16/02/2014
LATEST ISSUE OF THE CHURCH NOW OUT, LOADS OF WINTRY STUFF FROM SKIING AND ICE CLIMBING TO INTERVIEW WITH OLYMPIC FREESTYLER JAMES WOODS
Church of the Open Sky
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Amazing outdoor adventures from around the world. Thanks for taking the time to take a look at Church of the Open Sky.
What we hope your visits to the Church will provide are eclectic, unusual and inspiring adventure travel features undertaken (on the whole) by ordinary dudes whose lives revolve around ‘the outdoor life’, be that surfing, skiing, hiking or just undertaking a funky road trip across some wild corner of the globe. Follow us on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/churchopensky
Follow us on Twitter: http:/
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View the magazine online: http://bit.ly/XFNVPU
Or download to your iPad: http://bit.ly/UqOIQ4
We’ll also be reviewing the best outdoor gear available so you’ve got some idea what’s worth shelling out on next time your favourite bit of kit finally gives up the ghost. First off, let’s get the title out of the way. We’ve taken it from a phrase used by pioneering Hawaiian surfer Tom Blake (1902 – 1994) to describe the outdoor playground that is a fundamental aspect of our lives and our sense of identity and well-being. Amongst his many achievements Tom invented the hollow surfboard, the surfboard fin and the sailboard and was also an accomplished contest
surfer and all-round waterman. His actual phrase was ‘The blessed church of the open sky’ but that would have been too long for a magazine title…
What we hope your visits to the Church will provide are eclectic, unusual and inspiring adventure travel features undertaken (on the whole) by ordinary dudes whose lives revolve around ‘the outdoor life’, be that surfing, skiing, hiking or just undertaking a funky road trip across some wild corner of the globe. We’ll also be reviewing the best outdoor gear available so you’ve got some idea what’s worth shelling out on next time your favourite bit of kit finally gives up the ghost. Oh, and if you were wondering who ‘we’ is, for now it’s the dudes below...
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Who we are
The editor of the Church of the Open Sky is Alf Alderson (www.alfalderson.co.uk) , an award winning outdoor writer who has contributed to a huge range of newspapers, magazines and websites around the world. He is also the author of and/or contributor to various surfing, skiing and travel guides including Surf UK, The Rough Guide to the Rocky Mountains and The Ski Atlas. The designer of ‘the Church’ is Pete Roberts of Globe Orange (www.globeorange.com), a highly respected and innovative website development company. As well as surfing the internet he also surfs real waves, rides real snow and cycles real roads so he’s as committed to the faith as the readers.
26/11/2013
COOL NEWS FROM NEW ZEALAND...
www.transitions1020.com - Nokia x Burton’s epic new Transitions website launched
Frosty dawn surf sessions. Epic powder days. Nights out with new friends. Every memorable sunset that reminds us why we chose the sideways life in the first place.
Nokia and Burton’s latest innovative collaboration, Transitions, is a celebration of the road and the journeys that define our lives as board riders.
The project saw six riders and friends head to New Zealand’s South Island to put the new Nokia Lumia 1020 smartphone through the ultimate product test.
The crew travelled from Christchurch to Wanaka, exploring the country’s surf, snow and skate scenes, and capturing every new experience and encounter – sound, image and film – with the Lumia 1020’s incredible 41 megapixel camera.
"Not only was this one of the most spectacular trips I have ever been on it was also one of the most enlightening” says BBC Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh, who took part in the trip. “From quake-damaged youth culture in Christchurch to the man who wrote the rulebook on snowboarding, this was a journey in every sense of the word."
The resulting Transitions website is epic in scale, features interviews with top pro riders such as Xavier de le Rue and Mikkel Bang, and is a beautiful and immersive mixed media record of the journey.
www.transitions1020.com
Action sports are about journeys. The people we meet, places we visit and the tricks we learn are all part of it. In September 2013, six riders took a trip around New Zealand's South Island, documenting it with the Nokia Lumia 1020. This is what they found.
04/11/2013
More snowy good times from Red Mountain and surrounds - look out for our feature and awesome pics on BC's coolest ski town in the Dec issue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXNXKm--lCI&feature=share&list=PLdafqZSU9HORRQpFrLsIyecwSnSqb2t-o
Follow the TGR team through the Kootenay Rockies, as they work their way north from the eclectic ski town of Rossland, BC. Along the way, their stops include...
01/11/2013
Check this new digital mag from Arc'teryx. We think the Church and the Canadian gearmeisters are perhaps singing from the same hymn sheet, as t'were...
http://lithographica.arcteryx.com/
LITHOGRAPHICA is a quarterly journal of stories published by Arc’teryx that seeks out ideas, shares knowledge and keeps itself open to possibility
01/11/2013
We are just back from interviewing Sheffield star skier James Woodsy Woods, who will be going for gold at the Sochi Olympics this winter. Look out for words plus pics from ace photographer Daniel Wildey www.danielwildeyphotography.com in the December issue of the Church
http://youtu.be/Oh_a4l4d1PE
28/10/2013
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS NEW WEBSITE FOR SWAP AND SURF
85% of surfers dream of realising their perfect surf trip. So this website’s founders, who originate from Biarritz in France, decided to help link all these dreamers together.
