There are a lot of Point of View (POV) cameras floating around Whistler these days. You see them jutting up off helmets in every lift line, taped to poles or even strapped onto the hoods of cars. Few people are getting as high quality POV footage as Whistler snowboarder Beau Bishop, however.
Beau has been riding the local mountains for the past 9 years but it was only last season he got himself one of those nifty POV cams and decided to shoot some of his friends ripping the Whistler Blackcomb terrain parks. Sailing over Whistler’s biggest jumps while following behind some of the town’s top riders, Beau captured and spliced together a sweet little “Homie” edit and The Insider caught up with him to talk about it.
Whistler Insider: As a pro rider you’re usually in front of the cameras, how did you end up becoming such a follow-cam master?
Beau Bishop: I got a Contour camera at the beginning of last season and just started following my buds off jumps. I realized this is the best way possible to follow-cam because you are so stable once you get into the air. It is strapped to your head so you’re not shaking or holding it. I just started doing it in the terrain parks and my friends are so awesome that it’s just easy and fun.
Insider: The footage is sweet but have you ever landed on a buddy?
Beau Bishop: Totally. The trick is to get as close to the whoever you’re following as possible. I had to learn how to be close without getting too close. There have been a few minor collisions when someone lands sideways or lands and turns the wrong direction. Nothing serious though.
Insider: Talk about the terrain parks here in Whistler.
Beau Bishop: They’re really good. The jumps have gotten amazing over the years and the past few years they’ve really figured out the jump shapes and the parks are all really flowy. I’ll hit all the different level parks, even the Terrain Garden sometimes. It’s always good to practice little things in the little park. Nothing is too small.
LEFT: Beau’s ticket to ride. RIGHT: Frame-grab of Kevin Sansalone enjoying the terrain park.
Insider: There is a lot of great POV shots of you in the Whistler backcountry in this vid bu where do you recommend people go for good pow on the ski hills?
Beau Bishop: I rip Blackcomb a lot but Harmony Zone on Whistler is great for pow days because it’s big and open. Going up the chair it’s easy to see everywhere you want to go. They have that new Harmony chairlift in there too.
Insider: What’s your favourite cruising run?
Beau Bishop: Ridge Runner on Crystal Ridge. They have a new chair there too actually. A good groom on Ridge Runner is pretty all-time.
Insider: Any sponsors we should mention?
Beau Bishop: Ride Snowboards, Westbeach, Dragon, Stance socks and MyPackage underwear. I’m pumped to have a sock and underwear sponsor.
Insider: It’s snowing right now. What will you do tomorrow?
Beau Bishop: I’m going to ride pow and have fun with the homies.
