Crowds, Culture, and Crossover Vibes: Rockstar Energy Snowboarders Join the Hype at the 2025 RSEO in Portland
Photo: Muller
The weekend brought in the crowds to the 2025 Rockstar Energy Open (RSEO) at Portland, Oregon’s Waterfront Park. In addition to the incredible skating, there was a lot to keep everyone entertained. There were also a few notable Rockstar snowboarders hanging out and enjoying the action.
Clay Kreiner. Photo: Muller
“We're right on the edge of the water. People are stoked. The weather’s perfect, and you can see the event really well. The vibes are high,” described Iris Pham, professional snowboarder and Rockstar athlete. When asked about the differences between skate events and snowboard events, Iris said, “I feel much closer to the riders. Everything is happening right in front of you, and you can see everything they’re doing and how. This is super sick; it looks really fun for the athletes, especially. It doesn’t seem too serious.”
Photo: Muller
As spectators entered the venue, they were immersed by the RSEO Culture Village. The first thing they saw was a giant skateboard wheel on top of a steep quarterpipe island, surrounded by four double-decker C-ledges. This quickly became the meet-up spot for homies, lunch-goers, and selfie takers—reminiscent of your typical skate plaza.
Tactics has you covered with completes. Photo: Muller
“When I was younger, I wanted to be a pro skater more than anything, but at the end of the day, you realize, ‘Damn, that stuff hurts quite a bit!’” admitted Red Gerard, another professional snowboarder and Rockstar athlete soaking it all in at the RSEO. “I eventually had to drop skateboarding so I wouldn’t keep getting injured before snowboard season! So, I’m more of a big fan of it nowadays, but I love watching these guys so much and I have so much respect for what they do. I’m super good friends with Keegan Palmer and Cory Juneau, too. I love the way they both skate—just effortlessly, with so much casual style.”
In addition to the actual action on the skate courses, the event space was packed with food trucks, mural walls for live art, a main stage for free evening concerts, VIP areas to relax, and, of course, tents for local skate shops and event sponsors to engage with the crowd.
Paige Heyn. Photo: Dillon
One of the most lively booths came from a joint venture between local skate shops Cal Skate and Rips Co Skate Shop. The two decided to combine their booth spaces—one packed with product and the other with amps and instruments—inviting the crowd to participate in a truly one-of-a-kind open mic. They named it the Renegade Stage. Local band Lágoon PDX made a surprise appearance, treating the masses to some true Portland-grown music.
Beyond the booths were some more subtle activations, such as Spy Optic' Stash and Grab, which involved hidden swag bags around the venue with clues available only to their social media followers. Nixon had a similar approach, dropping clues exclusively on social media to help people find hidden goods on site. If you knew who to follow, chances were high that you could score!
Chris Joslin. Photo: Dillon
Iris Pham: “I noticed one of the moms was standing on the side and her daughter would ride up to her and they would hug and talk—things feel so much closer at skating events. When I go back for another run snowboarding I ride the back of a sled and you can’t talk to anyone you are kind of alone. Here you see them hop out of the bowl
“We are right on the edge of the water. People are stoked. It’s really nice weather, and you can see the event really well. The vibes are high,” described Iris Pham, professional snowboarder. When asked the differences felt from the skate events compared to snowboard events, Iris said, “I feel much closer to the riders. Everything is happening right in front of you, and you can see everything they are doing and how. This is super sick, it looks really fun for the athletes especially.. It doesn't seem too serious.”
Punk Rock & Paint Brushes. Photo: Muller
Red Gerard: “It’s a lot of fun to come out here and be at a summer event, not having to compete and just getting to hang out and support my friends you know, fan out a bit. I love all the Rockstar team obviously, and I’m super good friends with Keegan Palmer and Cory Juneau especially. I love the way they both skate, just effortless and with so much casual style. Cory, it’s like his feet aren’t even on the board! I’d love to see him do well, and then I’m also a big Pedro Barros fan. Man, I love all these dudes!”
Ryan Carrell and a slice of WIld Mike's Pizza for an ode to Eric Koston in Chomp on This. Photo: Muller
“When I was younger, I wanted to be a pro skater more than anything, but at the end of the day you realize, ‘damn, that stuff hurts quite a bit!’ I eventually had to drop skateboarding so I wouldn’t keep getting injured before snowboard season! So, I’m more of a big fan of it nowadays, but I love watching these guys so much and I have so much respect for what they do.”
Jill Perkins: “It’s nice to be back! The weather is nice, the event is sick, the people, the crowd—there is nowhere else I’d rather be,” said Jill Perkins, professional snowboarder on the Rockstar roster, about returning to Portland, Oregon for the second year to enjoy the RSEO. When asked how this event ranks compared to others as a spectator looking to watch the action she answered without hesitation, “Up top!”
Need a fresh pair of socks? Merge4 gots you. Photo: Muller
The looseness of the women encouraged each other, and then the judges let things go if people wanted to go again. Big Hype.”
It seems that [the skaters] all really care about each other, the progression and how everyone shows up.
Wild Mike's Pizza keeping Dominick Walker peepin'. Photo: Dillion
“I always feel honored as a snowboarder being able to come to these events and share like-minded happiness with people, and the Rockstar Open nurtures that environment—everyone gets along and it is super fun.”