(Monday December 17th 2007) After much speculation and an industry-wide rumour mill, StepChild Snowboards is proud to announce the signing of JP Walker to the International Pro Team.
"JP's riding and dedication to snowboarding speaks for itself- not many snowboarders have remained at the top of their class for over ten years. We are absolutely thrilled to have him on the team. It's cool that we share the same values and beliefs as to what a snowboard company and team should be." - StepChild founder Sean Johnson.
" Where else would I end up? Come on, you know I keep it one-hunney! StepChild is one of the last true snowboard companies out there. I love that they value what a professional rider brings to the table. Rider owned and driven, others claim it but none live it, son!" - JP Walker.
There's no denying JP has had a huge impact on the sport of snowboarding over the past decade. Anyone who knows anything about snowboarding is familiar with JP's video parts. Over the years he set a new standard filming with MDP and for some of the biggest selling team videos of all time; he invented tricks and numerous first-ever-bangers caught on film. JP's riding and style has stayed relevant even in an era marked by the X-Games, reality shows, corporate takeovers and riders with fistfuls of energy drinks. No one has been able to continually raise the bar, and maintain a high level of integrity, style, innovation and technical tricks like JP has. Even after a season unexpectedly cut short, JP managed to have a solid presence in videos and magazines, including his Future cover, surprisingly JP's first North American cover shot of his career.
Walker's snowboarding career is the result of immense talent, hard work and dedication -attributes he will continue to bring to the game in the future. His priority is the progression of snowboarding, but it's also about the way he and his sport are portrayed to the public. Driven by the same ideals StepChild and JP are the perfect combination.
"Obviously StepChild is focused on snowboard videos and progression, two things that I've always been an advocate of. They have an amazing team of handrail slayers, and i'm stoked to be a part of it, been riding their boards on the down low this past week and i'm stoked. It's simply the best fit. One." - JP Walker.
Simon Chamberlain adds, "Growing up watching snowboard videos, JP Walker has always been my favourite snowboarder of all time. It truly is amazing to see him riding for Stepchild. Its like a dream come true, not only for me but for the whole company."
JP will have a Pro Model with StepChild in three sizes: 147, 151, and 154. The boards will be sold with a regular edge as well as a RETT (Round Edge Taper Tuning) option. The board has a dull round edge between the feet for jibbing, and tapers out to a regular edge by the time it reaches the contact points. "The boards are tuned at the factory exactly how I would tune them at home." adds JP.
JP is currently filming with Mack Dawg Productions for Double Decade, which will be released in August 2008. His current sponsor list includes: StepChild Snowboards, 32 and Etnies, Oakley, Nixon, Bear Mountain, Milosport and Molcasalsa. StepChild's International Pro Team now consists of JP Walker, Simon Chamberlain, Markku Koski, Stian Solberg and Fredu Sirvio. The International Am Team consists of Joe Sexton, Risto Ruokola, and Scotty Vine. Other notable supporters include Chris Wimbles, Brian McClatchy and E-Man amongst others.
About StepChild: StepChild is a snowboard company that specializes in camping stoves, fishing tackle, and tennis rackets. The StepChild team is currently training and testing sand boards in Egypt. Joe Sexton and Simon Chamberlain are currently pushing the envelope of progressive sandboarding in the Egyptian Parallel Slalom while Markku and Stian aren't having much luck in the Sandboard half pipe event. "The stupid camel just won't pull us to the top! He's going to need an energy drink sponsor" adds Markku.
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