TIMELINE / Bird's Story

Birdistory

The J(our)ney.

It all begins with being Papa’s little boy. My father is a pilot. He was flying fighters back in the day. He would leave the house and proclaim to my mother, sisters and me that he was going to fly. So, naturally at 4, I believed that I could fly too. I crawled up on the balcony railing and, with arms outstretched and eyes to the horizon, I flew for the 1st time: directly to the ground.

The dream started as a youngster with imagination and the desire to fly; it was brought to life by skiing and the sense of freedom and peace that the mountain provides. Those of us brought together by peak experiences need an all-encompassing word that reflects our deep appreciation for the beauty that life offers. Bird is the word!

On my journey, I carried the word. I took it with me across continents, borders and boundaries from one precious snow covered mountain zone to the next. Bird was magic. This simple word, combined with a smile, connected me with good people, disarming even the thickest of fronts. Nearly everyone had something to say about Bird, but it was the smiles and dreamy eyes set upon wind crusted, goggle tanned faces that best expressed the word ‘bird’.

The French Alps and the spirit of the Choucas Bird along with the experiences with friends on the Aguilles deepened the meaning of the word. In Norway and Iceland, Rune letters gave the Bird shape. Japan, with the circle of life characters, sang yet another beautiful song.

The Sick Bird Award at free ski competitions in North America several years back, evolved Bird into a word that was heard around the world. In fact, we tried to find out how to say “sick bird” in as many foreign languages as possible. This led to the development of bird speech. Birdisms began springing up left and right. Over the years many friends in our small non-static community have added to the list; “Hey man, what’s the Birdict?” or “Whoa dude, that was Birdly”. We have “What the Bird?” and “She is Birdacious.” Not to forget, what time is it? “Oh, It’s about Bird thirty.” Once again “Bird” brought light to what sometimes seemed a too intense life.

To keep up this freedom and lifestyle, many of my friends are sponsored world-class athletes. They have helped bring success to major names in the action sport and outdoor industries. This has been good for business, but the search for cash sometimes left the spirit of the mountains out of the picture. I lacked the sight of being a sponsored rider and often felt over Birdened by our label-oriented society. So, to make light of it all, I covered the brand names that I did not believe in with duct tape. With the ease of a permanent marker, I wrote “Bird” over the masked name and, without a portfolio, a new sponsor was found.

At Après-ski, although my new label was flat broke, it led to double takes and priceless reactions. Some thought I had given myself a new name, or perhaps was just starved for attention. Whatever the truth was, to the open and perceptive, this small act brought smiles and inquisitive remarks. In turn, strangers became friends and the circle widened. We ALL know that some of the finest ideas are conceived in the bar after a good day flying in the mountains. It was during many of these times, that the Bird’s eyes view came into focus and the full wingspan plan took shape.

With the power of the mountains all around and the ready acceptance and backing from many friends, Birdwhere was born. It is becoming a name people identify and connect with: in the high-energy zones of mountainous British Columbia, to Chamonix with all its power; from the ocean shores of Costa Rica, to reminiscing in the valley over a cold beer on a hot summer day. Bird is the word. Our representatives are those who are A-Where.

During the past several remarkable years, Birdwhere has been worn by full-on characters living their dreams; from champions on the podium, friends charging it in the limelight, to those quietly drinking deep from the energy Source the mountain provides. Birdwhere is making a positive impact on people while the community continually grows. I am so thankful for my friends and their support. Together we are making the dream a reality.

Birdwhere. Clothing that Connects.

Birdwhere, do you want it?