Charging with TSG

Why Markus Keller and Gigi Rüf signed up to the team

Be prepared. Stay Sharp. Wear Protection 

Taking The Fight to the Foe

Both Gigi and Markus have been rough riding on the vanguard of European snowboarding for nearly two decades and know a thing or two about style, going H.U.G.E and getting gnarly. 

Gigi surfing down fresh pow in Kamchatka, Russia. Photo: Maksim Balakhovskii

They are also all too familiar with the worst and best of snowboarding, from the glory of contest podiums and the big screen to the body-busting bails that shredding big mountains serves up. But they’ve got strategies to minimise risk.

Strategies to minimize risk

The first is to be prepared or in Gigi’s words, “don’t ride blind, read textures in the snow, avoid “no fall” zones above exposure and visualize your actions and all possible scenarios”. 

The second, according to Markus is to stay physically and mental sharp: “Can be biking, hiking, skating, surfing or tennis,” says Markus. “Plus being in the game for a while helps you to judge things”. 

Gig and Markus both state that wearing protective gear is important.

 

And thirdly, which is why they both chose to hook up with TSG, wear kit that softens the blows: “In today’s commotion and pace on the slopes wearing protective kit is important,” says Gigi, who as well as his first aid kit, avalanche transceiver and backpack packs TSG crash pants, back protector and a helmet.

Gigi wears the TSG Vertice helmet. Photo: Dani Ammann

Markus also sports a TSG helmet and TSG Goggles: “Jumps are getting bigger, tricks harder and the rails combinations gnarlier” he says, listing the reasons why he thinks protection is a must. 

Markus already tests the new TSG Goggle Four launching in season 2020. Photo: Markus Rohrbacher

Winter is on the Way

So, with their armour on and Europe’s contours softening with blankets of fresh snow, Gigi and Markus are setting out their lot for the coming season. Gigi has qualified for the Freeride World Tour, for the third year running and is “into the second year of filming for the Movie “Driven” which is going to be released Fall 2020”. You can catch up with Markus in a host of smaller projects on a screen near you and he will be releasing a bunch of edits with his sponsors over the winter months. 

TSG are stoked to keep Gigi and Markus safe in all their exploits and wishes you all a safe and shred-filled season of joy! 

STAY SAFE and in the words of Gigi and Markus “prepare, stay fit and wear protection!”

Gigi Ruef showing his powder face

See here Markus’ and Gigi’s choice of gear to stay safe

READ MORE STORIES

or check out MARKUS KELLER and GIGI RUEF’S rider profiles

Still going big

Flying high with Gian Simmen

The Snow Family Work Balance

I. Take off

He continued shredding at the highest level into the early 0s, winning the ISF champs in 2001 and 2002, and retired in Davos, the resort where he began riding, 17 years after turning pro.

Gian in his home resort Grindelwald

But this was far from the end of snowboard for Gian. He applied his knowledge and experience to commentating for SRF TV, coaching at Swiss Olympic and mentoring children to a better future with the Laureus Foundation. He is now the Head of Snowpark in his home resort of Grindelwald, where he plans events, market etc, and in his own words “personally checks the quality of the park” – riding was never going to be far from the office. Check out his 18/19 edit to see how the management rips.

II. Flying High

As the Head of Snowpark Gian is conscious that as well as pushing the boundaries of riding parks need to be safe: “I think in general pushing the borders does not mean to build super crazy features, it means that everything is built good and safe, with take offs matching landings. And, for sure our parks need to fit all levels of riding”.

Personal protection also plays a part in this equation of safety and personally he kits himself out with the TSG Fly Helmet, the lightest winter helmets on the hill, our super-wide vision Google 3s and Backbone Tank 2.0, made from lightweight and shock-absorbent ACF foam. We asked him if there was one piece of kit that he wouldn’t go without: “The Fly Helmet” he replied. “It has a supreme fit and is feather-light, so you don’t even feel that you are wearing a helmet while riding”.

TSG Fly helmet with Goggle Three – perfect combo

 

He also now has 4 boys under his wing, all of whom followed him onto the mountain at a young age, as well as getting into soccer, mountainbiking, breakdancing and hiking: “It is interesting to take my kids to the park because with them I see the set up in a different way” he says. “They choose different lines between the obstacles and of course it takes a lot of control from me that they’re not going to wild trying stuff that is out of their league”. It is funny how wearing the parent hat can give you a new perspective on the inherent dangers of shredding – not that he applies it to himself.

Nothing can top a pipe run with your kids

Family time on snow

 

III. Landing

So what can we expect from Gian Simmen for the coming season? “I would like to hit some backcountry kickers again and hit some cliffs,” muses Gian. “For sure I will be out shredding with my family and with a filmer and photographer.” Watch out for the 19/20 edit, ‘cause Gian I still flying high!

Gian flies high! Absolutely!

Check out Gian’s Gear

And this is what his kids use to ride safely

Stay tuned with Gian Simmen, follow him on facebook

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or check out GIAN’S RIDER PROFILE