Porkert Bros × Arbor

Last season has brought new challenges and cooperation to Porkert twins. To these changes have contributed their supporting brand providing the sports equipment, their current style of riding, and the need to keep up with trends. Arbor Snowboards, the world's rising brand, has chosen the „Porkertmen“ among its best riders.

After the years of cooperation, there's no need to introduce you to our readers. How did you spend your last season?

Ondra: Last season was great. We rode a lot in Vítkovice. After a long time, I left the season without any serious injury. I tried coaching on two snowboard camps for the first time. Then I visited three stops of the Czech Cup with my brother. I won twice Best Trick and once the third place. What I'm really happy about is making a street and travel video Snow Greetings. It has had two premieres on Nova Sport and is up to be published on the Internet before the beginning of winter! Finally, we also recorded the Welcom Edit from the Austrian Flachau Ski Center for Arbor.

Dan: I and my brother traveled around the Czech Cup races last winter. I won in Vítkovice and in Brno, so I managed to win overall. Then I set off with Ondra and my friend and we were shooting street videos in Sarajevo – this was probably the highlight of the last season for me. We visited two camps as well – the SNOWBOARD ZEZULA Freestyle Camp and the Move On Camp. Hard to choose which one was better! And we finished the season with a trip to the Absolute Park, where we shot something.

  

What can we expect from the Welcom Edit?

Ondra: We filmed the Welcom Edit for Arbor in Flachau for three days. Unfortunately, we had a bad luck because we didn't have the opportunity to try big jumps for the whole time. Due to this fact, we tried even harder to shoot more great tricks on obstacles. And I think they are definitely worth watching.

Dan: In the Welcom Edit, we mostly jib. Right at the time when we were there, they were just repairing the pro-line. However, we have prepared top shots for you so don't miss it. We had a great technique, nice weather, good rap and lots of tricks.

You had the opportunity to finally test the new Arbor snowboard models. Did they impress you?

Dan: Sure thing! I prefer soft boards and the model Formula I used to ride last season is exactly what I like. It feels great to jump or jib on it.

Ondra: I've chosen the Westmark board and I'm excited! It's really playful, has an unconventional shape, and it perfectly works on rails. Leaning on the edge of the snowboard is easy, and the style of jumping is satisfying as well. The only thing I needed to get used to was the binding. I didn't have the classical type of bindings for nine years. But now I find riding on the Hemlock absolutely fine.

How do you view Arbor as a brand?

Ondra: They nail it! (laughs) The snowboard designs are great, and boards ride smoothly in the park and on the powder snow as well. The Arbor team consists of vibrant names like Frank April, Charles Reid or Emil Ulsletten. In addition, their last video was really crazy!

Dan: I regard Arbor as a brand that pushes snowboarding forward. I enjoy their videos and the whole way of self-presentation. And I really appreciate the fact that they don't forget about the environment while making snowboards and skateboards.

 

It seems that you know the riders really well. Is there someone you like the most and would recommend following?

Ondra: I like the creative style of riding by Erik Leon and Frank April. So I recommend watching these two.

Dan: Emil Ulsletten, Mike Liddle, Erik Leon – all three are top riders. But most of all I enjoy watching Frank April.

What do you expect from this season?

Ondra: Definitely riding. (laughs) We would like to try to shoot the second part of the Snow Greetings with Dušan and the boys. And to attend the races that are taken place this year. But the most important thing is riding! Then I would love to visit the SNOWBOARD ZEZULA Freestyle Camp again.

Dan: Street snowboarding and freeriding. It mainly depends on the weather conditions.

If you could choose a place where to spend this winter...

Ondra: I would probably spend this winter in Laax in Switzerland. I haven't been to this place for a long time and I have always enjoyed it a lot.

Dan: Definitely Colorado. I've been there a couple of times and it has always been the best riding for me.

 

"If you're able to drive like Mark McMorris or Marcus Kleveland, you can make a living of snowboarding even in Africa."Dan Porkert

And where are you going for real?

Ondra: I'm definitely going to ride in Austria. And races I haven't attended yet are taken place in Poland and Slovakia. So I have to catch them up this year. Moreover, the Snow Greetings 2 are being planned!

Dan: Like every year I want to spend a few days in Tyrol, Austria, specifically Stubai and Hintertux. And then I would like – according to the snow conditions – to try the street snowboarding within the states of the European Union.

Do you plan to take part in races?

Ondra: I'm definitely gonna participate in a few races. But under the FIS federation just once or twice.

Dan: I haven't planned any races for this winter. Instead, I would like to devote more time to filming. But if an opportunity appears, I'm sure I'll be happy to attend.

Is there a competition among the Czech riders?

Ondra: Yeah, there is a couple of guys who try a are doing pretty well. But those men who rode with us earlier compete just seldom.

And what about the rest of the world? Can you deal with others?

Ondra: The world competition is tremendous. Keeping up to them requires to work at the best places and for 365 days a year.

Dan: Everything is possible but great training conditions are necessary. However, they are not everywhere.

  

Can you make a living of snowboarding in the Czech Republic?

Ondra: When you can ride well, freestyle snowboarding can provide some benefits. For example a lot of traveling. But in our country, it isn't possible to be a full-time snowboarder.

Dan: If you're able to drive like Mark McMorris or Marcus Kleveland, you can make a living of snowboarding even in Africa. Nobody rides like them here in our country. But who knows, there might be someone who is gonna surprise us.

What is winter 18/19 gonna be like?

Ondra: The biggest winter with loads of snow and we'll all ride in town! (laughter)

Dan: Two meters of powder snow every week!

And the last question: Which one of you two is a better rider?

Ondra: The others should tell. (laughs) I don't know.

Dan: The one who is just able to ride and isn't injured. (laughter)

Porkert Bros & Welcome to Arbor edit