March 27-29, 2024 - Woodward Tahoe at Boreal Mountain, California - Soy Sauce Nation proudly wrapped up the week of Stir-Fry, an event that transcended the boundaries of snowboarding into a vibrant celebration of diversity, community, and inclusivity. It was a week of reunion as well as new faces. The week kicked off with the private park off the 49er lift. The park featured an in-run banked slalom, sizable hip-jump, rainbow rail, Kikkoman quarter-pipe zone, all with ebb and flow throughout the whole course.
Stir-Fry promised a unique experience for all attendees, with a focus on providing a platform for underrepresented individuals and groups within the snowboarding community, and the park staff at Woodward Tahoe helped deliver that reality! As part of Stir-Fry's larger mission, the event aimed to foster a sense of belonging by curating a space where everyone, regardless of background, could come together to enjoy the sport without boundaries. The Woodward Subaru x Skullcandy Woody mobile DJ booth that kept the energy high and tunes bumping to be heard throughout the park. Mother nature provided a foot of snow overnight for the second day and the crew got to rip some powder laps. Once the fresh tracks ran out, everyone returned to lapping the park and getting after it. The late afternoon concluded in a group meal where attendees savored a meal catered by Boreal Mountain and Kikkoman where everyone tasted new products and enjoyed a meal with each other. After the group meal started to taper, awards were given out and as co-founder AK reminded all that, “Your legacy - is our legacy. You didn’t show up so you have meaning in your life, you showed up so others have meaning in their life. We are truly all in this together.” If you did not walk away with an award, Soy Sauce Nation aimed to have everyone walk away with at least a prize.
On the final day, Stir-Fry opened its doors to the broader Community Day and everyone was invited to snowboard through the park and join in the camaraderie. Community Day featured a range of activities, including Burton Snowboard demos, and culminated in an evening of apres karaoke, where attendees unleashed and sang their way to connect with fellow snowboarders. More prizing was given and winners walked away with coolers, merch, friendship and more.
This year, Soy Sauce Nation was honored to welcome Japanese professional skateboarder Yuto Horigome, Olympic gold medalist from the men's street event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, as a special guest on Community Day and Kikkoman representative.
"We are stoked to bring Stir-Fry back for its fifth installment, continuing our mission of inclusivity and community support," said Nirvana Ortanez, co-founder of Soy Sauce Nation. "Stir-Fry is more than just a snowboarding event; it is proof that providing space for people, they will come and connect with each other."
STIR-FRY is presented by Kikkoman and supported by Burton, Woodward Tahoe, Skullcandy, Subaru, Boreal Mountain, and Crab Grab, Stir-Fry no.5 is dedicated to honoring the memory of Won Suh, a beloved member of the community who embodied the spirit of kindness and support.