The winter is just starting over here in Canada.

Lake Louise out in Banff is one of the first resorts to open so we went out there last week for a few days of early season shredding.

Unfortunately there wasn’t much snow, although with a bit of local knowledge we found some unique jibbing material.

Check out these photos

If you’re gona be in Wellington on the 13th of Dec you need to check out the Realsurf in Association with Mountain Dew Surf comp for details. It shows the comp poster and has a bit of info about the day.

If you don’t surf or you don’t want to compete then just come down the beach to watch the comp, listen to live bands and DJ’s score yourself some free Mountain Dew!!

There is also a skimboarding comp, bodyboard comp, longboard skateboard comp and a BBQ with a spit roast pig happening. Its all gona be going on throughout the day on Lyall Bay beach and at Realsurf which is the surf shop I work at on the beach. Come and say hi, and stick around for the party that evening.

If you cant find us, then look for the mountain Dew tent on the beach and listen out for the good music!

Hey guys,

So stoked just finished exams, yay! I just have some clinic time to finish . . . but have got so much time to surf and train which is awesome and just what I need as I am flying over to defend my title at the NZ Nationals in January!!

I didn’t think I was going to be able to go because of other commitments in Australia and especially funding but I’ve extended my stay in NZ whoo hoo!!! I’m so excited to see the family and friends for Christmas and New Years!! I will be traveling to the nationals Via Jucy Rental vans, all the way from ChCh to Auckland – a long way but it will be an adventure!!

I want to thank MD and Jucy Rentals for helping me make the decision to go, and actually aid me in getting there, as I would not be going without there support woooo hooo so rad!! Thanks guys!!!

The Nationals this year are going to be held in Piha, so that’s good as there always seems to be a bit of size to the waves there; which is what I love. Although I have been surfing heaps lately in really small but fun waves on the coast for a while so its great to mix it up as you never know what the conditions are going to be like at the event!!

Hope everyone is happy and healthy!!

Take care

Ange

The last month up here in Whistler Canada is probably the worst month of the year in terms of weather so my girlfriend and I ducked off to Costa Rica for a couple of week. Costa Rica is smack in the middle of north and south america, a few countries below Mexico and home to some of the world’s sickest surf. There’s a break called Pavones where you can get 5 minute plus rides. We traveled to a bunch of different spots and saw things like huge waterfalls, an erupting volcano and monkeys. The best spot we went was called Santa Terresa, which is a pretty quite surfing town. Flights from Canada to Costa Rica are pretty cheap and once you’re there it’s even cheaper. Makes for a rad holiday and it’s definitely nice to surf in really warm water before heading into another winter.

I’m pretty well into the off season now which is mint, its good to have some time at home instead of constant travel and never being in one place for more than a week like usual.

Ive been back working full time to pay off the last couple of seasons debt from racing and im almost all squared up even with the purchase of an 08 RMZ250 to keep me entertained while I’m at home!

As some of you may know I’ve signed a deal to race the full World Cup Series next year, its a dream come true to finally be getting paid and not have to deal with anything except training and racing. For those of you who don’t know about it there will be an official press release out in December with all the details so you’ll have to wait until then.

With everything set for next season already I’m really motivated and I’ve been training harder than ever so hopefully it all comes together for me. Its such a huge weight off my shoulders not having to deal with anything like previous years and has really let me focus on my training for once.

Ive been riding a bit of downhill back here but unfortunately I’m going to be having a few weeks off the bike, not by choice but for a couple of reasons. Ive been asked to send my Ironhorse Sunday back early so I wont have a bike until my new team sends me out a bike early next year and also because yesterday we had the 2nd round of the Top of the south DH series on the Kaka Hill track here in Nelson, after a bit of rain I decided to take it easy for my first race run which didn’t work out to well as you can see in the photos…

After 3 and 1/2 hours at the Hospital I left with 5 internal stitches and 12 holding it together on the outside! The cut was apparently to the bone in spot so now I can’t really use my left arm for much for a couple of weeks. Luckily nothing is broken which is a bonus so once the stitches are out ill be back into action again.

Because of my bike situation it doesn’t look like ill be making it to any of the North Island DH rounds so my first race back will most likely be the Dunedin round of the Nationals. This also means ill get to spend a bit more time at home this summer which will be good to get in some spear fishing and wake boarding.

New years eve is fast approaching and if you have not yet planned your new years party I reccomend coming on down to Gisbourne for Rhythm and Vines…

Not only is it an epic 3 day music festival… but there is plenty more to offer.

Myself and my two best mates are organising a wakeboarding demo down at the campground for R&V, it will be on from the 29th till the 31st of December and will feature some of NZ’s top riders smashing apart one of the sickest rail setups NZ has ever seen.

Come and check it out!!

Just thought I would throw this out there… I have had ongoing back problems for the last few years and its not till now that I feel like I am doing something to fix it and prevent it from ever happening again.

I have been going to “Suna Pilates” on Barrys pt rd Takapuna for only about 2 weeks now. Its amazing how much pressure is off my back now that I have been working on strengthening my core muscles. To anyone who had had or is having lower back problems I strongly suggest going in and seeing Suzie at Suna Pilates, she will be sure to straighten you out and help tone and strengthen your body to help prevent injuries.

Take my word for it… it will help.

Hey,
After the closing day riding at Ruapehu for 2008, Leroy Christensen and crew went for a quick mini ramp session across from The Powder Keg in Ohakune.

LINK: http://www.nzsnowboard.com/articles/398/nov_19th_08__hollerblog_video_-_kune_skate_session

- NZsnowboard.com