Pro Surfer Ricardo dos Santos Shot to Death by Off-Duty Cop The surfing community unites in mourning the tragic loss of Brazilian surfer Ricardo dos Santos, who was shot outside of his home on Monday. Amongst conflicting reports, it appears that dos Santos, 24, was killed by an off-duty police officer at 8:40 am. One witness says dos Santos asked the officer and his brother to leave the beach outside his home, after spotting them using drugs and playing loud music. Another report says the altercation arose from a parked car on dos Santos’ property. Local police have taken two brothers , 25 and 17, into custody. The older of the two is reported to be the off-duty cop, and […] Industry News ameliatraynor | January 21, 2015 1 Comment
NASA and NOAA: 2014 Hottest Year on Record The year 2014 ranks as Earth’s warmest year since 1880, according to two separate reports by NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists. Excluding 1998, the 10 warmest years have all occurred since 2000. Since temperature records began in 1880, the global average has increased by 1.4° Fahrenheit. This trend is largely driven by the increase in carbon dioxide and other human emissions into the planet’s atmosphere. The majority of that warming has occurred in the past three decades. Weather ameliatraynor | January 21, 2015 0 Comments
NOAA Predicts “Weak” El Niño Event There is an approximately 50-60% chance of El Niño conditions during the next two months, according to a report released by the Climate Prediction Center at the NOAA. NOAA states that ENSO(El Niño/Southern Oscillation)-neutral conditions continue, with positive equatorial sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies continue across most of the Pacific Ocean. During December 2014, positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies decreased across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. Weather ameliatraynor | January 20, 2015 0 Comments
Lindsey Vonn’s Record-Breaking 63rd Victory Lindsey Vonn cemented her legacy as the best women’s skier in history, winning the super-G on Monday to break Annemarie Moser-Proell’s 35-year-old record of 62 World Cup victories. For her 63rd win, Vonn clocked 1 minute 27.03 seconds down the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy to finish 0.85 ahead of Austrian Anna Fenninger. Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein was third, 0.92 back. It was Vonn’s first win in super-G this season, and her fourth overall this campaign, displaying an impressive return after two right knee injuries kept her from competing in Sochi last year. ameliatraynor | January 19, 2015 0 Comments
California’s Dec. Snowfall Not Enough to Combat Drought Despite heavy precipitation in the first two weeks of December, California is in need of even more rain and snow to tackle its crippling four-year drought. In a report released by the Department of Water Resources, officials state that while there is more snow in the Sierras than last year at this time, the snow water equivalent statewide remains far below average for this date. The DWR conducted the survey near Echo Summit, about 90 miles east of Sacramento. According to DWR’s Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow […] Weather ameliatraynor | January 15, 2015 2 Comments
Ski and Snowboard Bungee Jumping in Tignes, France The adrenaline junkies over at Tignes Ski Resort in France have come up with the first ever ski and snowboard bungee jump. This insane new feature lets skiiers and snowboarders hook in to two bungee cords, then race down a 98-foot ramp followed by a 131-foot drop. Combining skiing, bungee jumping, and zip-lining, the ramp in Tignes is the first bungee jump dedicated exclusively to skiing. It was invented and developed by a French company called Bun J Ride, who describe it as an “adrenaline overdose” that is suited “for everyone”. Although the rider in the video seems to bail just before his launch, a more graceful […] ameliatraynor | January 14, 2015 0 Comments
Avalanche Education Center Directory | Every Avy Class in the USA: Avalanche safety training can mean the difference between life and death in the backcountry. From safe travel, avalanche terrain recognition, and snowpack layering to basic stability testing and companion rescue, there’s a lot to learn about backcountry avalanche risk. Before you’re ready to send it, check out Freeskiier’s list of local avalanche course centers to find one near you. This directory is presented by Arva Snow Safety Equipment. Arva has been designing avalanche safety equipment for over twenty-five years, and is consistently working with mountain patrollers and rescuers to […] Avalanche ameliatraynor | January 14, 2015 4 Comments
NOAA: Winter Weather Advisory for Utah | 8 – 12” of Snow Forecast NOAA has placed a winter weather advisory early this morning for the Northern Wasatch region in Utah. Snow has increased to a steady rate, and is expected to become heavy this afternoon in the mountains of Northern Utah. The region is expected to get up to a foot of fresh snow in the next 24 hours. From Wasatch Snow Forecast: Precipitation will slowly spread south late today and tonight through the entire state with snow above 6,000 feet. Mountain accumulations should be in the 6-12″ range, with up to 15″ possible in favored locations like the upper Cottonwoods. Weather ameliatraynor | January 12, 2015 0 Comments
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