686 Lights Out goes off during SIA, raises money for charity

There was blood, there were knockdowns, heck, there was a battle between two brands over their home-state pride, and most importantly everyone walked away happy and healthy (minus a few bruised egos) and awareness and money was raised for SOS Outreach. Once again 686 Lights Out, held for the third year in a row on the first night of SIA, did not disappoint. Hundreds of people trekked through snowy conditions to watch the snowboard industry’s finest step into the ring for charity and good times.

686 Lights Out, presented by Electric, Skullcandy and Vans, and supported by Grenade, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Ole Smokey Moonshine, and benefiting SOS Outreach, gives snowboard (or ski, although no one from the ski industry got involved this year) industry insiders a chance to step into a real boxing ring for 3 rounds of furious fun for pride and charity.

This year’s event was hosted by everyone’s favorite MC, Dingo, and guest refereed by Danny Kass and Wave Rave owner, and previous Lights Out champion, Steve Klassen – who did an amazing job keeping fights clean and competitors healthy. As always Lights Out was judged by industry vets - this year included Creepy Cyle, Patrick McCarthy and Lucas Magoon, who expressed his point of view openly after particularly close fights much to the crowd’s enjoyment.

This year’s volunteers to get it on in the ring included past competitor Braly Joy from Flow Snowboarding (who celebrated his victory with a PBR in the ring with legend Dale Rehberg) and newcomers from Nightmare Snowboards, Arbor Snowboards, Never Summer Snowboards, who stepped up 3 contenders from their factory, and SPY. Massive props go out to SPY and Brian Vaught for coming through and taking the challenge that everyone else in the industry declined – to fight Never Summer’s Jorge “The Mexican Hulk” in the main event.

Last year Jorge was not allowed to fight as he was severely mismatched against his competitor and it took 364 days and numerous calls, emails, and challenges to find him a match. Thanks to Vans who came in to help and offered a custom guitar for the winner of the fight, which Jorge narrowly won.

All in all it was another electrifying night, fueled by PBR, Ole Smokey and tunes from Skullcandy to accompany the actual boxing. Thanks again to all the sponsors 686, Electric, Skullcandy, Vans, Grendade, PBR, Ole Smokey and Casselman’s as well as SOS Outreach for being a part of something truly unique to the snowboard industry.

This years winners
Bout 1: Braly Joy (Flow Snowboarding) defeats Hunter Patrick (Arbor Snowboards)
Bout 2: Emanuel Taylor (Never Summer) defeats Jim McGinty (SPY)
Bout 3: Justin Taylor (Nightmare Snowboards) narrowly defeats Louis Jimenez (Never Summer)
Bout 4: Jorge “The Mexican Hulk” (Never Summer) narrowly defeats Brian Vaught (SPY)



By press release