable slams; the session had fully commenced. In between bluntslide 270’s galore and numerous wallride variations, the session was soon to come to a close. But not before Rene Rinnekangas would fall over the other side of the wall, giving all the spook they needed to stay safe. After a few more stomps and some insane stunts by Fridge, the session would soon close, crowning the first “champions” of DIYX.
Friday Night
From snowboarding to snowboard movie premieres, DIYX involves all of a snowboarder's dreams. With the premiere of Rene Rinnekangas new video that has been no more prevalent; between the yeew’s and whistles, movie night at DIYX shows that the snowboard movie premiere is more alive than ever no matter where you are in the world. You just have to find the right crowd.
While snowboarding is most important throughout this event, some could say the partying is just as relevant (but we do all know we’re here for the tricks). Friday night brought us all to yet another venue for celebration, but this time a little different. As David Dijiéand and Max Warbington took the stage to begin DJ-ing, a TDI (Technically Doing It) set began. All being in Europe for another event, but making sure to stop their way by to see the sights and sounds of DIYX.
Saturday
Saturday brings another day of absolute pandemonium. After everyone wakes up feeling a bit slower than usual from the night before, it’s back to proving what this event is about; snowboarding.
Slowly all working their way into the Stockholm Central Station after a lowkey yet intense skate jam, the riders were ready to commence to getting down on an absolutely smashing set up. From a steep concrete down-flat-down with a donkey dick, as well as an impeccably built down bar (featuring many Oakley branded bumps mid-rail), to an absolutely bonkers rollercoaster contraption branded by Bataleon Snowboards – the session was underway. And some of the features were less than inviting to say the least.
While the station slowly packed in with onlookers from all walks of life; the riders began to bust out their moves. To quote Kody Yarosloski – the prettiest man in snowboarding, Kas Lemmens, showed us all how to properly ride the kinked ledge. As well as the previous day's destroyer Oyvind Kirkhus with some delightful gap out spins and switch spins onto that same kinked ledge. While Henna Ikola would all properly show us how to 50-50 it to a picturesque BS 180 out.
Egan Wintcontinued to show us all she truly is the rail jam queen, lacing trick after trick on both the kinked ledge and Oakley branded downbar. Lolo and Halldor would show they’re a force to be reckoned with getting doubles trick after doubles trick. Fridge and Dillon Hendrickson both went to war trying to be the first to boardslide the rollercoaster rail. After a well fought battle Dillon would be the first to come out victorious, snapping his board in the process of landing. Fridge would shortly back him up right after, also snapping his deck in the process. And to think, Ethan wanted to add on another extension to that rail mid session.
Once all was said and done, it wasn’t said and done. This is when the flames are bound to come out. Underlying the rails and lit by Ethan’s cigar, it was time to get the propane flames a-roaring. Some would taco, some would land, and Sparrow Knox would 50-50 it purely with his hands. Any trick done on a rail on fire is one to be talked about and looked back on. Especially when Darcy Sharpe is climbing up the branded scaffolding mid drop in to light his board on fire and jump off shirtless.
Saturday Night
Once the flames have died down, it's time to ignite more. Metaphorically this time though. Out to another night of neon lights, house music, and smoke filling a room. After viewing the main man’s new video, Ethan Morgan’s long awaited “Ride,” the scene was on an all time high. And crowning the overall champs of the events, European powerhouse Oyvind Kirkhusand Egan Wintfor the ladies, there was no slowing down. While we may not be able to remember most of the evening, we all know it was a memorable one.