We'll always consider Tara Dakides to be the Queen of Snowboarding. She's richter, has the perfect attitude for snowboarders, and she helped pioneer the path for female snowboarders today. She's also tied with Kelly Slater for the most appearances on our radio program, having come on the show five times. We love Tara. Even more so after she has publicly blasted her former snowboarding company Omatic Snowboards, which she started with Todd Richards. Dakides left the company years ago, and Richards recently came on the show to talk about how he isn't involved anymore either. The following statement by Dakides, which was posted on her facebook page, explains why Omatic Snowboards is for sale and why she left the company.
Omatic used to be something I was proud to stand behind because for me it meant Pure Snowboard Love, Fun, Creativity and Rider Owned. We were little but strong until greed walked in the door. I walked away a few years ago with a fight but that fight has come to an end. I am no longer owner of what Omatic used to be. After a year of Lawyers trying to settle, the fight is over. Good did not win and now Omatic is for Sale. Omatic is owned by an attorney who knows nothing about what true snowboarding is and a lot of good people who believed in Omatic where taken advantage of. Go to OmaticSnowboards.com and see for yourself. They still have a "Team Riders" list but those people DO NOT ride for Omatic. This Company is a LIE. I have asked them to take down the site and they still have not because of attorney BULLSHIT. I am forever sorry to those people, Chanelle, Louie, Hampus and everyone else for not being able to save what I believed Omatic to be and repay you for your hard work and faith in building a company. IF Omatic is bought, it comes with a line of bad blood in my opinion. I was threatened to be sued if I said anything but now I just don't care. It needs to be told. This was the biggest heart break of my Career. If you love snowboarding then I urge you to buy consciously and support the brands with integrity for the people, the love of the sport and the dream, and pass this on. Thank You! Tara Dakides
Dakides also talked about the shirt she is wearing in the photo below. It's available for purchase.
I was also hapy to wear this homemade shirt. Omatic, Not 4 Riders which I made with a sharpie the night before. I will be taking orders if anyone wants one!
We hope to have Tara back on the show soon.
