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Full Name:
Joanna Majcherkiewicz
Location: Whistler, BC and Calgary, AB
Place of birth: Poznan, Poland.
Sponsors: K2 Snowboards, 32 Boots, Etnies Girl, Dragon Optics, Bonfire Outerwear, Gauge Clothing and MGT Snowboard Camp
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First off, please explain MGT Camps and why we should know about it?
Hmmm...it's hard to summarize what MGT brings to the shred table because the camp has grown into this force - this snowboard community - that Leanne [Pelosi] and I did not anticipate when we founded it. Officially, MGT Snowboard Camp offers winter and summer snowboard camps that help female snowboarders push their abilities in all aspects of snowboarding, specifically in park, pipe and pow (freeriding). MGT brings accomplished / celebrity female snowboarders to resorts across Western Canada and California. But the camp has grown beyond the student/teacher camp relationship. There are now 1 day MGT park clinics, a slopestyle contest and some of our coaches become friends with the campers and mentor these girls and help them get sponsored. We want to show girls that the terrain park is not scary, that competing is good and fun and that it's possible to backlip a street rail. It's a big party and everyone is invited.
What is the most asked for trick to learn at MGT?
A 180. But we really try to emphasize the importance of doing a good Spawning Salomon, Donkey Kick or Jambone. Hahahah! We encourage girls to get the basics dialed (good ollies, 180s all four ways then 360s all four ways etc) so that they don't hit a brick wall in their riding a few seasons from now. But if a tindy makes them feel rad inside... run with it!
Any good camper stories that you can share?
Nudity and food fights are prevalent themes. Campers have done naked methods, pulled their pants down - while on a rail - to reveal "MGT" written on their underwear and full on cake fights in hotel lobbies that required restraining. Some blood too - face plants and one coach went to the hospital after her face was sliced open by a camper's snowboard.
What was the first big trick that you learned to master?
I thought backflips were 'the shi*t' when I started snowboarding! I began snowboarding when I was 19 and had no previous gymnastics experience but I was gonna learn them no matter what! Upside down maneuvers are still a mandatory crowd pleaser at summer snowboard camp. But I am most stoked on learning how to ollie. I was so... SO bad at ollieing. I was the stiffed legged tall girl. I was all like, yeah, I'm gonna learn a 540 today - but I still didn't know how to ollie.
What trick are you currently working on?
Besides the ollie and looking good at Mahogany Ridge (a.k.a. The Bar)? Hahah! Spinning over bigger tables and spinning all four ways. Frontside and switchbackside are easiest for me so I'd be stoked to make the other 2 variations feel like second nature. And street style rails. These are my weakness. Spinning of cliffs and other natural features. I am working on everything! I don't think I'll every tire of snowboarding.
How do you think Snowboarding was represented in the Olympics that just finishing up? Do you feel sorry for Lindsey losing Gold with her bail?
I am stoked for snowboarding in that it represents this energy that everyone wants to be a part of - since it's one of the most watched events. It's awesome that our sport embodies something exciting and progressive. I was actually locked away in a small Saskatchewan town, on a snowboard trip, during the Olympics so I missed most of it. One downer moment was when one of the Canadian riders shouted their corporate sponsors slogan into the tv cameras moments before they dropped into the pipe. It took away from the greatness of the moment and commercialized it too much. And, 'too bad so sad' for Lindsey Jacobellis! She should've kept her eye on the prize! Maybe she can come to MGT and we'll teach her how to land a method! Just kidding! She had bad luck. She probably lands that 99.9999% of the time. And I was rooting for Maelle. Not only because she's Canadian but because she rode that course with the most style and skill.
Have you been on the road at all lately? How do you like traveling on the road?
Oh yeah! Between MGT, Ride Guide TV and other media work I am on the road all season. Last year I was in Whistler for 2 weeks between December and April. So I'm a great roommate! I really enjoy being on the road and it allows me to see my shred friends more often because they're usually at the same destination.
If you could travel anywhere to snowboard, where would you want to go? With who?
That's easy! Mica Heli with my crew of girls; Leanne Pelosi, Amanda Mourant, Jody Wright, Dominique Vallee, Annie Boulanger, Vanessa Stark, Alexis Waite... there's so many more! Christy Chaloux would shred and take photos. And the old Mission Snowboard Shop crew. Those guys are rad and all my early snowboard memories are with them.
Did you ever think that Snowboarding was going to be a career for you?
Snowboarding is a career for me? Really? Can you tell my parents that because they think what I do is the equivalent of farming unicorns and playing banjo on the street. Hahha! No. I never expected to make money from snowboarding and I was scared of talking into cameras. My initial goal was to learn to turn toeside.
Do you think it’s getting easier for girls to get sponsored these days?
In the past, perhaps. But there are a lot of good girls these days and most of the lucrative positions have been filled so there is greater competition for fewer positions.
Do you think girls are more accepted in the parks/pipe and backcountry booters?
Not really. There are still events that exclude female categories, such as the Vail Session [Slopestyle] and in the backcountry girls really have to prove their worth and that they're not a liability before a guy crew will take themm out. Perhaps that's necessary. There are valid arguments to both sides but that's like arguing if red is a better color or blue.
Who do you like to ride with?
People who are really good looking, really serious and are rocking next year's product. Okay! No one else. Ya herd!? I don't like fun people who aren't scared to fall a lot, say 'hi' to strangers wearing turtlenecks on the chairlift, make jokes and who are determined and creative with snowboarding... like most of the MGT coaches.
Where do you like to ride the most?
Anywhere. I have fun at mega resorts on the west coast and humps in the prairies. Perception is reality!
What do you do during the summer season?
I snowboard! This summer MGT Snowboard Camp has teamed up with Camp of Champions to create the MGT Girls Session. So sign up for Camp D (July 6), girls! And this year I'll be putting that Bachelor of Commerce to use and working with Red Bull on their events.
Do you do any other sports?
I really like knitting sweaters and painting unicorns. Hahhaa! Mountain biking and surfing round out my top 3 favorite sports. A highlight for me this summer was riding the Whistler Bike Park late in the day with my ipod looping 3 Inches of Blood. I felt invincible! Hahha!
What kind of advice do you have for girls that want to get into Snowboarding?
Don't underestimate your ability, scare yourself a bit, don't give up (it takes me 1 zillion tries to get a trick) and don't take it all too seriously. It's just snowboarding!
 | What kind of music are you listening to at the moment?
Some of my current favs... Wykydtron - 3 Inches of Blood Don't Drag Me Down - Social Distortion Be Quick or Be Dead - Iron Maiden Big River - Johnny Cash Tribulations - LCD Soundsystem Dr.Jones - Aqua ... it's all good!
Any last comments you want to mention?
Nope.
Shout outs?
High fives to everyone in shredland because you've all been awesome and supportive. And Momma and Poppa Majcherkiewcz. |
