(I styled and arranged the total shoot for this cover feature, which is still used by SGB years later as a sample issue.)

"Snowboarding and surfing are two different sports, like tennis and golf, but sometimes, there's a feeling that's similar," says Hillary Maybery, a Joyride snowboard designer and an X-Games competitor, who knows a thing or two about both sports. Snowboarding was a natural for the Malibu, California Surfer Girl, who left the beach as an impetuous teen and headed for ski school at Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs. Maybery typifies many snowboarders who love the thrill of riding both boards--catching a curl or catching some air is the lure of both surf and snow. As Quicksilver's John Nance describes it, "There is a mental cross-over--the two share a spirit, sitting on an ocean watching 8' surf or on a mountain at 11,000'."

With its debut as an Olympic sport in '98, snowboarding has gained credibility as the numbers of boarders grew from 1-1/2 million to 2-1/4 million between 1990 and 1995. And these athletes are young and spending money! As quoted in the January 1997 Facts & Figures on the On-Snow Industry, by the Ski Industries of America and National Ski Areas Association, snowboarders are an average 22 years, mostly male, (though the industry is verifies that the numbers of women are vastly increasing), 82% own their own $300+ boards, and they spend over $100 for a single piece of apparel--and, 55% also surf the net!

Snowboard apparel has grown from scruffy, baggy outfits thrown together by the original renegade boarders, to highly technical snow apparel with features taken from ski, like storm flaps, hoods, zippered and velcro pockets, vents, insulated linings and zip legs. Technical fibers in layering systems add comfort factors of wicking, insulation and outer protection from the elements, while allowing breathability. Venting "pit zips" join lower leg tool pockets, waist powder skirts and waterproof gaiters, as sport-specific features, while looser fitting styles give the boarder flexibility in movement. Women's silhouettes have slimmed somewhat, for a more feminized look for this growing segment of the snowboard market.

When drawing surt-snow parallels, maybe snowboarders just really feel the same awe, whether kneeling in the snow, contemplating a mountain crest, or crouching on the sand watching the horizon for the right wave. Maybery, the only female finalist in the H2O Winter Classic, a contest that combines the scores in surfing and snowboarding, explains her two loves, echoing the voices of many boarders, "I've always lived on the beach and surfed, and gone to the mountains to ski--both are a part of me."

Surf's Up for Dave, Renee and Amy
They got up early to catch the best time of the day--dawn--when die-hard boarders can really freeride ... And they're dressed for the elements. Microfibers, coated nylons, fully taped seams, vented jackets, tons of pockets and layers of wicking and insulating fabrics, all preparing the boarders for the early morning chill.

Amy looks Cold As Ice--in her "I Ride" fully-lined white pants, with hand-warmer-lined pockets and elasticized snow cuffs, featuring a waterproof, milky coating on soft nylon faille. The "All Elements" red, white and blue spliced princess-style jacket, with stand up collar, has lower hem draw cords, snow skirt and fleece-backed storm guard. Underneath, a Roxy navy fleece top with red piped princess seams adds warmth, and Adidas "Sprocket" goggles, with interchangeable lenses and stems and Northwave boots complete the ensemble--not to mention the Hobie dual-edge board.

Renee looks on in anticipation, in her Prom "G.I." cargo pant, fit for a woman, made of EcoTemp II 4000 oxford, with inside elastic "SwaGrip" snow cuffs, boot clips and belt loops. The Roxy red coated micro nylon "Form Fit" jacket, has white piped princess lines, a zip off hood, pit zips, interior cuffs and a mesh lined upper body for breathability. (It also matches her killer Arnette red "Mantis" shades.) The "Saturn Lady" Northwave boots have a BIOMEX, stiffer flexing liner more maximum support and stability, so she' not worried about ankle injuries. She borrowed the Swag waterproof ripstop nylon Boonie hat from Dave, added a Bombshell sweater and is ready for an escapade on her Morrow "Escape" board.

Dave has been antsy, waiting for this morning to show the women his stuff, and now stands struck by the early daylight, waiting to hit some powder in a Tommy Hilfiger outfit, complete with long sleeve stripe polo, nylon down jacket, back pack, hat, boots, mittens, goggles--and yes, even a signature Tommy Hilfiger board by Nitro. Says a Tommy Hilfiger spokesperson, "Everyone talks about how technical and authentic their lines are, well, our fabrics are just as technical." Dave sports Columbia "Atylas" waterproof and breathable Omni-Tech pants, from the Convert T-Series, with a ceramic waterproof/breathable coating, and a contemplative grin ...

The first ride was radical, and Amy and Dave "take five" in their Sims gear. Amy's been riding her T. Sims directional board--it's a real freerider, good for larger footed and seasoned riders. The "Link" ergo-slide bindings fit the "Revolver" boots, made with leather and Cordura uppers, Thermoform liners and lace pulleys. Her "Tiger" jacket and Dave's "Cheetah" jacket are waterproof, breathable Micro 8, with taped seams and pit zips. Both their pants are rib10K, a durable, waterproof fabric, with lower leg tool pockets and waterpproof gaiters. Hers feature full-leg zip and articulated knees, while his have a side zip to the knee with a storm flap and double layer butt. Sims gloves have 100% nylon shells with a dry hands liner and waterproof insert. Amy tops it off with a printed soft fleece hat from Bula and "Straight Jacket" shades by Oakley, while Dave sports a Smiley fleece "Baggy Beanie" and Adidas "Robin" goggles.

