There once was a young boy whose older brother owned a BB gun. His older brother’s friends also owned BB guns. They would have elaborate BB gun wars in the woods behind the young boy’s house. The young boy wanted desperately to participate in his brother’s and the older boys’ game, so one afternoon he went out into the woods to observe them. The young boy was quickly shot and captured. Since his older brother had told him, on numerous occasions, not to pester them, they showed the young boy how a BB- gun war POW is treated. The young boy went home sad and in pain. The young boy then vowed to seek vengeance–as soon as the bleeding stopped.

The next day the young boy stole a BB gun from a sporting- goods store in the mall and ventured back into the woods. With superior numbers and firepower, the older brother and his friends quickly overtook the young boy. Another brutal lesson was given to the young boy. He went home humiliated and in extreme pain. All hope for revenge seemed lost.

It was late one evening, and the young boy’s parents were out on the town when he discovered the movie First Blood. A few days later, in the early morning hours of the great BB Gun War of Carriage Hills, the young boy snuck out of his house and into the woods with a bag full of supplies. For eight hours the young boy made, dug, set, and camouflaged dozens of booby traps around the forts and other various strategical locations, then he waited, for revenge was his.

When the probation officer asked the young boy what had made him want to hurt his older brother and his older brother’s friends so badly, the young boy simply answered, "They drew first blood." –Dave Sypniewski, who was most definitely influenced by John Rambo.

Who or what has had the most influence on your riding?

Babs Charlet

Age: 22

Sponsors: Allian, Volcom, Etnies, Thirty-two, Oakley, Drake, and Chamonix resort.

"I was living in Chamonix and had skied a lot–slalom and downhill. I began skateboarding in ’88 and thought more of freestyle riding. Then I started snowboarding in ’90. Skateboarding brought the style, creativity, and craziness to tricks; skiing gave me speed, power, and the ability to ride the mountain. And now I surf for a new feeling–I like to slash the windlips."

Roberta Rodger

Age: 23

Sponsors: Thirty-two, Salomon, Bonfire, Velvet, GMC, and November.

"Before I started snowboarding I passed my time skateboarding, which has been a major influence on my riding. Then, over the past few years, Jeremy Jones, Brandon Bybee, Mitch Nelson, and J.P. Walker have been the biggest influences. I look up to them for their style, technical tricks, versatility, and attitude.

"When I go snowboarding with these guys, they keep me stoked by cheering me on no matter what I do–whether I fall on my face or do a dope trick. This gives me the confidence to try new tricks or do something I wouldn’t normally do. Overall, riding with these guys is all about having fun, pushing each other, and being stoked for your bros."

Chris Brown

Age: 22

Sponsors: Burton, Analog, Iris Snow Goggles, and The Circle Snowboard Shop.

"The main thing that influences my riding is skateboarding because I’ve skateboarded ever since I was young, and then I moved from the city to the mountains. All the tricks I try to do are skate-influenced–no hula-hoop style. Music influences my riding, too–rap music."

Peter Ström

Age: 26

Sponsors: Allian, Sessions, Dragon, and We.

"What inspires me most are riders who ride really good and make me amped to ride better. For example, Nate Cole has a lot of pop, which makes me want to do a tailgrab like him. Also, I ride with Johan Olofsson who’s crazy. Usually his best run is the first one of the day before the rest of us are even warmed up and stretched. I see him do crazy stuff when I’m not even ready to get off the ground yet. Ingemar inspires me, too, because he’s really focused–he wants to be 100-percent fit to be riding. And, of course, new locations and good conditions are great–it’s exciting to be somewhere you’ve never been before."

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