JP Walker Leaves FORUM!

J.P. Walker Web Interview

Plainly put, there are few riders who have impacted our sport as enormously as J.P. Walker. The forefather of the infamous turn of the century jib re-emergence has indeed re-emerged with the release of last year’s Forum team video THAT. A few weeks ago, rumors began circulating that J.P. had left Forum Snowboards, the company that he supported and represented since it’s infancy and up until it’s acceptance in the snowboard industry as a full-on mega-brand powerhouse since it’s acquisition by Burton Snowboards. Rumors were verified, sources checked and questions lingered in the silent air above the snow world. I decided to track down the infamous Mr. Walker to get the straight dope, directly from the one source that truly mattered in this scenario. So please, sit back and enjoy SNOWBOARDER’s exclusive interview with the urban uber-pro and Salt Lake City legend in the making; Mr. J.P. Walker.

SNOWBOARDER: First off, how has your winter been?
JP: It has been a difficult winter. I had to take some time off right in the middle of the year because of a sudden family illness so missed out on a lot. Other than that it was super fun.

SNOWBOARDER:Any highlights?
JP: A trip out to Denver for rails when it was getting pounded was pretty good. I’ve got a couple good tricks that people will trip on for sure.

SNOWBOARDER: Are the rumors about you leaving Forum true?
JP: The rumors are true. I’m quitting actually, leaving makes it sound a bit mellow. To be clear on the situation, it doesn’t have anything to do with the team. I’ve got mad love for the guys that are still there.

SNOWBOARDER: Can you elaborate on your departure?
JP: It's turning into  a different company. Everyone that has made it what it is today has been fired or left for something else. I think Burton is taking it over and changing the setup. I’m not really down with the new thought process over there. I have been at Forum since day one and have always put Forum first and now I feel that I have been disrespected by a few of Forum’s senior management. They might tell you it's because I want too much money. I’ll tell you that no amount of money could keep me around. Forum used to be about team input, progressive snowboarding and image, and I don't think they care about that anymore.  I'm not comfortable with a lot of decisions the new management  has made over there. That’s why I straight up quit without even having any other deals lined up. I want to be somewhere (where) I can do more than just snowboard. I want to help make sick videos and be involved in every aspect of the team and marketing.

SNOWBOARDER: Will we be seeing a J.P. video part this fall?
JP: I’ve got some clips stacked up but at this point I can't really say where they will end up.

SNOWBOARDER: Thanks J.P. We look forward to seeing a lot more of you in the near future.

Forum Snowboards RESPONDS!

Yes it is true; JP Walker has moved on and no longer represents Forum and Special Blend. We are disappointed that we could not reach a mutual agreement with his management agency, and are saddened to see him go.

This is not a brand built on empty promises, as we are realistic in our dreams and growth. We have always put the members of our team first, for it is a collaborative effect, not an outlet for individual agendas. We are
completely dedicated to snowboarding and endorse an elite team of professional athletes; the chosen few that work together towards a common goal, resulting in a positive force on the ever-changing market. According to JP, he just didn¹t seem to be a part of this equation, and unfortunately for him, the brand is bigger than one person.

We wish you luck and hope you find what it is that will motivate you to push the level of snowboarding. We will never forget what you have done for us.

COMMENTS

Posted Mon Sep15, 2008, 9:28 PM — By Teido

JP is RIGHT! I support him completely and agree that every year snowboarding is getting more outlandish and commercial. I expected forum to keep the new unique look that the had in THAT, but they became an entirely commercial by using there success to change the face of the company!

Posted Fri Oct 3, 2008, 10:47 AM — By Chad Gap

Iikka should leave forum too. And JP should shove his old forum pro model up a Burton exec's asshole and punch a forum exec out with his chin.

Posted Sat Oct18, 2008, 1:23 PM — By Jason

I support J.P.'s decision fully. Forum has become entirely commercial; bent on becoming more and more notarized each year. It's no longer about revolutionizing the sport at Forum anymore, it's all about being better than everyone, and being more famous. Their riders deserve much better than they're getting, new management or not. I ride NeverSummer and Ride myself...never been much of a fan of Burton or Forum boards anyway. Just like their teams.

