That’s It, It’s Small: The Story of Mini Pipe World Champs
Every spring, the Mini Pipe World Champs (MPWC), one of New Zealand's most iconic snow events, are held at Cardrona Alpine Resort. In That's It, It's Small, Stefan Godman of MB Media House sifts through more than a decade of footage to tell the story of the event and the people behind it. The film captures the culture of New Zealand snowboarding, the importance of grassroots events, and why skiers should stick to the sport where you can still hold your poles like a comfort blanket. New Zealand Snowboarding caught up with Stefan to ask a few questions.
NP: Was it hard to pick shots for the film with everyone going so small?
SG: Yeah. It was like 13 years of average, small riding…hahaha there was a lot of people sending it. It was hard to actually show a mixture of people going smaller, like kids, and people really pushing themselves. It had to have the right mix in there because it’s not just about pros, it’s about everyone who goes in it.
NP: Exactly what it’s about. Mini pipe is for the people. Do you think the old washed-up legends are trying to compensate for anything by only riding mini-pipe?
SG: I think there could be a few people still holding on to the glory days. And maybe riding a mini pipe might be better for their body, maybe their body just can’t handle the longer days. 10 hits max in the pipe and it’s over and done with.
Interview with Ed Leigh in That’s It, It’s Small
NP: How much money did Olly Burke pay you to be featured in this film?
SG: I’m still waiting for his check from tramadol because he’s sponsored, on team tramadol now. He’s getting a helmet made up too. I’ve yet to see it, but I think it’s quite a good size check.
NP: Who’s taking the win this year? Olly or Mitch Brown?
SG: Well, from what I’ve heard, Mitch has been training and he was spotted in the pipe last week boosting…but I’m actually going to throw a wildcard. I’m going to say it could be AJ this year.
NP: Hahaha, I rate that. The one who doesn’t like mini-pipe will take the win, surely.
SG: Yeah, it’s the knees. His knees hurt when he rides pipe.
Olly Burke pumping the reps
NP: Pain is gain. You don’t think Olly’s bicep curls are gonna give him a leg up?
SG: Not really, I don’t know how much doing bicep curls is actually going to help you ride in a mini pipe. I don’t know what the theme was there, maybe a bit of mind game to get something over Mitch.
NP: I reckon it was bit of an intimidation tactic, showing guns. What about between Cam, Rocco, and Zephyr?
SG: Chat I’ve heard throughout the grapevine is that 2 people are going to try to sabotage Cam’s board this year, so he might be taking 4 or 5 boards up and hiding them so he doesn’t get sabotaged.
NP: “They drew first blood, not me…” Cambo has a war heading his way. Do you have any more upcoming projects we can keep an eye out for?
SG: It’s taken me probably like a good solid 3 months to edit this film so I’m going to try to have a wee break but there will be another mini pipe highlight film after this year’s event.
NP: Anything else to add?
SG: I want to thank everyone who turned up for the premiere, turns up for the day of the event year end year out. There’s so many people to thank. I want to thank Mad Dog the most. I am very appreciative of Mad Dog for everything he does. And Jason Beachman for his help. Jase helped me a lot with the edit in the last few weeks. I was still working on the film until 5 PM on the day it was released.
NP: Damn! Talk about deadlines.
SG: Yeah, I hadn’t even seen the film played properly until the premiere. Jase helped me a lot to get things across the finish line. And pains to say it, but I want to thank Olly Burke as well, he was pretty awesome. Wayne Purdy for getting bands sorted. Liam Wiley and Powder Chutes for donating their time and music, that was pretty cool of them. I also want to thank everyone I interviewed: Rocco Jamieson, Aaron Jamieson, Zephyr Lovelock, Mitch Brown, Cam Melville Ives, Tony James, Guy Alty, JJ Rayward, Liam Whiley, Ed Leigh, Sian Leigh, Matt White (Mad Dog), Olly Burke, and Juliane Bray.
Check out previous years mini pipe highlight films below:
