By T. Ghezzi
Cover photo courtesy of Sam Ozanich
For almost 10 years, I have been a beat writer in the snowboard realm for Out There. I’m unbelievably stoked to have the opportunity to represent the crew, be a voice for our local snowboard scene and continue my passion for highlighting others who inspire and create in outdoor spaces.
This winter, I would like to introduce you to the Wild Cannons. The core of my snowboard-centered crew is Jeff Hall, Ryan Fogarty and me. Through our love of riding powder and the connections built through our Instagram account and podcast, we’ve been able to meet some truly amazing people in our community. But what is a wild cannon?
Let me take you back a decade ago to Pinky G’s Pizzeria in Jackson Hole, Wyo. One evening after a killer day of riding pow, Jeff was zealously describing someone he knew. In his enthusiasm, he repeatedly kept calling this person a “wild cannon.” I about fell out of my chair laughing the first time he said it and was in tears the second and third time he used it. Collecting myself, I interrupted him to ask if he meant to say “loose cannon,” which Jeff quickly brushed off so he could get back to his story. I couldn’t unhear it: I thought wild cannon in place of loose cannon was absolute gold.
Jeff’s misuse of loose cannon opened the floodgates for me to mock anything he did or said by adding “That’s what a Wild Cannon would do!” From then on, the term has been used as a nickname for Jeff, a way to describe our friends doing something crazy, and it even became the name of our men’s soccer team.
The Wild Cannons snowboard crew came to life in the digital space of fall of 2019 on Instagram. In fall 2021, we had our first Wu-Tang-inspired sticker printed, and in spring of 2024 we kicked off the Wild Cannons Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
The Instagram account was created as a central place where we could photo-dump all of our snowboard pics and edits while showcasing our love for snowboarding and chasing powder. We thought the platform could be used to inform riders of local events while also spotlighting local riders’ content, potentially being a hub for riders to look toward in the absence of shop talk and curating a space that gives back to the local snowboard community. The podcast emerged as a natural extension of the articles I wrote for Out There and what we were doing on Instagram.
It’s fun reflecting on the growth of Wild Cannons and our friendship. I think it’s important to share responses from Jeff and Ryan on what the evolution of Wild Cannons means to them.
Jeff shared, “The true meaning behind Wild Cannons is that everyone is one! Not just one individual makes a Wild Cannon. I see the Wild Cannons as a way to get the snowboarding and outdoor enthusiasts together and a way to share the experience and love for the sport.”
Ryan explained, “Wild Cannons isn’t a club or crew but more so an open community of people seeking the stoke. That feeling you get when you hear the crew chirp after stomping a nice pow line. Or surfing some glassy waves and not having a single thought or care in the world. Doing something you never thought was even possible. Finding the flow state. That’s what we chase. Spreadin’ the love and keepin’ it real.”
Whether it’s snowboarding, moto, surfing, paddling or biking, we aim to have the most fun and share those experiences with others.
T. Ghezzi is a snowboarder who loves riding powder, chips and salsa, traveling and experiencing new cultures. The Spokane native’s passion for riding pow has taken him abroad to the Austrian and Swiss Alps, Hokkaido, Japan, and most recently to the Andes in both Argentina and Chile. This past summer, he solo bikepacked from Spokane to Seattle. Keep up with T. Ghezzi and Wild Cannons at @northwest_raised and @wildcannons. Catch the Wild Cannons Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
