SYNOPSIS

This documentary tells the story of Never Summer and its members. Having over 6,500 Korean-American registered snowboarders, the club has become a community for its members where they practice their heritage. The story is told from seven die-hard members. They share how this organization affected their lives of so many young immigrants as they try to settle down in the United States.  As well as how they have helped second-generation Korean-American connect with their roots through members of the organization.

The seven members have a different background and different careers path and play different roles in the organization. However, one thing in common is their intense passion for the sport, community, and heritage. Their perspective in life, identity, and friendship have been documented over the course of six years.

One other characteristic of the club is the snowboard culture. The free-spirited people. Where they live by the positive vibe and energy, they love challenges and overcoming it. They strive to overcome fear and push their limits and boundaries within their capacity and skill level. There is always the next level they are aiming for. And all comes from wanting to ride better and improve constantly. Perhaps this is a mindset they have as they confront each day of the week. 

The members respect mother nature. They appreciate the beauty that it provides every winter season.  There is great joy being in nature for all the members. They are all trying to connect and feel alive. The heritage, community, friendships, laughs, synergy, scenery, speed, freedom, adrenaline, rush...  All amounts to this inexplicable energy which rejuvenates their spirits, and it is very addictive. 

It's 5:30 AM, a cold Saturday morning at a Dunkin Donuts off Route 46 in New Jersey. The members of Never Summer gather to travel to a ski resort in Catskills, NY. Hot pink, bright yellow, neon green, their colorful snowboarding outfits have been their fashion statement since the beginning, 16 years ago, and it's no different today. Forty-plus colorful snowboarders are excited about the day ahead of them in the mountains. 

Every member makes an effort to invest time on oneself. A father of two teenagers, who has a full-time job, carves out a Saturday every two weeks. A salesman, working six days a week, comes to snowboard on his only day off. An investment banker, working 60+ hours a week, hasn't missed a Saturday. There must be a great reason to get up before dawn on Saturday mornings.  

The characters in this documentary reveal their desire to ride consistently, the reason why they love to ride with the group, and what they get out of this sport and the community. The storyline explores and how snowboarding affects their lives. The conflict in this storylines is the sacrifices they make to go ride, as well as the injury that comes from continually pushing boundaries in this daring sports. 

Snowboarding is an individual sport, but not for the warriors of Never Summer. It's a team play. As the sun rises, 14 cars travel in unison through the highways. They stop at rest areas together; then, the journey continues until they reach the destination. They gear up together at the parking lot. Once ready, they move as a unit. They all meet at the summit for the first run. This is one of their most prominent rituals. They ride the longest and the most comfortable trail together. Over the years, they have mastered a way to ride together. Regardless of their riding skills, there is a high dosage of adrenaline pumping in their veins, floating in pure and positive energy – an inexplicable rush. They feed on each other vibes as forty or so comrades carve down the mountain as one. What united them is not just snowboarding, but their Korean heritage, their determination to balance life between work and play.

The current struggle for the organization is a conflict between the 3rd elected officials and the founders/board of directors. The elected officials made amends to policies, moving away from one of the core values, family. The founders always strive to create a family atmosphere, but the officials are turning Never Summer into an adult-only organization, restricting minors on some of their events and outing. 

As the club's third term is coming to an end, there isn't anybody who wants to run the organization, because of the political climate at the leadership level.  The members are waiting to see how the conflict will unfold this coming winter season. “Could this be the end of Never Summer?”