Peter Bauer on top of the podium once again!

Back in the day Peter Bauer dominated the sport of snowboarding, becoming World Champion at the end of the eighties. Although Peter no longer competes on the world scene he is still a pivotal member of the world snowboard community. In 2005 Peter founded Amplid snowboards, a small core brand dedicated to creating the best snowboards in the world. Last month Peter was awarded the EuroSIMA Lifetime Achievement Award an award voted for by the EuroSIMA Mountain Division for his contribution to the development of the sport, business and culture of snowboarding in Europe. This is what he had to say…

Peter Bauer: “I have been very surprised and stoked – it’s a great honor for me to receive an award for a “lifetime achievement”, thinking that I get awarded for doing what I loved to do. Looks like following your heart and your passion, and share it day by day with others, is something well perceived. To be honest my mind couldn’t participate at the party to its full extent, simply because we were expecting a kid that same night, and I was super alert to drive my girlfriend Julia to the hospital. The phone indeed rang after my fifth alcohol free beer, while chatting with the SOURCE crew at the bar – and six hours later I received another award! Lots of emotions that one night…”

Only last week Snowboard Review attended the UK snowboard test in Kaunertal and we were able to try some of Amplid’s offerings for the coming season.  And I can tell you - they make some serious product! On the Tuesday, Jay who distributes Amplid in the UK was particularly chipper. Wondering what was up, I asked Jay why his smile was ear to ear…“Peter Bauer is coming up to ride with us this afternoon” beamed Jay. Sure enough when we strolled past the Amplid tent around mid day, there was Peter with a number of prototypes he was trying for the 2010/11 season. Not only did Peter ride all afternoon with Jay and the boys from Big Dreams snowboard shop, he also presented Benny from Big Dreams with one of his old Burton Safaris from his race days so Benny could display it in his store along side the range of Amplid decks. Jay also tells me that Peter rides 2 hours for every morning of the winter season. Not only does Peter contribute infinitely to snowboarding on an industry level, he also makes sure the little guys involved with the grass roots of the sport are having a fun ride too and for that Mr Bauer, we salute you.

Snowboard Review’s review of the Amplid Hi-Def and Falcanoid will be posted in July.

Posted by Rich Ewbank in Features.

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