SurfGirl 35 Winter Issue

This issue it’s all about snow and surf. We look at why winter sports are good for you, and some tips on how to stay motivated and surf through the winter months, keeping the summer fash vibe in winter, plus how to keep you from hypothermia when you’re surfing and the best winter wetsuit accessories. It’s all about keeping warm now the weather’s getting chilly! With this in mind if you want to escape we suggest some great warm water boltholes from tropical paradises to short haul trips.

Plus there’s snowboarding tips from Britain’s top snowboarders – Aimee, Jenny and Jessica, plus some advice on how to work the season on a budget, exercises to strengthen your muscles for snowboarding and the latest gear to ensure you’re stylin’ on the slopes this winter.

We head to the Maldives with the Rip Curl girls team, and French surfer Lea Brassy goes on an adventurous surf trip to Iceland with some beautiful images, looking like something from the Frozen Planet!

And with the festive season approaching we’ve some fab Christmas present ideas. Looking forward to next year we’ve some achievable earth friendly resolutions and a cool SurfGirl calendar to cut out or download on 31st December.

And one of the best things about this mag is the DIY mag. 16 pages in the magazine of your contributions from art, to making tips and travel stories – good work!

The mag is out this week, or you can subscribe here, we’ve some fab subscriber deals this month!

There’s plenty of hidden surprises to uncover along the way, so remove that blindfold and explore every angle  with in these behind the scenes films…

Here’s two collection videos from behind the scenes of the shoot.

Part 1:

Part 2

For more photos and info on the new range to www.oneill.com/illusion

From top to bottom;

Siobhan and Jenna’s lovely snowman, York.

Gemma Dale, North Wales.

Louise Searle, frozen footsteps at Crantock.

Lora Wood, Marske-by-the-Sea enjoying Snovember!

Jennifer Roy, snow duck in St Andrews.

Jess Henry, Watergate Sunday afternoon.

It was an amazing feeling to end the week and see some real progress.

Each day Will took us out to his secret spots and really helped us perfect our technique and work on any area we wanted to improve on.

For me it was jumps. I wanted to know the technique behind a really good jump, getting decent air and, most importantly, how to land the jump.

So here goes, SurfGirl’s Top Tips For Getting Air

• First of all visualise yourself completing the jump. Really see it in your mind.
• Go into the jump with confidence and enough speed to get you up and over.
• As you approach the jump, bend your legs and get closer to your board.
• You don’t need to push off the jump. You will be accelerated naturally from the jump. Adding an extra push from you, may throw your body off balance.
• Keep you body aligned, that is keep your shoulders in line with your hips, your knees bent. Only your head is turned to see where your going. This is really important part. Most people tend to swing there shoulders as they jump which in turn throws you off balance and usually results with landing on our backside, or ever worse your head!
• As you hit the jump remember to look to where you want to land, keep you legs bent, stay low and ride it out.
• Confidence comes with practice, so try to keep repeating a set of jumps and keep the technique strong in your mind.
• And just when you least expect it… AIR! Enjoy.

Willy G, our instructor

If you fancy hitting the slopes this winter and would like to progress a certain area of your riding, or maybe you are a complete beginner, then it is really worth investing in some coaching. Will offers lessons from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders, specific coaching days to perfect any area you want to work on, as well as video coaching and photo packages. If you’re lucky he’ll even bring you to the infamous Irish Bar, Covey’s where he DJ’s on a Monday (http://www.coveysirishpub.com/) – but be warned, if they hand you a shot of black liquid that makes your eyes water just from the smell….. be afraid, very afraid!

Contact:
William Giles
0033 450 897073
www.chalet-loreade.com

Jane gets some air!

The budding champion has to complete three stages to realise his or her dream: riding for Quiksilver or Roxy side by side with his or her idols!

1 Apply by submitting “Sponsor me” photos and videos with profile, via www.quiksilverlive.com and in all participating Quiksilver and Roxy stores, so he/she can qualify for a web preselection during January. 2 In February, a Quiksilver & Roxy Radar competition will be organised in the five ski resorts across Europe. The kids have to impress the jury with their riding skills, as well as taking part in video clips and interviews, before going online to be judged in the public vote. 6th February : Formigal ‚Äì Spain 7th Fevruary : Bradonecchia ‚Äì Italy 11th February : Saas Fee- Switzerland 13th February : La Plagne ‚Äì France 13th February : Trysil ‚Äì Norway 14th February : Lipno ‚Äì Czech Republic 14th February : Kleinwalsertal – Austria

3 The grand final will take place in March, during the European Winter X Games in Tignes, during which the budding riders will than take part in a final jam session under the watchful eyes of their idols.

