The Trifecta: Snow, skate and surf in one day with Burton

Burton

Bucket List: (noun) A number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.

For all of us boardnerds with a bucket-list, there is one item these lists were basically created for: The Trifecta. A one-day mad dash of all three boardsports; snow, skate, surf.

It’s an experience that requires an overwhelming amount of gear, serious commitment, and a rare location that offers access to all three. Lucky for us, Alex Andrews and John “JG” Gerndt from Burton came out to Oregon, coordinated the entire trip, and led a squad of thirteen froth-puppies from Hood to coast that included nine first-time Trifectians.

It’s hard to explain the shared stoke in the air during a trip like this… Think of three of your favorite things in the world, it could be anything: Pizza, Black Sabbath, mini golf, cliff jumping, corn dogs, Nicolas Cage movies. Now do all of it in the same day. You’re amping.


Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Alex’s Astro-Van is BOSS. Solar powered, lifted, AWD, and full of candy. Traveling in style.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Step one: snowboard. Group shot on Mt. Hood.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Virgin Trifectian, Chris Cahill made his way down from Evo Seattle with a mission to get messy.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon A slush rippin’, elbow dippin’ Chris Cahill.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Was it really coincidence Burton organized a 13-person Trifecta trip (myself included)? Maybe, maybe not…

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Downloading off of Palmer Glacier after a solid morning of shred. Onwards to the skatepark.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Step two: skate. This crew was all time.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Alex Andrews, disaster at Beaverton Skatepark.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Front tail in the mini pocket. Jeremy Matherly.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon This is Oregon. Hikes through an old growth forest come included with surfing.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Step three: surf. The Oregon coast is incredible.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Ahh shit, let’s get pitted boyz. Alex & John “JG” Gerndt, visionary product designer at Burton

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Who the hell do all these soft-tops belong to? Surf preparations.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon True skate, surf and snow ripper. Tactic’s Justin James

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Ladies and gents; Jeremy Matherly of US Outdoor, aka Mad Dawg, aka Trifecta MVP. Dude absolutely ripped everything.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon We came, we saw, we Trifecta’d.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Wetsuit scarecrows protecting our campsite from the night terrors.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon JG, hunting for a beer.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon The Dutch-Oven: camping’s version of “set it and forget it’.”

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Alex Andrews, King of Froth

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon Don’t worry, only cans were on the other end of this firing line.

Burton Trifecta snowboarding skateboarding surfing Oregon The best part of waking up.

Trifecta Takeaways


Most important lesson learned: Drink water, lots of it. Maybe even eat banana. Otherwise you’ll end up like 10 of us idiots, drifting out to sea with seizing muscle cramps.
Most valuable tool: BB-guns.
Worst bet lost (and not fulfilled): Naked run and plunge into Trillium Lake.
Special Guest: JG. The legendary Burton board builder and OG froth-puppy.
Tubes of sunscreen: Seven, and you will still got roasted.
Costco meats: So farty.
Soft-top surfboards: duh.

Serious question: If all you had to do was get on a bus loaded with booze and food. Would you travel to Oregon to do the Trifecta?

A big thank you to Alex, JG, and Burton for bringing all of us, including evo, Tactics, US Outdoor, and Hillcrest Sports together for truly one of the most remarkable experiences in boardriding.

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