Amy's ready to catch some air with her Airwalk Sport 140, directional freeride board with balanced flex, made for lighter-weight riders. But she's obviously no lightweight boarder in her Fila outfit from the Deb collection, designed for women. The shag fleece jacket is insulated, as are the Northwave "International" boots and Columbia "Supernova" Convert gloves, made with Omni-Tech and MicroTemp insulation. Like her namesake "Gidget" pant by Fila, Amy's a surfer girl, turned boarder, who can really snow-surf the mountain. The pant is peachskin brushed poly twill, coated with Fila's Weather Tec 1000, so no one will know if "Gidget" wipes out in pursuit of "Moon Doggie."

"Which way is the best snow?" Amy and Dave cut up in bright sport colors, hot for today's snow sports--Amy in Bombshell's 100% nylon file weave "Highway" jacket, loaded with technical features like zip-out powder skirt, poly fleece lined collar, adjustable lycra cuff and sealed seams. The "Diabolic" aqua pant has drop gaiters with adjustable closures and grip elastic, zippered, double welt hand pockets and seam sealing, and is complemented by her Zydeco "Z-Sin" baseball cap, Oakley "Straight Jacket" shades and Burton boots. "The Element" board is design by fellow lady boarder, Shannon Dunn and is among the first of Burton's signature "pro" boards to be made for "amateur" use. Dave is raring to go with his Morrow "Escape" freeride board, Northwave boots, and spliced blue, light grey and orange "Sling" Swag pant of EcoTemp II 6000, with snow cuffs, SwaGrip, and zip/snap fly closure. The FlexoBlast lined waisband has a velcro adjustable cinch system and he's got pockets that zip all over!. His Aggronaut jacket of EcoTemp II 4000 has PVC coated lower back, detachable hood with rain peak, 13" pit zips, and an inside draw cord--and looks cool with his Oakley copper Topcoat glasses. The Zydeco fleece "Proper" hat not only keeps his ears warm, but also has a mesh, velcro key pocket on the outside and a zip stash pocket on the inside. The pants and jacket come insulated, or non-insulated, an option that comes in handy, once they decide where they're going!

Dave is looking pretty gnarly after some matchless rides and opts for chillin' in the hammock with his "Match" Airwalk Tri-axil glass, high performance directional twin board. (He said he's carved some awesome turns!) He's laid back in Airwalk pants, Oakley "Topcoat" shades, Northwave Boots, and a Nike down DriF.I.T. vest over his Quicksilver "Downhill" cashmere-like acrylic sweather with shoulder stripes and a "Quick" baseball cap. Amy finds his boyish antics amusing as she's been joyriding on her Joyride board, designed by Hillary Maybery, the fourth of her surf-inspired boards, which have featured a mermaid, shark, underwater world and now, a sea gull. Maybery road the high performance directional board for the first time in this year's X-Games, and says, "The narrower, shaped board, with a longer nose and tail was really light and responsive and road really well on the open bowls." She believes her surf motif snowboards communicate her sense of freedom and remind her of sunny California. Amy's ready for surf or turf in her "Bootie Call" Roxy pants, of coated micro nylon, with knee zips, reinforced hem and kick patch, articulated knees and slit gaiters. Accessories like the Sims beanie and Oakley "Snow Goggles" tie it all together with her acrylic and wool blend Bombshell "Splendor" sweater.

Wow! What a day! Time to pack it up, and pack it in that cute red Bombshell Satin 3-pocket Pack and the handy Roxy "Super Hiker" bag. Dave and Amy marvel at Renee's Arnette Stinger shades--and so do the passers by--or is it her lime green and hot pink Butt Furr Furrkini, Boonie hat and shorts? Amy had to keep up in a Furrkini top and Boonie with her "Roughneck Bib" from The North Face, with a removable backpack, high-cut back for added protection, Cordura reinforced rear and knee pads, and Vaporator lined seat for added warmth. In her full-grain oiled leather, poly fleece lined, water resistant "Haaken" boots by Reef Brazil, Amy's could kick some Butt Furr--but she'll just smile behind those Arnette "Mantis" shades, and hold on to Dave ... who is getting a kick out of both the Butt Furr and his cool looking "Halley" Northwave boots. His Bonfire pants of Ceramax coated Twintec are breathable, yet insulated for, as Bonfire states, "The Gold Series is critically seam sealed. Stay Dry. Ride Longer." They also add multi-zip and velcro pockets, side vents and an elastic back waist for better fit. And talk about fit, Hot Chillys came up with a "Hot Juan" base layer apparel with "crash and burn" features. This micro-mattique poly long sleeve crew, that comes with button holes on the bottom, that button to matching boxer shorts, keeping the skin covered on total wipeouts. Now that's combining technological fabrics with common sense! Dave adds a Smiley Nepal hat and Arnette "Scout" shades, and he's stylin'--ready to go--for Surf or Snow!

Credits:
With special thanks to Villas by the Sea Resort in Lauderdale-By-the-Sea, Florida and toPeter Glenn Ski & Sports, Ft. Lauderdale.
(Please, please, please get these in somewhere! THANKS! Both were incredibly helpful!