Members can use swapandsurf.com to either host, exchange or rent out their living space, regardless of whether they own or rent the property, with the newly designed version allowing for even more flexibility than before.
http://www.swapandsurf.com
26/10/2013
wow!
http://youtu.be/x76VEPXYaI0
Shot 100% on the HD HERO3+® camera from http://GoPro.com. Kelly McGarry flips a 72-foot-long canyon gap at Red Bull Rampage 2013 to earn a 2nd place finish.
24/10/2013
BUY VALHALLA ON iTUNES: georiot.co/1ZKv Purchase the DVD and Blu Ray today at: sweetgrass-productions.com/shop/ Watch Trailer 2: https://vimeo.com/72229621 See…
21/10/2013
Winter is almost here - we know cos we're off to the Daily Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show in London next week where along with drooling over all this season's new kit we'll also be conducting an interview with James 'Woodsy' Woods, perhaps Britain's best ever Winter Olympic gold medal prospect in a ski discipline. Read what the Sheffield star has to say in our December issue!
21/10/2013
'Surf UK', the UK's best established surf guide is now available as an e book at these sites:
Kindle (e-mobi): http://amzn.to/1gyEj4Z
ePub: http://bit.ly/1cOSuhc
The guide is also available on i-tunes.
With info on some 400 breaks around the UK coastline 'Surf UK' guarantees that you'll score the best waves...
The fact that it was written by the editor of the Church is neither here nor there...
This is your ultimate guide to Britain’s surf beaches. It’s packed with the local knowledge you need to discover exciting waves in unexpected places.Each chapter deals with a particular section of the coastline and each ‘break’ is discussed together with details about ...
14/10/2013
We at the Church of the Open Sky are keen to let all and sundry know that within less than a year of launching the mag we have just won the prestigious Outdoor Writers' and Photographers' Guild Digital Media Award 2013!
This is in large part due to the generous help and fantastic creative support of all our contributors, without whom etc., etc.
The judges said the Church is 'Modern, stylish, visually engaging and backed up by interesting content that you want to read'.
We were unable to be present at the awards which is perhaps just as well as we may have burst into tears...seriously though, the Church has been very much a team effort and those of you who have supported us from the start know who you are and we salute you.
http://www.owpg.org.uk/
The Outdoor Writers' and Photographers' Guild: writers and photographers active in any outdoor setting. OWPG serves book and magazine editors, publishers, public relations companies and picture researchers.
11/10/2013
The new lift goes in at Red Mountain in BC - look out for our feature on this uber cool ski hill in the next edition...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151920562431280&set=a.10151920545086280.1073741831.162636951279&type=1&theater
Lowering in the top half of tower. Guys on the ground use ropes to help stabilise the top half.
10/10/2013
A taster of Warren Miller's latest offering, which features our Scando pals at the mighty Arctic Heliskiing on Iceland's Troll Peninsula.
http://youtu.be/x1XjV8icshA
This is the official trailer for Warren Miller's 64th feature film, Ticket To Ride. Ticket to Ride highlights an exhilarating worldwide tour of exotic locati...
09/10/2013
So, just as the snow arrives in the Alps here's where our editor is going mountain biking this weekend - above the Cote d'Azur with Trans Provence legend Ash Smith.
http://youtu.be/AwhlI7eeCc8
A cross-country ride in Sospel, Maritime Alps, France.
05/10/2013
Our good friend Gabe Davies has a new job - check it out here and read our interview with him in in the latest issue of the Church
http://www.coldwatersurfers.com/blog/files/2afd3562dcce0e68a4d15aba18460f97-2.html
02/10/2013
Our friends at Jottnar today launched their website and their new collection of superbly designed and built technical clothing for mountaineering, winter climbing and all-mountain skiing. Conceived in the Arctic and inspired by the brutality of the Norwegian mountains in winter, Jottnar gear is built for total protection and uncompromised performance.
We'll be reviewing some of their rather nice kit in the next edition of the mag - in the meantime check it out for yourself at www.jottnar.com
In Norse myth the God Thor protected mankind from the cold savagery of the brutal Giants, his hammer providing power and protection. The epic continues: man against the mountain - the formidable Frost Giant.
29/09/2013
This is definitely one of the wildest surf areas on the planet - see our feature on skiing in Kamchatka in edition 1 of da Church
http://store.arcticsurfblog.com/product/russia-short-film-zine
Russia, The Outpost Vol. 1 photo Zine + DVD by Chris Burkard and Ben Weiland follows Keith Malloy, Dane Gudauskas, Cyrus Sutton, Trevor Gordon, and...
