WSF Female Snowboarding

Marjaana Lappi, Finnish rider but Norwegian resident, actually in Canada to run snowboard projects, introduce the WSF female snowboarding committe and some of the members. A new working group (open also to other active girls!) born to develope and support female project all over the world.

WSF Female Snowboarding Committee
10th March, 2007 Edmonton, Canada
By Marjaana Lappi

I am very pleased to introduce you the project committee and some of the girls that are willing to contribute to this project. I am sure we will make a great difference as all the committee members have unique background and are highly competent J. Could there be any better start than building up a team with a bunch of rocking ladies? I am very excited to work with these fantastic ladies, and I asked ladies to answer a couple of questions- let’s get to know them a little better:

Anna Hollander
Age: 32 years
Nationality: Swedish
Years snowboarding: 13 years
Other hobbies than snowboarding: wavesurfing, climbing, doing necklaces.
Your “status” in snowboarding in your country: Now I am a jibbing- coach on an upper secondary school.
What do you consider your strengths are? Positive and stubborn and humble
What is your motivation for working with this project? More girls on
snowboard, I want to try to update each others’ knowledge in coaching snowboard.
Your peak moment snowboarding (or in life general): When we, a group of 16 people went and snowboard together in a small place Kittefjall in 2001.We built an big jump (offpist) a whole day, and everybody had so much fun and tried new tricks, and I made my first backflip. It was a wonderful day in the sun with nice
people and we enjoyed the moment.
Your motto: Catch the moment and take care of each other.

Noora Vihervaara
Age: 27
Nationality: Finnish
Years snowboarding:15 (actively 7)
Your “status” in snowboarding in your country: President of finnish female snowboarding association (under FSA). Also snowboard instruktor and event organiser.
What do you consider your strengths are? Good network in Finland’s snowboarding scene. Good organising and social skills.
What is your motivation for working with this project? pushing women’s snowboarding to a new level and create more chill, relaxed and fun atmosphere among girl riders.
Your peak moment snowboarding (or in life general): Too many to mention. Good riding days with best friends!
Your motto: “Good things happens to good people”

Phoebe Mills
Age: 34
Nationality: USA
Years snowboarding: 11years
Other hobbies than snowboarding: Political and environmental activism; yoga (I’m a lawyer)
Your “status” in snowboarding in your country: Judge; Executive Board member of USASA (our amateur snowboard association with over 4,000 members)
What do you consider your strengths are ? Involved with many aspects of snowboarding (I was a coach) as well as other sports
What is your motivation for working with this project? To get more females involved with and enjoying snowboarding
Your peak moment snowboarding (or in life general) – 1988 Olympics (I competed in gymnastics and won a bronze medal on the balance beam)
Your motto – be the change that you want to see in the world

Danielle (Danny) Buntain
Age: 23
Nationality: Canadian
Years snowboarding: 12 years
Other hobbies than snowboarding: Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, running, hiking, kayaking
Your “status” in snowboarding in your country: My job title with the Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF) (National governing body for the sport of snowboarding in Canada) is that of the Sport Development Coordinator. I am responsible for the Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program (CASP) – a snowboard program for people with physical disabilities in Canada; and the Women and Snowboard program in Canada.
I am also a trained Canadian Snowboard Coaching Program (CSCP) able-body and disabled basic snowboard coach.
What do you consider your strengths are? I am hard working, driven and passionate about my work with the Canadian Snowboard Federation.
What is your motivation for working with this project? As a woman that participates in sport (at both the recreational and competitive level) and in snowboarding (at the recreational level) I understand the importance of providing equitable opportunities to participate and be involved in sport at both the recreational and competitive level. Without such opportunities available to women in sport such as snowboarding, women will not be able to achieve their maximum athletic capabilities.
My values and beliefs around integration and inclusion are consistent with women and sport and for this reason I believe and understand the importance of equitable participation in sport such as snowboarding.
Your peak moment snowboarding (or in life general): Having the opportunity to work with and/or coach athletes with a disability in snowboarding.
Your motto: Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff.

Marjaana Lappi
Age: 29 years
Nationality: Finnish, Norwegian resident
Years snowboarding: 5 years before injury for 5 years ago
Other hobbies than snowboarding: Surfing, skiing, running, hiking, cycling, gym, swimming, being creative J
Your “status” in snowboarding in your country: Founder of women snowboarding project; PowderPuff Girls in Norway. Member of Board of Directors in Norwegian Snowboard Association.
What do you consider your strengths are? Network, hard working, ambitious, enthusiastic, curious and open. As well as my background from other sports as well as my education background (currently finishing my bachelor degree in sport sciences, specialising in sports biology. I also have business & administration education.
What is your motivation for working with this project? I would like to spread acknowledge about female snowboarding, motivating girls and women to take more active part in snowboarding all over the world and have lots of fun snowboarding! Get to know more enthusiastic ladies all over the world and learn from each other!
Your peak moment snowboarding (or in life general): Any time I manage to reach my goals. I love to travel: I was recently at Mexico (Baja California) surfing, and it’s a trip I am going to remember for a loooong time! Surfing in bikini with whales was awesome!
Your motto: “Become the best that I can be”

by Marjaana Lappi