Sponsors:
The Australian snowboarder Torah Bright took her first steps into the white stuff at the age of two, on skis. Nine years later, she had her own snowboard. It was the start of a long carrier. The results came thick and fast and very quickly, Torah became the indisputable icon of women’s world snowboarding. In 2007, she won the WTTR world circuit as well as two gold medals in Superpipe, at the 2007 and 2009 Winter X Games.

Travis Rice was the revelation of 2008/2009. This 27-year-old American is used to success, both sporting and non-sporting. Last January, during the Aspen Winter X Games Aspen, Travis won the Big Air Gold Medal, followed by 4 (out of 5) of the Transworld Snowboard Awards USA. Feted for his film “That’s It That’s All”, Travis was also voted the best snowboarder of 2008, a male revelation and was awarded the distinction of master snowboarder by the readers of Transworld.

Mathieu Crepel started on the snow at the age of 7. Now, aged 25, he is one of the most highly-honoured snowboarders (World Champion in 2007 for Big Air and Half-pipe – first winner of the TTR circuit in 2006 and FIS World Cup winner in 2005)! Originally from La Mongie, he started out by skiing, closely watched by his father, a ski instructor. He signed his first professional contract with Quiksilver, when he was 10.

As for Candide Thovex, he was given his own pair of skis at the age of 2! It is easy to see why he’s now one of the best freestylers in the world. Several times a winner of the Winter X Games, he is also acclaimed for the films that he himself produces.

La Plagne boasts the only bobsleigh, luge and skeleton track in France. The Olympic standard track was built in 1991 for the Albertville Olympic Games, and is well known as the most technical track in the world. The record speed is 134 kph!
There are three bobs available to the public that require no training: the Bob Raft seats four passengers and runs at nearly 80 kph; the Mono Bob, which is a single-seater, self-steering bob with a semi-reclining position that travels at more than 90 kph with some extreme sensations in complete safety; finally there’s the Taxi Bob which is the Rolls Royce of the bobsleigh! Seating 3 passengers behind a professional driver, this racer can reach nearly 120kpm!

The only one of its kind in the World, the ice tower has stood in the Valley of Champagny le Haut at 1500m for the last 6 years. This year it is now hidden in heart of the Canada Forest amongst the larch trees, on the edge of the Vanoise National Park.
The ice tower brings the sport of ice climbing to anyone up for the challenge! The 22m high tower offers different levels of difficulty and is accessible to all. Beginners can start out on 85¬? climbs and experts take on verticals (90¬?) or overhangs of 45¬?.
All activities are supervised by specialist mountain guides, who are above all ice climbing enthusiasts!
At the end of January, the ice tower hosts the 7th edition of the Gorzderette Tournament Рa fun-filled multi-event alpine sports contest. Open to everyone, this event promised even the world’s ice-climbing elite a good show. www.gzd.fr

Extensive off piste terrain!
For those looking for fresh tracks and the ultimate freeride experience, then look no further than La Plagne. The resort makes up part of Paridiski area, which is one of the world’s largest ski areas, second after The Three Valleys. With more than 80% of the area being above 2000m it’s one of the most snow-sure spots in Europe, boasting miles of untouched terrain! If you’re looking for a challenge, then take on the famous North Face of ‘Bellecote’.

Freestyle Heaven:
The La Plagne freestyle parks are located in Belle-Plagne and with zones suitable for beginner and experienced riders. Featuring jumps, boxes, rails, tables and “torijib” (a tower of oil cans). The park promotes a weekly Big Air contest, open to all and there’s an air bag perfect for trying out new tricks.
What’s more, there are 2 half pipes in the resort, and the most recent addition is FIS standard at 150 metres long, 5,5 meters high, and has a 16 degree slope.

But the fun doesn‚Äôt stop there! The resort to proud to introduce some great new sliding sensations including the Speedel Snow, which is a cross between a sledge and go-kart promising fast and furious fun! The pilot steers with his feet on a pivoting bar and has a turning circle of 45¬? ensuring fast and precise handling. And also new this season is the Zipfy ‚Äì a mini freestyle sledge with a solid steering lever that guarantees great handling round the bends! Perfect for a day off from your skis!

For more info check out www.la-plagne.com

The Chalet is sponsored by Ride Snowboards and is stocked with a range of the latest demo boards to try out. If you’re thinking of buying a new board, this is a great option to try before you buy. There is a choice of three packages to suit all budgets: choose from fully catered, breakfast only or self catered.

Don’t forget to mention SurfGirl when booking to get your free day‚Äôs coaching!

The website is www.chalet-loreade.com and the email contact is will@chalet-loreade.com