Hidden amongst twisted pathways scavenged
by rodents and dog walkers in a neighborhood west of the city, lies the
Boot Knokah. It’s been referred to as a gem in the reputed west
possibly exhaling the last breaths of positivity into a Hollywood like
suburban sprawl. In its simplest form the Boot Knokah is one of the best
constructed DIY jumps the city has ever seen. But the booter is more then
just a snowboard jump it is a testament to what one man and a few hungry
snowboarders with enough dedication can achieve, a place where you can
experience real snowboarding in its purest form. No handouts simply a
way of life built by snowboarders for snowboarders.
The Boot Knokah acquired its space in July of 2000 in an area that few would have thought and the others thought to be inconsiderate. Regardless, while master ramp builder began construction a buzz spread throughout the city faster then rust on the truck that was used to hall the materials. What started out as 16 feet high triumphantly stood taller then the trees in the area at 24 feet two years later. It’s obvious the neighbors don’t especially approve of a structure that hovers the parallel line of their roof tops and more often then not the master builder made the switch to the smooth talker/persuader showing up at his doors and listening to them flex while promising them lights would be out at 11:00pm and convincing them there was no need to involve the city By Law or the Police.
The master donated countless hours,
money and whatever else he could get his hands on, to build what has become
the best place in the city to session. "It's been three and a half
years," says the master "what started out as a jump turned into
a monster." At times, the booter was a mass swarming, at other times,
it was mellow, but there was never a dull moment. He finishes, "I
can remember a rail jam session that lasted until 4:00am and the only
reason the session ended was because the rail fell over." The whole
setup exudes an aura of pure DIY snowboarding. It's hard not to feel it.
It was one of the great experiences. Today, unlike the past four years,
the space where the beast was erected, is beginning to
show new signs of life. The city will soon bulldoze a thru way or build
some new houses. But irregardless of outside forces, what went down in
that backyard will remain forever in the minds of those who participated.
