Quiksilver Down Low 2010 from Andrew Wyton on Vimeo.
The Downlow started 7 or 8 years ago as the brainchild of Tropical North's Kevin Morris. The goal was to host a super exclusive contest with only select riders(like a dozen max) being invited to participate. Riders were to meet hours prior to the comp and then the feature would be unveiled. No entry fees, no insurance, no waivers, no liability, just snowboarding. The first comp was held in the wee hours of the morning at the Church rail in Barrie (I think). Prizing was booze and booze and cash. Word spread thanks to the internet and the following year the shop was flooded with calls asking how riders could enter. But once again, only a small group of Ontario's best riders were invited.
Apparently, the downlow was filling a vacancy in the Ontario scene and the future potential really became apparent the third year. Thanks to sites like snowboard.com, word spread that this contest was sort of a proving ground and the phone started ringing weeks before the date was even set. Rumours ran rampant about what the actual feature would be. Not being one to dissappoint, Kev once again kept the rider pool small and talented, which was a good thing considering the feature was a 40 foot night time road gap. A trailer complete with lights was brought in to illuminate the landing, but the run in might have been scarier than the actual gap, an unlit snowmobile tow in through an uneven corn field. This might have been the second year of the infamous Downlow belt as well, a full on wrestling belt awarded to the winner, along with booze and cash. This was the last year the contest would be truly Downlow, as it had grown beyond anyones expectations and a more permanent venue was needed.
Based on close ties and friendships Mount St. Louis was chosen as the venue, with the condition that they make some next level Evil Knievel style shit. Luckily Park guy Craig Burley has no problem blowing peoples minds on a daily basis with the MSLM park and the downlow was his opportunity to flex his park building skills. Quiksilver pitched in to help and what had started as a few guys standing around in the middle of the night at a handrail had turned into an end of the season party with live music, free BBQ and loose judging that let the riding actually determine the winner.
Highlights over the years have included massive gaps, 140 foot long boxes, frontside and backside linked pipe gaps, quarter pipe gaps, a massive booter gapping over the quarter pipe (only Kevin's (Konings and Scriver) hit this before it was shut down) and LS wrecking his shoulder in the morning on the pipe gap, going to the hospital and returning to perform in the afternoon with broken shoulder in sling. The Downlow has been and is, a one of a kind contest thats evolved over the years but progression has always been the focus and its never dissappointed. Thanks to Kev at Tropical North, Mount St. Louis Moonstone for letting the circus come to town, Quiksilver, Kahuna for continuing the tradition and all the shreds in Ontario for making this one of the best on-hill days every season!
