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How did Peter Line Revolutionize Snowboarding?
If you love snowboarding, chances are you have heard of Peter Line. Even if you haven’t, you have probably seen or tried some of the tricks he invented, like the handplant, the gap jump, or the nose slide. You may also have noticed his distinctive fashion sense, with oversized hoodies, baggy pants, and colorful accessories. But do you know how Peter Line revolutionized snowboarding and why he is still considered one of the most influential riders of all time? Let’s find out.
First, a quick introduction to Peter Line. Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1975, Peter Line moved with his family to California when he was a child. He started skateboarding and surfing, but when he discovered snowboarding in the late 1980s, he was hooked. He became one of the first sponsored riders for Burton Snowboards, and soon began to experiment with new tricks and styles that would shake up the sport. In the 1990s, he co-founded the snowboard brand Forum, which became a leader in the industry and helped promote his vision of progressive riding. Peter Line retired from professional snowboarding in 2005, but he remains active as a designer, entrepreneur, and influencer.
Now, let’s explore some of the key aspects of Peter Line’s legacy, starting with his most memorable trick.
What Is Peter Line’s Most Memorable Trick?
This is a tricky question, as Peter Line has many signature tricks that have inspired generations of snowboarders. However, one of his most iconic and influential moves is the backside 180 melon grab. This trick involves spinning 180 degrees while grabbing the heel edge of the board with the front hand, and extending the back leg in a stylish stomp or tweak. It may sound simple, but in the early 1990s, it was a game changer for snowboarding, and helped redefine what was possible on the slopes.
Before Peter Line came along, most snowboarders focused on straight airs, or basic jumps where you launch off a kicker and fly through the air without spinning or grabbing the board. While these tricks were thrilling in their own right, they didn’t allow for much creativity or expression. Peter Line saw this as an opportunity to innovate, and he started experimenting with different ways to spin, grab, and land, often in technical and risky spots of the park. He also took inspiration from other action sports, such as skateboarding and BMX, and adapted their moves to the snow.
The backside 180 melon grab was one of Peter Line’s breakthroughs, as it combined a smooth rotation with a stylish tweak and a progressive grab. It showed that snowboarding could be both technical and stylish, and that riders could add their own flair to each trick. Moreover, it opened up new possibilities for other tricks, such as the frontside 180, the 360, and the flip tricks, which all require some form of spinning and grabbing.
Peter Line’s backside 180 melon grab also had a wider impact on the snowboarding culture, as it became a signature move for many other riders, especially in the freestyle and park disciplines. You can still see it in movies, contests, and social media posts today, often with variations and adaptations that reflect the rider’s personality and skill. For example, some riders add a shifty or a tweak to the grab, or land switch (opposite stance) instead of regular. Others combine it with rails, jumps, or halfpipes, and use it as a setup move for more complex tricks. However, they all owe a debt of gratitude to Peter Line for introducing this trick to the world.
What Inspired Peter Line’s Iconic Style?
While Peter Line’s tricks are certainly impressive, they are not the only reason why he is considered a game changer in snowboarding. Another crucial aspect of his legacy is his iconic style, both on and off the board. Peter Line’s style is often described as “baggy, yet stylish”, as he pioneered the use of loose and comfortable clothing that allowed more freedom of movement and expression than the tight and technical gear of his predecessors. His clothing also featured bold and colorful graphics, often inspired by pop culture, music, and art, and designed to reflect his personality and interests.
Peter Line’s style was not just a matter of fashion, but also of function and attitude. He believed that snowboarding should be fun and creative, and that riders should be able to express themselves through their moves and their clothing. He also wanted to challenge the traditional norms of the sport, which emphasized conformity and rigidity, and instead promote a more inclusive and diverse culture that welcomed different backgrounds and styles.
Peter Line’s style was influenced by many factors, including his Japanese heritage, his California upbringing, and his passion for music, art, and subcultures. He also drew inspiration from his peers, both in snowboarding and other sports, and collaborated with them to create new products, events, and media that showcased their shared vision. Some of Peter Line’s notable contributions to snowboarding culture include:
– Founding Forum Snowboards with fellow riders Joni Malmi and Mike LeBlanc in 1996, which became a leading brand in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and produced many innovative boards, boots, and bindings that reflected their progressive and creative approach to riding.
– Creating the Standard Snowboard Show, a groundbreaking video series that featured Peter Line and other top riders performing new and daring tricks in unique locations, such as abandoned buildings, construction sites, or forests. The series helped popularize snowboarding as a mainstream sport and art form, and influenced the aesthetics and narratives of many other snowboarding films and TV shows.
– Collaborating with fashion and lifestyle brands such as Hurley, Oakley, and Neff, to develop clothing and accessories that reflected his eclectic and colorful style, and that appealed to a wider audience than just snowboarders. Peter Line also designed his own signature line for Forum, which included everything from hoodies to backpacks to headphones, and which featured his distinct graphics and slogans, such as “Keep Snowboarding Weird”, “Free Thinker”, or “No Limits”.
– Mentoring and inspiring a new generation of riders, such as Travis Rice, JP Walker, and Devun Walsh, who admired Peter Line’s skills, creativity, and attitude, and followed in his footsteps to push the boundaries of snowboarding even further. Peter Line’s influence can be seen in many recent snowboarding trends, such as the revival of retro style, the exploration of backcountry terrain, and the fusion of different sports and cultures.
In conclusion, Peter Line revolutionized snowboarding in many ways, from inventing new and stylish tricks, to promoting a diverse and expressive culture, to designing innovative gear and media. His impact can still be felt today, in the way we ride, dress, and think about snowboarding, and in the influence he has had on multiple generations of riders and fans. Perhaps the best way to honor Peter Line’s legacy is to keep pushing the limits of snowboarding, to stay true to our own style and vision, and to always remember that snowboarding is about having fun and being creative.
Image Credit: Pexels