Technically Doing It (TDI) embodies what it takes to put everything into culture
and community. Paving the way for future generations of BIPOC snowboarders
through whole heartedly showing representation. Turning up for themselves and
others through expressing each and every aspect of the crews lives.
Having fun with friends on and off the mountain and embracing the different
cultures and backgrounds is what makes up the diverse Technically Doing It crew.
“Life Sure IS Sweet” – their new movie – was beautifully curated over the last 2 years, merging the
most insane slow-mo cinematic shots with the crew’s individual styles, nods to
their personal cultures and homage to the OG movies with skits every
snowboarder can relate to. We all remember Forum’s Iconic opening scenes and
now TDI is jumping in the ring with a movie for the ages.
The World Tour debuted in London, as the UK’s heartland for black culture this was a
choice that made a statement. One that did not disappoint and brought the
community out in force to support with over 200 in attendance at Genesis
Cinema.
We got the chance to catch up with UK’s OG Neil ‘Nine Lives’ Campbell one of
the formidable presences within the UK indoor scene and Europe alike on his
thoughts of the movie and movement.
“I first met Luis 2 years ago in laax, It was the end of the trip. Arrived at the
bus stop heading out and we clocked each other and with being in the
industry a long time, seeing another black/brown guy with a snowboard
thought ‘I must know you’. Especially in Laax, which is the Mecca of
freestyle ski and snowboarding. We had such a long and good chat and
thats were our relationship started”
“I think this is probably the first movie that has a mainly black and brown
cast, thats not to take away from any other snowboard movies before this.
It seems small but it’s incredibly important to feel seen and represented. It
doesn’t always have to be the best or X Games level but just friends having
fun and enjoying themselves on and off the mountain and seeing people
that look like you doing that is so important.”
“I started snowboarding at 20 and most of the people I first met were all
white, there were not many people from the black community or the
council estate life snowboarding or skiing. When I started going the indoor
centres (Milton Keynes) I got to meet people from all walks of life enjoying
it but still not seeing people like myself until later into my snowboarding
career”
“It’s so nice to see a whole cohort of people who look like me doing it at
this level. I’ve had people come up and tell me that they do this or got into
snowboarding because they saw me doing it and when they started I was
their reference. I can’t put into words how incredible that makes me feel”
Neil Campbell
TDI have been kicking doors and barriers down, not aggressively but by
showing up in such a wholesome way people want to be on the mountain with
them. I’ve luckily been around the members together and separately through out
North America and Europe. Watching the team grow with additions such as
Egan Wint, who despite her stature stacks bigger than anyone on any roster to
Burton’s young gun Dominican-American LJ Henriquez and more to come.
The tour continues with stops at Stockholm, Innsbruck and Zurich before
heading back stateside with NYC, Denver, SLC and finishing with LA.
Words & pictures by Christ Corbett
