SNOW QUEEN – GRETCHEN BLEILER

SurfGirl interviews Oakley team rider Gretchen Bleiler.

Gretchen how has your year been so far?
It’s been a very full year!¬† I’ve travelled all over the world for lots of snowboarding, a couple of surf trips, sponsor appearances, pr trips and photo shoots.¬† Life is good!

What’s been the highlight? Winning the X Games in my hometown of Aspen for the fourth time!¬† It felt so good is because I rode the best I’ve ridden in my entire career so far; love when that happens;)

Tell us a bit about your new range with Oakley? The Fall 2010 Oakley Gretchen Bleiler Collection is our third season and every year I think this line keeps getting better and better and I’ve loved EVERY season so far!¬† This season’s look and feel is more minimal then the season’s past when it comes to trims and graphics.¬† So the overall look of the line is very clean but with some big impact design elements such as a tiered back in the Mane Jacket, a gathered shell with a unique fur lined high collar and then the eco jacket is super funky and fun with contrast zip tape and buttons all with very flattering silhouettes and fits.¬† So overall the collection is classy and sophisticated with edgy, young and fun detailing.

What are your plans for the rest of the year? Still travelling a lot for different sponsor appearances, shoots and autograph signings.¬† We’re currently working on finishing up the Fall 2011 Gretchen Bleiler Collection line, crazy how far in advance everything is!¬† Also working with K2 on finalizing snowboard graphics for Fall 2011 and then snowboard wise I plan to spend time at the K2 session at the new Woodward at Copper this July, I have a signature session at High Cascade Snowboard Camp at Mount Hood in August and then also plan on doing some riding in New Zealand this September.

Besides that I plan on doing a lot of surfing, weddings and making plans for next season!

What do you do in the summer – do you find snow or do alternative sports like surfing? Surfing is definitely a big part of my summers because it brings my life balance.¬† But at this point snowboarding has really become a year round sport where everyone follows the snow all year.¬† Another important part of my summer and fall is making sure I’m strong heading into the winter season as strength is great for overall confidence and also injury prevention.

What music amps you up for snowboarding? I love music with a good beat that can really get me in my ideal competition place, it’s always different and changing but listening to my brother‚Äôs band ‘Hi Roots’ is always fun for me because it’s so meaningful!

Who are the hot snowboarders we should be looking out for? There are a lot of them!  Maddy Shafferick, Kaitlyn Farrington, Lizzy Beerman, Kelly Marren these are the ladies on the US Rookie team and they all rip!

Who’s sexier snowboarders or surfers? How about surfing snowboarders?!

Sum up your life right now in five words: Blessed, Family, Passionate, Determined and Full of love!

 

See Gretchen’s half pipe ride at the X Games earlier this year – awesome!

Tags: Gretchen Bleiler, Oakely Gretchen Bleiler Collection, Oakley, X Games