downhill skateboarder – architect – feminist – mountain lover
Oh, oh, it’s been way too exciting this year! … I never even got to update this here. Sometimes, focussing on living makes more sense than letting the world know what you do 😉
More to come about an awesome trip to Japan & cowboys on the West Coast.
I’ll get ready for the first Chixxs Get Together in Zürich now! A longboard workshop on our city spot, initiated by Tanja at Chixxs On Board, a platform for ladies in board sports based in Zürich.
Embrace the sun!
Novermber in Zurich was as grey as usual. Makes me work more & live less… which technically isn’t a disaster… but when December comes and South Africa is on the travel list: Life tends to be that tiny bit better.
We had everything this year.
To start with the good part… I got two podiums! A second at Hot Heels Africa, last IGSA World Cup race of the season, and I got second as well at High Rising.
We saw spiders, snakes, baboons, chameleons, penguins, camels…
We ate big animals, and generally ate well and a lot, we went geo caching and go carting, hiking and swimming, we drove on the left side of the road and we had the best host we could wish for!
Have a look at the rest of the pictures on my flickr!
In the semi finals of Hot Heels, Felipe Malaga, our friend from Peru had a horrifying crash resulting severe head injury. He is today, 28th of December, still in the hospital in South Africa where he recovers slowly.
Photo by Brittany Fine
Photos by Tamara Prader
The Euro Tour is already over. I can’t believe how fast those four weeks flew by!
I am happy to bring home one podium! My results over all could have been better, I finished with a 5th in Kozakov, a 3rd in Teolo and a 6th quali time in Péyragudes.
Graphic by Tamara Prader
The crew this year was Patrick Switzer, Maxim Garant Rousseau, Alex Tongue, Mauritz Armfelt, Josh Torres, John Barnet, Caio Cezar, Luke Melo, Thiago Lessa, myself and Olivier Séguin- Leduc our photographer and videographer.
After talking to a few travel crews that had issues here and there or even split the group half way through the tour, I felt lucky to have such an incredible team. Little fights were fought quickly and out of the way before they could become a bigger issue. It is not always easy to travel in a group of ten to twelve people basically spending 24/7 for a month. Our trip took us from Paris to Switzerland for some freeriding. Then to Kozakov, CZ for the first race, to Prague, to the most beautiful mountains, the Dolomites, further down south to the race in Teolo and then for a day to Venice. After that to the Pyrénées, south to Barcelona for a week of relaxation and scooter racing through the city and finally back to Switzerland before everybody had to fly home again.
A very big thank you to Orangatang the guys I traveled with!
San Be, Photo by Tamara Prader
See my arms?
What to do with so many roads?, Photo by Tamara Prader
Péyragudes before the fog rolled in
Waves on our Gaudi tour
Oh, we had to leave California way too early! I collected a few impressions for you…
LA Freeways, Photos by Tamara Prader
Definitely one of the highlights was my win in Avalon at the Catalina Island Classic!
An unforgettable treat! Adam Colton tried to sabotage us… opening up a little plastic box with the words: „this will change you life!“, I expected the most incredible goody I’ve ever had… it definitely changed my life for the rest of the day.
These balls were made of dates, honey, nuts & the hottest chili in the world, the Bhut Jolokia chili pepper, also known as Ghost Chili.
… I didn’t know food could do something like this to a human body. As I was down sweating with numb arms and feet, feeling nauseous, Adam talked me through a wet and cold forest.
Adam’s treats, Photo by Tamara Prader
My stomach was mad at me for eating the cili balls so I skipped Surfing with the O-tang crew and played with Pat’s long lens while they gave their best to catch a wave in Malibu!
Surfing in Malibu, Photos by Tamara Prader
I had an open bill with this canyon road that cost me my PCL last year… time for a pay back! Skateboarding in the Malibu hills with some of the most scenic views and most challenging roads.
Dane & Patrick had a NOS day!, Photo by Tamara Prader
We flew out of LAX on Tuesday, May 15th. This is a small world as I ran into Corina Parpan, a friend from back home in Klosters at the Vancouver airport.
After the public transportation mission with two HUGE bags and way too much and too heavy carry on luggage… it was time for Sushi!
We could finally pick up our RV in Chilliwack, BC! And it works! We have a home on four wheels and start to get comfortable in our ‚Slumber Queen‘. Now, all we need is a name… Ideas anyone? We figured she’s a little bit like an Italian Donna…
Happy owners!
Oh, I have a feeling this could be the time of my life!
I landed in Los Angeles last night, got picked up from the airport and driven straight to the Newport Filmfestival where I was just a little too late for Drop, My Life Downhill… all skate style, being late for things…
My NJK leathers are just being finished right now! Too stoked on that one! And in a little bit, we’ll take off to Avalon where the Catalina Island Classic is happening this weekend. We are 6 ladies at the startline! The road looks like a lot of fun and I am sure, my jetlag will kick in just in time.
being bored in the air, by Tamara Prader
Catalina Island – the view from the startline, Photo Tamara Prader
I got to Los Angeles, straight to the Newport Beach Film Festival, picking up my brand new NJK leather suit and then heading out to Catalina Island!
What a start!
Fitting at NKJ, Photo Pat Switzer
We were convinced, the race action would start with some freeriding on saturday. After we had found out that we’d only get one day on the hill, the party became a lot better.
And the Mexican guy behind the bar made some very generous Margheritas! …guess I should have gone for one more Dollar Taco.
The Catalina Island Classic was held back in 1977 the last time. It was a great pleasure to meet one of the ladies competing in the race back than! She and her sister both did race and they still enjoy the island life, getting Sophia, Karens daughter, ready for some downhill action.
Flying away with Graham, Photo Pat Switzer
Rider meeting! Photo Tamara Prader
It is about an hour from Los Angeles to Avalon, the tiny capital of Catalina. Avalon is a very pretty place where skaters usually wouldn’t spend too much time. Only one funny story about this place, they have buffalos there because a film crew simply left them on the Island after they were done filming.
The race day started early and on time. Three runs, that was it for practice on a pretty technical hill. The heats were set. No qualifying.
There were six ladies at the start line! We got to do an awesome amount of runs thanks to the point system we ran the race on. Thank you Dubes!
The guys had some gnarly heats down the narrow race track! James Kelly won the race, Patrick Switzer came in 2nd and Alex Tongue took 3rd. Pam Diaz took 3rd in the womens division, Christine was in 2nd and I won my first race! Whoopwhoop!
…for some more skating!
We had to leave this extraordinary place on monday to go back to Los Angeles and a different scale of city again. Seeking for some more and different adventures!
After a busy second half of Novmber in the office and a lazy time here on my blog I am now back from South Africa, a place with some of the most lovable people and more braai than ever!
A backpack full of stories… soon to be told here!
Until then, I leave you with a first impression and…
Super happy with a 2nd place at Houwteq, South African National Race.
And a 2nd place at Hot Heels 2011, IGSA World Cup Race! AWE!