30/08/2013
Check out Rob Machado doing a little 'wave sliding' in Cornwall last summer with belly board guru Sally Parkin.
http://vimeo.com/47875000
Wave sliding with English surf history buff Sally Parkin at a beautiful little beach at Porthcothan Bay, Cornwall. Sally has re-created the old wave sliding boards…
27/08/2013
Nice footage from our editor's favourite Canadian bolt hole of Red Mountain - look out for our feature on this iconic ski town in the next issue of Da Church
http://youtu.be/huvtQ6XHdRU
The TGR crew arrives in Rossland, BC to check out Red Mountain. After exploring the resort they find some good spots to build jumps through the trees. Unfort...
23/08/2013
A breezy day in Ireland for a spot of sailing! :/
http://youtu.be/JcBNfJiFLkU
Ten of the world's best windsurfers from eight countries completed a demanding competition in Kerry, Ireland during the first mission of the Red Bull Storm C...
21/08/2013
Check out Arc’athletes Eirik Finseth and Eric Hjorleifson in this amazing trailer for Supervention, a modern ski ...
Check out Arc’athletes Eirik Finseth and Eric Hjorleifson in this amazing trailer for Supervention, a modern skiing & snowboarding documentary.
[VIDEO] www.supervention.no
20/08/2013
WANTED – ADVERTISING SALES GENIUS
The Church of the Open Sky is, in the words of the Black Keys, looking for a ‘go-getter’ – someone to sell advertising space in the mag and make us all rich beyond our wildest dreams. Kind of…
http://www.churchopensky.com/wanted/
12/08/2013
If Hollywood could produce something half as good as this cinemas would be full for ever more. Just stick it out for the first minute for the real action.
http://vimeo.com/54348266 #
From the makers of All.I.Can comes the new feature film: INTO THE MIND www.intothemindmovie.com facebook.com/sherpascinema Blur the lines between dream state…
07/08/2013
The hot and steamy summer issue of Church of the Open Sky is now live - cool yourself down by reading about sea kayaking in Greenland and Mexico, climbing via ferrata in Italy (actually that's a bit sweaty), surfing big waves with Gabe Davies (that's a bit scary) and much more...
http://issuu.com/churchoftheopensky/docs/church_open_sky_aug
The hot and steamy summer issue of Church of the Open Sky is now live - cool yourself down by reading about sea kayaking in Greenland and Mexico, climbing via ferrata in Italy (actually that's a bit sweaty), surfing big waves with Gabe Davies (that's a bit scary) and much more...
01/08/2013
The next issue of the Church is almost ready for your delight and delectation. When the editor gets his ass off the mountain and the designer can be dragged away from the waves 'twill be there before your very eyes...
23/07/2013
Some painful looking crashes at the beginning but they get there in the end!
http://youtu.be/uXJJcFDjdbc
04/07/2013
Our editor Alf and his trusted friend Finn go for a wander in the mountains...
http://www.churchopensky.com/an-idiot-abroad/
Yesterday was so pleasantly warm and sunny here in the Tarentaise that I decided a little hike in the mountains with Finn the Hound from Outer Space was in order.
04/07/2013
Are you this physically fit for your sport? :/
28/06/2013
Looking forward to seeing Red Bull Cliff Diving back in Pembrokeshire again this year!
194.10 is the score for Jonathan Paredes of Mexico after the first two rounds! The rookie is the closest follower of today's leader Orlando Duque. Can he claim the first podium in his third World Series competition?
© Romina Amato/Red Bull Cliff Diving
28/06/2013
Didn't have swings like this when I was a kid!
http://youtu.be/MstAcrQwtNo
Live The Dream, Wear the clothing http://www.moralsarrivederci.com Visit our webstore to get your gear: http://store.moralsarrivederci.com/ Alexander Polli, ...
27/06/2013
Koa Rothman describes the Teahupoo ride that earned him one of our Big Issue covers.
http://bit.ly/122W539
Koa Rothman describes the Teahupoo ride that earned him one of our Big Issue covers.
26/06/2013
High above Chamonix, on the Aiguille du Midi 3777m, the second Alpine Arc’ademy took place.
http://vimeo.com/69129483
High above Chamonix, on the Aiguille du Midi 3777m, the second Alpine Arc’ademy (http://www.alpinearcademy.com) took place from June 14th to 16th 2013: a weekend…
18/06/2013
This is so cool! A must watch :)
http://imaginate.redbull.com/
Danny MacAskill's brand new riding film Imaginate. Enter Danny's mind and enjoy.
18/06/2013
Great photo from our friend Daniel
Haystacks yesterday - anyone hiked it? I think it's my new favourite walk, that Wainwright fella knew what he was on about!
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