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Join host Adam Short as he sits down with Gerry Lopez and Anne DosPassos to tell the origin story of the Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge and how Aloha isn't just something you say; it's something you practice. From naming wind lips after beloved breaks to shaping courses that move with rhythm and flow, the tradition holds tight to family, fun, and creativity over results.
You’ll hear how the event came alive when builders decided to make waves out of snow, transforming a hillside into a frozen lineup where every rider can draw their own line. We honor the influence and contribution to the sport of snowboarding of Pat Malendowski—his eye for terrain, his unassuming style, and the mentorship that helped launch terrain park builder Alex Storjohann into shaping some of the best courses on snow today. And how that passing of the torch didn’t just preserve the event; it's allowed it to continue to grow and evolve.
Community sits at the center. Entry fees and auctions support environmental groups, non profits and most importantly people. Friends like Pat Malendowski and Michelle Schnake, longtime pillars of the scene now facing serious health challenges. That’s Aloha in practice: celebrating together on the hill, then showing up when it matters most.
If you care about snowboard culture, surf-inspired course design, and events that give back, this story will land. Hit play, and make sure to show up at this years Big Wave Challenge at Mt. Bachelor March 26 to 29, 2026 and tell us what Aloha means to you.
If the episode moves you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs a little extra stoke today.
The Circling Podcast is proud to be in partnership with Bend Magazine. Claim your five-dollar annual subscription when you visit www.bendmagazine.com and enter promo code: PODCAST at checkout. Your subscription includes 6 issues of our regions top publication celebrating mountain culture, and four bonus issues of Bend Home and Design, the leading home and building design magazine in Central Oregon.
Support The Circling Podcast:
Email us at: [email protected]
Join the Circling membership: patreon.com/Thecirclingpodcast
Follow us on Instagram @thecirclingpodcast @bendmagazine
Cover Song by: @theerinsmusic
Bend Magazine. Remember to enter promo code: Podcast at checkout for your five-dollar annual subscription. https://bendmagazine.com.
BOSS Sports Performance: https://www.bosssportsperformance.com
Back Porch Coffee: https://www.backporchcoffeeroasters.com
Story Booth: https://www.storyboothexperience.com
Remember, the health of our community, relies on us!
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By Adam ShortSend a text
Join host Adam Short as he sits down with Gerry Lopez and Anne DosPassos to tell the origin story of the Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge and how Aloha isn't just something you say; it's something you practice. From naming wind lips after beloved breaks to shaping courses that move with rhythm and flow, the tradition holds tight to family, fun, and creativity over results.
You’ll hear how the event came alive when builders decided to make waves out of snow, transforming a hillside into a frozen lineup where every rider can draw their own line. We honor the influence and contribution to the sport of snowboarding of Pat Malendowski—his eye for terrain, his unassuming style, and the mentorship that helped launch terrain park builder Alex Storjohann into shaping some of the best courses on snow today. And how that passing of the torch didn’t just preserve the event; it's allowed it to continue to grow and evolve.
Community sits at the center. Entry fees and auctions support environmental groups, non profits and most importantly people. Friends like Pat Malendowski and Michelle Schnake, longtime pillars of the scene now facing serious health challenges. That’s Aloha in practice: celebrating together on the hill, then showing up when it matters most.
If you care about snowboard culture, surf-inspired course design, and events that give back, this story will land. Hit play, and make sure to show up at this years Big Wave Challenge at Mt. Bachelor March 26 to 29, 2026 and tell us what Aloha means to you.
If the episode moves you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs a little extra stoke today.
The Circling Podcast is proud to be in partnership with Bend Magazine. Claim your five-dollar annual subscription when you visit www.bendmagazine.com and enter promo code: PODCAST at checkout. Your subscription includes 6 issues of our regions top publication celebrating mountain culture, and four bonus issues of Bend Home and Design, the leading home and building design magazine in Central Oregon.
Support The Circling Podcast:
Email us at: [email protected]
Join the Circling membership: patreon.com/Thecirclingpodcast
Follow us on Instagram @thecirclingpodcast @bendmagazine
Cover Song by: @theerinsmusic
Bend Magazine. Remember to enter promo code: Podcast at checkout for your five-dollar annual subscription. https://bendmagazine.com.
BOSS Sports Performance: https://www.bosssportsperformance.com
Back Porch Coffee: https://www.backporchcoffeeroasters.com
Story Booth: https://www.storyboothexperience.com
Remember, the health of our community, relies on us!