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___About___
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Skunkboy.net is dedicated to, but not limited to, all the youth who choose to get out there and prove to the world that they are not a wuss--Those who are not satisfied with keeping their feet on the ground at all times. Need we say more? Well, just in case, we will say some more anyway:
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Skunkboy and his team get out to the slopes and the skate parks and photograph all the courageous people out there who take those skis and those wheels off the ground and do some tricks. Our tools are professional 35mm cameras and digital cameras, all ready to capture these brief moments of truth on film or on solid-state.
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On our website, you will see kids just getting started with their talents, teens and adults who are perfecting them, and anyone who is just plain nuts.
But why the site? Ninety percent of the time, when families go on vacation, they make sure they take the camera with them; but, when on vacation, they don't do the tricks that are so radical they're only done once in a lifetime or could result easier in breaking a bone; after all, it's vacation. Those things are saved for the local resorts; but, who takes a camera out locally?
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This is where skunkboy.net comes in handy. Instead of going out, doing your thing, and going back home, to school, or just chillin' with friends and saying, "You should've seen it. I...." ...while they're thinking, "Yeah. Uh huh. Sure you did," now it's possible to go home, pull the pictures up on computer and say, "See! I told you I...!"
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Something I read on another site that caught my attention:
When a boy or girl puts their hands in ours, it may be smeared with chocolate ice cream, or grimy from petting a dog, there may be a wart under the right thumb, or a bandage around the little finger, but the most important thing about the hands is that they are the hands of the future. These are the hands that someday may hold a Bible or a revolver, play the piano or spin a gambling wheel, gently dress a bleeding wound, or tremble wretchedly controlled by a drug-addicted mind. Right now that hand is in ours. It asks for help and guidance, it represents a full-fledged, mini-personality to be respected as a separate individual whose day-to-day growth into adulthood is our responsibility.
Boys will be boys, Girls will be girls, we have all been there, we have all experienced life,
People need guidance, understanding that guidance & helping others benefits us all in community.
Wayne, CSR
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One of the biggest things that keeps us going with the site is knowing that it’s a positive view of a group normally seen only for the bad. There’s no drugs, no violence, no crime, etc. featured on this site but rather a showcase of youth diverting their talent into something positive. Watch the news, read the news, listen to the news; what do you see and hear? It’s not often that a positive light shines through. At least with skunkboy.net, there is a chance to show that the upcoming generation isn’t all that bad.
Athletes on our site have used our content to become sponsored. We do not actively seek sponsorship for people. However, we fully encourage those who want to pursue the sport to seek sponsorship for themselves. We will gladly look over any ideas you may have and offer our suggestions or just answer questions.
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Aric Degroot had this to say about Skunkboy.net in August 2005:
hey man spAz here just wanted to drop a message by thankin u for all your time out on the slopes…ive recently been picked up by a local shop with full ride from burton to hit up the national events this year including the US OPEN and these pics helped prove myself worthy of the task…so again thanks!
yours truly,
Aric DeGroot
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Paul himself received recognition in September 2005, on the front page of Skiboards.com. He also received new 2006 Summit nomad99 skiboards and bindings for this season. His photos are now featured in their gallery.
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In January 2006 the Grand Rapids Press emailed skunkboy.net for confirmation to use Ashley’s photos in two articles. As quoted per the news posting at skunkboy.net:
Congratulations go to Ashley Vander Meer for winning her division of the latest Rare Air Fest at Cannonsburg Ski Resort in Michigan. The following are excerpts from the article featured in The Grand Rapids Press:
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Ashely Vander Meer, 17, of Caledonia, won the women’s snowboarding division. Other winners were Brady Burnette in 18-and-over snowboarding, Matt Clancy in 14-17 skiing, and Corey Kazlow in 14-17 snowboarding.
Women’s division winner, Vander Meer, came off the hill after a vicious spill to bounce back on her next attempt.
It’s fun, life can’t be boring, said Vander Meer, 17, junior at Middleville. I must have leaned too far back on my last jump and I probably won’t try that one again for a while.
But I live for the thrill.
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Parents have contacted us in appreciation for taking photos of their children out on the slopes. Grandparents and out of state relatives have sent us email thanking us for putting up photos of their loved ones. Years later we get email from people who used to do crazy things in the park or on the slopes – and can’t believe that their photos are still on the site, allowing them to relive a memory or two.
A father had this to say about including his son in the LES video. This was the first and only time Paul had met Justin.
Just wanted to tell you how very nice your video was. Justin was thrilled to be in it. As his father it was pretty cool to watch him in your production. I am an executive in one of the worlds largest banks and in hiring I look for ingenuity and creativity which you exhibit in this website. You have done a great job and I am sure you will be very successful in all of your endeavors.
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We have pictures on the site that range from policemen’s sons to volunteer firefighters (he’s actually skiing in his fireman’s coat in Lake Effect State).
This site is not limited or selective, we give everyone a fair chance to be seen, recognized, and appreciated.
Skunkboy.net began its life in 1996 as a small Prodigy site that was used to host pictures of the people Paul rode with.
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Other people had asked Paul to take their pictures. From there, the site took on a life of its own and year after year Paul was requested to take photos. He’s been invited to different resorts and had owners of the resorts give him special permission to restricted places, so that he could take pictures.
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Over the years, some resorts had given Paul free season passes, because they know that were Skunkboy is so are the riders, and skiers. Proven time and again that when we post on the site that we are going to be out on certain days, people make plans to meet up at the resort.
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The site received over one-point-eight-(m)illion page views in January 2006, quadrupling in size since moving to a dedicated server in May 2005 and for the remainder of the ski/snowboard season had surpassed two-(m)illion pageviews each month as well. Even despite recently downsizing to ease upkeep of the site and making the hard decision to (hopefully only temporarily) remove summer sports, the site still showcases over five-hundred recognized athletes; several of whom are sponsored by various companies.
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The site makes no money, and has no desire to make money by ads or selling the photos now or in the future. After all even if we sold the photos for $1 each what 9 year old has a credit card? Or could afford the thousands of photos we take a year? All time, effort, equipment, and gas to get to the resorts are either out of pocket or provided by sponsors such as Magnum Graphix.
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Skunkboy.net is not affiliated direectly with any resort or business other than our hosting sponsor. There are no ads, registration, or other requirements to login on the site and external links are moderated regularly to protect our visitors.
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Names on the site are given freely by the people themselves or in some cases their friends. If anyone requires a name changed to an abbreviated name, first name, initials, or a nickname, or on occasion removed entirely we accommodate those requests as quick as we can.
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Skunkboy.net has a bright future celebrating its 12th anniversary as the 07-08 ski and snowboard season takes place.
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