In the Streets with Benny Urban

Benny is a nice and composed guy who likes to keep it low-key. He doesnt seem to make a big deal out of his skills yet he is one of the most accurate street riders in Europe. We talked to him about his god-given destiny to become an urban rider and the new Nitro team movie The Bad Seeds.


Do you often hear bad puns about your last name 'Urban', especially when riding pow?
- Actually my friends do make a lot of fun of me concerning my last name. I mean, it's kinda ironic that's for sure. I would totally make jokes about someone who's last name is Urban and is trying to film in the backcountry. Haha!

You started riding in the indoor if that is correct. Do you still ride there from time to time?
- Well, I actually started to snowboard way before the indoors were opened around Hamburg. But during my time in school I spent many days just cruisin' after school. I haven't been to the one where I was riding back then in a long while now, which is actually kinda sad. But I recently I went on a Nitro tour through the UK to check out some indoor slopes. They have so many good ones over there! It was really fun.


Benny with a gnarly Gap to BS Tail. Shot by Steffen Kornfeld

Have you been on any snowboarding trips this summer?

- I haven't been boarding as much this summer as I did the ones before so I'm a bit more energized for the winter, which is good! I went to Saas-Fee for a few days in August though and then recently on the UK tour I told you about.
 
What happened to your former video project Down To Earth?
- DTE is still alive in our heads haha. It just didn't work out to film for another movie last winter because all of us basically focuseing on filming for Nitro Snowboards The Bad Seeds. Maybe one day we'll get the chance to make another flick.
 

Who's the raddest rider on the NITRO Team right now in your opinion?
- Damn, that's hard to say. We have so many rippers on our team. I'm really stoked on Nils Arvidsson at the moment. Also Elias Elhardt is unbelievable to watch ride his board!

Does Nitro TM Knut Eliassen still rip it with you guys? (That's what he told us!)


-Of course! He's always hitting spots with us. He's still killing it besides making everything possible on a trip.

 
Shot by Markus Rohrbacher

What can we expect from the Nitro team movie, The Bad Seeds? The most bestest snowboard vid of all time?
- Haha, I don't know man. We just tried to make our best film up to this point and hopefully people will enjoy it. It's a bit different that's for sure! Going live soon I believe.

What was your favorite place to film last season and where were the best spots for riding street in your opinion?
- I'm guessing my favorite place was probably Montreal. I just really like it over there, probably because I have Canadian blood in me, haha! I think the best spots were in Russia though. That place is just insane! So many crazy spots that no one has ever looked at before.

Is street riding actually fun or is it just a lot of work for an unknown outcome?
- For me it's fun but it can definitely be frustrating shoveling for hours and hours in the cold and then getting kicked out! That sucks, but I still really enjoy doing it.

 


Shot by Markus RohrbacherAre you more the type of party guy or would you rather stay at home with a good bottle of wine?

- Depends on the party yo! I mean I'd rather go out with friends and have a good time then chilling at home but sometimes it's nice to get refueled and relax a bit.
 

Are there any particular off-board projects you are pursuing right now?

- Recently I started to work on the Foreal Project more and more together with Basti Kuhn. I just really like what we started and want to continue doing stuff with it. So there is for sure more Foreal Stuff coming your way!
 
Can you reveal some of your plans for this season?
- This season I will film for the first ever Thirtytwo team movie. It's going to be so sick. I can't wait to start going out for that!
 
Thanks Benny!