Natural selection has long been one of my favourite snowboard events, and pretty much the only one that really manages to capture freestyle focused free ride properly.
They are expanding to cover other events, one of which is MTB, taking over proving grounds.
Given the recent hoohah over Rampage, might this be an alternative that takes more of a focus on terrain over tricks?
Interesting to see that Zink and Emil, Carson and Caset Brown are the “advisory council” - make of that what you will. More here:
https://www.bikemag.com/news/natural-selection-tour-bike-expansion
On a side note they are doing a ski event too, which Candide Thovex is signed up for - this will be my 35th season snowboarding, but Candide remains my favourite person to watch ride a mountain, and is one of the mistiest dudes out there so to get him on board is quite something.
What the people want!
Here's the full press release from Natural Selection:
PRESS RELEASE: Natural Selection
With Mother Nature as the main character and top athletes from each sport being cast, Natural Selection Tour is set to elevate the landscape of competitive adventure sports in 2025. Natural Selection will expand from its roots in snowboarding into surfing and skiing, and evolve the storied Proving Grounds events into Natural Selection Bike. This move underscores the Tour’s unwavering commitment to blending nature’s raw beauty with cutting-edge technology, creating an unparalleled experience for athletes and fans alike. All 2025 events will be available to watch on Red Bull TV.
Since its inception, the Natural Selection Tour has been rider-driven. This continues with the formation of NST Advisory Councils in each sport. “Something special happens when a world-class venue aligns with prime conditions, and the most fluent riders in that particular language have the stakes raised through competition,” said Travis Rice, pro snowboarder and founder of the Natural Selection Tour.
Rice continued, “After years of inbound inquiry and conversations, it has become apparent that we have a lot to share with these incredible subcultures and communities. New events are desired, and frankly needed. Our roots are nature, athletes and culture first. We believe Natural Selection is in a position to help define what the future holds for these sports. However, this is a collaborative effort, and we want you to join us for this journey! We can’t do this alone.”
At the heart of this expansion is a dedication to Mother Nature as the ultimate stage for competition. Each event will unfold within windows that strive to align with optimal natural conditions, allowing athletes to harness the elements as they showcase their skills. This dynamic approach invites unpredictability, as nature herself guides each event's rhythm and flow.
“Natural Selection’s vision has always been to combine elite athletes, at epic venues, in prime conditions. We invest in the highest production quality possible and empower the athletes to spearhead the competition format,” added Carter Westfall, CEO of Natural Selection Tour. “Our ultimate goal is to produce content that inspires our audience to deepen their engagement with the outdoors. Since we launched in Jackson Hole in 2021, the ski, bike and surf communities have expressed a desire to develop something similar in their respective worlds; the right people are in place to help us effectively execute in 2025.”
To judge the competitions, Natural Selection will implement its CREDO criteria across all four sports: Creativity, Risk, Execution, Difficulty, and Overall Impression. “A focus on fluidity and the seamless fusion of diverse riding styles, allows those who can weave together every facet of their sport to rise to the top,” said Liam Griffin, COO of the Natural Selection Tour. “By spotlighting artistry alongside athleticism, the Tour aims to inspire a new generation of riders to explore the boundaries of their potential.”
NST Advisory Councils include some of the most respected athletes in each sport. “The Tour is fortunate to have athletes of this caliber steering Natural Selection’s evolution in a way that stays true to their communities,” said Circe Wallace, co-founder of Natural Selection Tour. “Their unique perspective and firsthand experience make them both the dreamers and sages of these events’ future.”
The inaugural NST Bike Advisory Council will include Casey Brown, Emil Johansson, Carson Storch, and Cam Zink. For NST Surf, Rob Machado, Nathan Florence, and two female surfers (announcing soon) will lead the vision board. Michelle Parker, Chris Benchetler, Kristi Leskinen, Markus Eder, Candide Thovex, and Sammy Carlson are at the current helm for NST Ski. And in snowboarding, Tour veterans including Hana Beaman, Chris Rasman, and Robin Van Gyn will guide the next NST Snow evolution, alongside Rice.
Red Bull TV will serve as the primary broadcast partner for Natural Selection Tour events, and as the exclusive home for snowboarding events including YETI Natural Selection DUELS, the two days of live broadcasting from the YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke, along with YETI Natural Selection Ski. Natural Selection Bike and Surf will stream on Red Bull TV along with additional platforms chosen to amplify their reach in year one.
Natural Selection Surf
Natural Selection Surf will feature a compelling mix of surfers riding perfect waves of consequence deep in the Pacific Ocean. Cutting-edge camera technology will capture the beauty and power of the ocean while showcasing competitive surfing at its highest level. Surfers will be faced with navigating intense, natural conditions and fellow competitors in an exciting new format. Jodi Young will oversee operations, along with Travis Ferre of Inherent Bummer and photographer Jason Murray, who are helping to bring the surf crew together for the new event.
Air Date: February 2025
Location: Micronesia
Broadcast: Available on Red Bull TV and other providers
Social: @naturalselectionsurf
“I’ve been a fan of Natural Selection snowboard events since the beginning. Surfing at its purest is a dance with nature, and this event will capture that energy perfectly. I’m looking forward to seeing a unique mix of surfers come together on one special wave in fun, yet consequential conditions. It should be a moment to remember.” — Rob Machado, Professional Surfer, NST Surf Advisory Council
Natural Selection Bike
Building on the legacy of the storied Proving Grounds events in Oregon founded by Todd Barber, Natural Selection Bike debuts in an all-new, New Zealand-based dream venue under Barber’s guidance. “Proving Grounds started as a rider-driven competition to bring various aspects of mountain biking together on one venue and further what freeriding competition can look like,” said Todd Barber, COO of Natural Selection Bike. “As the event grows into a global force with the debut of the new venue in New Zealand, we are hoping to expand on that vision. And expand in a sustainable way that both grows freeriding for men and women and honors Mother Nature.”
Natural Selection Bike is an evolution from Proving Grounds in Prineville and the Pacific City event hosted by Carson Storch in 2023. The event starts with a qualifier called Dream Track followed by a one-day final that will be open to the public; Natural Selection Bike will bring together the best men’s and women’s riders from big mountain, slopestyle, freeride, and downhill. They will compete in a new, dream venue located in the adventure and biking mecca of Queenstown, New Zealand.
Dates: February 8 and 9 (Dream Track) - February 15, 2025 (NST Bike Finals Day)
Air Date: Late February 2025
Location: Tāhuna Queenstown, Aotearoa New Zealand
Broadcast: Exclusive on Red Bull TV international
Social: @naturalselectionbike
“There are so many parallels between these four sports and ways that we can pull inspiration from one another. As the event evolves from Proving Grounds into something bigger as Natural Selection Bike and to the stunning new venue on New Zealand’s South Island, I am looking forward to helping to share what is possible for freeriding in a whole new light.” — Casey Brown, Professional Mountain Biker, NST Bike Advisory Council
Natural Selection Snow
Natural Selection kicks off with DUELS in six global locations, a qualifier for some riders for the main event. In mid-March, 24 athletes will gather at the YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke for two days of exclusive live competition broadcast on Red Bull TV. Viewers will immerse themselves in an unparalleled freeride competition as the world’s top snowboarders push the limits of their craft in the awe-inspiring landscape of Interior British Columbia.
Dates: March 10-17, 2025
Location: Revelstoke, BC, Canada
Broadcast: Two days of live coverage exclusively on Red Bull TV
Social: @naturalselectionsnow
“Snowboarding at Natural Selection has always been about finding the perfect line. I can’t wait to see how the Tour highlights that same quest for the perfect line in other sports.” — Robin Van Gyn, Professional Snowboarder, NST Snow Advisory Council
Natural Selection Ski
Natural Selection Ski will gather fans’ favorite men’s and women’s skiers from slopestyle to freeride, as they navigate Alaska’s most iconic zones. Utilizing innovative filming techniques, including high-speed drones, the event will capture the artistry of skiing in breathtaking detail, allowing viewers to experience each carve and jump as if they were there on the slopes.
Air Date: Mid-April 2025
Location: Alaska
Broadcast: Available on Red Bull TV and other channels
Social: @naturalselectionski
“Skiing in these incredible landscapes and finding new ways to approach the mountains is what it's all about for me. This Tour’s blend of showcasing the natural beauty and challenge of skiing, but on a competition platform will be completely fresh. Looking forward to seeing what everyone brings to Alaska.” — Michelle Parker, Professional Skier, NST Ski Advisory Council
Like-minded partners are coming together to help develop and support the Natural Selection Tour. YETI is back as the Title Partner of the DUELS and Revelstoke snowboarding events and the Tour’s Official Sustainability Partner. YETI will also title the inaugural Natural Selection Ski event. Arc’teryx returns as the Tour’s outerwear partner. Oakley, adidas Five Ten, Ski-Doo, and Dakine have also signed on early as NST partners. More 2025 partners will be announced throughout the fall and winter.
OOO, this is exciting.
No conflicts of interest to effect "judging" here
OK but RedBull is still involved
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