Benoit at the 2007 Tim Brauch contest

Check Benoit's run at the 2007 Tim Brauch contest here

New sk8 photos

Benoit catching nice air at Scotts Valley.

More photos here

Epic Bouldering Session at Castle Rock

Brian and I met Rob at Castle Rock on Sunday afternoon. We found that place at Indian Rock which has some "new" boulders.

We got shut down by a few problems which are not in the video. Next time, if we can send them.

Nice arete at Indian Rock (Castle Rock)

Brian, Rob and I wanted to climb that nice arete at Castle Rock. It must be around 15 feet tall but with flat landing.
The challenge is that the holds are brittle and sandy, especially the hold at the lip is paper thin.

Brian does look a bit nervous.

Rob spotting me during my sent. I was a bit scare since I could not quite reach the lip.

Lucas visiting Watsonville farm with his class

Lucas's class visited a Watsonville's farm. They harvested apples.


Lucas.

Lucas with the "epouvantaille".

The farmer playing some old country style music.

Lucas chatting with Andrea his teacher.

Benoit playing Soccer

Benoit is also playing soccer.

Soccer with Lucas

Lucas' teacher, Albert has registered Lucas to the soccer league at Santa Cruz. Lucas showed quite impressive skills at the first game scoring 3 times.




Nice finish.

Benoit is killing the time while Lucas is playing, working on is next mega snowboarding jumps.

Bouldering morning session at Castle Rock (Indian Rock)

Joel and I had a good morning bouldering session at Castle Rock. We started at the Indian Rock side and after a short warm up tackled Santa Cruz dude route and traverse.
We, then, moved in some uncharted territory and discovered a few quite great looking boulders with sick killer arete which shut us done. We will be back :)

Joel sending the Santa Cruz dude traverse (for crimper junkies).

Boulder coming directly from my Sci-fi coming books with Joel cruzing the left arete.

Joel on the right arete.

The quite difficult arete which evaded all ours tries. I still believe it will go next time.

Same route with Joel sticking the opening move.

South Lake Tahoe

We spent the weekend at South Lake Tahoe. Tahoe offers nice bouldering, beaches and mini golf.

We finally decided to buy some sleeping bags.

Fire is like a magnet for Benoit and Lucas. They must have spend half of the weekend playing with the fire and cracking matches.


Emerald Bay is such a classic that this photo must have been taken 1 million time.

Nice beach with clear and warm water and no shark just like Santa Cruz.

Karate kid.

The mini golf was just a big hit. Specially for Lucas who keep hitting the ball as hard as he could...
The trip was about climbing. Just wait for the coming video! Benoit warming up in this nice V0 crack. Who said that Frenchmen cannot climb crack.

Lucas being just casual with his insane footwork and hand technique.

Andrea and Brian's party - the firework

Few days ahead of the 4 of July, we managed to have our own firework with all legal devices.


Kids room with the TV playing some kind of Disney movie.

Red wine is very much in fashion at the aptos creek vineyard (http://www.aptoscreekvineyard.com/).



The kids got to play with the firework as well.


Lucas is already sleeping not impressed by the firework.

Brian astonished by his own firework.

Jeff and Lee.

Andrea watching after her Zahara which does not appreciate all this noise.

Andrea and Brian's party

We were invited by Andrea and Brian for their summer party. Firework, hike, barbecue, camping, we all enjoyed our time in their new remodeled house.

Lucas is chilling out in the hot tub.

The car is stalled.

I am preparing the bread which will be baked in the new special oven.

Guess what, Erick is opening one more of the home made Pinot.


The dog passed the hunting test with a 10 out of 10. When can I borrowed him? We have some Quails around our apartments.

Claire and Lucas (Benoit was still on vacation in France).


Nice colors. Too bad I am vegetarian (ok I am not).

Brian posing proudly with his special oven. Note: The bread is cooking.

What a beautiful house and perfect for having fun party.

Jeff and Andrea chatting. Warm colors and great food.

Brian is dumping 1 ton of wood for the fire.

Guest waiting for the firework.