Thank U Snowboarding cover art

Thank U Snowboarding

Thank U Snowboarding

Written by: Chris Cracknell
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About this listen

Welcome to “Thank U Snowboarding,” the podcast that dives deep into the rich history and vibrant culture of UK snowboarding. From the early pioneers handcrafting boards in the Scottish Highlands to today’s Olympic medalists and world champions, we’re uncovering the incredible stories behind an island nation that, despite its lack of towering peaks, has made a monumental impact on the snowboarding world.


Join us as we chat with the trailblazers, innovators, and everyday riders who have shaped, and are shaping, this unique scene, exploring what makes snowboarding not just a sport, but a way of life. Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or new to the slopes, our mission is to celebrate the passion that fuels our community and inspire the next generation to hit the mountains. So strap in, and let’s carve our way through the history and culture of UK snowboarding together!

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Chris Cracknell
Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Thank U Snowboarding - S3 - Ep11 - Skier Jim
    Jan 8 2026

    If there had to be one skier who blurs the line between skiing and snowboarding, it is Jim Adlington aka Skier Jim. He doesn't necessarily ski like a skier, and is definitely 'one of us' in terms of personality and outlook. Its quite mad that given the community in Tignes which he would fit right in with, he lives over the mountain in bat shit crazy Val D'Isere, a town which has transformed in many ways since I was last there 31 years ago. In fact Jim lives in the same apartment block that I first lived in for two weeks whilst trying to find a job and life over there when I was 19, which wa a bit of a mind bender.


    Jim owned and ran Planks, a very succesful clothing brand out of Val and he talks candidly about that story arc, why it closed and what he is up to now. He loves DJing, which we did talk about a lot before and after I pressed record (a bit geeky even for me!) we took a walk round Val, Jim certainly is part of the furniture there, we could barely walk for 50 yards without someone stopping to say hi, and it was great to see someone be as fondly regarded as he is.


    Jims love for the mountains is infectious, as is his interest in life. We talked a lot about all sorts of things and the podcast is only part fo that, I"m very much looking forward to hanging out with Jim again as soon as possible (he says loading a bag with vinyl in anticipation of the call...)


    If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com


    If you are interested in merch, we have T's and Hoodies in all sizes, hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com


    We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their sale is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/


    We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/


    I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/


    Peace x

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 51 mins
  • Thank U Snowboarding - S3 - Ep10 - Lewey Payne (Douk Snowboards)
    Jan 1 2026

    If Lewey was hand building snowboards in the Alps, or Japan, no-one would bat an eyelid, but as a guy building boards in the UK, he stands out as different. But Lewey is a prime example of someone being exactly where they want to be in life. Sure, he could be a bit bigger and maybe have an employee or two, but as someone who loved snowboarding, who found someone needing an apprentice to learn how to build snowboards, local to where he lived in the West Country of the UK, whose Dad was working nearby and popped his head it to see they had received his application instantly pushing his CV to the top, is a wild set of circumstances. Or meant to be.


    I enjoyed making this episode so much, from getting to know Lewey and our conversation, to the time spent building a board and getting hands on in his workshop.


    Lewey isn't just a snowboard brand, maybe not even a brand, but he is a craftsman. Every board that comes from his factory has felt his hands a hundred times, the only automated process being a C&C machine to router the shape and the inserts, everything else is done by hand, and it is glorious.


    You can watch the process in a video up on our Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/c2ApXTeo1tM


    And you can find out about DOUK Snowboards by heading to their website here: https://www.douksnow.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooHJEi3JmLCJw0FYx6sCsKvAdTrRlXQNJATkKQRo7UrBprB_2Be


    If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com


    If you are interested in merch, then hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com


    We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their new website with all this seasons product is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/


    We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/


    I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/


    Peace x

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 55 mins
  • Thank U Snowboarding - S3 Ep9 - Stewart Morgan
    Dec 25 2025

    Stewart blasted into the snowboard industry, missioned with hooking up a team of riders and spreading the Oakley name as far and as wide as possible, and boy, did they choose the right person.


    Anywhere he went, he would look after his team and associated people, if he saw someone on the mountain struggling with their goggles, bam, he'd hand them a pair. He was generous to a fault, I can only wince if I think how much product Stewart used to give out, but then again, that was his mission, and Oakley make fucking great goggles. In fact, I've pretty much always used them.


    Stewart took that mentality to other sports too, watching Olympic athletes all wearing Oakley sunnies, that was his doing. His energy for looking after people took him around the world and he has countless outrageous stories to tell, we only scratched the surface in this interview, but he is genuinely one of the most generous individuals to have worked in snowboarding and there are a ton of riders who owe him their careers.


    Thank U Stewart x


    If you want to know more about the Thank U Snowboarding Community Camp in March 26, there are details here: https://thankusnowboarding.wixsite.com/spring2026 or you can email us at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com


    If you are interested in merch, then hit us up at thankusnowboarding@gmail.com


    We are supported by the rad crew at The Snowboard Asylum, and their new website with all this seasons product is online now: https://www.snowboard-asylum.com/


    We are also looked after by Dan and Lizzie at Burton https://www.burton.com/gb/en and Tom at High Days for Volcom https://highdaysltd.com/


    I'd like to take a moment to introduce FourTwenTea, which is delicious tea embibed with CBD oil, which I have been drinking over this summer, just to help keep my brain from overheating. Its completely natural, Jemma, the owner, is a snowboarder and total legend and I can't recommend this stuff enough, so go check it out: https://fourtwentea.com/


    Peace x

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 6 mins
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