08.06.2010Young, stylish and confident – girls on snowboards conquer our parks!

Since its beginnings, freestyle was dominated by men. In the last years, however, more and more girl riders have came out of the scene who got tired watching their boyfriends having fun on the boards. Female pros have appeared on the horizon, showing their unique styles and a special portion of motivation. Even crews have emerged, such as the Austrian snowboard formation “Bitches with Attitude”. Being fresh, clever and confident, they represent a new era in park-riding and freestyle sports. QParks got curious and invited the young girls for an interview! In this first part (Editor's note: the second part is not following anymore due to personal reasons), Christine and Jasmin talk about their point of view and what BWA could also stand for…

Hey girls, you are two of four crew members of BWA. What’s the meaning behind the abbreviation?

Jasmin: Yes, I joined the BWA only recently and I’m really happy about it! The girls show so much amBition, poWer and creAtivty – just BWA! ;)

Christine: ...and of course we’re „good girls“ as Kathi would say.

Since when are you girls snowboarding and why did you start with it?

Christine: I started snowboarding 9 years ago, because I was just fascinated by the aesthetics of the moves and the certain lifestyle behind this sport.

Jasmin: The first time I strapped a snowboard I was 16 years old and I had fun right away!
 

What’s your motivation for snowboarding?

Jasmin: For me, snowboarding unifies sport with creativity, freedom, nature, travels, music and friendship.

Christine: Well yes, and it simply makes happy! I feel free and at home in the mountains, far away from all the sorrows under the cloud cover.

 Compared to the male riders: where do you gals see the difference?

Christine: Hehe, more intelligent people already started their thesis with this question. I think that freestyle snowboarding is a men-dominated sport and for women it’s not that easy to gain respect. Why is there such a bombastic difference? Well, maybe some reasons are that less women do freestyle, men have better physical preconditions which leads to higher bounce- and speed rates, men have more self-esteem and sometimes are just sick of life, men get more pushed and so on. Probably the difference results from a variety of social, sociological, anthropological, psychic and physical factors that could be listed here. Anyway, we have stopped excusing us for riding parks and started having fun.

Jasmin: Well sure there are differences in the sporting level, but I think apart from that it is all about the same!

 So would you think the level of girls riding has changed over the years?

Jasmin: Of course! Some basics have changed in the snowboard scene and there are many motivated girls who contribute to it!

Christine: For example such extraordinary riders as Lisa Filzmoser or by now Sarka Pancochova. Everybody can do one’s bit to push the girls scene, be it a video or just motivating words. But what’s really important, is to get rid of the rivalry that does not bring us further. We all are talented in different things and we could learn so much from each other.

And what are you doing besides snowboarding and in summer?

Christine: Ah, don’t get me started. ;) Well, in summer I mostly learn, work and skate, just to avoid turning crazy you know...

Jasmin: Yeah and we try to spend as much time as possible together, though we are from different corners of Austria. We’ve already came up with some ideas and realize them if we’ve the necessary money. However, the BWA blog is updated regularly and you can check out what we’re doing! ;)

Will the BWA visit the Horsefeathers Superpark Dachstein?

Christine: Naturally - as often as possible.

Jasmin: Right, just like every year.

So what is it that you like most about the Dachstein glacier?

Christine: It’s all about friends, fun and fever. Furthermore, we got to know each other at the Dachstein and I think we’ve formed BWA there. I like the international flair there and especially during the week you can do so much runs, the snow’s smooth and the park is always well shaped (thanks to Andi at this point!).

Jasmin: Exactly, the park is always in great condition, a big THANKS goes to the crew of Andi and Bernd! Since I’m snowboarding I’ve spent every season on the Dachstein where you meet so many people you maybe wouldn’t see for the whole season.

Looking back to the last season... what comes into your minds when you think of the Dachstein?

Jasmin: Love, peace & happiness.

Christine: Phew when I think of the last season, my favorite obstacle, the corner, comes into my mind.

What are the further plans of BWA?

Christine: Ask miss general manager (editor’s note: Kathrin Holzmann). In any case, I want to spend as much time as possible with the girls. We will go to the Schnalstal in summer and are doing a two weeks summer-surf-roadtrip!

Jasmin: So it is, we go shredding together, push each other, film and have just fun!

At the end I’d like to say...

Jasmin: Thanks to Kathi, Isy and Lilli! And not to forget: BWA will have a little part in the movie of Bamboo Motion Pictures! Be ready for it!!! http://bamboomp.wordpress.com/

Christine: Thanks and ciao.

Stay tuned for the second part of our BWA-special next week with Kathi & Lisa!

Read more about the BWA on blogspot and on facebook!