The year 2011 will be a defining one for the RIDE Shakedown, one of the snowboard industry’s most exciting and anticipated competitions, drawing the biggest names in snowboarding: 10th anniversary of the original snowboard event, a return to the United States for a 2nd year and an introduction of a European leg of the competition in Germany. In addition, the U.S. and German events are now part of The Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour. With these three competitions, over $100,000 USD will be up for grabs.2011 RIDE Shakedown Events- March 11-12: Europe(Germany, Olympic Ski Stadium in Garmisch-Partenkirchen)- March 18-19: United States(The Summit at Snoqualmie, located 45 east of Seattle)- April 1-2: Canada(Mont Saint-Sauveur, Québec)What makes the RIDE Shakedown such a hit and a cut above the rest is its unparalleled competition format. The concept: a laid-back, live-it-up event with minimal restrictions on the riders. They are required to master two different disciplines: Big Air and rail featuring a rail with various surface textures. Spectators are taken to the very heart of the action and treatedto a thrill-a-minute show that’s eminently accessible and free.