Posted Sun Oct19, 2008, 6:35 PM — By Matt

Burton is a monster and should be destroyed. The abominable snowman of winter consumerism, gobbling up market-share competitors with swelling appetite. Anyone who has endured an economics course knows that contributing to the market leader reduces competition and innovative drive. So why buy anything produced/owned by Burton? Burton produces quality product from boards to beanies: everything snowboard. From rock-solid boards, comfortable bindings, durable boots, keep-you-dry-even-when-it's-raining-at-MT HIGH-outerwear, to the unmistakable W48, Burton will not let you down. Burton will replace busted gear and return it faster than it took you to mail it in. Regardless, capitalism will never allow cash-flow-centric corporate madness to appreciate the talented genius that creates marketability of their own industry's product. Corporations will never halt cash-flow to appreciate the serious innovators. Halt consumerism and take a moment of silence for a legend and guardian of shred soul.

Posted Sun Oct26, 2008, 2:59 PM — By mitch

i think Burton is a terrible company that pretends to care about the sport of snowboarding when in actuality there just trying to make money and jp had every right to leave i would like to see shaun white leave and many other of there top pros have them sign with an independent label and make a company for boarders by boarders

Posted Sun Nov 2, 2008, 9:48 AM — By CL Audio

While I agree with JP, Burton is still a business. They are #1 for good reason. More people once they buy a burton (anything) tend to stick with what they like. Anyone who looks at their line-up in either forum or burton can see why. All the best Walker. Let's ride.

Posted Fri Nov 7, 2008, 5:22 AM — By Dustin Davis

I have been a supporter of JP Walker for some time now. I ride his boards with pride! I love what Forum has to offer and have always supported them. I still like what their product has to offer along with Burton, but it has been evident that Forum has changed ever since they joined with Burton! I hope to learn from Buisness marketing in a positive way from this. Always support who you work with when they support and love what they do. Dont let money and growth push away what you have already built! Good luck JP. I will have to try out Step Child!!

Posted Sat Nov 8, 2008, 12:06 PM — By leedawg

yea i dont exactly agree with any of you guys. Burton is a snowboard company just like the rest, who focuses on the progression of snowboarding, the satisfaction of their team, makeing a great product, and satisfying its customers. Who cares if people play it up to be some "monster." make your own damn opinions. Take for instance Jeremy Jones, who left Forum in 2003. He now rides for burton and really likes it. Along with having and improving his own pro model board, he also 100% supports and advertises the new EST setup, not to mention he has his own boots. Most snowboarders are happy with the equipment they have wheter it be burton forum nitro flow libtech etc, so when it all comes down to it, snowboarding is still snowboarding, and no one really cares about the product, as long as it performs well. JP is one of the sickest snowboarders ive ever seen, his video parts are truly inspiring. good luck with your next sponsor and i look forward to seeing your part in the new Mack Dawg video.

Posted Sun Nov16, 2008, 4:51 PM — By Lee

I love Forum abd Burton. I ride a Forum Devan Walsh and I can beat the sh*t outta it and it never breaks or anything. I have burton boots and drake bindings. I like the burton boots, there boards are okay, but i hate forum bindings but love there boards. Everyone is trying to be the best are you kidding. If you don't achieve high quality and good service then you will get stuck behind and possibly go outta business. JP- I'm buying a 2007 board of yours used. Sucks you left and good luck man!

Posted Sun Nov16, 2008, 4:59 PM — By Lee

I love Forum abd Burton. I ride a Forum Devan Walsh and I can beat the sh*t outta it and it never breaks or anything. I have burton boots and drake bindings. I like the burton boots, there boards are okay, but i hate forum bindings but love there boards. Everyone is trying to be the best are you kidding. If you don't achieve high quality and good service then you will get stuck behind and possibly go outta business. JP- I'm buying a 2007 board of yours used. Sucks you left and good luck man!

