Northwest Boarder | Portland Oregon Mt. Hood Snowboarding Skateboarding Surfing

Catching up with Scott Bannan and Jon Keenan from Auviq

Posted on Apr 30, 2010 by Landon in Interviews, Snowboarding

Scott Bannan and Jon Keenan are two Oregon locals who can be found ripping the Timberline parks on any given day during the winter. When they aren’t hitting the jumps or slashing some pow on Mt. Hood, they keep themselves plenty busy with their creative endeavors. I caught up with them to discuss the 09/10 El Nino season and find out what they have been up to with their clothing company Auviq.

Hey Scott and Keenan, give me your vital stats.
My Name is Scott Bannan, and I’m 26 years old. I’m the creative director for Auviq.
My name is Jonathan Keenan, and I’m 28 years old. I’m the Auviq operations manager.

Cory Casewell / Baker Big Air Contest / photo: Scott Bannan
Ryan Linnert / Baker Big Air Contest / photo: Scott Bannan

How long have you lived in the Northwest?
Scott Bannan: I have lived here for the past five years with a two year hiatus to finish school at San Jose State University for Graphic Design. I left California and never looked back. The Northwest is my home and I love all it has to offer. From the mountains, to the trees, to the rivers, through the cities and then onto the ocean, the northwest provides for an engaging lifestyle.
Jon Keenan: I have lived in the North West my entire life. Being able to surf, skate, snowboard and raft all in the same day, is the reason why the Northwest is my home for life. With some of the friendliest people in the world, there is no where else I would rather live.

Where do you ride mostly?
Timberline is where you can find us the most, but we don’t shy away from meadows nor skibowl, when the conditions are right.

How long have you been snowboarding?
Scott Bannan: I’ve been snowboarding since 98 but didn’t get up more than once or twice for the first few years. I was, and still am an avid surfer and skater as well which helped fuel my passion for snowboarding. Living in the Northwest where the resorts are extremely close, and open for most of the year, has turned snowboarding into a dominating force in my life.
Jon Keenan: I have been tearing up Hood on my shred stick for the past 14 years.

So I’ve been hearing alot of talk about your clothing company Auviq. Tell me about your company and what you have been up too.
Auviq was started last fall, combining all the talent and skills from all our friends and combined networks. We are a company that is based on the NW lifestyle of less is more, rather than just a graphic idea, gimmick, or money. The product we offer is quality made with a focus on being an American made product. We print all of our own samples and some production pieces at the compound, as well as locally outsource all of our shirts, hoodys, hats, stickers, decals, and posters. At this point we’ve made countless styles of graphic tees, four different styles of guys hoodys, six styles of girls hoody dress’, two hats, thermal shants (3/4 length thermal bottoms for no boot bunching), and too many stickers most of which have been the insanely popular “Safety First” sticker.
The official Auviq mobile unit / photo: Colin Clarke

I’ll have to hit you up for some of those 3/4 length thermals. I cut down my $100 Pataguchi’s this last winter and cut them too short! That’s a great idea…
No worries!

Are you in the process of making outerwear for next season?
We have some sample ideas that are in the works but nothing for sure at this point. But don’t be surprised if you do see a few pieces next year floating around the Northwest!

What does Auviq mean?
Auviq is surprisingly a real word! It’s inuit, or eskimo, for a brick of snow used to build igloos. The building block of our lifestyle.

Tell me about the compound.
The compound is home as well as the office for us. It’s a little deep in the country past Aloha, but space has its benefits… It’s an all purpose facility that includes multiple snowboard jibs (all year round thanks to the sherwood ice rink), mini ramp (spring and summer), a mini bike track, band room with all instruments, and 3 acres of glorious views overlooking vineyards and a few of the mountains.
Matt Hogan / Night session at the compound / photo: Karim Hadid
Compound jib park on a spring day / photo: Jon Keenan
Compound mini-ramp / photo: Karim Hadid

Who are your team riders?
At this point we have…
Snow: Cameron Loucks, Ryan Linnert, Corey Caswell, Connor Brown, Trevor Rome, and Jadah Goldblum
Ski: Ari Delashmutt
BMX: Nick Black
We also have a few skaters, surfers, and base jumpers that we’ve been talking to but nothing solid right now. As we’ve stated before, we are a lifestyle company, which means we don’t hate on other sports that aren’t board related. So…No matter what your sport is, if you think you’ve got what it takes, then send us your info and some pics/vids to auviq1@gmail or hit us up on myspace or facebook or check out our website.
Ari Delashmutt / Timberline / photo: Justin Kious
Ryan Linnert / photo: Justin Kious
Connor Brown / photo: Sawyer Purman
Trevor Rome / Log press

I’ve been hearing alot about Corey these days through the network. Seems like he’s one of the next local kids to blow up.
Yeah he’s definitely one to watch out for! His style is so unique and his riding has progressed quickly. Being fortunate enough to sponsor the kid and go on a trip with him has allowed me to get to know the real Corey. He’s got the right attitude period. Super nice to everyone, respectful, charges when necessary, yet still slashes the pow and takes cruisers with the bros. His potential is obvious to anyone that I’ve talked to about him. His humble attitude and ability to slay anything with style makes him a rider we are proud to sponsor.

What are your future goals with the company and what are your plans going into summer and preparing for next year’s season?
Our ultimate goal is to be able to keep this company successful and moving forward so we can live the NW lifestyle. A life where you do what you love for a living and never really have to work a day for the rest of your life. Our plans going into summer with the company are fairly extensive. In the works are a catalog with a completely new line which is gonna be much much more than just graphic tees and hoodys. Fully custom cut and sew tees, hoodys, boardshorts, possibly denim, and a bunch of accessories like bottle openers etc…

Anyone you want to thank?
Karim, Adrian, Craddick, Timberline, JT and Travis from parks, Logan the cat driver, Mikey, and our parents. Anyone who has ever supported us! Landon and NorthWestBoarder for the exposure! Epicsnow and skate for letting us host there Rail Jams. All the shredders and friends we forgot, you are all awesome and have contributed greatly to our success! And most of all mother nature for providing us with late April snow! FTR!