As a veteran fan/participant of the freeski scene I have come to realize something:
We kill our legends.
Why is this? As someone who relocated to the beach for school and fell head first into the surfing scene I have noticed one HUGE difference between our sports, that we consistently beat down our icons and surfing lifts them up.
Take Tanner for example. This guy basically MADE our sport. Even if you don't remember it, everyone wanted pow air grinds, Oakley A-frames and an all black get-up, til he switched to all white. He invented the essential concept of style. His switch 7's were insane and I will never forget the switch 450 on at Parkasuarus. And now, because he is 30, and not ripping the most insane features/tricks, people think he's washed up, lame, tired, boring to watch, poser, etc.
I never really realized this til today, when I started noticing Tom Wallisch receiving hate. Generation 2's Tanner. People saying "he's bald, lost style, too much comp, etc" I get that people want to see the best and most cutting edge, but a sport has to have soul to continue. Build up all those old guys, they paved the way and are just as stoked to see the new stuff as well.
This isn't hating, I think the new gen is so much superior skill wise, style wise, film wise, but at the same time, gotta pay respects to the old timers. But hey, maybe that's what half pipe is for?
