Looking Sideways Action Sports Podcast

Full episode info and show notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comFor the fifth episode of the Looking Sideways podcast I spoke to Oscar-winning documentary maker and snowboarder Orlando von Eisendel, a week after he’d picked up the award for Best Short Documentary for his film The White Helmets at the ceremony in LA.We talked about how it feels to win an Oscar, how Orlando made the evolution from snowboard film-maker to Academy Award winner, how action sports are the ideal proving ground for creatives, and much, much more. He also dished up come great advice for young creatives, and some brilliant tales from the making of The White Helmets, Virunga and Skateistan. As you may suspect if you’ve seen any of his films, Orlando was generous with his time, and great company. For anybody interested in hearing how a world-renowned artist got his start through snowboarding, it’s a must-listen. Thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and show notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comIt's the second half of my interview with UK snowboarder and freerider Sascha Hamm.In today's part of the chat, Sascha Hamm talked me through the 'wilderness' years, when the first half of his snowboarding career ended. Why? Because after winning the British Championships in 2000, he decided to take his prize money and gamble it on an attempt to make it as a Formula 1 driver. As you do.When that didn't go to plan, Sascha set himself up in business with one of his best friends, before deciding to follow his snowboarding dreams again by moving to Chamonix in France. It was a move that ultimately led him to compete on the Freeride World Tour, and brings his tale full circle to the present day.As with part 1, it's another hugely entertaining and at times ridiculously honest chat with Sascha, and I hope you enjoy it.Thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and show notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comOver the past twenty years Ed Leigh has lived one of the most extraordinary and enviable lives snowboarding imaginable. Today he presents flagship BBC winter sports show Ski Sunday and commentates on the Olympics for the BBC, but his road to the top has been a long one, even if his passion for snowboarding has always been the driving force. In this fascinating conversation, recorded in February 2017, Ed dug deep into his bag of anecdotes as we explored how his life and career.Highlights include: * How he ended up presenting Ski Sunday* What it’s like for an ordinary snowboarder to ride Alaska* His best ever day snowboarding* The health regime that he hopes will keep his going well into his 50s and 60s* What he really thought about the controversy surrounding his commentary on Jenny Jones’ historic bronze medal. It's an inspiring listen about making your passion your career, so sit back and enjoy.Thanks to Nick Smith (www.hiddensound.tv) for post-production help and Matt Ward (https://linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and show notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comAndrew ‘Cotty’ Cotton is probably the UK’s most high profile surfers and one of the foremost big wave surfers in the world right now. Along with his close friend Garrett McNamara, he’s one of the handful of surfers to pioneer the notoriously heavy beachbreak Nazare in Portugal. His feats, such as towing Garrett into what is considered one of the largest waves ever ridden, back in 2011, routinely make headlines around the world – especially in the UK where he’s achieved some level of mainstream notoriety as much for the fact that he’s a qualified plumber as for his big wave charging. As ever with mainstream media coverage of action sports, these descriptions of Andrew’s feats are massively reductive. Because the reality is that Cotty is one of the most respected watermen in the world today, and he’s travelled a long, hard way from his surfing beginnings on windswept Saunton Beach near where he grew up in Devon.In this conversation, recorded at Red Bull Studios in London in early 2017, we cover a lot of ground – his early surf apprenticeship, his first exposure to really big waves, and his early years working in a surfboard factory and – yes, as a plumber.It’s a great conversation with a fascinating, thoughtful lad, so get stuck in to Andrew Cotton on surfing big waves.Thanks to Nick Smith (www.hiddensound.tv) for post-production help and Matt Ward (https://linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and show notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comSascha Hamm is one of the UK’s best freeriders and somebody who’s been at the top or around the top of European snowboarding for the past twenty years. In March 2016, Sascha's life changed for ever. He was competing in the Freeride World Tour Event in Fieberbrunn, Austria, when he took a fall that almost killed him. As he describes in detail during our conversation, he half-backflipped off a 100 foot cliff and landed on his side on barely concealed rocks. As you might imagine, he racked up quite a list of life-changing injuries in the process: 1) Torn left knee ACL2) 10 broken ribs3) Broken left elbow 4) Broken left humerus5) Broken left collarbone 6) Broken left acromium 7) Broken left shoulderblade8) Collapsed left lung9) Ripped out nerves C8 and T1 from spine and tore nerve C8 in his brachial plexus.What’s even more remarkable is that, throughout it all, Sascha remained conscious. In today’s episode of the podcast, part one of a two part special with Sascha, recorded almost a year to the day since the accident happened, we talk about how he’s coping with the life-chasing injuries he sustained that day. Thanks to Nick Smith (www.hiddensound.tv) for post-production help and Matt Ward (https://linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe