Curl #29

CURL winter#29//women’s hottest surf & snow magazine

XXL WINNER

Keala kennelly

CURL#29 $7.20 INCL GST

Winter essentials +

GIVEAWAYS | soul surfer tSB Women’s surf festival

As a pro-surfer, Paige regularly battles the volatile, destructive forces of nature.

Then she parks up and goes surfing.

Pro-Surfer Paige Hareb and her Impreza 2.0R Sport

Paige Hareb dedicates her life to finding the perfect wave.

Her Impreza 2.0R Sport helps her get to the ones that don’t really want to be found. As the first Kiwi woman to qualify for the ASP World Tour at the age of 18 she really appreciates

the legendary All Wheel Drive and punchy Boxer engine.

Because when you’re this driven, you don’t want anything to get in your way. Call 0800 Subaru (782 278) to test drive at your nearest Subaru Authorised Dealer or visit subaru.co.nz

Proud sponsor of Paige Hareb at the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival 26 April-02 May.

SIGNATURE SERIES:

issue#29

r

ea

l fl

a kes

of

ho lig ht w

leg

goodness n i ra

main event 14. Bethany Hamilton 18. The Perfect Storm - TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival 30. China with Holly Beck 34. Blue Crush 2 out the back 38. Donovan Frankenreiter 10. From the editor 42. Mitchey Greig 56. Mt Ruapehu 44. Canada 60. Winter gear guide 50. Profiles: Albom sisters, Jess Rich 70. Beauty 54. History of Snowboarding 72. Giveaways 75. Subs 76. Curl.co.nz 79. Swell shops and schools

Cover: Keala Kennelly | Photo by: STEVE DICKINSON

managing Editor & senior photographer Steve Dickinson Ph: (09) 428 3046 | Mob: 027 577 5014 Email: p.media@xtra.co.nz editor Lynne Dickinson Ph: (09) 428 1193 Email: lynne@curl.co.nz

“Real makes sense to me. It’s light – less fat, but it’s also got wholegrains – now I know that’s good for my body.”

– Paige Hareb Proudly sponsored

by Hubbards

Advertising sales Courtney Johns Ph: (09) 428 1193 Email: info@curl.co.nz art director Reva Litwack Email: rclitwack@gmail.com Web Guru Jemma jemma@alphastudio.co.nz Contributing Writers and Photographers Sam Bleakley, Surf Explore, Kasia Jillings, Camilla Stoddart, Holly Thorpe, Paula Mitchell, Jess Rich, Sarah Albom, Melissa Albom, Sally Fitzgibbons, Carissa Moore, Paige Hareb, Rebecca Woods, Sofia Mulanovich, Courtney Conlogue, Tyler Wright, Rosy Hodge Distribution Gordon & Gotch, Ph (09) 979 3000 other publications Adventure | Ski & Snow | Prime Times Publishers Curl magazine is published four times a year by Pacific Media Ltd P.O.Box 562, Whangaparaoa, New Zealand 0932 Ph (09) 428 1193 | Fax: (09) 428 3046 Contributions of articles and photos are welcome and must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope. Photographic material should be on slide, although good quality prints may be considered. All care is taken but no responsibility accepted for submitted material. All work published may be used on our website. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without permission. While the publishers have taken all reasonable precautions and made all reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of material in this publication, it is a condition of purchase of this magazine that the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in this publication, or from the use of information contained herein and the publishers make no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any of the material contained herein.

nixonnow.com

www.hubbards.co.nz

nixonnow.com/santigold

editor’s note Living the Beautiful Life... Yeah Right!

Last issue I waxed eloquent about the girls on the world tour and how they really were living the beautiful life. It is true, they do have an amazing lifestyle but every life, no matter how beautiful, has its challenges and being part of the girls surf industry has more than its fair share.

Anyone who watched the final day of the Roxy Pro at Snapper Rocks in early March would have been blown away by the level of surfing. The highlight for me was the semi final match up between Sally Fitzgibbons and Carissa Moore and I did not believe the finals could come close to the exhilarating surfing these two girls delivered.

However, I had not taken into account the tenacity of Tyler Wright. The finals was another nail biter with both girls battling it out for the win.

Despite her tender age, Tyler showed she was not to be messed with, dropping into a deep barrel during Carissa’s priority. Knowing that Tyler could secure the score she needed Carissa simply used her priority, took the wave off Tyler and secured the win. It was exciting

Stopping off at the “Three Sisters” on my way to the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival.

to watch and one of the things I loved about the whole day was listening to the commentators. Rosy Hodge did an amazing job and I loved listening to the boys, Pottz in particular, who was simply blown away by the display of surfing. If I heard it once, I heard it a hundred times, “this is the best display of women’s surfing I have ever seen”.

A real credit to all the girls! Roll on a month later to Bells Beach and once again the level of female surfing was simply exceptional with Sally and Carissa meeting up the finals with yet another display of outstanding surfing.

So why is it, that in a time when women are surfing better than ever and even beginning to impress our often narrow minded members of the opposite sex has the Women’s World Tour taken yet another body blow. At the end of 2010 the girls were at risk of losing yet another significant event in the World Championship Tour when Gidget pulled out of the Sunset Beach event. O’Neill heroically stepped in to save the day but as 2011 began it was evident that the Sunset event would not be on the schedule for the women. You would think that with all that was lost last year, (Sunset and Maui being two of the best waves on tour), that the girls may have been given some reprieve in 2011. However, in mid March the girls on the World Championship tour were informed that Rip Curl was pulling the girls portion of The Rip Curl Search, one of the remaining challenging competitions. The Search is a mobile competition, which changes location each year offering some of the best waves on tour. Rip Curl stated that, “conditions at the current location mean we will not be able to activate the women’s event there this year”, what that is supposed to mean is anyone’s guess.

With the men’s tour boasting 11 events and a total prize pool of $5,325,000.00, it makes the women’s tour somewhat of a joke. This year their “dream tour” has been reduced to 6 events (and one of these is only tentative) with a total prize pool of a mere $660,000.00.

Over four MILLION shy of the men’s. Out of the six events remaining only three of them are sponsored by major surf companies. If it wasn’t for the likes of Layne Beachley developing her own event with the backing of the Commonwealth Bank and Paige Hareb’s family helping to develop the Subaru Pro in Taranaki, the girls would have very little to compete for. In comparison, all eleven events on the Men’s World

Island Holidays can get you the perfect longboard break!

With access to dozens of tropical perfect peeling beachies, reefs and point breaks - anywhere in the world! We have charter boat and land based packages from budget to luxury, to suit all levels of surf ability for singles, couples, groups or families.

Nemberala Beach Resort Indonesia

Chaaya Island (Dhonveli) Resort Maldives

Namoutu Resort Fiji

Playa Grande Surf Villas Costa Rica

Mag Bay Surf Camp Mexico

Mentawai Islands Charter Boats Indonesia

Lombok Surf Camp Indonesia

Medewi Cottages Indonesia

Noosa/Gold Coast/ Byron Bay Australia

For more info on our packages and more check out

www.islandholidays.co.nz

Tel: 0800 336660 Email: pete@islandholidays.co.nz

Visit www.islandholidays.co.nz for more info and prices.

Tour have the financial backing Bec Woods and Sofia Mulanovich sharing the love of the surf industry (Billabong sponsoring four events, Rip Curl and Quiksilver sponsoring three each and Hurley sponsoring one.)

So in a time of such significantly outstanding surfing from the women, why is it that the girls are still so incredibly short changed. Surfing is still a male dominated sport and no matter how well the girls surf, the industry is run and owned by men and it is these men who make the decisions on where the money is spent. No matter that girls are the ones who influence over 90% of purchases to these surf conglomerates, they receive less than 5% of the marketing budgets.

For those top 17 female he fell off the wagon into what he refers as his “Elvis” stage. He surfers in the world, the drop in the number of events means a drop pretty much stayed on the couch drinking beer and eating deep in potential earnings, vital to those who are not sponsored and have fried chicken, not the ideal lifestyle for a sponsored surfer, and to rely solely on their winnings to get from event to event. You may undoubtedly one of the best of his time. But did he get dropped by have noticed the absence of Melanie Bartells at this year’s Roxy Pro his sponsors? Not on your life. Instead his sponsors helped him to and then later on in Brazil. She was back in Hawaii, holding down a finish building his home, hoping this may lift him out of his present “normal” job to enable her to get enough money to attend some events state and continued to support him throughout his “rehabilitation”. later in the year. Despite finishing fifth last year she still remains Now don’t get me wrong, I think this is admirable, I just know that unsponsored because she simply does not fit the image the big this would NEVER have happened if it was one of the girls. Women corporations want to present. This would be OK if it was across the are a seemingly disposable commodity in the surf industry with board, but it seems to only apply to women’s surfing. Despite being someone waiting to take their place should they not “tow the line”. knocked off the World Tour the previous year, Alana Blanchard, who So to all of those people who have stepped up to help keep is known for her petite frame and even more petite bikini’s, still remained these events alive, we offer our sincere thanks. To the good folk of sponsored by Rip Curl.

Taranaki in particular and all the tireless volunteers who ran the The same rules do not seem to apply to the men however. The girls are required to have a certain look or behave in a certain fashion, TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival featuring the Subaru Pro we thank you for standing behind women’s surfing and once again putting on whereas it seems the more temperamental the men the greater the such an amazing event! See ya next year. salary. Take Occy for example, and lets face it, everyone loves him.

But during his career (and well documented in his autobiography) Lynne

Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton IMAGES COMPLIMENTS OF BETHANYHAMILTON.COM The culture of surfing has its foundation in myths, legends and tall stories; some true, some partly true and some not true at all, but one modern saga that has literally taken on ‘Hollywood’ proportions is the story of Bethany Hamilton.

As the clique states ‘it has all the making of a great movie’, in fact you would think the story was a little stretched if you didn’t know it was true! A young blond girl, destined for a career in surfing gets attacked by a shark off Kauai; not only attacked but has her arm bitten clean off. That alone would be devastating to any teenager, yet Bethany not only overcame the horror of being attacked by a shark, she also dealt with the loss of her arm and rose to the challenge of reentering the water and relearning to surf and compete.

I have seen Bethany surf a number of times both free surfing and competitively and I have just been amazed at her capability to move her board through waves. She is an inspirational enigma on so many different levels. I personally have enough trouble paddling any distance with two good arms and duck-diving is something of a hit and miss, so she truly inspires me. Imagine the inspiration she can provide to anyone who has had to overcome any real physical issues.

There is a unique sense of peace and tranquility about Bethany, an inner quiet determination. The fact that her story has become a Hollywood tale means more people will be exposed to this incredibly inspirational story of triumph.

For those of you who have not read Bethany’s book, “Soul Surfer” you should take the time to read it, it is definitely inspirational and has now been made into a major Hollywood movie, under the same name. Tom, Bethany’s dad (played in the movie by Dennis Quaid) was in surgery the day of Bethany’s attack having a knee operation. Choosing to watch the operation rather than being knocked out completely Tom opted for a spinal tap so he could watch his own operation on screen. As he was being prepared for surgery a call came into the operating room that they had to clear the operating room as there had been a shark attack which would obviously take priority. Tom was wheeled out as his daughter, Bethany was wheeled in. Who knows how you even begin to get your head around that? Bethany’s recovery and rise back to her present surfing ability has not come easily however Bethany never gave up the belief that she would surf again. Bethany is portrayed in the movie by AnnaSophia Robb and Bethany herself was involved with many aspects of the movie making.

We caught up with the now 19 year old Bethany to discuss the upcoming movie and the effect that the events of October 31st has had on her life...

14

//curl #29

www.curl.co.nz// 15

Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton How did you get back in the water after such a terrifying experience? Most people would shy away from the water after such an ordeal. For me, not getting back in the water was a scary thought. It would mean my whole lifestyle changing, and maybe even my family’s too. Surfing is my passion and the thought of leaving my in-the-water-every-day lifestyle, and all that changing was devastating. So I really wanted to at least give surfing with one arm a try. I figured that if it weren’t possible I’d pursue surf photography or something like that.

What is your personal view on humans sharing the sharks natural habitat? Sharks are beautiful creatures. I respect them. As humans, it’s our choice to be in the ocean or not, and we know that that may come with risks. Just like getting in a car to drive to the store.

You know there’s risk involved, but you’re willing to do it anyway, It’s not like your paranoid of crashing the whole drive, to get to where you need to go quickly. I feel that we need to be mindful of the fact that there are living creatures trying to survive in the ocean habitat, and that we need to be ‘ocean minded’ and do our part to keep the ocean clean, not overfish, or do anything that would affect their natural habitat.

How do you manage to paddle so powerfully and duckdive so successfully? I’ve always been a strong paddler, got that in my genes. So now that I only have one arm, that was helpful, but I also kick more, and use that to help my momentum. Duck-diving is hard with one arm.

The main challenge is keeping control of the board. My dad invented a handle, which we put on all my surfboards now, that I use when I duck-dive to control the board with my one hand. I usually open my eyes under water to navigate the power bubbles; this helps a lot!

How has the loss of a limb affected your balance and coordination? I don’t really know how to explain the affects on my balance, because the body is so good at adjusting in order to do what it needs to do. I feel like my body naturally helped with that early on, and now I’m used to one arm. And I don’t think it affected my coordination.

Now, as a pro surfer on the WQS, all that is behind me and I can focus solely on my performance and competition.

Can you tell us about your involvement with the Feature Movie? My family and I have tried to be as involved as we possibly could – I mean the portrayal of our life is on the line! We wanted to make sure this movie turned out as good as possible. And we wanted to make sure we had no regrets, so we’ve given it our all! I’m stoked with the finish of Soul Surfer!

Soul Surfer stars some fairly big names in show business, how did they measure up? The entire cast was so talented and great to work with. My family and I are so honored to have so many wonderful people bring their talent to our movie. I am especially stoked with AnnaSophia’s performance acting as me, she is really talented and captured most of the emotions I had hoped she would. She also has captured a love for the Ocean and for surfing!

I have heard incredible things about the movie, what can we expect? You can expect some good surfing, and to walk away with a smile, and much more!

What do you hope people will come away with after seeing the movie? I hope people will be excited about surfing, encouraged to push through any hard times they might be going through, and motivated to reach their hopes and goals in life!

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BETHANY’S NEW MOVIE CHECK OUT OUR MOVIE REVIEWS ON PAGE 77 16

//curl #29

Should we be scared of what’s in the water?

Fiona Davidson investigates...

Who has more reason to be scared, sharks or humans? We’ve seen plenty of films and media reports on how dangerous and predatory sharks are, but according to the Shark Foundation, three sharks are killed every second. If these statistics are accurate, then in the time it’s taken to read this paragraph, another 15 sharks have been slaughtered.

There is plenty of evidence to support the claim that humans are much more of a threat to sharks than they are to us. The factors for the increasing threat to sharks are varied; many die as a result of commercial fishing, simply caught up in nets and longlines, killed and thrown away. When sharks are the goal however, it is often just their fins which are being taken and made into shark fin soup; a delicacy in Hong Kong and China. The market in shark fins is lucrative, just one kilo can be worth up to $700 USD in the Asian markets. As with ivory poachers, when only one part of the animal is used, it is usually removed in a brutally cruel way. Shark fins are often removed when the shark is still alive, and then the body, which is worthless, thrown overboard. Sharks have also suffered because of claims made in the early 80’s that their cartilage could help prevent cancer, despite the fact that there is no scientific evidence to prove it has any therapeutic properties at all.

More than 80% of shark species live in coastal waters, and are susceptible to increasing amounts of industrial pollution and chemical run-offs entering our oceans. The shallow areas that mother sharks use as nurseries for their pups are also under threat as they become developed for profitable ventures like tourism and aquaculture. Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of hectares are cleared each year for aquaculture. 639,000 hectares were cleared in 2002 for shrimp

farming alone. The dominant image we have of sharks seems to be of a solitary predator slowly cruising in our coastal waters, looking only for their next meal, an image used and abused by the media and the film industry. It is true, sharks are a predator species but portrayals of them as man-eaters are misleading. Statistics show that our perception of the number and severity of shark attacks on humans is grossly overestimated. On average, over the last 50 years, there were less than 30 reported shark attacks worldwide each year. A small number of these are fatal, around 20% and the people who are attacked most frequently fall into a distinct group; young men in their 20’s or 30’s who were either swimming, surfing or spear fishing. This seems to suggest that sharks are not attacking solely through a desire for food, but perhaps also as a reaction to an unfamiliar object in their territory. Many people who have been bitten describe the sharks as seeming more curious than anything else and theories exist that sharks are often just mistaking surfers and swimmers for seals; an animal that forms part of their diet in many parts of the world. While it may seem that shark attacks are becoming more frequent, this can easily be attributed to two factors; the fact that records are better kept now and also that more and more people are taking up sports that put them into the ocean and therefore in closer proximity with sharks.

Many surfers head straight back into the water after a shark alarm has been sounded for the simple reason that they acknowledge the sharks

are always there, whether people are around to sound the alarm or not. There are precautions we can take to minimise the risk though; not surfing or swimming at dusk when sharks are feeding, avoiding steep drop-offs and the areas between sandbars (which sharks love), staying out of water polluted with sewage run off (for other obvious reasons too) and avoiding areas where there is fishing activity. Sharks will always be drawn to a source of food; even if there are no fishing boats around, sea birds diving into the water is a good sign there are plenty of fish around. And it’s not just at popular beaches that you need to be aware, sharks often inhabit estuaries and coastal rivers as well.

But as with so many other things, common sense and respect go a long way. Sharks have been around a lot longer than humans, and if we keep putting ourselves into their environment, there will continue to be encounters with them. Attacks from sharks pose such a small risk to us compared to everything else we face in our modern lives, it is silly to fear them as much as we do. We must start respecting and protecting these amazing animals instead of leaving them to their fate.

Our oceans are an amazing but fragile resource; without sharks in the water, the entire ecosystem would crumble. We can all play our part to help protect them.

Further information and resources: saveoursharks.com.au | forestandbird.org.nz | sharktrust.org | iucnredlist.org | www.curl.co.nz// 17

The NZ Women’s open got underway in gale force winds, it was like a scene from the Perfect Storm

THE PERFECT STORM

By Lynne Dickinson Images by Steve Dickinson DESIGN REVA LITWACK

“Gale force winds, torrential rain and flash flooding” spewed from the weather man’s lips. Not what you wanted to hear forecast for the week of the TSB Taranaki Surf Festival. With typical Kiwi optimism I packed my usual supply of shorts and singlets and threw in a raincoat and hoodie and headed south to the coast of Taranaki.

Unfortunately for once, the weather man got it right and the event opened in rain and winds that made the ocean look more like a set from a horror movie than a surf event. As I huddled inside drinking copious amounts of tea in an attempt to keep warm, the NZ Open and U16 competition got underway. Despite the galing off shore winds, 18

//curl #29

which meant the girls had to keep paddling just to stay in position, Fitzroy Beach turned on some contestable and challenging waves.

The thing that impressed me most was not just the quality of surfing at the NZ level, which is continuing to improve, but the attitude of all those competing. Throughout the whole day I did not hear one girl complain about the weather or the surf. Running the U16 and Open Women’s events in the same day meant many of girls were competing in both events. The Samson twins, Gabrielle and Bianca, stayed huddled in the car in their wetsuits with the heater going just to keep warm between heats, yet every time I saw them they were smiling.

Jada Fitzharris braved the elements six times during the day while the on form Ella Williams hit the water an impressive 7 times, competing in two finals, winning the U16 division and coming second in the Open Women’s.

The TSB Taranaki Surf Festival is a fairly unique event whereby the winner of the Open Women’s division gains entry into the prestigious Subaru Pro event, the third stop of the Women’s World Tour. Once again Sarah Mason took out the event and gained her place amongst the worlds elite. Fortunately for everyone, the weather did improve as the week progressed and Taranaki eventually turned on some solid

conditions for the Subaru Pro. The thing I love about the Taranaki event is that it breaks down so many of the barriers often visible in elite sports. The Taranaki locals have done everything possible to make the whole event a real Kiwi experience, from the opening powhiri at Waitara Marae, through to the tree planting and beach planned activities. The Subaru Pro brings the best of women’s surfing to Taranaki and we caught up with some of the more visual elite girls to see what it was that made them love coming to Taranaki so much, it surely couldn’t be the weather. www.curl.co.nz// 19

SALLY FITZGIBBONS:

This year’s sweetheart for sure. Sally endeared herself to the local community through her outstanding surfing and her warm and friendly demeanour. Never too busy to sign autographs or simply talk to the locals, Sally became an instant crowd favourite. Watching her surfing is simply captivating; her signature moves fast and fluid moves, fast and fluid. Despite Sally’s beautifully relaxed exterior, do not be fooled, this is one fierce and focused competitor who trains with as much determination as she competes.

You have been the most consistent surfer for the past two years but what is it that you have done differently that has enabled you to become the bride? I think just channelling the knowledge I’ve built up over the past two years on tour into my heats at Bells and Taranaki helped me to have a calm approach. Knowing I had the self-belief to go all the way to the top spot. I know that consistency is key and that is always the focus. Trying to step it up each time I hit the water You always have a smile on your face Sally, no matter how frustrated I know you must have been at times, are you just simply a happy person? I am simply, a very happy person. I love what I’m doing and I’m doing what I love. I have a dream job and so many great people in my life. I have way to many reasons to smile and smile big.

What is it you love about coming to NZ? I know it can’t be the weather! I love coming to NZ because it’s very similar to my home town and most of the South Coast of N.S.W. I think having the rolling hills right by the ocean is so beautiful. I love driving up and down the NZ coast searching for new spots to surf. Having uncrowded surfs is such a luxury and every time I come over I find spots to surf just by myself, which is epic.

I know you choose not to drink alcohol, can you tell us about this decision? I think not drinking alcohol was just a lifestyle choice for me. I never had the urge to drink, so I didn’t. I think because I always wanted to be a professional athlete since I was young, I just wanted to make the best decisions to get the most out of my training and competing. Not drinking just gives me the best chance to be able to perform at my my best and I always want to be there for my friends as well to be able to drive everyone home and make sure they don’t get into crazy situations.

At every competition we see you standing on one leg while your coach (or dad) tosses tennis balls at you. What’s this all about? My warm up routine does involve someone throwing a tennis ball at me. It looks pretty funny to onlookers but it is a great way to switch on everything and it’s a lot of fun too.

Dad is without his moustache for the first time in over 30 years, can you tell us the reason behind this? Dad and I made a bet last year that if I won a WT event that he would shave his mo off. It was just something fun that we decided on when we were on the road.

I think we spend a little too much time away and go a bit crazy on long trips. I got really close to a win 3 times but couldn’t crack it and Dad took the deal off the table after twelve months. When we were coming into bells this year I asked if we could bring the bet back one last time because it was the 50th anniversary. I ended up taking the win and so Dad shaved the Mo. He looked so different and I almost didn’t recognise him at first. I’ve never known him without his mo so it was a pretty good bet to win.

20

//curl #29

CARISSA MOORE:

THE LEADERS: Anyone who has watched the women’s surfing this year will no doubt know these two names well. Sally Fitzgibbons and Carissa Moore have less than 500 points between them after the third event of the year and are without a doubt this year’s inform surfers. Both these girls made a name for themselves in NZ last year when they met in a closely contended final, which Carissa won, and it was not surprising that these two faced off again in 2011. This time it was Sally’s turn to take the title. Both girls show amazing ability on the waves, but what has also endeared them both to NZ and in particular, to Taranaki, is their warm and generous natures.

Carissa made a real mark on Taranaki last year when she donated her winners cheque to the Waitara Board Riders club, making her an instant favourite with the Waitara crew. However, before this incredible gesture, Carissa had already endeared herself to the locals spending time at the local marae, interacting with the kids and showing a genuine interest in the people of Taranaki. We caught up with Carissa to talk about what has helped make her so incredibly successful and her generous gift to the community.

Congratulations Carissa on another outstanding performance this year. What’s a day in the life of Carissa Moore like prior to and during a competition? A typical day at home prior to an event for me would be wake up early and go for a surf with Dad and little sis. Then head to the gym with my trainer for an hour or two. I usually come home and rest midday or do some errands. Surf again in the afternoon, dinner and then relax. During a competition I usually wake up early and get a practice session in at the comp site then either surf the comp or rest the rest of the day and prepare for when the comp will be held. Sometimes I will throw in a workout or go site seeing with my Dad. Can you tell us a little bit about your connection with the Waitara Board Riders club? Last year I struggled to find my rhythm on tour and when I got to New Zealand the Waitara Board Riders club helped me find the passion and inspiration I needed. It was an amazing and magical experience and there will forever be a bond between us.

Your generosity last year, when you donated your winnings, was unprecedented. Can you tell us a little about the motivation behind this? I don’t really know how to explain it. It sort of just happened and felt right. The Maoris were very much apart of that win and I just felt it was a small way that I could give back to all they had done for me.

You are an obvious favourite on the beaches of Taranaki, what is it that you have loved about competing here? New Zealand is a magical place. The people, the beaches, the landscape is breathtaking and beautiful. I just feel really good vibes in Taranaki. It sort of feels like a home away from home.

Can you tell us a little about how the Waitara Board Riders have used the money you donated? I don’t know if they have really used too much of it yet. They are being really smart and cautious with what they want to use it for. I think the plan is that a bunch of the club is going to come visit me in November and stay with me which I am really looking forward to.

Both year’s you have had the haka performed for you before you have gone out to surf, this is quite a sign of respect. How has this affected your surfing or your thoughts on the people of Taranaki and Waitara? It is truly a blessing and an honour to have the Haka preformed.

I almost began crying this last time because it was so powerful and I could just feel their energy. I definitely felt good vibes before this last final and was so inspired unfortunately the waves didn’t come my way and I didn’t come out on top. When I hear them chant and see the passion they put into it my nerves seem to slip away and I am just focused at the task at hand. I almost feel like they are out there surfing with me.

You are leading the World Title race right now, having been in every final this year so far. What is it that makes you such an successful surfer? I am still trying to figure out the formula to being a successful surfer. I think I am just embracing every moment, good and bad and trying to learn from everything. It isn’t about the destination but the journey.

www.curl.co.nz// 21

THE VETERANS: Rebecca Woods and Sofia Mulanovich. It’s strange to think that at the tender ages of 26, 27, respectively, that these girls are the veterans of the sport. But between them they hold a World Title and a level of experience beyond their years. The thing that stood out most about these surfers at the Taranaki event was not only their surfing but the level of interaction they all had with the locals. These seasoned veterans know all about giving back to the local community.

REBECCA WOODS: Sydney’s sweetheart, Rebecca Woods was loving surfing in Taranaki.

It offered one of the few left handers on tour, similar to the left hand point break she grew up on, allowing her to show her powerful backhand. On the World Tour since 2005 Rebecca’s humble personality and skillful surfing have made her a crowd favourite.

You have always been one of my favourite surfers, not just because of the way you surf but how you conduct yourself in and out of the water. Can you tell us a little about what makes you you? For me I have learnt that being me is fine, I just enjoy the adventure of life. Also I know that sometimes people can get down and over things in life and give up. I have a disabled sister who has taught me many things including the importance of acceptance and the outcome of discrimination alongside patience and earned respect. I know if she could be given the opportunities I have been given she would live every moment to 100%. She still lives life with a smile on her face and I take that onboard.

The World Tour has changed during your time, can you tell us a little about the changes you have seen? Well as much as I hate being a pessimist and victimizing the Women’s Tour we have seen a massive shift from high performance waves with the new and exciting realm of internet to crowd/consumer pleasing venues such as the US Open which has just been made a WT and taken off the Star calendar in an already struggling Star Tour. This I believe is due to the GFC and sponsors wanting to see maximum return for minimal dollars (it is business after all and money rules the world) and expanding into untapped markets.

Unfortunately this has come right now in our time in history... if only I was born 8 yrs earlier! Change for the Women’s Tour will be slow but it will come back round, there is too much potential for it to not. The difference is the men still have Teahupoo and Pipe,

JBay and Trestles. We dont have any of these and we need it for variety. At the moment our World Champion is a beach break champ!

What’s now your favourite spot on the tour and why? I don’t have one at the moment. I did enjoy the waves in Taranaki the best so far but Sydney is good cos it’s close to my home and the rest wave quality wise can be really fickle whilst running alongside a men’s event.

I remember you telling us about the fact that you almost drowned as a little kid. Can you tell us about that and how does someone who almost drowned become a World class surfer who shines when the surf is big? My mum had finally given Dad the reins as she went off to Volleyball and Dad had us in the backyard. He thought things had gone quiet (I was 9 months old) and saw my sister on the trampoline but I was MIA. He found me 2 mins later with my legs sticking out of an Otto bin, ripped me out and I was blue with my eyes rolled back. Lucky for me he is a fireman and had done CPR training.

Unfortunately he pushed the fluid into my lungs and though I was breathing after being worked on my lung collapsed for a year.

The doctors wanted to remove it but Mum wouldn’t let them thank god! Thankfully for the world I lived.. ha jokes. I was forced into swimming training and sports after that for cardio and I am the youngest of four so competitiveness was in the veins. As for the big wave stuff I think that is just adrenalin addiction! Nothing gives you that rush like massive waves but I feel I have so much more to explore in that department.

SOFIA MULANOVICH:

Image by Kristin/ASP

The Peruvian princess, Sofia Mulanovich, is treated like royalty in her own country.

She was one of the first Peruvian’s ever to gain a world title, in any sport, and as a result is probably the most well known Peruvian in the world. She has been on the world tour since 2003 yet despite her obvious fame Sofia is one of the most approachable girls on tour.

You have spent a bit of time in Taranaki with Paige and her family. What is it you enjoy about coming to New Zealand and Taranaki in particular? I love Taranaki cause it is one of the most beautiful places I have been to; so green and stunning. The waves are amazing and the people are super real and nice, plus I get to stay with Paige and her family and they are so nice to me and make me feel as if I was home.

Despite the fact that women’s surfing has reached impressive levels, women’s surfing is now sponsored as much by local communities as it is by the surf brands.

What’s the significance of this and how important is it to give back to the local communities that have put on events? It is great to see events that are sponsored out of the industry brands by local communities cause that is a straight clue that women’s surfing is reaching a lot of people, not just surfers. Women’s surfing is a beautiful sport connected to nature and it is beautiful to watch even if you are not a surfer. To give back to the local communities is really important cause that is what makes them want to keep putting the event on each year and promoting the sport in their community. I think you cause more of an impact on people when you give them time to be personal with them and talk to them than if you win the contest, people will always remember you more by being nice than by you winning.

This year women’s surfing seems to have jumped to a whole new level. Can you tell us a little about that? The girls are surfing amazing now days!! The level has gone through the roof and it is good to watch that and be pushed by that. All the young girls surfing is flawless and it is just going to make the sport better and better.

You are now one of the most experienced girls left on tour. What can some of the new breed learn from the veterans on tour such as yourself? Hahaha, about surfing I don’t think much, maybe surfing barrels? Like Chels, Bartels, Bec, Bevo are amazing barrel riders and I think they are still a lot better than the young girls at getting barrelled but it is just cause we had the chance to have contests in amazing waves that helped us improve our barrel riding. Steph is probably the most complete surfer in my eyes, she has both the old school and new school in her surfing and she is always a pleasure to watch, she is an amazing barrel rider.

Listening to the commentators in Brazil, they mentioned keeping up with new trends and matching manoeuvre for manoeuvre. What if anything can you learn from the young blood? I can learn so much from the young blood, they are so talented and innovative; they do all kinds of moves and are perfect at reading waves, they know what they are doing and are super professional.

How has life on tour changed over the years? I guess it is a lot more professional now, girls are super competitive and the level is a lot higher with really hard heats all the time now. Now days pretty much all the girls on tour have the ability to win a World Title while I think before there were just 5 that will fight for it all the time.

22

//curl #29

www.curl.co.nz// 23

THE ROOKIES: Usually your rookie year is a huge learning curve, where you watch and learn from the more senior surfers. However, this year’s rookies are already a seasoned bunch and are proving themselves a force to be reckoned with.

COURTNEY CONLOGUE: Courtney Conlogue is from the California coast and joined the ranks this year with a whole heap of achievements under her belt. Unlike many of the girls who prefer to surf on their forehand, Courtney seeks out lefts so she can slash the lip on her backhand.

Can you tell us a bit about your home break and how it compares to the waves of Taranaki? I’ve claimed the whole coast of California since I live 20 miles inland from any beach. I probably surf Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and San Clemente more than any other break at home. Huntington Beach is an incredible place to train and offers many waves. I love surfing in Huntington. I know any break around the world can have small days. Even Hawaii, which offers big waves in the winter, is flat at certain times of the year! Many Hawaiians come to California in the summer to train and get waves. Throughout the year California gets massive swells along the coastline. The contest at Taranaki didn’t offer much for waves and like many times isn’t the best time to judge a location. I’m sure Taranaki has incredible surf but I just didn’t get to experience it my first time there. The coastline was beautiful and I’m looking forward to coming back.

This was your first experience visiting a local marae, can you describe that experience and what it meant to you?

I felt it was an honour to be invited by the Marae. The ceremonial welcoming given to the surfers that night was very cool. I enjoyed the traditional singing and dancing they did for us and the meal that we all shared together was very special. I love meeting the people of the community on all my travels around the world.

You were one of the people who was constantly visible at the beach and around the local community, really soaking up the whole event vibe. Can you explain the importance of being a good ambassador for the sport and the lifestyle?

The sport of surfing takes me all around the world for training and competition. A huge part of travelling around the world for me is enjoying the local people, the great food, the waves, and everything unique about an area. Anyone who knows me realizes that I love

24

//curl #29

adventure and exploring, and I’m not one to stay indoors for more than a few hours at a time. In Taranaki I enjoyed surfing and skating with the local children. I enjoy seeing a child get excited about learning something new and gaining more confidence when they are doing anything. When I was growing up I had people I aspired to and they encouraged me to pursue my dreams. Now I am there, people are watching me and I want to be a great role model for children who are figuring out who they are, who they want to be, and what they want to do. For me I hope to be a catalyst for the youth. I want to help them see that if they want something bad enough, are willing to put the time and effort into something, they can get there no matter what it is that they desire.

This is your first year on the World Tour and you are travelling with your mum. What’s the advantages (disadvantages) of having the support of mum with you?

Travelling with my mom is amazing. She and I are a team. Through the years she and I have learned together what works well for me.

She takes care of the logistics of the all travelling, lodging, cooking, cross-training, and filming for training. This year she has helped with keeping me relaxed, ready and organized. For all the rookies and even experienced competitors on tour they either have a trainer/ coach, videographers documenting their travels, mom and/or dad, brothers, sisters, or all the above supporting them. A support base is really important for the athletes. This is my first year on tour and I have been watching, learning, and understanding how the tour works and getting comfortable.

We’ve heard through the CURL grapevine that you used to be a pole vaulter. Is this true and can we expect big aerials from you in the future? Yes it’s true. Along with running for my high school track and field team I was also a pole vaulter and loved it. I’m working on aerials during training but haven’t brought them to my heats yet.

TYLER WRIGHT: The youngest contestant on this year’s world tour is seventeen year old rookie, Tyler Wright. However, do not let her youth or supposed inexperience fool you. Currently sitting third in the rankings Tyler conducts herself like a seasoned professional. She’s fearless in the water and definitely one to watch.

This is your first year on the World Tour and you are the youngest competitor, yet you are presently sitting 3rd on the World Title race. What do you put your success down to?

I can’t really put it down to one thing, it’s more so a whole network of things and people... The way I grew up, where I grew up, where I live now all have major parts but the biggest would have to be the network of people I have around me; my family, friends, Dean Davis, Brodie, Josie and Zahara at the IHP 3 centre.

You come from a family of very competent surfers. Can you tell us what it’s like being part of such a dynasty? Most of the time it sucks cause you can never catch a wave but beside that there’s some good times.

Is there any elements of your brother’s surfing that you try to incorporate (or does he try to copy you?) Owen tries to incorporate my surfing into his all the time, can’t you tell? No I think we’re both very individual and completely opposite in the water, although if I could incorporate an element of his surfing it would be his effortless style. It’s just beautiful to watch.

At dinner do you as a family talk about anything other than surfing? Surfing is probably the least talked about subject at dinner.

This was your first visit to Taranaki - how did you find the waves, the place and the people? Personally I loved it over there; the views and the landscape reminded me of were I grew up. It was the most at home I’ve ever felt at an event; the whole community seemed willing to help out and come together to support the Women’s World Tour.

Someone commented that the greatest difference between the girls and the guys surfing was that the girls still like each other at the end of the competition. What’s your thoughts on this? I disagree with this comment; from what I’ve seen this year it seems like when they hit the water it’s everyman for themselves just like it is in the women’s, after the job’s done everyone seems to be good mates. There’ll always be personality clashes but you get that everywhere.

Who do you most admire on the tour and why? Owen because his my big brother. www.curl.co.nz// 25

PAIGE HAREB:

THE LOCAL: Being a Kiwi we didn’t have anyone to hang our patriotic flag on in the surfing world, then along came Paige. Not only is she talented, she’s also a typically humble kiwi kid who just happens to be great at surfing (amongst other sports) and absolutely loved by the local Taranaki community. Where ever you look there’s “Go Paige” stickers and the crowd erupts when Paige is competing but it takes more than talent to make a community proud. Paige is Taranaki born and bred and proud of it. She endears herself to both young and old with her relaxed approach and friendly demeanour and bringing the World Tour to her home town has been something the whole community have embraced.

You spend a whole heap of time out of the country these days travelling, what’s it like to be able to spend some time at home? I’m appreciating, loving and missing home more and more. I love travelling but home is so good with my family and friends there. It’s easy to get into a routine there and do other sports like skiing, snowboarding, biking, basketball, soccer, boxing and tennis. I miss the team sports a lot. I also love how I can surf my favourite surf spots with like 5 people out and not be competitive, just do it for the love. I even just like how I can drive my Subaru around going wherever listening to music, enjoying the Taranaki scenery of the mountain and seaside and just being in the moment and content right there by myself. I love taking time out like that to appreciate everything.

Can you tell us a little about the home town advantage of having a World Tour event in your backyard? To be honest as much as I’d like to think knowing the waves better there is a big advantage, I really don’t think it is because these days all the girls on tour are amazing surfers and can adapt to pretty much any kind of surf so quick anywhere we go. I do think having the hometown support is a huge advantage though, well for me I truly do feel the good vibes and out in the water I feel it helps me want it so much more. As much as I want to do it and prove to myself I can do it, I almost would rather want to do it just to show my family, friends and fans that I can do it, that I’m up there with the best of them, you know I don’t want to let them down.

Despite being really busy when you are home you seem to always make time for the locals in your community. Why is this important to you? I love Taranaki and the people there. I am really proud to be from Taranaki. I have felt and had a lot of support from the people of Taranaki and I’m a believer of what goes around comes around, so it’s not just cause I’m from there because I like to try and give my time to the locals wherever I am in the world and just try to be the best person I can be.

What are you most proud of about your home town? I guess my heart is wherever I have the most fun so I would have to say I’m proud of the Taranaki coastline

Just a few of Paige’s support crew

but also the mountain. I love some snow action and it’s pretty cool that Taranaki is one of the only places in the world where you can Ski and Surf in the same day. From one extreme to the other. It’s pretty magic and special!

What do you like most about being a kiwi kid? The kiwi passport is one of the best to travel on. The only grief you get for being a kiwi is a bit of banter about your accent but deep down everyone loves the Kiwi’s ha ha, but I am just proud to be up there with the best from such a little country just like any kiwi should be in any of the sports we are up there with the best in the world.

What do you miss most when you are away? Routine, family, friends, team sports, good food and home in general.

Choose four words that describe Taranaki? Rugged, beautiful, real, Taradise (it would be Paradise if it was 10degrees warmer haha) Maintaining a spot on the World Tour requires a lot of hard work. The level of women’s surfing has simply exploded this year. What can tell us about this?

It’s always going to be getting better from now on I think. There’s so many young girls out there starting earlier and getting better all the time. The likes of Sally and Carissa are the start of that next young generation. In my eyes, they are the top two pushing each other and women’s surfing at the moment, they are the ones everyone is chasing. When you get two girls like them always pushing each other, it’s the best thing for the sport, it’s only going to go up and get better. I also think this has to do with all the girls getting more and more professional and serious about what they want; The World Title. www.curl.co.nz// 27

Thankfully the fantastic team at Surfing Taranaki have decided to do the whole thing again next year so make sure you pencil the date in your diary for 2012 for an event not to be missed.

It’s usually held in the second week of the first school holidays, making it an ideal break for the whole family. There’s something for everyone to do in Taranaki, be it going to the Art House cinema, the museum or simply watching the best in the world surfing.

Curl’s favourite picks for Taranaki: Stay: Top 10 Holiday Park - it’s close to the main event site and has accommodation for all budgets Fitzroy Beach Motel - right down the road from the main event site and within easy walking distance Eat: Piccolo Morso cafe and bakery in Fitzroy - within walking distance of Fitzroy beach where they make the best chocolate cake ever!

Lunchtime surfing?

Shop: Beach Street, Fitzroy - owned and operated by the ever enthusiastic supporter of women’s surfing, Arch.

Cheapskates New Plymouth - great for all your street and surf wear.

Drink: The owner of the Crowded House Bar in New Plymouth is passionate about surfing and his bar serves great food and drinks so check it out.

Go To: Art House Cinema for all a unique movie theatre experience.

Drive: Make sure you check out Dekan Hareb Motors for the best 4x4 cars to get you to your favourite surf spot up and down the coast.

As always an event like this would not be able to happen without the huge number of man/women hours put in by the organisers and numerous volunteers. We’d like to send a huge shout out to everyone in Taranaki who helped make this event happen - we are eternally grateful!

Lunchtime Surfing!

Taranaki: Swap sides to a fantastic lifestyle!

There are serious upsides to your downtimes in Taranaki. There’s almost always a wave somewhere around Surf Highway 45, plenty of cosy cafes to relax in afterwards and heaps of events to fill up your evenings.

In Taranaki you’ll get to spend more time in the line-up and less in a line of traffic, and on the rare occasions when you don’t want to surf there’s a mountain playground on your doorstep.

Get inspired by the best women surfers when they come to Taranaki on the ASP Dream Tour, the best artists at the Govett-Brewster Art gallery, and the best musicians and music festival at one of the region’s massive major events.

www.swapsides.co.nz

C7/VT186/CURL

Isn’t it time you swapped sides to Taranaki?

A TASTE OF CHINA

Holly Beck surfing in China

TEXT © Sam Bleakley / surfEXPLORE| IMAGES BY John Callahan Surfing in China is taking off, and the sub tropical island of Hainan is the hubbub. Between November and February a series of left points unravel in cadence along the coast of Wanning in the southeast. The seed was planted at Mama’s Restaurant in Riyue Wan by a yellow beach fringing a lush skirt foliage and a fruity pointbreak. In brilliantly opportunistic style the Chinese government recently launched ‘The Wanning International Surfing Festival’ to capitalise on the potential surfing surge.

Eager to figure out how best to develop the sport in China the organisers invited Holly Beck and Kim Mayor from California to help explore and document the Wanning coast and take part in a montage of press conferences, dinners, surf demonstrations, seminars, a grand opening ceremony and the Surfing Hainan Open.

I arrive alongside Holly and Kim with an overwhelming sense of anticipation that only China can arouse. We are quickly introduced to great food. Taste and smell to the Chinese are as looking and touching are to westerners. Set out before us are pure, clean, contrasting flavours, and we eat a feast of garlic-fried

30

//curl #29

shrimps, coconut rice, squid, red snapper and green vegetables.

There are delicate portions of noodle soup, spinach leaves, boiled Wenchang chicken, spicy chilli tofu, and finally lychee and star fruit. Gam bei (‘dry glass’ or ‘bottoms up’) is demanded after every course. As invited guests, we must have a drink with every host. ‘If you leave a social meal sober you did not truly enjoy yourself’ says a Chinese proverb.

Kim loves the paradoxes of travel and explains that, “ever since I went on a ‘Save the Rainforest’ trip to Belize in sixth grade, I’ve wanted to see the world. That first international trip opened my eyes to getting outside the Santa Cruz bubble.”

Kim and Holly met trading trophies through school-time surfing contests up and down the California coast. Despite their success they both chose to steer away from the pro tour jamboree and focus on freesurfing careers. Kim still rides for Hotline wetsuits, but helps generate travel revenue by working for a sustainable orchard keeper in Santa Cruz. The balance is working, and Holly and Kim are quickly dubbed ‘World Surfing Beauties’ by the event promoters at the series of public gatherings around

Wanning. Their excitement for life is utterly infectious and they offer a match for the local politicians and dignitaries who welcome us with an inexhaustible reserve of enthusiasm, if little understanding of the meaning of surfing at this stage in the proceedings. Importantly, Holly and Kim are charismatic but not voluble, knowing when to glance off subtly.

The formalities are conducted in sweltering heat, as this is the last gasp of the sticky summer before winter arrives to bring cool air from the north and stir the sleeping South China Sea into action. We set out from our base in Shimei Bay, passing the hot springs and coffee houses of Xing Long, then the dramatic granite cupolas and a revered golden Buddha at the Dong Shan Ridge. Zigzaging through Wanning City apartment blocks rise from sleepy roads and the smells of fresh, fast-cooked street food - that is becoming the fashion for western chefs to imitate – mingles with smoke from motorbikes. At the port of Hongan Town groups of women untangle and sew sprawling green fishing nets as boats bring in a fresh catch, quickly cut, gutted and rinsed ready to be cooked for lunch. We finally arrive at Xiangbei, a

clean stretch of beach washed by the rise and fall of the tide.

Kim and Holly dip under a fun shorebreak and then remake the surface surfing like sprung cats, knowing that better waves are forecast.

At Riyue Wan the next day the predicted thick-set swell finally arrives and the left point transforms into a stunning long ride, eventually fading in deep green water. As the swell reaches overhead, the sea turns from yellow-green to a copper colour.

Holly pulls into the wave of the session, sneaking through a tube and emerging to duster the waveface with polished turns. Kim adds speed - a flash of the board’s tail, in and out of the foxhole, to leave a big trace – a skein of water falling out of the sky and collecting in the bowl of the curl. They paddle in confirming the great potential of surfing in China, and meet Mama with open arms. She runs a buzzing restaurant on the beachside with her sons Huang Wen and Huang Ning, and daughter Huang Li. Mama tends pigs and ducks, and wears a cowboy hat and Wellington boots to wade into the plastic buckets filled with water so familiar to Chinese eating-places. The buckets are filled with exotic sea

www.curl.co.nz// 31

Holly was a favourite with the locals

Kim Mayor enjoys the China barrels

creatures - keeping the potential meal alive as long as possible preserves the taste. She takes great pride in feeding the girls a fish feast. The following morning inviting lefts continue to wedge down the point. Kim skates over a green and glassy face until the waves back off, then the lip doubles up over her back and she strings a low, tight line, until she holds a long floater over a feathering lip, landing on the inside in sharp punctuation.

Goofyfooter Holly, painted in bright BodyGlove attire, plays long solos, all sustained speed and smooth as silk. The duo surf hard, explore the Wanning coast, then prepare for the main event.

The Government have made a massive push to polish up the sites at Shimei Bay and Riyue Wan, with surfing action banners newly shot by John Callahan draped across the highway, and life-size portrait posters of Holly and Kim hung out like crisp laundry beside restaurants. The speed and scale is mindboggling and shows what can be done when the mind and body of a community are focused. This is not a culture of instant gratification, but a ‘can do’ mentality in action. There is a lavish opening ceremony in Shemi Bay – broadcast live on television, with a drumming act, Wanning dancing and fireworks akin to a mini-Olympic stage set. Afterwards a massing, wavering crowd

32

//curl #29

of hesitating hands and smiles greet Kim and Holly. They swarm for signatures and photographs. At the subsequent surf seminar, Holly gives a sparkling presentation on the rewards of surf travel, and the integral need to preserve Hainan’s surfing seeds, firmly rooted and flowering at Mama’s Restaurant in Riyue Wan. Surfers from a scattering of countries arrive in time for the Hainan Open – a refreshingly laid-back contest. The swell continues unabated and the Government sends free buses around Wanning, offering easy access to the beach – State Socialism at its best. By the final day 4,000 spectators are at the event. The audience are completely enraptured as Kim and Holly take to the water. They both surf with so much heart that you can feel it from the shore: a big tone that is also intense, pushing away at the turns, finding every possible section to wring out the last ounce of juice with sweet style. Kim makes it to the Open men’s semi finals, and Holly the final of both the Open and Longboard men’s. The day wears on. Surfers will recognise that feeling of beautiful exhaustion – the evening arrives, you watch the sunset and food beckons. It is a spiritual experience and this is where surfing must surely establish itself in China - as more than just a commercial venture.

Rosy Hodge plays the stunt double for the lead character, Dana, as well as her mother in the flash back scenes. Her signature style is beautiful to watch and she plays a significant role in the new movie Can you give us a little background on your surfing career? I’ve been surfing since I was 8. I started competing on the WQS in 2006 and qualified in my first year for the World Tour. I surfed on the Women’s World Tour for four consecutive years 07, 08, 09, 10. I live in East London, South Africa.

You would have grown up watching both Blue Crush movies, the documentary and the Hollywood movie by the same name. What effect did both movies have on you as you were growing up? I loved Blue Crush. I loved the core surf movie by Bill Ballard because the girls in the movie are all amazing and people I really looked up to, from all generations, when I was growing up. They were doing exactly what I dreamed of doing. It gave me a preview of the lifestyle I was so vested in at a young age. The blockbuster movie was also a firm favourite. I watched it at the big screen with one of my first boyfriends and I was in awe of the whole thing. Some bits I thought were cheesy but for the most part I loved the film. I think I also really liked the movie because girls like Megan Abubo and Rochelle Ballard were surfing in it and I’m a sucker for rom-coms.

What was the effect of the Hollywood movie on the mainstream public and how did that effect the core surfer girl? I think because Blue Crush was a blockbuster movie it encouraged a lot of girls to start surfing which made the women’s surf market boom. It also made people more aware of how much women’s surfing had progressed and it inspired a lot of the girls to surf better and charge harder. It also made surfing a bit more ‘mainstream’ like I would go to school and there would be girls claiming to be ‘surfers’ with all the gear but it was cool because it meant more of my friends would hangout at the beach.

experience? Who you played, what it was like etc? I worked on Blue Crush 2 for 8 weeks and it was an absolute dream job. I had an acting roll as the young mother in the flash back scenes and I was the lead surf double. It was so much fun being in a creative environment and hanging out with the crew and actors. Everyone got on really well. They filmed on the South Coast of Durban, Durban, JBay and the Transkei. I would wake up super early and be on set for breakfast and meet with the water unit to find out where the best waves were and what scene would be shot. Get costume and make up done and then surf the whole day and then most nights the crew and actors would hangout and have a bit of a party.

Image by Steve Dickinson

Blue Crush 2 lead characters on set in South Africa Image compliments of Universal Pictures

The movie is shot in your home town, what do you hope people will come away from the movie knowing about South Africa? I think the whole experience of travelling up and down the coast of SA just made me fall in love with my home country even more. I’ve seen a few frame grabs from the movie and you get to see just how beautiful and diverse the country is and the waves were A grade for most of the 8 weeks. It was all time.

People talk about surfing growing in leaps and bounds over the past few years. What do you see as the biggest advances in surfing recently? I just think surfing has improved so much. The way people are surfing is insane. They have taken moves that were thought impossible and doing them like cutbacks now. It’s crazy. Also I think surf photography and surf films are so much more inspiring. I love pouring over surf photos and looking at every detail. People have gotten so creative with the equipment that is available, older photographers are perfecting what they do and the younger generation are putting a creative edge on everything.

You have recently starred in Blue Crush 2 movie, to be released later this year, can you tell us a bit about that

BLUE CRUSH 2 WORDS LYNNE DICKINSON DESIGN REVA LITWACK

Early last year, the spectacular landscape of South Africa became the setting for the new surf movie, Blue Crush 2, where the search for the ultimate wave becomes an exotic and exhilarating journey of self-discovery and heartfelt friendship. The all-new movie installment based on 2002’s hugely popular Blue Crush, which starred Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez, follows an adventurous young woman on the surf adventure of a lifetime. Although South Africa is known for it’s great waves, this movie also shows some of the spectacular scenery and wildlife along this stunning coastline. Blue Crush 2 features some of the most picturesque beaches on the planet, including the renowned “home of the perfect wave,” Jeffrey’s Bay (aka “J-Bay”), North Beach, Glenmore, Banana Beach and Coffee Bay. The film’s hot, young, international cast includes Sasha Jackson (“One Tree Hill”), Sharni Vinson (Step Up 3-D), Elizabeth Mathis (Enchanted), Ben Milliken (Newcastle) and newcomer Chris Fisher. In Blue Crush 2, a young California girl treks across her late mother’s beloved South African beaches riding some of the world’s most spectacular waves, while making lifelong friends and gaining new insights into her past and future.

Working alongside some of the well known actresses are also many many world-class female surfers including: Sally Fitzgibbons, Laura Enever , Bianca Buitendag , Rosy Hodge , Tanika Hoffman, and Danielle Le Roux. Additional female surfers featured in the film include Sarah Baum, Roxy Louw, Tarryn Chudleigh, Kirsty Delport, Mia Hordyk, Morag Steele and Heidi Palmboom.

We caught up with Rosy Hodge and Sally Fitzgibbons to see how they enjoyed the whole movie making experience…

34

//curl #29

www.curl.co.nz// 35

Sally Fitzgibbons also got to appear in the new movie. For her part she had to simply play herself and provide words of encouragement for her fellow surfers.

Sasha Jackson: Can you give us a little background on your surfing career? I started surfing when I was 6 years old. My Dad and three older brothers all surfed, I saw them in the water all the time and it looked like so much fun and the coolest thing going around. By the age of 11 I followed in my brother’s foot steps and started surfing competitively. I just loved it and wanted to keep improving so I moved through the ranks from Grommet Contests (12’s, 14’s, 16’s) and onto the Pro Juniors. At 17 I began my World Qualifying Series Campaign and by mid-year I was Qualified for the Women’s World Tour, one step closer to that World Title Dream. Having the opportunity to travel the World and see and experience what I do and surf some of the best waves on the planet is so amazing; my dream job.

You were a super grom when the first Blue Crush movies were released; both the documentary and the Hollywood movie by the same name. What effect did both movies have on you as you were growing up? I remember lining up with all my friends, being so excited to see Blue Crush at the movies. I was still a young grommet and along with all my friends thought Blue Crush was the best thing since sliced bread haha. When I watched it more closely and picked out all the girls that were on the World Tour I thought that, if there was ever a sequel I would want to be in it. I think it was a great story and was appealing for those who were keen surfers but also the general public. For those who knew nothing about surfing, I believe Blue Crush put female surfing in the spotlight and sparked an interest for them.

Image by Steve Dickinson 36

What was the effect of the Hollywood movie on the mainstream public and how do you think this affected the core surfer girl? For the mainstrem public it was definitely something that stuck. For many who don’t know a lot about surfing or female surfing for that matter, it seems even now a constant referral point and conversation starter. For the core surfer girl, the movie had its obvious extra hollywood trimmings, special effects and awesome sound track, which took a few parts away from the reality of competitive surfing. But I think that was easily overlooked with //curl #29

Following on from her success in hugely popular US show One Tree Hill, Sasha now takes the lead in Blue Crush 2 for which she had to master the art of surfing.

great action and story line. It was so enjoyable for everyone.

You have recently starred in Blue Crush 2 movie, can you tell us a bit about that experience? Who you played, what it was like etc? I was Competing in the World Tour event over in Peru at the time and began my journey back home, only to get the call whilst in transit in Chile to change my route and fly to South Africa to play a part in “Blue Crush 2”...I said “Whaaaat.. really?” So the wheels were set in motion and I had the longest ever plane ride to get there (via Sydney). 40 hours later I rolled into my hotel room at 2am only to have a knock on the door and a script delivered.

I read through it with my tired eyeballs falling out of my head.

Before I knew it there was another knock on the door...I’d fallen asleep and it was now morning and time to get driven to set.

I thought to myself I’m just going to have to pick this up as I go along.

I played myself which I thought was really cool. Myself and Laura Enever were Commentators/mentors. It was an amazing experience and so interesting watching the production of a film first hand. All the little intricacies of a set and filming different scenes. Its crazy how it all links together in the end. I met great people, surfed really fun waves and learnt the ropes of a new industry. A whirl wind experience and an amazing opportunity to live out that dream I had of being in the sequel.

People talk about surfing growing in leaps and bounds over the past few years. What do you see as the biggest advances in surfing recently? I think the growth of Women’s surfing is definitely taking leaps and bounds. With a new crop of young talent attributing to the higher performance level. Everybody is hungry to win and therefore push each other to surf bigger and better. Our sport is definitely going to continue to go from strength to strength and attract more attention with the amazing surfing that’s going down. I’m so excited to be apart of it all and want to keep pushing myself like everybody else. There’s no time like now to tune in and start following your favourite surfers, it truely is one of the greatest and most challenging sports.

Elizabeth Mathis: Elizabeth is a fashion model and actress. She portrays one of the Sirens in Tron: Legacy, with other film credits including Unstoppable and Blue Crush 2.

Go to page 77 for a review of this movie and page 72 for a chance to win your very own copy of Blue Crush 2.

Film © 2010 Universal Pictures Productions GmbH and Moonlighting Blue Crush Films C.C. All Rights Reserved.

Access All Areas

By Lynne Dickinson

Three by Donovan Frankenreiter “I guess this lonely life’s for me Until I get to wrap my arms around three I guess this lonely life’s for me Until I wrap my arms around three People say you’re living like a single mom Daddy hits the road to sing his lonely song And if they only knew just what we made For our family strength is heaven sent And I guess this lonely life’s for me Until I can put my arms around three And I guess this lonely life’s for me Until I put my arms around three I watched the rain hit the windowsill I wonder how many tear drops it’s gonna take for my emptiness to fill If hearing your voice is the closest I’m gonna be I’ll have to wait till I wrap my arms around three Around three”

Most of us are envious of Donovan’s lifestyle. He has spent the past twenty years travelling the world surfing for a living and the last six or so combining both a career in surf and music. However, when we caught up with Donovan and his band during their last visit to Auckland, the underlying feeling was that they are just a little envious of the rest of us. Strange I know, but the joy and love of what they do for a living is tempered by the fact that the lifestyle keeps them away from their loved ones. Donovan is without a doubt a dedicated family man. He has two children, Hendrix (8) and Ozzy (6) and is married to the very gorgeous Petra. Donovan writes many of his songs on the road, and it is no surprise that his family are featured heavily in many of his lyrics. Don’t get me wrong, they love their lives, but it does come at a cost...

We chatted backstage before his concert...

This is the end of a long trip for you guys, where have you been on this leg of the tour? We went all through Australia and Tasmania and then we have been to Wellington - the whole tour was really good, Wellington last night which was great - we were really sad we couldn’t go to Christchurch but we knew of the situation but we are very happy to be back here.

Can you tell us a little bit about your new album? It’s called Glow and we’ll tour for another half a year and then make a new one - it’s a lot different to the other albums we’ve made but it was exciting making it - I have been writing a lot of songs on this trip and can’t wait to get the band back in the studio and make another record.

Any favourite songs from your new album? I love “Keeping Me Away”, “Glow”, “Three” and “Home”. A lot of them are inspired by missing home. The older I get the more I realise the careers I have, 38

//curl #29

which are a dream come true to surf and play music for a living. But for some people I don’t think they’d trade their lifestyles for what I do because I live out of a suitcase and am gone 8 months of the year. I have a wife and two kids and to balance all and make everyone happy is... well sometimes you are really, really lonely. I guess a lot goes into me playing for an hour and a half on stage. I live my whole day waiting for that moment that is my fun moment. But a lot goes into that short period of time and being away from my family is just part of it.

How does a surfers life and musicians life gel? They are harmonious in the way that we don’t ever do anything at the same time, you surf in the day and play music at night which is great, but the thing I love about surfing is you never plan it - you may say your gonna go surfing in the morning and you go there, and instead grab a coffee while you wait for the tide to turn or the wind to drop. There is no time schedule on a surf trip, you just kinda go and do, you don’t know what’s gonna happen. But music is very scheduled. I know where I am going to be at 3 o clock next month for sound check and then what time I have got to play that night. It’s quite strange to know exactly where you are going to be on that day at that time. The moment that it’s like surfing is when the gig starts because for that hour and a half nothing is planned.

We have a set list but so many things change, the crowd, the venue, the vibe, everything changes like the waves change. If it ever got robotic I wouldn’t do it. The thing that is robotic is travelling. I am always on a plane.

With all your travelling and gig time, do you still get much time to go surfing? Now that I live in Hawaii I surf all the time when I am home with the kids and my wife Petra so I get to go out a lot.

I have been touring a lot so I got to go surfing in Japan and went surfing

on the west and east coast of America and went surfing in Brazil and Chile, so a lot of the tour I’ve been going out and doing a lot of surfing too so it’s been great.

The island of Kauai has suffered a couple of tragic losses recently. How do you cope with the loss of friends through surfing? It feels like Andy’s on a surf trip. I saw him two weeks before he died and we were both leaving and I was like, see you when you get back. I feel like he’s just still on that surf trip.

Now another local guy just died too, Sion Milosky, he was married with two kids. He’s one of the insane watermen of my generation and has paddled into some of the largest waves ever paddled into. This guy was unbelievable. He paddled into Mavericks two weeks ago and a big wave curled over him and he never came up. It just goes to show you that even the most fit, unbelievable human beings, the best watermen in the world can be held under for a long period of time. When I see those things happen you know you have to be so mentally and physically fit to ride those waves. They are doing that because they are obsessed with that and there have been some pretty close calls that I have heard about that people don’t hear about. It’s tragic that it is yet another guy from Kauaui that has died and they are going to have to relive all of the grief again. It’s Surreal.

You’ve spent a lot of time in Japan over the years, any thoughts to explain what’s going on in the world right now? No idea, you just gotta live in the moment and really, really enjoy life cause it can be taken away very quick and what may be your normal life today may not be tomorrow.

The surfing scene has changed a lot over the years. People used to be very one craft, they were either short boarders,

longboarders or boogie boarders.

What’s your thoughts on this?

For me I think that surfing has changed a lot of the past 10 years and people are wanting to ride anything. I used to compete, I was very competitive but then after a while I didn’t have to be and then I figured out I could make a living surfing by riding other boards and different designs. For me I’m promoting the lifestyle, riding the wave anyway you wanna ride it.

You can even go to the beach and not ride a wave but you are living the lifestyle of a surfer. (You can put that on the cover as well!)

I know I’ve asked you before but if you could have a super power, what would it be? With your aversion to airports would it be the ability to teleport? Just like I read in your magazine today, I would still love to be able to fly. Teleporting would be pretty cool but I have dreams of flying so I would love to be able to fly. If I could fly I could fly anywhere, I’d always have my own first class seat and I wouldn’t have to check in. I don’t mind flying but checking in! Security, customs, arrh.

When can we look forward to seeing you back again on our shores? We’re gonna come back and do New Years Eve at the “La de Da” it’s sort of a big festival by a vineyard. We’re playing right before Fat Freddies Drop and then they are going to play the New Year in, which is great. I love listening to them and it will be my first time seeing them live so I’m looking forward to it. www.curl.co.nz// 39

Born in the mountains

Mitchey Greig Words by Kasia Jillings, Image by Camilla Stoddart

Life was sweet for 22 year old professional skier Mitchey Greig until a torn anterior cruciate ligament destroyed her chances of competing at Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado this year. Greig was set to be the first New Zealander to compete in skier cross at Winter X Games but suffered a season ending knee injury on the last day of training.

Amazingly she seems relatively unfazed preferring to focus on rehabbing her knee so she is ready for New Zealand Winter Games and the next northern hemisphere season. “It was a bummer but I guess that’s what you expect in this sport. It’s not always plain sailing.”

Surgeons in America told Greig she would definitely need surgery but once home in New Zealand the surgeon decided her knee was stable enough to avoid an operation. This was a big relief for Greig who’s not one for needles. “I hate needles and operations so I was pretty stoked. I’ll take any opt out I can” Tearing her ACL means that this season is over for Greig but it does mean she is enjoying her first summer in eight years.

While back in NZ this summer Greig is working at her parents’ backpackers, gardening a lot and “getting her green fingers on.”

Biking is allowed so Greig is mountain biking a lot. She says that Queenstown is the up and coming mountain bike capital of NZ. “There’s tracks being built left right and centre.” Skyline and Seven Mile are her top picks. Another bonus is there are quite a lot of chicks into the biking scene so Greig is never short of a group of friends to ride with. “Mountain biking kind of goes hand in hand with winter sports athletes, if they’re not going overseas ... so they roped me into it.”

After the knee injury “I thought it was the end of me but it’s been nonstop since I’ve been home so it’s been pretty cool.” Apart from biking and gardening Greig is going to Europe for a few weeks to visit her boyfriend and relax. It will be a welcome change for Greig who despite travelling often doesn’t normally have time for sightseeing. Greig’s travel schedule usually means sticking to the mountains so she’s really looking forward to checking out Venice and Munich.

Once back from Europe Greig will be back into her studies in Adventure Tourism at Queenstown Resort College. Greig says it’s hard to focus on both studying and skiing but “you’ve just got to find a balance really it’s easy to not do any work and just go skiing all the time.”

Born in bred in Queenstown Greig still loves to ski the local slopes where she got her start. At just three years old she learnt to at Coronet 42ski//curl #29 Peak and quickly got involved in the alpine racing

circuit. In 2004 Greig switched to skier cross, the motor cross of snow sports which Greig once described as “carnage on ice.”

Ski wise Greig aims to be ready to compete again at NZ Winter Games this year in August where she hopes to take out the skier cross event. The New Zealand Winter Games run from the 13th to the 28th of August.

One of Greig’s goals is to “focus more on developing big mountain skills and back country skiing.” Greig has always had an interest in big mountain skiing but never had the time until now.

“Mentally big mountain skiing is a lot different ... it’s a different frame of mind you need to get in to do it.” Last year Greig placed second in the NZ Free Ski Open which was held at Treble Cone.

Following the 2010 Free Ski open head judge Dion Newport said that Greig’s performance proved that she should be doing more big mountain competitions. If all goes well with her recovery we will Greig vying for a podium finish again this year.

Following the New Zealand ski season Greig wants to be back on the world cup circuit and working towards the World Champs.

Injuries meant Greig missed out on both this season which was “gutting” for her but when asked about her worst injuries Greig says she’s “actually been quite lucky. I’ve only done my shoulder and both knees.” However, Greig did say she feels like this past year has been the most damaging of her career. Greig had just spent four months rehabbing her shoulder after surgery in September last year only to bust her knee a month later at X Games.

This year “I’m going to be doing as much training and rehab as possible. “ Long term Greig wants to be competing again at the next Winter Olympics. “I’d definitely like to step it up a couple of levels from the last Olympics in Vancouver. It’d be cool to get a top 10.” Russia will host the next Winter Olympics in 2014.

Although disappointed with her final result at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, where she placed 30th, Greig still felt it was a good experience and a massive learning curve. “One thing I’ve realised was that the biggest part was really the journey getting there ... The actual event was only a few days but it took me years to get there.” Greig considers the Olympics the highlight of her career so far but has a feeling it would have been the X Games if she had competed. Despite feeling personally disappointed Greig was incredibly successful in being the only New Zealander to compete in skier cross at the Olympics.

Getting modest Greig to brag about her host of achievements is no easy feat but there is no doubt she is carving a name for herself in the ski world. Mitchey Greig is definitely one to watch.

WWW.TOO2LATE.CO.NZ For retail and stockist enquiries info@too2late.co.nz

n e v a e H o t Closer to Heaven, r h e t s Down toEEarth r a o t n w Do

The vast terrain of Whistler Blackcomb | Image by Dan Carr

By Lynne Dickinson

When you look at a map of Canada it’s hard to get your head around quite how big the country is. We had planned a bit of a road trip with the aim of getting in some skiing along with seeing as much of the country as we possibly could. After working out driving times and picking places we wanted to ski we ended up with a round trip from Vancouver with over 24 hours of driving time. When we laid it all out on the map we have only covered a tiny section of British Columbia!

The first thing you notice about Canada is the size of everything; the mountains are huge, the landscape vast, the meals oversized and the coffee supersized, so it was no surprise that our car (a Yukon XL) was also extremely large. Our first destination Whistler Blackcomb, the mammoth mountain resort with a village life to match. We arrived during presidents week which meant the place was buzzing with people. It created an impressive night life vibe but also a busy feel up the mountain too. However, Whistler/Blackcomb is huge and the crowds quickly dispersed on the vast terrain.

The area of Whistler was initially a fishing destination before being developed into a ski resort. It’s the place it is today simply due to competition. Whistler opened originally in 1966 boasting the biggest vertical drop in North America. Then in 1980 Blackcomb opened on the neighbouring mountain and when they introduced the 7th Heaven T-Bar creating a vertical mile of skiing, Whistler responded with the Peak Chair increasing it’s vertical to 1,530 meters. The two mountains eventually emerged in 1997 and fortunately have continued to thrive to provide the best on mountain facilities and accessible terrain.

There’s over 8000 skiable acres and over 38 lifts. A day with one of the mountain guides is highly recommended just to help you negotiate your way around the mountain.

Whistler itself also has a huge amount to offer outside of skiing.

When we arrived they had just opened up rides on the “skeleton” and you could also try out the Olympic biathlon course, which Tish and

Teva snowmobiling | Image by Steve Dickinson

Owen did. Needless to say it was Tish who was able to get 5 out of 5 for target shooting although neither were too hot at the cross country skiing.

While at Whistler we did our best to try out a few of the other activities. We went on a sleigh ride, played at the tube park, went ziplining, snowmobiling and enjoyed both a fondue evening at the Whistler Fairmont as well as a degustation meal at the legendary Araxi Restaurant. The ziplining with Ziptrek Ecotours and snowmobiling with Canadian Snowmobile and All Terrain Adventures Ltd were two of the highlights of the trip.

Ziplining is just like a huge flying fox whizzing you from snow capped tree top to snow capped tree. It was amazing! It’s quite an incredible feeling being perched high in the trees in the middle of winter, surrounded by snow covered trees and snow laden rivers.

The board walks joining each platform are pretty impressive themselves and some of the ziplines span up to 2000 feet with heights 44

//curl #29

First day at Whistler

Tish ziplining in Whistler | Image by Steve Dickinson

of 200 feet and you can reach speeds of 80km an hour.

As for snowmobiling, I would normally consider myself the antithesis of a petrol head. I don’t like loud noises (unless at a rock concert) and I don’t like going really fast (unless under my own steam) and although I can talk a lot I can’t sit around talking about revs per minutes, horse power or anything to do with cars. So I was not really that excited about going snowmobiling. However, exploring the back country of Whistler Blackcomb on a snowmobile was a whole heap of fun and I’d thoroughly recommend it.

One night Tish and I we went to the Scandinave Spa Whistler for a completely different experience. The idea is to bathe in hot water and then plunge into freezing cold ones, supposedly very good for your body and soul. The thing that makes this so hard to do is the fact that you are supposed to be silent at all times. Imagine plunging into freezing cold water without being able to squeal, it was impossible.

Tish and I spent most of or time suppressing our giggles! www.curl.co.nz// 45

Heliskiing in Revelstoke | Image compliments of Selkirk Tangiers

Next stop, Revelstoke! After an eight and a half hour drive across BC, which in itself was spectacular, we arrived at the town of Revelstoke. This was one of those places I’d heard lots about but knew nothing of. The first thing we noticed was the posters and signs on every lamp post informing us that “The Grizzlies” (the local ice hockey team) were playing that night, so we were stoked. Hockey (as the Canadians’ simply call it) is their national sport so going to a game is all part of the experience.

The ski resort is only a few minutes drive from the town and sports impressive views over the Columbia River and Revelstoke below. After our induction into hockey fever the next morning we were excited to explore the mountain.

The resort itself is still in its infancy, meaning the base area is still being developed, however, the mountain offers some of the newest and quickest lifts available. The best thing about skiing at Revelstoke was the lack of people. After a week at Whistler we revelled in the quiet and more mellow pace of Revelstoke. However quiet this is one hell of a mountain. It has a vertical drop of 1,713 verticals and over 54 runs and with 14 acres of gladed terrain there is something here for everyone. The North Bowl of Revelstoke (which you can’t see from the base) offers some of the best double black runs around and the people who ski Revelstoke are not apposed to a short hike to reach some of the more challenging runs around.

The town of Revelstoke itself was founded in the 1800’s as a railway town. After skiing the field for the first day I had assumed the name had been made up; the Revel part meaning “to take great pleasure or delight in” and the stoke part meaning “exhilaration or excitement”. So I was surprised to find out that the town was named after a person, Lord Revelstoke, the London financier who saved the Canadian Pacific Railway from bankruptcy. The town of Revelstoke has a year round residency of around 8000 and its community is made up of people from all corners of the world drawn to Revelstoke by its beauty and outdoor activities. This is also home to some of the best heli and cat skiing around so we signed up for a day with Selkirk Tangiers.

er Dow to n t Heav oE art h

Warning - do not sign up for an advanced or intermediate group unless you are an experienced powder skier and if you are from the North Island of NZ or anywhere in Aus I doubt that would include any of us. We joined an intermediate group of guys who were coming to the end of their Canada trip and were well accustomed to the conditions, while this was only our third day on skis and we were not used to powder. Although expert skiers on the compact (or should I say icy) snow of Mt Ruapehu, the thigh deep powder offered more than a few challenges. However, heliskiing is more than just about the skiing. Flying above the snowy mountains and being dropped off on a small ridge at the top of the mountain is an incredible experience itself and it didn’t take us too long to come to grips with the fat skies and deep powder. Our group was fast and capable and by the end of each run my quads were screaming but I was loving it.

It is without a doubt one of the best things I have ever done and it was made extra enjoyable by our eclectic group of travellers. Before we dropped down each run one of the Dutch guys would yell out “lets nail this bitch” a saying they had picked up from an American guy the day before.

The next day we were back at Revelstoke for our final day skiing. Tish and Owen were off dogsledding and we squeezed in another day skiing. While at Revelstoke Mountain Resort we stayed at the Nelsen Lodge, an impressive and classy place to stay right at the bottom of the gondola. Our architecturally designed rooms (complete with granite benches and all the mod cons you could ask for) looked over the Monashee Mountains and were surprisingly affordable, definitely one of the advantages of heading further afield than Whistler Blackcomb.

After spending three days at Revelstoke we came away with the feeling we had only just touched what the mountain had to offer.

The terrain is vast and despite having a reputation as steep and deep there is still plenty of terrain on offer for all levels of skiing.

“Closer to heaven and down to earth” the perfect catch phrase for Revelstoke.

The view from Revelstoke Mountain Resort | Image by Steve Dickinson

www.curl.co.nz// 47

Where will the power of

SmartWool comfort takE you?

WIN A

Steamboat Ski & Snowboard

HOLIDAY FOR TWO! Every $50 you spend on SmartWool at participating retailers gives you one entry into the draw Prize Includes:

/ Return economy airfares Auckland to Denver, Colorado for two people / Return airport transfers Denver to Steamboat Springs / 7 nights’ accommodation in a double room at the Steamboat Grand / 5 day lift pass and equipment rentals for two / Head-to-toe SmartWool Next-to-Skin apparel and socks for two / The opportunity to visit SmartWool global Headquarters in Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs, Colorado is home to both Steamboat and Smartwool - two great reasons to love winter!

Promotion runs 1st June - 31st July 2011. Terms and conditions apply.

See entry form in store at participating retailers for more details.

Ph: (09) 309 0519 for stockists.

www.steamboat.com / www.smartwool.com

A Saturday at Red Mountain Resort, not another person in sight! | Image by Lynne Dickinson

Our next destination was Red Mountain Resort, another five hours drive to the South. On the way we stopped at Hacylon Hot Springs for the night (they have the cutest cabins and hot pools overlooking the lake) before heading to the mountain town of Rossland. I instantly fell in love with this place, laid out like something out of an old western movie, you’d almost expect a couple of gun slingers to come ambling through the middle of town. This town is rich in history and the area still riddled with the remnants of the mining era when the town was bustling with people in search of gold. It also boasts one of the oldest ski clubs in North America, first established in the late 1800’s so skiing is well ingrained in the people of Rossland.

Although the resort is called Red, it actually incorporates a few mountains; Red, Granite and Grey (which is accessible via a bit of a hike). There are only six lifts at Red Mountain Resort, and don’t expect to find the latest modern gondolas and chairlifts. Be prepared to have your arse kicked when being picked up by the lift and be ready for a quick dismount as we are talking old school here. However, this is one of the things I simply loved about the whole area of Red and Rossland. The place was simply all about skiing, there were no airs and graces necessary, just friendly down to earth people who love to ski. They didn’t seem to care that the lifts were slow they were just stoked to have a fantastic mountain resort at their disposal, with over 88 marked runs and an incredible 4,200 acres of skiable terrain at their finger tips.

This place is steep, however, as with all Canadian ski fields I have been to there is always an easy way down so regardless of your level of skiing you can all go to the top and find your own path down. Skiing Paradise Basin on the side of Granite Mountain was one of the highlights for me. Groomed black and blue runs littered the hill side and the quaint Paradise Lodge was the perfect place to stop for a hot chocolate and cinnamon bun mid morning. You could actually ski the whole way round Granite via an incredibly scenic green run with numerous double blacks dropping off through the trees. There is so much skiing available here that we only just touched the surface of what it had to offer.

We’ll definitely be back!

One night during our stay we were invited to join some locals

to attend “Le Petite Fromage”, a two and a half km cross country ski into a fire lit cabin for a fondue dinner. The “local” rules were that anytime anyone fell over everyone had to drink. So armed with our wine for dinner and our Fire Ball Whisky for the possible falls we headed out. It was the coldest night of the year so far, at least minus 20 degrees Celsius, and we were crap at cross country skiing. Lit by the moon and the odd head lamp we skated and fell our way to the cabin and arrived with an empty bottle of Fire Ball. This night was definitely a highlight for me, hanging out with the locals was like hanging out with old friends. We talked, laughed, drank and ate and by the time we put our skis on for the homeward journey we felt like we’d been friends for life. This is something truly unique about this part of Canada and a visit back to Red is a must.

We left Rossland the following day for the 8 hour drive back to Vancouver International Airport. You can fly directly out of Spokane in the States (only a two and a half hour drive from Rossland) but doing the round trip allowed us to see as much of British Columbia as possible. The scenery during the drive itself was enough to make this trip to Canada worth while; the skiing, the people was simply the icing on a very decadent cake!

Huge thanks to all the amazing people who helped make this such an incredible experience. The team at BC Tourism, inparticular Jonna Motta and Rick Grahame | Air New Zealand (flies directly from Auckland to Vancouver} | Avis Car Rental www.avis.ca | Delta Whistler Village Suites www.deltahotels. com | Ziptrek Eco Tours www.ziptrek.com | Whistler Olympic Park www.whistlerolympicpark.com | Canadian Snowmobile & All Terrain Adventures Ltd www.canadiansnowmobile.com | Revelstoke Mountain Resort www.revelstokemountainresort. com | Nelson Lodge www.sandman.ca | Rockford Wok Bar and Grill | Selkirk Tangiers Heli Ski www.selkirk-tangiers.com | Halcyon Hot Springs Resort www.halcyon-hotsprings.com | Red Mountain Resort www.redresort.com | Le Petite Fromage www.lepetitfromage.com | Kootenay Nordic Sports www. kootenaynordicsports.com All the fantastic people we met along the way - you rock!

Rossland township | Image by Tish Mete

Le Petite Fromage | Image by Lynne Dickinson

www.curl.co.nz// 49

THE ALBOM SISTERS Snow loving sisters, Sarah and Melissa Albom spend most of the winter up on the snow. We caught up with the girls after a great season last year to see what they have in store for 2011.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves. How old are you now and how long have you been snowboarding and skiing?

Sarah: I’ve just turned eleven and I’ve been skiing since I was five ¾.

Melissa: I’m 13 and I started snowboarding when I was seven.

What made you each choose to either ski or board?

Have you each tried the other discipline?

Sarah: When my sister started snowboarding I decided that I wanted to do something on the snow too. I was too young for snowboarding back then so of course the next option was skiing.

And as soon as I started I knew that skiing was the sport for me. I have tried snowboarding but I think skiing is more fun.

Melissa: I learnt to ski at Lake Tahoe when I was 4. I was not very advanced when we moved to New Zealand. The first time I remember seeing snowboarding was at Snow Planet. The two riders that were there made snowboarding look a lot more exciting and fun than the skiing I had done. As soon as I was big enough to fit on a rental board, I had my first lesson. I loved it right away. I still can ski, but I would rather snowboard.

Can you tell us a little bit about the type of competitive skiing/boarding that you do?

Sarah: I mostly do halfpipe, but I like Big mountain and skier cross. I really don’t like anything to do with rails.

Melissa: I have competed in all disciplines. Snowboarding is just so fun!! My favourite place to snowboard is the halfpipe.

Racing is also fun, because I love to go fast. I enjoy competitions because they push me to do better, I meet all sorts of cool people and sometimes I learn from the other competitors by watching them.

Melissa, last year you suffered an injury yet still managed to gain some amazing results winning the New Zealand Junior National Snowboard Halfpipe title. How did you get injured and what did you do to get yourself fit again for the competitions?

I don’t remember exactly what happened when I got injured.

People who saw the accident told me that I cleared a jump, caught an edge, and hit my head on the ice. I hurt my neck and got a concussion. At first I was not even allowed to do education, watch TV or use a computer. After 6 or so months, some of my limitations were removed and I was allowed to swim, study and do other low risk activities. Eventually I was allowed to bike ride and skateboard in my halfpipe, which I did alongside swimming to regain my fitness. I was not allowed back on snow for a year.

Sarah, you also won a major title last year becoming the Junior National Freeski halfpipe and big mountain champion grommet. What does it take to become a champion in this area?

Practise and hard work. But overall, just loving the sport.

What is it you love most about skiing/boarding?

Sarah: I love skiing because I can be myself. When I ski it just feels right. I’m completely with myself and nothing else really matters. It’s not like I’m lost in my own thoughts, its more like I’m becoming more alive.

Melissa: I like going fast, playing around in powder and the learning tricks in the halfpipe. I love everything pretty much, as long as I’m snowboarding.

What type of music do you like listening to?

Sarah: I like listening to anything on the radio except for rap music.

Melissa: Whatever’s on the radio, most of the time.

If you could have a super power what would it be?

Sarah: To fly Melissa: Not being able to get injured. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about concussions or hamstring tears or anything ever again.

JESSICA RICH Australian born Jessica Rich grew up in Port Macquarie on the Mid North coast of NSW. Much of her time was spent surfing with her sister and participating in a range of outdoor sports. It wasn’t until she was 17 years old that she attended a Pro-Ride snowboard camp in Whistler and she has been riding ever since. She now spends her winters in Thredbo and summers snowboarding in Lake Tahoe, California. We caught up with the 21 year old Aussie to see what makes her live a life of winters...

Can you tell us a little bit about where you grew up, your family and how you got into Snowboarding? (Your local hill, influences etc) I grew up in Port Macquarie on the Mid-North coast of NSW surfing with my sister, playing sports and always being outside. I started snowboarding when I was 17 at Pro-Ride snowboard camp in Whistler and I have been riding ever since. I now spend my winters in Thredbo and my summers snowboarding in Lake Tahoe, California.

What drove you to start competing? How did you go from being the kid snowboarding at your local hill to wanting to make a career out of it? Its a natural progression in snowboarding.

When you get to a certain point it’s fun to put yourself out there and compete against others, and it’s also a good way to get noticed. I never went out there to become a pro, I was just lucky enough to be picked up by Roxy and given a chance to do what I love for a living.

Competitions are also a great way to meet people, especially girls who love to snowboard as much as I do.

Has the competition side of snowboarding robbed you of the joy of free boarding? I have a pretty good balance between competition and free riding. The competition side can be challenging at times but I don’t let that affect the fun of riding a resort with my friends which is the most fun for me.

What is your most memorable moment in snowboarding to date? Going snowmobiling in Tahoe this year was a phenomenal experience, there was a few feet of fresh untouched powder and blue skies...it pretty much blew my mind.

What do you see as your greatest strengths/weaknesses?

I have a really high pain tolerance and little fear which helps with my progression in snowboarding, but I do get side-tracked really easily.

What kinds of people do you enjoy spending time with? I enjoy spending time with anyone that can have a laugh and doesn’t take things too seriously.

What kinds of people frustrate you? People who are ignorant to important issues frustrate me.

Who do you admire? Why? People who overcome adversity and make the best out of life. For example, a friend I grew up with, Ryley Batt, was born with a disability that kept him from walking.

Despite the hard times he has been through he is now one of the best athletes in the world. At 21 he has been to two Paralympics and when he is not training he is doing so many awesome things most people wouldn’t dream of doing. I admire him so much for this.

What do you get passionate about? I get really passionate about travelling and exploring new places. There are so many amazing places to see, and my snowboarding has helped me find some of them. I know that I’ve only scratched the surface and there are so many more places I’m planning on exploring.

Describe your best friend and what he or she does for a living. In what ways are you similar or different from your best friend? My sister Rebecca who is a student at Sydney Uni, but does a million other amazing things with her life. We are very similar in some ways, like our personalities and our love for travelling, but also very different in what we like to do. This means that we’re always showing each other new things and makes for an interesting relationship.

How do your friends and family describe you?

My friends outside of snowboarding think that I’m pretty extreme when they hear about what I get up to, but all my snowboarding friends know that I’m not being extreme, I’m just doing what I love.

What’s the best advice you have ever received? To go to Pro-Ride camp in Whistler, back in 2008 when I started snowboarding. It was suggested by my PE teacher at school to check out Whistler, and the whole camp changed my life. The coaches are so cool and supportive, and taught me

everything I needed to get to where I am today.

What’s the best and the worst part of being a pro snowboarder? The best part is getting the chance to see new places and have custom features built just for us to hit. The worst parts are the pressure and expectations that come with competing, which can be really hard at times, but I’m learning to use the pressure to my advantage and use it as motivation.

What sacrifices have you had to make to get to where you are today? Living the snowboard lifestyle means often working bad jobs, living out of a suitcase and routinely saying goodbye to new friends. Sacrificing these things is hard at times but definitely worth it for the amazing life I get to live.

What would you be doing if you weren’t snowboarding?

I would love to be doing something else outdoors which lets me travel the world, like surfing. Sports like this have similar lifestyles to snowboarding, which I love so much. Otherwise I would put more time into my uni course which I’m doing part time at the moment.

If you were stranded on a tropical island what would be your essential items to have on you? I wouldn’t mind being stuck on a tropical island as long as I had a good friend, a surfboard and an interesting book!!

Any words of wisdom? I know it sounds a bit cliche, but don’t sweat over small things and remember what’s important. It makes life so much more enjoyable when you take in the big picture.

A Short History of Snowboarding: From 1964-2010 WORDS and images by holly thorpe

Winter is upon us. The snow is falling (well, in some places). We are packing the car and heading for the slopes. Arriving at the resort, we see hundreds of snowboarders and skiers, carving down the slopes, jibbing the rails and busting out of the pipe. But it wasn’t always like this on the mountains. Not so long ago the slopes were once the exclusive domain of upper-class skiers. This article offers a brief history of snowboarding, so that next time you’re on the mountain you can look around and recognize just how far we’ve come.

The Pioneering Years Dating the birth of snowboarding is impossible. People have been standing on sleds and trying to slide on snow for hundreds of years; recent ‘discoveries’ include a board dating back to the 1920s, and a 1939 film of a man riding a snowboard-type sled sideways down a small hill in Chicago. Snowboarding, as we understand the activity today, however, emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s in North America with a new piece of equipment that appealed to the hedonistic desires of a new generation of youth. The popularization of the Malibu surfboard and the escapism and hedonism of surfing, with its anti-establishment counter-cultural values and do-it-yourself philosophies, inspired many of the early snowboarders.

In 1964, Michigan chemical engineer Sherman Poppen invented the Snurfer when he bolted two skis together and added a rope for stability. Between 1966 and 1977, more than half a million Snurfers were sold for US$10-30 from supermarkets and sports stores across North America. Although the Snurfer was seen as a gimmick—a children’s toy much like the hula-hoop—it inspired many of the early snowboarding pioneers. In Vermont, Jake Burton Carpenter experimented with foam, fiberglass, steam-bent solid wood and vertically laminated wood with the goal of making a board that was more maneuverable and faster than the Snurfer. In 1978, he established Burton Boards. The early Burton boards had a rubber water-ski binding for the front foot which allowed greater control and maneuverability; turns became easier and more stable.

Thus Burton modified the board and the action.

Burton was not the only one to experiment with board designs; other pioneers included Dimitrije Milovick (Utah), Tom Sims and Chuck Barefoot (California), Chris and Bev Sanders (California), and Mike Olsen (Washington) who established Winterstick, Sims Snowboards, Avalanche Snowboards, and GNU Snowboards respectively. Olsen’s motivation was ‘just fun’ and according to one pioneer, all these early board-makers wanted ‘an alternative’ to the elitist culture associated with skiing. While an alternative impulse drove these board makers, their plans for the sport and styles of participation varied. Well into the 1980s boards varied extensively in shape, which in turn influenced the style of snowboarding. It was a period of trial and error, and groups of boarders adopted their own version of snowboarding shaped by local climate and terrain, equipment, and background (e.g., skiing, skateboarding, surfing, BMX biking or mountaineering). Yet most of these pioneers embodied the idealism of the by-gone counter-culture and, in direct contrast to skiing (which was an expensive and bourgeois sport framed by a strong set of rules of conduct), embraced snowboarding as a free, fun, cooperative and individualistic activity.

Although predominantly males pioneered the early snowboarding industry, women were integral players. Donna Carpenter, for example, has been an important part of Burton Snowboards since she and Jake married in 1981. From 1985 to 1990 she was Burton Snowboards first European Sales and Operations Manager, and later became company Chief Financial Officer, followed by Founder and Director of Burton Snowboards women’s initiatives. Similarly, in the early 1980s, Beverly Sanders co-founded Avalanche snowboards with Chris Sanders, her boyfriend (and later husband), who made snowboards in his garage. In the weekends the couple would hike up the slopes at Lake Tahoe’s Soda Springs to test these boards, and ‘every weekend Bev would end up selling them to some curious skiers’.

Difficult Beginnings Ski resorts initially banned snowboarders. Owners, managers and their skiing clientele defined the snowboarding cohort as ‘13-18 year olds with raging hormones’ who liked skateboarding and surfing. Negative images of surfing and skateboarding from the 1970s contributed to the public dislike and distrust of snowboarding. According to David Schmidt, the national sales manager for Burton Snowboards, ‘most people visualize snowboarders as a bunch of skate rats who are going to terrorize the mountain’.

While bans made participation difficult, they did not stop determined and passionate devotees.

In 1983, Stratton Mountain (Vermont) became the first major ski field to open its piste

52

//curl #29

to snowboarders. Others quickly followed. This newly found access was the result of two major factors. First, a number of snowboarders actively campaigned for access. Second, skiing had reached a growth plateau and snowboarding offered ski-fields a new youth market and ongoing economic prosperity. Ski industry commentators described snowboarding as the ‘biggest boost to the ski industry since chairlifts’.

But even after gaining access to the ski-fields, snowboarders continued to see themselves as ‘different’ to skiers. According to early US snowboarder Todd Richards, the interactions between skiers and snowboarders during this period were playful, yet relatively harmless: ‘It was fun to toy with unsuspecting wankertwo-plankers; I’m certain they considered us equally pathetic. Snowboarders were a novelty to skiers, and skiers were old news to snowboarders. There was an utter lack of understanding, which made the early days so much fun’. But, as the number of snowboarders increased during the 1980s, so too did tensions between the two groups.

Snowboarding continued to develop in opposition to the dominant ski culture.

Skiing was an expensive sport with participants being mostly white, and middle to upper class. Snowboarders were typically younger, less educated, single, male, earning lower incomes, or students.

The long history and acceptance of skiing as a legitimate pastime and sport bestowed skiers with social authority on the mountain; Snowboarders seriously challenged skiers’ power. One running joke among skiers went: ‘What’s the difference between a boarder and a catfish? One is a bottom-dwelling, disgusting, rejected muck sucker and the other is a fish’. Physical confrontations and fights between skiers and snowboarders were not unusual as the two groups vied for territory and eminence. In 1985, only seven per cent of American resorts allowed snowboarders and in 1988 snowboarders still only comprised six per cent of the ski resort population. By the early 1990s snowboarding still remained a minority activity. However, participants formed a unified front and, as professional boarder Peter Line recalls, ‘every other boarder was your buddy’.

Snowboarding Becomes Mainstream Significant change occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The convergence of several factors contributed to the escalating number of board-sport participants. More ski resorts opened their pistes to snowboarders, the mainstream media started reporting favorably on snowboarding culture, and snowboarding magazines (e.g., Absolutely Radical [1985] renamed International Snowboarder Magazine six months later, Transworld Snowboarding [1987], Snowboarder [1988], Blunt [1993]) and films (e.g., The Western Front [1988], Totally Board [1989], Snowboarders in Exile [1990], Critical Condition [1991]) communicated images, attitudes and styles to snowboarding cultures around the world. Technological advances and an increasingly competitive market also provided participants with a cheaper and wider variety of equipment. Economic growth and further institutionalization accompanied higher levels of participation. Television and corporate sponsors also started to identify the huge potential in extreme sports as a way to tap into the young-male market. Mainstream companies quickly began appropriating the alternative, hedonistic, and youthful image of the snowboarder to sell products ranging from chewing gum to vehicles.

Despite resistance from some groups of snowboarders, by the late 1990s television and corporate sponsors were appropriating the alternative, hedonistic, and youthful image of the snowboarder to sell products to both youth and mainstream markets. During this period snowboarding increasingly became controlled and defined by transnational media corporations like ESPN and NBC via events such as the X-Games and Gravity Games. According to Todd Richards: ‘The X-Games marked the end of one era but simultaneously gave birth to a whole new world of possibilities. It was sort of sad to say good-bye to being a bunch of misunderstood outcasts. A lot of joy was derived from the punk-rock-spirit, and once the masses join your ranks…it’s over. The image had already begun to change but the X-Games put the icing on the mainstream cake’. In 1998, ESPN’s different sport channels beamed the X-Games to 198 countries in 21 languages.

As snowboarding became popularized and incorporated into the mainstream, it assumed many of the trappings of other modern sports including corporate sponsorship, large prize monies, ‘rationalized systems of rules’, hierarchical and individualistic star systems, win-at-all costs values, and the creation of heroes, heroines and ‘rebel’ athletes who look like ‘walking corporate billboards’. Unlike earlier generations, many current boarders embrace commercial approaches or, in the more colorful words of professional snowboarder Todd Richards, are ‘milk[ing] it while it’s lactating’. Professional US snowboarders including Shaun White, Danny Kass, Todd Richards, Tara Dakides, Gretchen Bleiler, Lindsey Jacobellis,

www.curl.co.nz// 53

Kelly Clark, and Hannah Teter, have benefited from the recently commercialized form of snowboarding. They have achieved superstar status within the culture, attracting major corporate sponsors including Target, Visa, Nike, Mountain Dew, Campbell’s Soup, and Boost Mobile. Some earn seven-figure salaries. A report by Forbes, for example, identified professional US snowboarder and two-time Olympic gold medallist Shaun White as the most highly paid athlete entering the 2010 Winter Olympics with an annual salary of more than US$9 million; US female snowboarders Gretchen Bleiler and Hannah Teter were seventh equal on the list, each netting more than US$1 million per year.

But with major corporate sponsors offering large prize monies, the focus of many boarding competitions is no longer fun; extreme forms of individualism and egocentricity prevail. Olympic silver medalist Gretchen Bleiler, believes the ‘industry pressure’ and ‘ultra-high’ level of snowboarding ability are creating an ‘extremely competitive’ atmosphere in snowboarding, and decries a younger generation who, in their hunger to win, are ‘changing the overall feel at the top of the half-pipe’. Indeed, many contemporary young ‘up and comers’ participate in different ways to boarders from the past; they train under the guidance of coaches in highly organized structures in which snowboarding is not only an Olympic sport but also a highly profitable career. Arguably the most professional competitive snowboarder, Olympic half-pipe gold medalist Shaun White downplays the professionalism of snowboarding in an interview with Rolling Stone: ‘We are still the dirty ones in the bunch, the sketchy snowboard kids. I don’t think I’d have it any other way’. Of course, neither would the corporate sponsors who have profited enormously from the commodification of snowboarding’s perceived irresponsible and uncontrolled image.

The Fading Feud: Skiers and Snowboarders In most North American and Australasian resorts, and some European slopes, skiers and snowboarders no longer consist of two clear-cut opposing groups. Rather, participants are increasingly being divided into styles of participation (i.e., freestyle, big mountain, alpine) with each group sharing terrain as well as styles of talk and dress, training methods, etc. Since the early 2000s, young skiers have increasingly drawn inspiration from the styles of participation, technologies, jargon and fashion of snowboarders. American core boarder and ski and snowboard cinematographer Zane, for example, observed: ‘Snowboarding has gained so much respect from the ski world; much of this has to do with Americans taking top three at the Olympics. Now kids are trying to emulate snowboarding on skis. There has been a rebirth in skiing with freestyle, and skiers are dressing like snowboarders, and snowboarders and skiers are hanging out together. I think it’s a good thing, as long as skiers remember that they hated snowboarders for a long time’. A snowboarding journalist also notes the long-standing ‘feud’ between skiers and snowboarders ‘fading’: ‘The boom in freestyle snowboarding attracted more skiers to the terrain park areas. Skiers began sliding rails, riding switch and performing huge aerial spins, which served to attract new, young recruits to the skiing crowd. Skiing, like boarding, was once again super cool and a symbiotic relationship was born, with both sports influencing, inspiring, and benefiting from one another’.

Although these shifts are occurring predominantly at the core level of the snow culture—that is, among the most committed, and typically younger, snowboarders and skiers—this trend is filtering into the broader alpine snow culture, and relations between the majority of skiers and snowboarders are becoming more amicable at most (though not all) resorts.

Snowboarding in 2010 and Beyond The story of snowboarding began a little over four decades ago with a new piece of equipment that appealed to the hedonistic desires of a new generation. Snowboarding developed in a historically unique conjuncture of mass communications, corporate sponsors, entertainment industries, and a growing affluent and young population. Thus, it has diffused around the world at a phenomenal rate and far faster than many established sports. While many early participants regret snowboarding having been subjected to the forces and constraints of the commercialization process, contemporary participants typically accept major corporate sponsorships, mass mediated events (e.g., Olympics, X Games) and hierarchical and individualistic star systems as endemic to the sport in the 21st century. Many current boarders accept that ‘the snowboarding industry sold itself out to the corporate world’, however, this does not necessarily diminish the enjoyment they derive from participation. Indeed, many acknowledge the benefits offered to athletes and participants in this hyper-commercial context (e.g., opportunities for athletes to travel, well organized and widely publicized events, more affordable equipment, etc). Styles of participation and competition are constantly evolving, boarders are continually creating new and more technical maneuvers, and snowboarding companies and ski resorts are going to great lengths to cater to the diverse demands of participants. In this context, snowboarding technologies and the skills of professional athletes continue to develop apace, such that every winter we are witnessing snowboarders going ‘faster, stronger, and higher’. It seems inevitable that the sport, culture and industry of snowboarding will continue to grow and change for many years to come.

54

//curl #29

Girls Ride Free Metaphorically speaking

By James Simpson

Google has recently informed me that Ruapehu translates as ‘exploding pit’. This title, while impressive, doesn’t seem entirely fair. Sure, the mountain has had an episode or two in the past, but defining it by a couple of hiccups in the midst of everything positive it has to offer doesn’t really do it justice. Maybe I’m biased though. After all, I’ve been skiing and snowboarding this hill since the tender age of three, returning every season without fail to get my fix. I’m now here working full time for the season and one of my first jobs is to pen an article for Curl about the upcoming season.

I was worried I might have a bit of trouble with this article, being that it was destined for the pages of a girl-focused board sports magazine and I’m primarily a skier and, last time I checked, a boy. So I asked a couple of shred-and-destroy females, Maria Kuzma and Shelly Gotlieb, to help me out (shirking responsibility? Nah). We’ll get to what the ladies had to say in a minute but in the meantime I’ll run you through what I do know. Everyone here is excited about the season, from the RAL staff, to the local hard core, to Mushroom, my boss’s athletic, enthusiastic, somewhat annoying yet endearingly cute miniature fox terrier. Following a bumper Northern Hemisphere Winter, which saw resorts across the board getting large and sustained levels of snow throughout the season, people are gearing up for plenty of snow, exciting events and an awesome après line up for the Winter and through the Spring. From the Mardi Gras to the Jib Nats, Slopestyle and Export 33 Xtreme, through to the Bikini Downhill, Retro GS, Peak to Keg Race and Pond Skim, there’s an event for everyone to either compete in or to just stand by and revel in the carnage. Queues will be smaller this season as ticketing streamlines, with electronic ‘smart cards’ allowing you to re-charge your pass on-line and get awesome discounts as a result of on-line purchasing. Throughout the season you will receive a 5% discount off listed ticket pricing if you purchase on-line and for the month of June the prices for on-line purchasing of pre-season multi day passes will give you the following epic discounts: As I mentioned earlier, I had a yarn with a couple of rip-shredding females to get their thoughts about Mt Ruapehu, snowboarding and being a girl in general. I remember seeing Shelly buttering around the slopes of Mt Ruapehu as a local (she’s a bit of a park guru), but hadn’t heard that much about Maria until now. I’m not sure the size of the rock I’ve been hiding under, but it must have been pretty big; not only did she make the finals at the Verbier Extreme (a world class extreme Mecca) and place 5th overall in the World Freestyle Tour rankings but, just for a laugh it seems, when dropping into her finals run she hucked a cliff and triggered a large avalanche which she then proceeded to slurf-surf all the way to the bottom, unharmed and seemingly unfazed. No biggie. Against the background of having perused the ladies’ impressive CVs I fired some questions their way. Here’s what they came back with:

b Shelly Gotorlie os

Maria Kuzma

Image by Fl

Shelly Gotlieb flying high | image by curtes

“How long have you been riding at Ruapehu?”

Maria: When I lived in Wanaka I would make a trip up to Ruapehu every year for the Export 33 Xtreme competition. It’s such a cool place because the terrain is so different compared with anything in the South Island. It’s a volcanic rock base and the snow is always there longer into the Spring, so Spring riding is consistently epic.

Shelly: I’m a born and bred local from Ohakune and Ruapehu is my history. I also have a strong relationship with Ruapehu and enjoy support from them as my home mountain.

“What do you like in particular about riding at Ruapehu?”

Maria: I would have to say I like Spring riding there the most. I also love those days where you wait out a massive storm, getting cabin fever while you’re stuck inside, and then all of a sudden it’s sunny and there’s heaps of powder.

Shelly: I just love the terrain. It’s really varied and challenging.

“What is your most memorable Ruapehu experience?”

Maria: Winning the Export 33 Xtreme for the first time, I think it was back in 2007.

Shelly: When Ruapehu built us a jump a good 60-foot high over the top of a snow cat at the bottom of Turoa. A whole crew of us got to session it on a fun spring day. We got a bunch of great shots and had an amazing time.

“Why is Ruapehu such a good place/training ground for girls who ride?”

Maria: Well there’s a wide range of accessible terrain; fun, jibby terrain, hike-able big mountain lines and good jumps. I’ve had so many awesome days riding with the girls. One of my best days was when some friends and I were doing laps of powder runs down cool lines that would take us through to the park, so we were getting the best all in one run; awesome free riding combined with park action.

Shelly: There is all sorts of terrain to choose from and as you progress and get more adventurous you can access it all.

“What memories of events at Ruapehu stick in your mind?”

Maria:” Export 33 Xtreme are always the event of the year for me. It’s a chance to meet up with the local crew again and there’s always such a good vibe going on.

Shelly: I really loved the Spring Fest. It was a great Spring comp at the end of the season. I’m also all about the Masters Comps for the oldies; great times and always great atmosphere.

56

//curl #29

“Why are the Ruapehu events so good for you, and girls in general?”

Maria: Export 33 Xtremes are part of the FWT [Freestyle World Tour] now, which means more girls are keen to come over here and gain points for competitions overseas in Europe.

Shelly: Spring Fest was awesome. It brought the best riders from around the country to showcase their skills.

The Masters is also great as it’s the perfect excuse to get together and have a laugh.

“Do you have any further advice to girls who want to ride Ruapehu?”

Maria: Mt Ruapehu is an awesome place for all girls whether they’re beginners, shredders or jibbers.

There’s such a large pick of different terrain and parks. All in all it’s just an ideal place to spend a week, weekend, or even take a day trip with the girls.

Shelly: Always ride with people better than you; it pushes your riding and you will be surprised at the progress you will make and the awesome terrain that you will be able to ride.

One more for Maria: “The footage of your run at Verbier has been a massive hit online.

Run me through your avalanche experience during that run. How does riding Ruapehu help equip you with the skills to deal with situations like that?”

“My run at Verbier was really scary. When I realised that I was in the middle of an avalanche and that I couldn’t get out of it I felt so vulnerable to Mother Nature. It was utterly helpless. Mt Ruapehu helps me train and deal with those experiences to a massive degree.

The mountain is a storm magnet because of how it sits propped up in the flat area surrounding it, so there are always massive snow storms that require snow safety awareness. Also, because there is so many steep accessible lines I’m often to hiking to get to them after big snowfalls.

Whenever I’m hiking I’m constantly having to use my safety gear and I’m always alert. It’s important to be safety conscious and to read the conditions of the snow as well as possible. Ruapehu has given me a lot of useful training from that perspective.

“Final words/recommendations?”

Maria & Shelly: Hike to the summit. It’s a must do!

maria kuzma taking the drop | image compliments of Mt Ruapehu

Lifts All Day 2 Day Anytime 3 Day Anytime Weekend

Rack Rate1

On Line2

On Line3

Adult

$95

$91

NA

Youth

$57

$55

NA

Adult

$166

$177

$163

Youth

$112

$107

$98

Adult

$276

$263

$242

Youth

$166

$158

$146

Adult

$181

$172

$159

Youth

$109

$104

$96

5.0%

12.5%

So there it is - Mt Ruapehu from the perspective of girls who ride it.

Long Weekend - 3 day Adult $228 $217 $200 There’s no doubt this mountain is the goods and the season is going to Youth $137 $131 $120 be epic. If you haven’t already bought a season pass, get amongst the Sold @ window on day of use Sold on line from 1 July June sale multi pass promo, hang up your bikini, dust off your snowboard Sold on line during June and get prepped to re-develop that ever satisfying goggle tan. Whether you’re into jibbing, riding big mountains, partying après or just being an athletic, enthusiastic, somewhat annoying yet endearingly cute miniature fox terrier, you will most probably find what you’re looking for on the towering, snow-capped volcano smack in the middle of the North Island. Mt Ruapehu – Ride Free (Well, not literally. But it’s an inspiring tag line and let’s be honest, the pass deals are pretty good).

You can see more about Shelly and Maria on the following links http://www.mountaindew.co.nz/dew-team/shelly-gotlieb-snowboarder/ http:// mariakuzma.wordpress.com 1.

2.

3.

Subaru – Confidence in Motion editorial by emma hampton | Photo’s courtesy of Daisy Day ~ Surf Images

How to: Hit the slopes for

your first time; snowboarding!

By Paula Mitchell

‘Confidence in motion’ recognises that Subaru drivers need to thrive in different scenarios. Subaru believe that a vehicle should be more than just a simple means of transportation – it should also be a source of enjoyment, a lifestyle vehicle. Subaru has a knack for recognising talent and hence their enthusiasm for all things outdoors, Subaru is now proudly a supporter of Paige Hareb, New Zealand’s own Pro-Surfer.

Hareb is the ambassador for the striking and sporty All Wheel Drive Subaru Impreza and her experiences driving her own Impreza have been very positive.

“I love my Impreza! It’s the perfect size, easy to park when I’m in the city yet I can still fit my surfboards in it and the All Wheel Drive is great too for when I go on my snow trips. It’s just like my surfboards, I know when I have a good all-rounder and the Impreza is my kind of car...a good all-rounder” Hareb explains.

The Impreza features hands-free calling via Bluetooth on all models and runs on the unique horizontally opposed Subaru Boxer engine. Combined with the benefits of All Wheel Drive the Boxer engine provides drivers with a lower, flatter profile giving the vehicle an overall lower centre of gravity. The performance is then higher with exceptional cornering ability and handling agility.

Whilst Subaru has been supporting Hareb they have also been keeping busy by recently supporting the Taranaki Women’s Surf Festival dubbed the “Subaru Pro”. The event took place from the 26th April – 30th April in Hareb’s hometown of New Plymouth.

Hareb reflects on the Subaru Pro and being back at home to compete. “It was an awesome experience at the Subaru Pro this year. I think the event went really well and I’m not just saying this because I’m from Taranaki but I really think that is one of the best surf events of the year. I know all the international girls love coming to New Zealand.”

Subaru is committed to keeping New Zealand green and realises that global ecology is important when it comes to engineering its vehicles. Each Subaru is designed with improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions in mind. Subaru understands that fuel efficiency is of paramount importance each and every day. That’s why Subaru is committed to providing an array of fuel-efficient vehicles. Breakthroughs in fuel reduction technology such as the world’s first Boxer Diesel engine and the world’s first Lineartronic™ transmission are both underpinning components to achieving exceptional fuel efficiency figures.

Subaru prides itself on its excellent All Wheel Drive capabilities.

Subaru is so confident in its abilities in all scenarios that it also is the official vehicle supplier for Mt Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. With winter

58

//curl #29

on its way and temperatures cooling down another love of Hareb’s is hitting the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. Hareb is also an accomplished Skier/Snowboarder and is a former member of the Wanaka Ski Academy.

“I’ve always loved the snow and always will. I get to push myself, I feel fresh and free up in the mountain air and it takes my mind completely off surfing, which is good for a change,” says Hareb. Hareb has a pretty full on schedule. She has just finished competing in France at the and continues to travel to spots around the globe including Brazil and Europe.

“The travelling gets pretty crazy, hopefully I’ll be home in June/ July for some snow action!” hints Hareb.

Mt Ruapehu is gearing up for a bumper season for 2011. The Northern hemisphere winter has showed good levels of large and sustained snow throughout the season, which hints a lush snow season this winter.

Subaru’s unique and sophisticated All Wheel Drive system is the perfect match for getting up the mountain for either a perfect blue bird day or throughout New Zealand’s diverse weather conditions.

“The partnership with Subaru is a great fit for Mt Ruapehu as it [Subaru] holds similar ideals and ethos when it comes to exploring the outdoors. Accessing the mountains and outdoors shouldn’t be the biggest hurdle and Subaru negotiates this by allowing people to get there safely and efficiently, which is obviously ideal for us,” says James Simpson from Mt Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.

Simpson continued to say “Subaru with its AWD capability has proven to be an excellent all round mountain vehicle range, superb handling in ice and snow gives you the confidence to get to the terrain you want to shred without worrying about bailing before you even hit the line.”

Subaru drivers can keep their minds at ease when it comes to safety on the road. All petrol Subaru vehicles have gained a 5-star ANCAP Safety Rating, and the entire Subaru Boxer Diesel range has achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. This is of full merit to the many safety features including collision protection, anti-intrusion technology, and a minimum of 6 airbags including side-curtain airbags. The low-slung Boxer engine is designed to push below the cabin area upon impact in a frontal collision thus protecting its passengers.

Subaru is totally committed to providing better traction and stability to its drivers with All Wheel Drive across the entire Subaru vehicle range. All Wheel Drive instantaneously transfers from any wheel that slips to any wheel that grips.

Images: WANAKA.TV

“As I struggle to pull my glove on over my sweaty hand, it seems ten sizes too small. I just can’t do my bindings up with it on. I take a deep breath and flip from my butt to my belly, my knees and hips hit the snow for the what feels like the hundredth time. This is the only way I am able to push myself up, maybe I should have taken that lesson…”

Winter is here, the waters are cooler and don’t inspire you to get out of bed in the weekends. It’s time to rally your friends, head to the mountains and give snowboarding a go! I knew nothing my first day snowboarding, so I am going to share with you some thoughts. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

First of all let’s start off with what you will need.

Snowboard and Boots. Your snowboard and boots need to fit YOU right. Having the right gear is important as it will make your day a lot easier and therefore more enjoyable. The best idea for your first day would be to rent them. Most board/ski shops in resort towns will have rentals and you can rent the afternoon before. They will be able to sort you out with the best fit of boots and board. The larger ski fields will have rentals too, just make sure you get there a little earlier to get your gear sorted. Other items you will need are…

Waterproof breathable Pants and Jacket, Waterproof breathable Gloves or Mittens, Goggles/Sunglasses, Hat/Helmet, Sunscreen and Chapstick, Layers of Clothes/Thermals.

Now that you’ve got the gear, figure out where your closest mountain is and how you’re going to get there. Shuttles are always a good option.

Chains are sometimes needed and this way you won’t have to get and put them on. It is always a good idea to give the ski area a call and check weather and road conditions.

Once you have arrived head over to the ticket office, most resorts offer a lift ticket/lesson deal. Now here is my first big tip. Take the lesson. I know you will be rearing to go and being in a lesson is the last thing you want to do. The lesson will greatly decrease the amount of time you spend on your butt for the day. It will pay off and this way you won’t find yourself still on the beginner slope at 3pm floundering about. Group lessons are generally 2 hours long, so you will have plenty of time in the afternoon to practice with your mates.

Lunch time, it’s important to fuel up for the afternoon as mistakes can be painful. Get out there and practice yourself or take another lesson. If you are tempted to get on the chair lift, make sure you are ready for it and get on the right one. You don’t want to find yourself somewhere too far above your ability and take a frustrating 3 hours making your way down.

Pick up a trail map at the ticket office and take it with you.

It’s the end of the day and you are almost certainly going to be tired and sore, but one thing I can guarantee is that you will have a huge smile on your face and you will feel stoked. Don’t forget to have a good stretch specially your quads (front of your upper leg), glutes (butt), hamstrings (back of your upper leg) and neck. This will pay off when you are waking up tomorrow. Now get out there, have some fun, good luck and I hope you get hooked!

• Don’t leave your boots in your car the night before, they will become cold and stiff.

• Stuff your pockets full of Nature Valley bars to snack on.

• Check the weather forecast.

• Jump on the internet and find out more information on local resorts.

TI PS • Wear just one pair of socks.

• Tie those laces nice and snug, but don’t cut off your circulation.

• Loosening your boots at lunch time will help warm your toes and relieve any muscle cramp.

• Start on the beginner slope, not the half pipe!

Paula is running for a People Choice Award with AMP....

You can help Paula out by Voting for her www.doyourthing.co.nz search her name in lower case. She would be stoked.

mountain essentials

ROJO Smith

VARIANT BRIM - NZD $299 A full performance helmet veiled under our new Hybrid shell construction and equipped with a slim, sleek brim. www.smithoptics.co.nz

Smith

VOYAGE - NZD $249 Utilizing Hybrid In-Mold technology to minimize mass and maximize ventilation without sacrificing one ounce of protection or style. www.smithoptics.co.nz

Rojo

Smith

ALLURE - NZD $199.99 The Allure gives women the chance to take advantage of the worlds lightest certified snow helmet. www.smithoptics.co.nz

Billabong

HAZE JACKET - RRP $399.99 HARVEST PANT - RRP $249.99

Billabong

MELODY JACKET - RRP $379.99 JOY PANT - RRP $179.99

REALLY TRULY JACKET PASSIONFLOWER-ADVENTURE AWAITS PANT WHITE JACKET: AUD $279.95, NZD $324.95 PANT: AUD $169.95, NZD $199.95 TECH: 10,000mm / 10,000gm, Coating + du pont DWR, 100% Nylon / Insulated low loft, 100gm insulation body, 80gm insulation sleeves, 210T Lining in body / Sleeves & hood, Critically seam sealed FEATURES: Storm flap, Underarm ventilation, Roll away hood / Snap off fur, Powderskirt connector tabs, Tricot warmer on chin , Internal pocket, Internal mesh goggle pocket, Hand warmer pockets, Inner wrist cuff, Button Detail www.rojoouterwear.com

Rojo Roxy ELECTRIC PLAD JACKET - AUD $349.99 – NZ $399.99 10K/10K insulated jacket with zip venting, removable powder skirt, MP3 pocket, goggle pocket and goggle cleaner, lycra cuffs, pant to jacket attachment system and sleeve pass pocket.

WANAKA PANT - AUD $249.99 – NZ $289.99 10K insulated cargo pant with adjustable waist, leg vents, brushed tricot lining and fully taped seams. Available in clay and black in a regular fit. www.roxy.com

60

//curl #29

O’Neill FREEDOM AIKA JACKET - NZD $319.99 Featuring Taped seams and articulation, armpit vents, connector system, detach hood, detachable snow gaiter, chin guard, single stormplacket. Audio, lift and goggle pockets.

MASAKO PANTS - NZD $159.99 Featuring Critically taped seams, articulation, snowskirt, curved back waistband, abrasion protection and bottom reinforcement. www.oneill.com

RPM LILY JACKET - NZD $339.90 AUD $299.90 RPM long slim fit, 10,000mm Waterproof, 5,000mm breathable. Underarm Venting, MP3 player stash system, Goggle / glove stash pocket, fully seam sealed.

LILY PANT - NZD $249.90 AUD $219.90 RPM skinny fit, 10,000mm Waterproof, 5,000mm breathable. Inner thigh Venting, Double back pockets, fully seam sealed. www.rpm.co.nz

NORTHERN LIGHTS JACKET/ADVENTURE AWAITS PANT JACKET: AUD $299.95 , NZD $379.95 PANT: AUD $169.95, NZD $199.95 TECH: 10,000mm / 10,000gm, Coating + du pont DWR, 100% Polyester / Insulated low loft, 100gm insulation body, 80gm insulation sleeves, 210T Lining in body/Sleeves & hood, Critically seam sealed FEATURES: Storm flap, Underarm ventilation, Zip off hood / Snap off fur, Zip off powderskirt, Powderskirt connector tabs, Tricot warmer on chin, Internal pocket, Internal mesh goggle pocket, Hand warmer pockets, Inner wrist cuff, Button Detail. www.rojoouterwear.com

Rojo

ROJO: NORTHERN LIGHTS JACKET/ADVENTURE AWAITS PANT JACKET: AUD $299.95 , NZD $379.95 PANT: AUD $169.95, NZD $199.95 TECH: 10,000mm / 10,000gm, Coating + du pont DWR, 100% Nylon / Insulated low loft, 80gm Insulation legs, 210T Lining in Legs, Critically seam sealed FEATURES: Inner leg invisible zip ventilation, Elastic velcro waist adjuster, Powderskirt connector loops, Tricot back waist warmer, Ankle protector, Hem scuff panel, Boot hook, Hand warmer pockets, Inner leg snowcuff, Extra storage pockets, Belt loops. www.rojoouterwear.com

Rojo ONE AND ONLY JACKET CARIBBEAN BLUE/ STELLA PANTS WHITE JACKET: AUD $379.95, NZD $449.95 PANTS: AUD $279.95, NZD $299.95 TECH: 15,000mm / 10,000gm, Laminated + du pont DWR, 100% Polyester / Insulated low loft, 60gm insulation body, 60gm insulation sleeves, Satin lined body/ 210T Sleeves, Fully seam sealed FEATURES: Magnet closures on storm flap, Underarm ventilation, Zip off hood / Snap off fur, Zip off powderskirt, Powderskirt connector tabs, Sound system pocket, Tricot warmer on chin & ears, Internal mesh goggle pocket, Hand warmer pockets, Inner wrist cuff, Goggle strap on hood, Invisible zip pass pocket on sleeve

Rojo

ROJO: STRAIGHT UP JACKET SNOWBERRYADVENTURE AWAITS PANT WHITE JACKET: AUD RRP $249.95, NZD $299.95 PANT: AUD $169.95, NZD $199.95 TECH:10,000mm / 10,000gm, Coating + du pont DWR, 100% Nylon / Insulated low loft, 100gm insulation body, 80gm insulation sleeves, 210T Lining in body / Sleeves & hood, Critically seam sealed FEATURES: Underarm ventilation, Exposed roll away hood , Fixed powderskirt, Tricot warmer on chin, Internal pocket, Internal mesh goggle pocket, Hand warmer pockets, Inner wrist cuff. www.rojoouterwear.com

Rojo REALLY TRULY JACKET AQUA BREEZEADVENTURE AWAITS PANT RASPBERRY JACKET: AUD $279.95, NZD $324.95 PANT: AUD $169.95, NZD $199.95 TECH: 10,000mm / 10,000gm, Coating + du pont DWR, 100% Nylon / Insulated low loft, 100gm insulation body, 80gm insulation sleeves, 210T Lining in body / Sleeves & hood, Critically seam sealed FEATURES: Storm flap, Underarm ventilation, Roll away hood / Snap off fur, Powderskirt connector tabs, Tricot warmer on chin , Internal pocket, Internal mesh goggle pocket, Hand warmer pockets, Inner wrist cuff, Button Detail. www.rojoouterwear.com

Rojo STRAIGHT UP JACKET WHITE-ADVENTURE AWAITS PANT RASPBERRY JACKET: AUD $249.95, NZD $299.95 PANT: AUD $169.95, NZD $199.95 TECH:10,000mm / 10,000gm, Coating + du pont DWR, 100% Nylon / Insulated low loft, 100gm insulation body, 80gm insulation sleeves, 210T Lining in body / Sleeves & hood, Critically seam sealed FEATURES: Underarm ventilation, Exposed roll away hood , Fixed powderskirt, Tricot warmer on chin, Internal pocket, Internal mesh goggle pocket, Hand warmer pockets, Inner wrist cuff. www.rojoouterwear.com

www.curl.co.nz// 61

mountain essentials cont...

Von Zipper

VON ZIPPER: CHAKRA - LEMONDROP/FIRE CHROME RRP $189.99 vonzipper.com

Bolle

BOLLÉ MONARCH 20554 BLOCKS MODULATOR VERMILLION Medium - RRP $169.90 Flow-Tech Venting™ | Double Layer Face Foam | Perfect helmet fit | Double Vented PC Lens | P80 Plus/Carbo Glas® anti fog and anti- scratch coating | featuring Modulator Vermillion lens that darkens and lightens to the conditions of the day. www.bolle.com.au

Bolle

BOLLÉ Y6 OTG 20488 SHINY SILVER VERMILLION GUN Medium - RRP $139.90 Flow-Tech Venting™ | Double Vented PC Lens | P80 Plus/Carbo Glas® anti fog and anti-scratch coating | designed for prescription wearers to wear over spectacles. www.bolle.com.au

Stash-it

BOARD BAG One-off bags constructed from recycled billboards. Water-proof,heavy-duty, durable PVC with unique graphics. Choose your skin from our on-line selection. MADE IN NEW ZEALAND www.stash-it.co.nz

62

//curl #29

Roxy

TORAH MIST GOGGLE AUD $299.99 – NZ $344.99 Custom strap featuring Swarovski crystals, 100% UV protection, distortion and shatter resistant lenses, PVC injected frame, Roxy anti-fog system, orbiculated double lens with anti-scratch protection, thermoform goggle case with spare low light lens. www.roxy.com

Von Zipper

VON ZIPPER: DOJO - BLUE RALLY/BRONZE CHROME RRP $189.99 vonzipper.com

Bolle

BOLLÉ SIMMER 20598 PURPLE PAISLEY VERMILLION GUN Small to Medium - RRP $164.90 Flow-Tech Venting™ | Triple Layer Face Foam | Forestay™ for perfect helmet fit |Spherical Vented Lens | Equalizer® anti Fog technology | P80 Plus/Carbo Glas® anti fog and antiscratch coating. www.bolle.com.au

Bolle

BOLLÉ NOVA 20560 WICKER VERMILLION GUN Medium - RRP $99.90 Flow-Tech Venting™ | Double Layer Face Foam | Perfect helmet fit | Double Vented PC Lens | P80 Plus/Carbo Glas® anti fog and antiscratch coating. www.bolle.com.au

K2 K2 VA VA VOOM - NZD $799 The VVV is the freestyle dream machine.

With the Rhythm Core, Jib Rocker Baseline and a soft playful flex, the VVV makes the whole mountain your park to play in. www.k2snowboards.co.nz

Ride

Smith

PHASE - NZD $249.99 All the performance and superior technology from the iconic Phenom now adding a woman’s touch to this medium fit spherical goggle.

Von Zipper

VON ZIPPER: SIZZLE - MUMU BLUE/SMOKE BLUE CHROME Free Earmuffs included - RRP $169.99 vonzipper.com

Bolle

BOLLÉ NOVA 20564 RASTA VERMILLION GUN Medium - RRP $99.90 Flow-Tech Venting™ | Double Layer Face Foam | Perfect helmet fit | Double Vented PC Lens | P80 Plus/Carbo Glas® anti fog and anti- scratch coating. www.bolle.com.au

Bolle

BOLLÉ MONARCH 20553 MERLOT VERMILLION GUN Medium - RRP $139.90 Flow-Tech Venting™ | Double Layer Face Foam | Perfect helmet fit |Double Vented PC Lens | P80 Plus/Carbo Glas® anti fog and anti- scratch coating. www.bolle.com.au

OMG - NZD $999 Combining the surfy feel of rocker in the tip and tail with hard charging pop you get from traditional camber under foot, his Hybrid Twin offers the max in versatility and stability. www.ridesnowboards.co.nz

Roxy

ALLY BTX SNOWBOARD AUD $649.99 – NZ $799.99 Directional twin for the progressing all mountain freestyler. Made from 10% lighter Light Alloy core, banana traction, Kjersti Buaas Bronze Medalist pro-model, GOOD WOOD Award Winner, 2011 All Mountain.

Flex: 4. www.roxy.com

www.curl.co.nz// 63

winter essentials

Me Surf Snow SNOWFLAKE PENDANT $177.95 AUD $234.90 NZ For the girl who loves bling this 30mm Sterling Silver Snowflake Pendant has 43 Cubic Zirconia’s, Rhodium Plating and a 45cm Cable Chain. www.mesurfsnow.com

Me Surf Snow

Wearing

Jack

D $130 HOOD - NZ JACK ZIP earingjack.co.nz www.w

SURF PENDANT - AUD $120 NZ $158.40 For the stylish surfer girl, this 65mm Sterling Silver Pendant with Leather necklace, And Rhodium Plated. www.mesurfsnow.com

Patagonia

NANO PUFF PULLOVER - NZD $299.00 Windproof and water-resistant, the Nano Puff® Pullover is warm, incredibly lightweight, highly compressible and can be worn as insulation or outerwear in cold climates. www.nevada-sport.co.nz; 0800 95 95 93

Too Late

BRACELETS - NZD $4.50 Too Late Bracelets come in a rainbow of 50 colours. Too Late bracelets are already on the wrist of the world’s surf champions in Oahu at the Billabong Pipeline Masters. www.too2late.co.nz

Wearing Jack

GUTTED TEE - NZD $60.00 www.wearingjack.co.nz

Smartwool

Too Late

MASH UP WATCH - NZD $67.00 Mash Up waterproof watches from Too Late are available in an exciting mix of colours from the more sober black and white to bright neon colours. www.too2late.co.nz

Board Bog

SmartWool WOMEN’S PhD SKI Medium Sock $50.00 Serious comfort and style. Medium cushioned with WOW™ technology - more wool in high impact zones to reduce shock and abrasion. Made from NZ Zque™ Merino wool. www.smartwool.com / Ph (09) 309 0519 for stockists

BOARD BOG: A quick fix fro both polyester and epoxy boards. Board Bog is a revolutionary new board repair product that is completely unique in that it is it the only temporary repair product that will fix any type of board for any water sports instantly! RRP $12.99 www.boardbog.com for Retail Enquiries komaiindustries@yahoo.com

Dakine

GIRLS ALPINE - DEVIN CHECKS/CHARCOAL RRP $89.99 www.dakine.com

Snow Skin

www.snowskin.co.nz

DOWN SWEATER FULL ZIP HOODY - NZD $449.00 This hoody is ultralight, windproof and has 800-fill-power premium european goose down. The water-resistant shell has high tear-strength and is treated with a Deluge® DWR finish. www.nevada-sport.co.nz; 0800 95 95 93

Skullcandy

The new Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators are designed with superior metals, polycarbonate headphone cups, plush memory foam ear cushions, and premium materials previously only seen in the realm of high fashion eyewear. Utilizing topgrade components, the Aviators replication of studio music delivers a phonic experience with clarity and pure fidelity. RRP $349 from Harvey Norman and specialist retailers nationwide. www.skullcandy.com/rocnation

40ML SUNSCREEN - RRP $11.95 ‘Travis Rice uses it” Handy size is perfect for on the mountain. www.snowskin.co.nz

//curl #29

Wearing Jack

64

SUNLIGHT SINGLET - NZD $50.00 www.wearingjack.co.nz

Shewee

SHEWEE EXTREME & SHEWEE CLASSIC - FROM $19.90 Don’t get caught with your pants down this winter! The must have item for girls this winter on the snow. The simple and hygienic way to pee standing while not having to remove any clothing. Stand up and take control. See website for stockists. www.shewee.co.nz www.shewee.com.au

Dakine

LEANNE PELOSI HELI PRO DLX RRP$189.99 www.dakine.com

SmartWool WOMEN’S PhD SNOWBOARD Medium Sock - RRP $50.00 Medium cushioned with WOW™ technology and 4-Degree Fit System for all day performance fit. Strategic mesh zones for maximum ventilation. Made from NZ Zque™ Merino wool. www.smartwool.com / Ph (09) 309 0519 for stockists

Kustom

CHAPSTICK 4.2g - RRP $7.50 ‘Travis Rice uses it” Save your lips on the mountain from sun, and wind burn. A must have! www.snowskin.co.nz

Too Late ORIGINAL WATCH ACD - NZD $39.90 Too Late’s ACD range of waterproof watches available in 5 electrifying acid colours – orange, green, yellow, violet and fuchsia. www.too2late.co.nz

RIKO - BLACK - RRP $99.99 kustomfootwear.com

Dakine

GIRLS HELI PRO (18L) - LACE FLORAL RRP $159.99 www.dakine.com

HUDSON - GREY - RRP $99.99 kustomfootwear.com

Too Late

BIRDY - TAN - RRP $99.99 kustomfootwear.com

NEO WATCH - NZD $67.00 Not a watch but rather a wristband that tells you the time. Available in 10 cool colours.

Ultralight and waterproof. www.too2late.co.nz

SKETCHY MAP HOOD - NZD $115 www.wearingjack.co.nz

Patagonia

Wearing Jack

HANDS-FREE STICK 50g - RRP $25.85 ‘Travis Rice uses it” The quick no mess sturdy applicator delivers without leaving your hands greasy. www.snowskin.co.nz

winter wetsuits &essentials Billabong

PAIGE TOUR PAD RRP $69.99

g Bo $12.95 d P r oa - RR

Mrs P almer OAR s

LONG B

D WA

X - RR

P $4.9

9

B

OG

DB

AR BO

Billabong

PAIGE TOUR PAD RRP $69.99

Mrs Palmers

CHECKMATE TAIL PAD RRP $49.99

Billabong

PAIGE TOUR 6’ LEASH RRP $39.99

Billabong

Mrs P almers WAX - RRP

66

//curl #29

$4.49

GIRLS SG5 4/3 GBS SEAM SEALED STEAMER - RRP $574.99 www.billabonggirls.com.au

Billabong SYNERGY 4/3 CHEST ZIP GBS Also Available 3/2 - RRP $349.99 www.billabonggirls.com.au

Billabong

SYNERGY 3/2 BACK ZIP GBS Also Available in 4/3 - RRP $299.99 www.billabonggirls.com.au

O’Neill

D’LUX - RRP $499.95 The D’Lux features 100% Superstretch Neoprene, Single fluid seam weld and a focus on women’s specific shaping and feminine style lines. The D’Lux series is versatile with superior O’Neill fit. www.oneill.com

O’Neill

PSYCHO 2 - RRP $644.99 Imitators... BEWARE. The new women’s Psycho 2 is on the loose. Thanks to new innovations in ultra-flex XDS neoprene technology the Psycho 2 is warmer, lighter and more flexible than ever before. Add our XDS-Air fire wall, and new ergonomic D-tox Knee padz and you have the most insane suit in the water. www.oneill.com

Seventhwave

MAX 3/2 TI GS ZB STEAMER RRP NZD $799 - AUD $639 Glued, sealed & taped seams, Japanese Yamamoto superstretch neoprene, titaniumlining for 40% more warmth & streamlined design makes for mid-winter delight! Zipless flexibility, Kevlar loaded kneepads, CustomFit to your measurements & made in 2/2, 3/2, 3/3 or 4/3, the MAX will take any conditions winter can throw at it. www.seventhwave.co.nz

Seventhwave

VIPER 3/3 TI GS ZB STEAMER RRP NZD $599 - AUD $479 A strategic mix of Japanese Yamamoto neoprenes: superstretch arms & upper for awesome flexibility where you need it, combined with a durable, hardwearing body.

Glued & sealed seams, zipless neck entry, full titanium-lining & Custom-Fit option equals extreme warmth for the hardest of winters. www.seventhwave.co.nz

www.curl.co.nz// 67

PAULA MITCHELL Paula Mitchell grew up in a small country town in New Zealand and fell in love with snowboarding in her teens. Now a professional snowboarder, Paula rarely sees summer, following the winters around the world. As a seasoned traveller, Paula knows how important the essentials are...

Can you tell us a little bit about your life as a snowboarder?

I have been lucky enough to be competing in snowboarding events around the world for the last few years. I loved snowboarding right from my first day. I was about 16, I could only turn one way, I was wearing PVC farm work pants, a polar fleece hat that I had sewed myself and had no idea what I was doing. Between then and now I worked as a snowboard instructor/coach which got me overseas and enabled me to work and ride at the same time. Then in 2008 I competed in my first overseas World Cups in Canada and Italy and my direction was set. Since then I have been able to train and compete in World Cups, World Champs, Dew Tours and more. It is a super fun way to see the world.

items - eyeliner, mascara, cover-up, and after wandering the streets of Bardonecchia, Italy at 11pm in -10*c with no snowboard bag, no map and no jacket...I now always have a jacket with me!

What is your normal beauty regime? I like to get up in the morning with enough time not to be rushed. My normal ‘beauty regime’ goes something along the lines of face wash, moisturiser and sunscreen then a little more sunscreen if it is going to be a sunny day on the mountain.

Once I get home from the slopes, I take out my contacts and wash my face Eco.face cleansing lotion to get the sunscreen and sweat off and make me feel refreshed.

Then it is off to the gym. At night, if I remember, I moisturise before bed.

What are some of the essentials you take when snowboarding? When I travel I have to fit everything into only two bags, my snowboard gear takes up most of that space and that gear is all important, however I now travel with my essential things in my back pack that I carry onboard the plane. For a while my bags only showed up at baggage claim about 60% of the time. It became an ongoing joke. No bags and a foreign country does not work well for me, so in my carry on is my itouch (not trusted with an iphone yet), 2 pairs of Skullcandys, at least $20 of local money, multi country power adapter, my essential make up

How do you relax after a day of hard training or competition? After a hard day of training it’s normally easy to relax because I am so tired. My ideal evening involves cooking a delicious dinner, drinking sparkling water while watching a movie, having a really good stretch and using ECO.massage oils to lightly massage my tired legs. Ideally I would not fall asleep before the movie finishes.

How do you protect and nurture your skin from the sun, wind and harsh weather conditions? Protecting my face from the sun and wind is something I try really hard to

“ In the evenings I use the ECO.FACE vitamin e and flower serum, I love it.”

Paula Mitchell

do because I want to look as young as possible for as long as possible! I always use sunscreen and try to make sure my face is covered on really windy or sunny days. In the evenings I use the ECO.face vitamin E and flower serum. I love it, I massage it under my eyes and forehead, where there are slight...very slight wrinkles from either squinting in the sun or frowning from the frustration of not being able to land a trick in the pipe.

Afterwards my face always feels refreshed and relaxed..

How do you maintain a balanced lifestyle? Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is sometimes tricky, with travel, foreign countries, foreign food and jet lag. When I am at home in Wanaka or ‘home’ at my Northern Winter base in Colorado, I find it easier. Having lots of healthy food readily available - fruits, nuts and vegies is important.

When I am in a hurry a fruit smoothie goes down well. I enjoy the gym after riding and use it as my ‘time out’ by putting my headphones on. In the evenings or days off I make sure I get in some ‘down time’ which could be a movie, shopping, getting a Butterhorn cookie with Trigger or a Starbucks and checking the post office box with Bex. Anything completely non-related to snowboarding is always good.

You have recently been using Eco products, do you have a favourite? I have been using ECO. products recently and I find it hard to choose a favourite. If I have to choose, then I would choose the ECO.face range. I love the ‘lightness’ of this range, the cleanser gets all my make up and oil off and still leaves my skin soft, the combination of the toner and moisturizer always makes my face feel refreshed.

ECO.massage Introducing ECO. Modern essentials therapeutic massage oils with four of its best from one of Australia’s leading aromatherapy and essential oil manufacturers . For over 23 years the Natalie Group, makers of ECO. Modern essentials has created beautiful massage blends made from only the finest oils and ingredients to make massage a healing and enjoyable experience.

www.ecoaroma.com.au

To purchase on line go to: www.ecoaroma.com.au | Massage oils are available at selected The Warehouse stores.

k . on Faceboo O. C /E Like eco k.com .faceboo and be www nessentials r supply mode 6 months win to ange. in utiful r of this bea s an email to u Also send TITION@GMAIL. E P your CURLCOM us know let and contact COM so we can r! details winne ky the luc

Massage

1. ECO. Cellulite Rub Massage Oil 2. ECO. Back Massage Oil 3. ECO. Relaxing Massage Oil 2. ECO. Prenatal Massage Oil www.ecoaroma.com. au

Lips 1. Australis Lip Butter $11.90 www.australiscosmetics.com.au

Accessories 1. Snowflake Pendants  www.mesurfsnow.com

r e t n i W eauty B As the chill sets in we’ve found some great products to keep you looking and feeling great this winter. CLICK & WIN! Look for the  symbol and go to www.curl.co.nz for your chance to win some of these fabulous products!

Skin Hair 1. Rehab $14.90 per 100g  2. Solid Shampoos $15.90  www.lush.com

70

//curl #29

1. Radiessence Instant Self Tanning Mousse $39.90 2. Radiessence Applicator $16.00 www.radiessence.com

Skin 1. Body Butter Duo $38.00  www.thebodyshop.com

Fragrance

1. Flore-ette body fragrance  2. Want-ette body fragrance  3. Love-ette body fragrance  4. Sol-ette body fragrance  www.lesettes.com

TIP: Do not dab your wrists together after applying perfume fragrances--this breaks down the scent.

Image compliments of Rip Curl

A great way to help you relax and revive. Awaken your senses with one of these ECO. massage oils.

curl giveaways

BLUE CRUSH 2 DVD - NZD $29.99 2002’s Blue Crush sequel follows an adventurous 18 year-old Dana (Sasha Jackson), a gorgeous killer surfer with a shelf full of trophies to prove it, on the surf adventure of a lifetime! Rent or buy on DVD or Blu-ray 6 July in New Zealand or 29 June in Australia.

This issue we have some incredible giveaways from Me Surf Snow, Lush, Les Ettes, Too Late, Wearing Jack, Sitka, The Body Shop, Eco and Icebreaker. Go to www.curl.co.nz for all the details on how to enter.

ME SURF SNOW We have five snowflake pendants to giveaway.

LUSH SHAMPOOS We have some awesome hair products from Lush to giveaway.

LES ETTES We have one of each of these alcohol free perfumes to win.

ECO.FACE Like Eco on facebook and be into win a six month supply of this beautiful range.

THE BODY SHOP New body butter from The Body Shop. Two compartments, one for dryer skin and one for the normal zones of your body. We have six of these to giveaway!

TOO LATE WATCHES The ACD range of waterproof watches from Italian brand Too Late comes in 5 electrifying acid colours.

We have one of each to giveaway!

WEARING JACK Win a tee or singlet from Wearing Jack

SITKA ONEPIECE We are proud to be giving away one of Sitka’s signature garments - the Long Jane Silver Onepiece.

Keep yourself toasty warm after a day on the snow with Icebreaker’s luxurious Nature range.

Your skin will love the soft silky feeling of nature’s premium merino. Featuring prints inspired by the natural world, Icebreaker’s range of Nature’s women’s underwear feels so good you’ll think you’re wearing nothing at all.

Protection and relief for cracked lips

We have six long sleeve Haven Scoop’s from Icebreaker’s Nature range in gorgeous ruby passion to give away (RRP$99.95). Subscribe and be in to win!

For more information visit www.icebreaker.com

Blistex Lip Ointment contains a high protection SPF 15 sunscreen that protects lips from the sun. With a medicated advanced moisture system that penetrates the lip surface to replace moisture, it also helps to soothe the discomfort of dry, chapped and sunburnt lips.

Blistex – Discover what your lips are missing Always read the directions for use and use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your doctor.

Available in selected supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide. amba1074-7 TAPS PP7905

yes, I’ll subscribe* One year NZ subscription. That’s 4 issues for NZD $28

Two year NZ subscription. That’s 8 issues for NZD $50 One year Australian subscription. 4 issues for AUD $45

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Is this a gift subscription?  YES  NO Full name Postal address City Phone Mobile Email BILLING INFORMATION (IF DIFFERENT TO SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION) Full name

One year Australian subscription. 4 issues for AUD $80 In New Zealand, subscribe by email, fax, or mail to: CURL SUBSCRIPTION PO Box 562, Whangaparaoa 0932 New Zealand EMAIL: subsmagazine@xtra.co.nz FAX: (+64) 09 428 3046 In New Zealand, subscribe online at www.isubscribe.co.nz In Australia, subscribe online at www.isubscribe.com.au

Postal address City Phone Mobile Email Charge to my:  MASTERCARD  VISA  CHEQUE ENCLOSED Card number Expiration:

Signature

www.curl.co.nz// 75

*[curl 29] subscribe

Subscribe to CURL and stay fashionably warm in Icebreaker

curl.co.nz music|movies|art|and more

We would like to thank all of you who have sent in submissions to CURL. Unfortunately we cannot fit everything into the magazine, so check out www.curl.co.nz to see more stories, interviews, giveaways and more...

SurfAid Launches New Website

Non-profit humanitarian organisation, SurfAid International, today announced the launch of their new website surfaidinternational.org SurfAid is now into its 12th year of work in the remote island chain off Sumatra, Indonesia, after being started by a group of concerned surfers in 2000. The new website includes details of all SurfAid’s programs plus blogs, video links and high quality photos from their field work. The site also outlines how you can take action to support SurfAid.

BILLABONG CONCEPT STORE

MOVIE REVIEWS

Towards the end of March, the Amazon store in Parnell was home to a free Donovan concert and signing. For those of you who have not yet checked out the Amazon store it’s definitely worth a visit. The store is a bit of a one off, with an eye for detail in the design and what it has to offer. The store not only stocks your normal clothing range but also is home to a huge array of skateboards, wetsuits and surfboards. It has also dedicated space to read magazines, look at photos and it even has a travel company in store so you can book your next surf holiday while you shop. Make sure you drop in and check it out...

Store opening hours: AMAZON Concept Store...

10am – 7pm weekdays 74 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell 9am – 6pm weekends

CAUGHT INSIDE

Caught Inside is a psychological thriller where a tight knit group of surfers head out to a secluded island for the "surfari" of their lives. What do you do when one passenger goes off the rails in the middle of the ocean?

We have all been on a surf trip where one passenger pushes things too far and this is that story. Love the lead character, he plays the part of a cocky Aussie freak to perfection!

Check out the trailer on www.caughtinside.com.au/

HANA SURF GIRLS

BILLABONG GIRLS WIN 2011 BRAND OF THE YEAR AT SIMA INDUSTRY AWARDS Billabong Girls won the “Women’s Apparel Brand of the Year” at the 8th Annual SIMA Image Awards. The industry’s most prestigious title, was awarded to the women’s apparel brand that featured the most exciting designs, increased brand appeal, and business growth at retail in 2010.

KEALA KENNELLY WINS BILLABONG XXL GIRLS PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Hana Surf Girls follows the lives of two girls from the isolated town of Hana on the coast of Maui. Two hours from the next town it is often referred to as the “Last Hawaiian Place” with more than 60% of its 2000 residents of Hawaiian ancestory. There are no malls, no McDonalds and just a couple of small markets, a gas station and a post office. The movie follows two local girls, Monyca Bryne-Wickey and Lipoa Kahalauahi and cleverly switches between the two girls lives, Monyca at the Hana Surfing games and Lipoa at University, highlighting the challenges and differences between life in Hana and life on the mainland USA. This movie is not simply a surf movie. It explores the ancient Hawaiian beliefs and traditions, the connection to the land and the influence a community can have on it’s people. It is refreshing to see two young women with a real spiritual connection to their land and the surf and who have managed to grow up without all the trimmings that so many experience today. Both simply enjoy life on the waves, no matter what the conditions. Both girls have enjoyed a unique upbringing in the town of Hana and this is the underlying theme of the movie. As Lipoa explains, “You hear the word Aloha spoken around Hawaii but in Hana it is real. Aloha means unspoken love - if you see a person who needs help, you help; if you see someone that needs something done, you just offer. It’s a code I live by.”

Keala Kennelly took the Girl’s Best Performance Award at the Billabong XXL Awards April 29th in Anaheim, CA. Nominated for the second consecutive year alongside past winners Maya Gabeira and Jamilah Star, Keala’s win was no easy feat. She earned top spot in the women’s category with performances like; a win at the first-ever women’s big wave event at Nelscott Reef (where she was also the first woman to paddle into a wave) and a Puerto Escondido barrel that has been touted as one of the biggest waves ever surfed by a female. “Winning is quite an honor. I feel like I have been trying to elevate the sport of women’s big wave surfing throughout my career and it is nice to be recognized for my efforts. It gets me really pumped for the year ahead. I am looking forward to challenging myself and pushing my own limits,” said Keala. “This win came at a very good time for me. It has been hard loosing fellow Kauaians Andy and Sion this year. It is really nice to give Kauai something to smile about,” added Kennelly. Keala attended the Big Wave World Tour Awards the following night. There Keala and her fellow female competitors were recognized for charging at Nelscott Reef and invited on stage. Because of their commitment to and performance at the event, women will once again be invited to compete at the Nelscott Reef Classic. The BWWT announced that they have plans to include women at more stops in the future.

SOUL SURFER

In a time when there are so many terrible things going on in the world it’s great to have a movie that makes you feel good. Soul Surfer is the true story of Bethany Hamilton and how she copes with the results of a shark attack off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii. As Carrie Underwood said about Bethany’s loss, “This could have been viewed as the worse thing that could ever happen to anybody and yet Bethany doesn’t sit around saying “poor me, why me? Why did this happen? What am I gonna do?” She didn’t say “why me?” she said “what can I do with this?” This is a story of a family and of the resilience of the human spirit. Bethany’s story is so inspirational, it’s a story of triumph played out beautifully by a stella cast. It doesn’t matter if you surf or not this is a must see movie of the year.

BLUE CRUSH 2

The movie is set in the dramatic location of South Africa, where American teenager, Dara goes on a surf quest in memory of her late mother. She travels down the coast of South Africa, ending up at the legendary Jeffery’s Bay. Rosy Hodge plays her deceased mother and also do is the surf double for the lead character, Dara. Her surfing style is quite distinctive and one I enjoy watching. She is graceful and of course, beautiful. Sally Fitzgibbons and Laura Enever both have roles playing themselves as commentators at a Roxy competition. What I loved most about the movie was that I felt I got to see the spectacular scenery of South Africa without actually leaving my couch.

LIGHTNING POINT A new series staring our very own Angie Koops has just hit the airways in Australia. Angie plays the stunt double for Phillippa Coulthard, the actress who plays local surfer girl, Amber. The story follows ZOEY and KIKI, two irrepressible girls from another galaxy, when they become castaways in the quiet, Australian seaside town of Lightning Point and they recruit local girl AMBER to keep them undercover.

They soon discover they have natural surfing talent – especially determined Zoey, who is a real whizz on the board.

Catch it on Network Ten and Nickelodeon Australia.

Keala in Mexico | Image by Santamarinapictures

76

//curl #29

www.curl.co.nz// 77

SALOMON LADIES WEEK

WORDS Kasia Jilling

Not so long ago I was lucky enough to get a week down at Mt Ruapehu skiing with the Salomon ladies ski week. The idea behind the week is to spend some time with like minded women of similar ability with the help of international instructors to improve your skiing or boarding. We met at Lorenz’s, the mountain café, and were all treated to complimentary muffins and coffee which is never a bad way to start the day. By 10:30 we had split into ability groups and were up the mountain ready to be transformed into Olympic skiers. Thanks to the weather and appalling visibility any real improvement was virtually impossible but Jess, our lovely German instructor, did her best to watch us all and help out where we needed it. One of the real advantages was that each group had a maximum of five ladies in it so everyone had the opportunity to be seen by the instructor.

Go to curl.co.nz for the rest of this story...

LUSH STORE

Earlier this year we were invited to check out the new and improved Lush store in Queen Street. I have been a Lush fan since the brand began but I must admit I knew very little outside of the fact that they sold delicious smelling soaps. We met up with PR and marketing manager Megan Taylor for an educational tour of the store. Megan showed us through everything the store had to offer, from foam bath bombs to massage bars, natural face masks, moisturisers, shampoos and of course soaps. Two of my favourite products were the solid shampoos and the body butter bars. The shampoo bar has to be tried to really be believed. It looks like a bar of soap and you simply lather it up in your hands a bit and rub the lather into your hair. Amazing and perfect for all of you who travel lots as there are no liquids and it lasts for up to 80 washes. So check out your local Lush store near you!

Rated by Qualmark at 4 star plus +

NEW BOOK discusses the snowboarding phenomenon

After seven years of researching snowboarding culture in six countries, University of Waikato Sport and Leisure Studies senior lecturer Dr Holly Thorpe has published her first sole-authored book.

The recently released “Snowboarding Bodies in Theory and Practice,” provides an in-depth analysis of the snowboarding phenomenon. In addition to providing an international perspective of the sport, the book introduces social science students to social theory concepts in an accessible and engaging way.

Superbly situated on the doorstep to Turoa, the Whakapapa ski areas and the World Heritage Listed Tongariro National Park, is Ohakune’s newest and most luxurious chalet accommodation.

I JUST DON’T WANT TO BE AROUND

Rocky Mountain Chalets

20 Rangataua Rd (SHW49), Ohakune For reservations phone 06 3859545 email: Info@rockymountainchalets.com www.rockymountainchalets.com

SMOKERS PAIGE HAREB PRO-SURFER

• Muriwai Beach on Aucklands West Coast • Qualified, professional instructors • “Introduction to Surfing” Lessons held twice daily • Individual intermediate & advanced lessons • School holiday surfing programs • Huge range of boards and wetsuits for hire • Gift vouchers available • Free surf magazine if you mention this ad

For a booking phone 021 478734 or email info@muriwaisurfschool.co.nz www.muriwaisurfschool.co.nz

80

//curl #29

www.curl.co.nz// 81