Posted Wed Dec10, 2008, 3:30 AM — By nn

Im sick of snowboarding without riding...I dont care for burton, I dont care for forum...all I care is to ride board that plays for me on snow...ALL BOARDS ON THE MARKET ARE SHIT... and ill ride my own...go somewhere and make your own board with your own pref and graph. I love it blank... and will destroy you all with mind creation in ridin... I ll get a chance to ride 300 days a year and will film just for my pleasure...and get the power to change the face of a snowboarding... fuck industry, but not the workshoper !!! W..E ACC FUCK YOU ALL THAT NOT UNDERSTAND

Posted Tue Dec16, 2008, 1:46 AM — By Dave

snowboarding is about fun and companies are about profits. one is a sport and one is a business. so if you want to get even with these monster companies... go snowboarding, use the gear that you own, and don't buy anything more! that'll hurt em way more than anything else you can do! i haven't bought a piece of snowboarding gear in ten years! what about all of you that hate these big companies? they get their money from you guys that hate them but still need to buy a new board every year or two! you go to the mountain to snowboard, not to the store! have a nice year riding yer shiny new corporate boards!

Posted Sun Dec21, 2008, 12:42 AM — By Ricky Bobby

Yeah you go boyyyyyyyy.....JP should fucking take over Ride or something and while Burton is gobbling up Forum they can gobble on my cock as well.

Posted Mon Jan 5, 2009, 8:43 PM — By Ryan Woods

Alright everyone, here's the deal and I think most of you will agree with one quote that I came upon. "The best part about supporting Burton, is telling your friend that you are gay." I think that it is clear to most people that Burton is a "power house" in it's image. What ever it takes the company will do to compete against other great companies. And for the people who believe that it's the USA and there should be a competitive market, I'm not doping on that. I'm saying that Burton isn't a loyal company to their people and customers. I think that is why JP left Forum because Burton was taking over too much control. Overall, Burton isn't what it is said to be and JP was the first to take action in quitting because it conflicted with his true love of the sport.

Posted Sat Jan17, 2009, 5:26 AM — By Domen

Some guys before me said he should ride for Ride snowboards, which was many years ago the only real rival to Burton. In terms of technology, approach to the sport, to riders, etc.. From my own experience I can say that their boards were far advanced than Burton's at some point. Jeff Brushie who rode for both would confirm. They had so many great names in their team. Real legends! In past 15 years of riding, I enjoyed with Burton (air, twin), Sims, Lamar, Type A, Atlantis, Nitro, Rossignol and many Ride models, so I know what I'm talkin about. I would say that it's a good idea, if JP would continue career at Ride where he could fulfill his potential. Together they would make a true come back on the scene. This famous brand deserves revival big time! Snowboarding industry doesn't go to right direction at the time, when it should advance to whole new level. We want a new start and a new great Decade for our sport, which is for many of us more than Simple Pleasure. To JP and many years still to

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Posted Sat Feb 7, 2009, 9:06 AM — By rt

most of you people have no idea what it means to be in business and experience longevity as a brand. the orginal mgmt at forum sold out to burton and that is that. business is about making money. good companies will be good at making money bringing quality to the marketplace. burton clearly has done this, and like it or not, they're the #1 snowboarding brand in the world. you as the consumer have a right to choose who to support. . as long as the company takes care of its rides (ex: jeremy jones) and takes care of it's customers (ex: burton's lifetime warranty, outstand product R & A, etc) then you have nothing to bitch about. i personally don't give a sh*t who jp walker rides for, nor do I want to read his dirty laundry in a magazine. I'd rather see his sick video part, maybe consider buying a product he reps, but that's it. he can deal with his own business matters. the minute you bring us vs. them politics into something great its ruins everything. go ride.

Posted Sun Feb22, 2009, 2:58 AM — By Jb

Well I don't know much, all I know is that I am related to him. Second cousin. See you top that yo. Jb

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