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New Burton Snowboards Feature Pictures of Nude Playboy Playmates
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by NowPublic Staff | October 3, 2008 at 03:46 pm
118122 views | 14 Recommendations | 16 comments
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Burton Snowboards is introducing a new line of snowboards featuring images of vintage Playboy models. Burton's 2009 Coalition line of snowboards features a model called the "Love" that uses vintage Playboy magazine photos as the main design element.
As you would expect, some parents aren't thrilled about having images of nude models attached to a sport that appeals to teenagers.
In the past week, Burton has received a number of letters and phone calls about the “Love” model. The snowboards feature four different Playboy bunnies, depending on the board size. They don’t show any body parts that are traditionally kept covered, but the women are naked.
This has parents like Jeff Sprenger of Essex angry enough to pen the company a scathing letter and send it around to all of his friends.
Sprenger said his wife found the questionable snowboards when she was on the company’s Web site. Not only did they stumble upon the “Love” boards, but they also found the “Primo Blunt” models, which detail self-mutilation in a comic book-style storyboard on the base.
“I think of Burton as a good Vermont company, as a good citizen,” Sprenger said. “I was pretty shocked that they would do something like that. I feel ashamed for Vermont and for Burton.”
The company claims that the Burton Love snowboards will be sold in limited quantities at "core" snowboard shops rather than large stores.
The boards were produced in conjunction with Playboy. In the past, the company has produced snowboards that feature the Playboy logo.
Burton is not the first snowsports company to use images of seductive women on its products. Five years ago, Rossignol introduced a line of alpine skis called “Scratch” that featured the silhouette of a naked woman on the top of the skis. Over the years, the “Scratch” graphics became more revealing. This season, HEAD is offering a ski called the “J.O. Pro” with a sublimated photo running the length of the ski of a woman in a macrame bikini with a sparkly jewel dangling from her navel.
While Burton is getting a good deal of flack about its Coalition line, Waterbury’s Rome Snowboards has not received any negative feedback from its risque “Artifact” line. The “Artifact” boards are meant to be reminiscent of 1970s New York City strip joints, says Ryan Runke, Rome’s marketing manager. The boards feature a neon base with the words “Bend Over Babes” or “Live Nude Girls,” depending on the model. The top sheets have outlines of naked women on them.
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Jack Mehoffer (not verified)at 05:44 on October 4th, 2008
The USA is too uptight about nudity. Get over it.
at 05:46 on October 4th, 2008
It's a fascinating idea; they play it safer by going with "vintage". Still, though, if too many people can see the deck graphic, it means I'm doing it wrong.
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thelmasue (not verified)at 20:55 on October 4th, 2008
not uptight about nudity: uptight about the degradation and objectification of women. and there isn't a single place anywhere on the planet that is anywhere near uptight enough about it.
if they put naked men on snowboards in similar poses and styling, and marketed them the same way, and sold as many of them, and there was a similar response from the public, THEN you could argue that it's about nudity.
sayin'.
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JMP (not verified)at 23:54 on October 25th, 2008
lol who the hell would want to see a naked man on a snowboard, and if women didn't want to be put in a objectified manner then they wouldn't constintly be doing this type of stuff for money. Look all through humanity and one thing has always been around, women getting naked for money. Sounds more like it's just how hot women are then objectifying them :P
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jacket off (not verified)at 23:23 on October 4th, 2008
i like the idea it BA
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G man (not verified)at 06:03 on October 15th, 2008
Well another BS uproar from the people who blame anyone but themselves... if you raise your children right they wont mutilate themselves or think objectifying thoughts... you think a picture on a snowboard is gonna start it all...maybe you should be aware of where your kids are.. maybe at a pill party; maybe having sex; maybe they saw someone at school objectify a picture, the problem is already started. my point is be involved in your childrens lives and teach them that nudity... is just that...nudity.... chill out ppl
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Green Mt man (not verified)at 17:36 on October 23rd, 2008
Supportive comments all written by males--Ironic how Burton (see burton.com) has to promote a special program to get women boarding...I doubt this latest marketing will help
go see their special woman's center...objective women and see how many want to learn to snowboard. Why isn't Burton putting guys wearing the same on snowboards? Playgirl is vintage.
http://www.burton.com/Progression/NewRider/Programs/Womens.aspx
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Green Mt man (not verified)at 17:38 on October 23rd, 2008
oops..that is objectify woman and see how many flock to learn to snow board.
at 07:10 on October 24th, 2008
Jon Azpiri, I like this story. It's good stuff. The boards are controversial. Period.
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LAGF (not verified)at 14:25 on October 25th, 2008
GARBAGE! NOT WHAT I WANT TO SEE ON THE SLOPES NOR DO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SMALL CHILDREN. INTERESTING, BURTON HAS GIRLS THAT BUY THERE PRODUCT AND YET THEY CHOOSE TO DEGRADE THEM. IF I OWNED A RESORT I WOULD BAN THESE. KEEP SEX OFF THE SLOPE AND DON'T MAKE PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR YOUR PROFIT.
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Dan Martin (not verified)at 09:13 on November 22nd, 2008
This is an abuse of the freedom our country's armed forces have fought for and defended over the years. Grow up Burton! Your immaturity and foolishness are showing. Be responsible - don't be a sleeze!
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yo what up (not verified)at 03:02 on January 11th, 2009
im with j man, your no fun.
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J man (not verified)at 09:02 on November 24th, 2008
Dan M.... Huh? Let's talk about that FREEDOM. Yup, that same FREEDOM you are spouting about.
It's really fairly simple. This is clearly covered by the U.S. CONSTITUTION. Anyone remember FREEDOM of speech?
If you don't like the boards, you are FREE to not buy them.
If your favorite Ski Area allows them. You are FREE to go somewhere else.
Stop telling ME what MY morality should be according to YOU.
Go find something else to complain about that *actually matters*
at 12:41 on January 5th, 2009
I like the boards and if Burton creates a model for women then I would buy one for my wife. Maybe then she will come more often with me for snowboarding :D
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Refurbish (not verified)at 12:37 on February 22nd, 2009
Realy now who gives a shit what is on a board, if you can afford to go boarding . People lose sight of what life is about. I buy old boards just so people who want to try boarding can use them too see if they like the sport. Many could not afford to go at the price of lift passes an transportation.Next time you are going boarding dont look for who has what on there board. Look for the people who said they would go but can not afford an bring them along. You will find you dont have time to care about what is on a board.You get lost in having fun the way it is ment to be.
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JMMH (not verified)at 17:06 on February 18th, 2009
soo im a girl and i think these are awesome? lol Objectified? come on now, these girls did this for big money and too many girls only dream of being in playboy. they objectify themsleves. if you dont like it dont look!!! besides, snowboarding isnt for little pussy's that cant handle a little Partial nudity anyway!!