Ben Wannamaker Skiboard Giveaway

by Cassandra Curbelo

Here at peta2, we know a good thing when we see it. That's why the many talents and the heart of gold belonging to pro skiboarder Ben Wannamaker have so thoroughly captured our attention. We also know a sweet deal when we see it and have captured, in return, a pair of Ben's brand-spankin'-new animal rights-themed skiboards from Revel8. They're not even on the market yet, but we've got 'em. Enter to win a pair of Ben's boards by filling out the form below.

Aside from being a professional athlete and skiboard designer, Ben's also an international traveler, a musician, a writer, a filmmaker, an environmentalist, an advocate, and (as the icing on the cruelty-free cake) a vegetarian. Yep, our man with the master plan can't stand the taste of dead animals, but he's not leaving his activism at the dinner table—he's taking it to the slopes.

Check out peta2's exclusive interview with skiboarder Ben Wannamaker, where he gives us the straight dope not just on his line of issue-sympathetic skiboards but also on his future plans, his fave munchies, and why it is that so many action sports stars are hip on the veg tip.

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So what's new and exciting in the world of skiboarding?
The past season was great for skiboarders. I was a part of the first-ever World Cup in Romania. I traveled across Canada and the States meeting new talent and filming an upcoming trick tips video entitled Buggard Mouse: The Kook's a Chargin' (available fall '07). Jibbing possibilities and backcountry exploration increased tenfold, new dealers have been popping up all over the world, and new companies are sprouting while the experienced core companies, like Revel8, Skiboardsonline.com, and Bentfilms, are expanding their product lineups to compete with the big ski and snowboard companies.   

Tell us about your line of skiboards and the influence behind the graphics.
Revel8 is all about rider input! It feels like home on that team. I decided this season to use whatever exposure I have to try and create a dialogue and challenge my fellow shredbums to look at the world around them in a different and more critical way. During my time with local Toronto artist and friend J.P King, we chipped away at an idea—an idea that deals with the unnecessary objectification and demoralization of women, colony collapse disorder, purposeless play, factory farming, war, poetry, and the precariousness of our existence within our environment.

How long have you been veg? What was it that made you take on the lifestyle?
Seven years! Life deserves to be respected; it's as simple as that. When I saw the quality of respect for life being thrown to the wayside for things as selfish as convenience and the almighty dollar, it was easy for me to reevaluate something as simple as my eating and spending habits.   

There is definitely a higher percentage of vegetarians/vegans in snowboarding, skating, etc., when compared to other sports. Any ideas on why this might be?
Being a communal breed, I think that ideas are more contagious and shared without a lot of judgment from your shredcrew. Because we're already living "alternative lifestyles," it's easy to give other types of uncommon living a shot, and with the world as it is, living against the grain may not be such a bad thought to consider!  

What's your favorite veg snack that's always close by?
Trail mix with banana chips, or fresh fruit! If only beachside fire-roasted mango with brown sugar and walnuts was always close by!

Any advice for people out there who are considering going veg but are afraid they're not going to have anything to eat?
If you are considering going veg, flex your creative muscles in the kitchen! Since becoming vegetarian, my tasting palate has expanded considerably, and when I eat, it's always food that I love. You can pinpoint exactly what you like and play so much more with ingredients. It's like the White Stripes playing without a bass. They tested the norm and were forced to be extra creative because of it!

What's up next for you?
I'd just like to say R.I.P to my friend Rob Piontek, who will be sorely missed among skaters and shredbums alike. I'm currently recording my second album as well as traveling to Japan for a year, skating, skiing, and freelance writing. I just got a new sponsor, Liberty Skis and I'm probably going to get some tattoos along the way as well. Thanks to my parents, sponsors, and peta2 for this opportunity!

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Thank you, Ben Wannamaker. If you wanna make like Ben (c'mon, like you couldn't see that one coming!) and bound down the slopes on a pair of benevolent boards, enter here to win one set of new-for-2008 Revel8 skiboards designed by Ben himself, complete with bindings. We're also giving away one action-packed copy of Ben's skiboarding film.

Hurry—the contest ends on November 11! If you're the winner, we'll notify you by November 30.

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