GL chatted up Ellery Hollingsworth, an 18-year-old member of the U.S. Snowboarding team and all-around cool girl, a few weeks ago for a few tips on how Y-O-U can become a better snowboarder (or why you should start!).
Pile on the padding.
Her biggest piece of advice? Wear butt pads—seriously. “You’ll fall a lot, but it’s worth it if you stick with it,” she dished. Snow may look soft, but wiping out can be tough.
Practice makes perfect.
“It will get easier. Get back up and do it,” Ellery told us. She hit the slopes for the first time when she was only six, after her older bros convinced her mom to let her out there. But you don’t have to be a tiny tot to pick up the sport. Take a lesson when you get to the mountain to help learn the basics.
Don’t get intimidated by the competition.
Sure, snowboarding might be dominated by the guys, but that shouldn’t sideline any chicas out there who wanna ride. “Don’t let society or boys keep you from doing something,” Ellery says.
Cross-train to build strength.
Ellery uses a slide board to amp up her strength and balance, in addition to working out in a gym with a trainer. She runs 4-5 miles daily, and practices yoga. But you can have fun during the off-season, too. Ellery recently picked up skateboarding, surfing and distance swimming in the ocean.
Get training now—and get ready to ride with the best of ’em this winter (or at least carve it up down the bunny slopes).
By: Taeler Lottino
BY JIAE K. ON 11/10/2009 12:49:00 PM 19 COMMENTS