WSF Pro Women Ambassador Kjersti Ostgaard Buaas

Kjersti Ostgaard Buaas is certainly no stranger in Snowboarding. She is a formidable rider, creative, versatile and with incredible style. Her evolution, in many ways, tracks the evolution of snowboarding in Europe. She sets a great example for a uniquely shaped career in action sports, and WSF caught up with Kjersti for a quick chat. We wanted to hear especially about the latest of her ventures connected to snowboarding: Retreats which she realizes with fellow pro rider Chanelle Saldics. The Trondheim PRSNT Performance Self Development Camp For Women is a highly welcomed and integral part of the newly launched WSF Pro Women event series! #WSFProWomen

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WHEN DID YOU FIRST START TO SNOWBOARD?
I started snowboarding in 1994, when I was 12 years old. My older sister was really into snowboarding and I looked up to her and pretty much wanted to be like her.

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST SNOWBOARD? WHAT WAS IT?
I bought my first snowboard used from a friend of my sister. It was a crazy banana 155, that was longer than any board I have ever ridden since. I didn’t have real snowboard boots, but used army boots and stuffed woolen mittens and socks around them to make them fit into the bindings… I was so inspired by all the creative options I felt when I got on my board, so different from skiing and anything I had ever tried before. I was so in love that I slept with my snowboard in my bed!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TRICK?
My favorite maneuver on snow is getting solid, creative grabs into my tricks. Last season I learned a backside 540 Japan Air and doing that trick was probably one of the coolest feelings I have ever felt, because it was so different to anything I had done before. I also like a good old Air To Fakie, Floaty 180’s and my go to trick; Frontside 360 Stale Fish.

WHAT CAN GIRLS AND WOMEN DO TO GET STARTED WITH SNOWBOARDING?
Get together and ride. Share your experiences and build a community with likeminded individuals, who share similar goals as you. I personally like when people are open minded and not afraid to show humbleness. It grounds the energy of the group and then elevates the whole experience! Snowboarding does not have to be done in a certain way – the, mountain is your playground, your canvas to paint your art and express your creativity and spirit!

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WHAT IS YOUR VISION AND GOAL WITH THE SNOWBOARD CAMP YOU ORGANISE IN JANUARY?
We want to get women of all ages, all levels together to do yoga, snowboard, meditate, learn about nutrition and health and find our #PRSNT state of mind. Being professional athletes has thought us that it is in this state that we perform our best. We want to help facilitate an environment that will stimulate the participants to get to this special place, because we know how powerful it can be! We believe that whether it’s on the mountain, at work or in anything you are passionate about, this state of mind is the key to performing to your fullest potential. For us the goal is that the campers go will home with tools that they didn’t have prior to the camp and knowing how to utilize these. http://www.prsntperformance.com/trondheim/

WHAT SHOULD EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT SNOWBOARDING?
That it provides endless learning and growth! It is also really, really fun!

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO SNOWBOARDING WHERE YOU HAVE NOT BEEN YET?
I am looking forward to going to ride Chamonix this year. I have only been there in the summer, but I have heard and seen that the terrain there is beautiful. I am going there to compete in the Freeride World Tour, so the excitement will be high as it’s my first year competing on this tour.

NAME: KJERSTI ØSTGAARD BUAAS
NICK NAME: KJ
SPONSORS; ZEAL OPTICS, PURPS, THE RAW CHOCOLATE COMPANY, CLWR, SIMPLY STRAWS
AGE: 33
HOME MOUNTAIN; VASSFJELLET
STANCE; REGULAR (18 +, -6)
RIDING SINCE; 1994
SOCIAL NETWORKS:
twitter.com/kjerstibuaas
https://www.facebook.com/Kjerstibuaas
instagram.com/kjerstibuaas
WWW.KJERSTIBUAAS.COM

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#WSFProWomen is a dedicated women snowboarding event series launched by the World Snowboard Federation. A girls and woman friendly approach to snowboarding that resonates through community based activities and shared experiences on the snow is an integral part of all WSF Pro Women activities.

WSF Pro Women is supported by the most influential industry companies, media and platforms. Many thanks to Blue Tomato, Boardzone.cn and GoSki.cn for their generous donation of give aways for event participants, and a hefty dose of promotional support!

PHOTO CREDITS:

Kjersti Buaas Portrait: Scott Clark
KJ at Nine Queens: Klaus Polzer
KJ in Breckenridge: Glenn Pettersen

Author: Elisa