Teacher vs. Student Interview
Leanne Pelosi vs. Emily Park
All in session for the MGT Academy! Interview 4. Here is a recap: MGT Academy is all about choosing 1 promising MGT camper and placing them under the tutorial wing of the MGT pro coaches to get a head start on pursuing a snowboard career in 2010. Now it’s down to the final exam. The final exam is an oral; a conversation between pro and am to explore each other’s craniums. The 4th interview kicks off with Canada's most famous snowboarding export of recent time, Leanne 'Party' Pelosi and UK export, and Academy nominee, Emily Park. Although Leanne Pelosi grew up in Calgary, Alberta she was actually born across the pond, in Swansea, Wales. And since Emily Park is from across the pond too, could we assume there's something in the UK water?
Oh my.Emily Park(s) it on the stairs.
LEANNE: Tell us a little bit about you. Ex.: How on earth do you get to snowboard so much living in the UK?! Is it true you spent the summer “down under”?
EMILY: That's right, I have returned to the land of the long white cloud! I love New Zealand SO much! I worked out here for a season during Winter 2007 at the Woolshed, up at Snow Park, and it was a brilliant 6 months living in Wanaka, NZ. I got my shred on for 3 weeks riding at The Remarkables, Cardrona and Snow Park. The freestyle scene in NZ is so progressive, friendly and fun! I love it! I haven't entered any comps out here but I have been lucky enough to watch some. The Parklife Invitational Street Jam in Queenstown was so sick and the Pipe and Slopestyle finals of the Burton Open literally blew my mind. Back to back double cork 10s! WHAT!! Danny Kass and his ghetto sound system – too funny! (check out some of my pics if you like). So...about me, you ask.... I'm a PE teacher (Sports/Phys Ed Coach) during the UK summer and for the last 2 winters I have been working and playing in Banff, Canada! Teaching people to get gnarly at snowboarding. I used to teach PE full time, but in 2007 I went to Canada and qualified to teach snowboarding with NONSTOP. It's been a snow life for me ever since and I can't see a future without it. Snowboarding has become such a major part of my life. I have never been so passionate about anything before. I think it will mean moving to Canada at some point to make the mountains my home.
LEANNE: Who inspires you to snowboard? Where do you see these riders? In movies? Contests? Magazines? Any favorite video parts?
EMILY: I am most inspired by the crew of riders at Sunshine Village (Adam, Burgie, Chamberlain, Carmicheal, Mr Wells, Kaz, Daryl and Page). The real life people, doing real life tricks right before my eyes! I am so lucky that I get to ride with such stylish and techie riders and not just in the park, but also all over the mountain. I love trying to copy their tricks. I try to make mine look just as stylish and I don't like to claim a trick till I stomp it 3rd hit. I enjoy watching videos and my favorite riders are the ones with steeze, you know that lazy "I don't need any upper body limbs to do this trick kind of style". My favorite rider is Torstein Horgmo; his Northstar follow cam run is my favorite footage. He is such a great jumper and this jib run shows he has ALL the skills, so stylish! I would like to ride with more girl shredders because I think that will inspire me to push myself more.
LEANNE: Animals: Which animal is the symbol of Canada? It’s on a coin, in countless cartoons and in the old Hudson Bay trading post days it took a stack of this animal's pelts as high as a rifle to purchase the rifle. Do you know which animal this is?
EMILY: What is a: Beaver!
LEANNE: Who won the 2009 X Games slopestyle for women? Hint. She's from your country.
EMILY: The insanely talented Jenny Jones!! Not only from the UK but also a fellow West Country girl! I met her in NZ. She is really friendly and doing a great job flying the flag for the Brits.
This photo would be funny with a little skier kid sitting inside... eating a pastry and looking forlorn.
LEANNE: What else consumes your time other than snowboarding?
EMILY: My name is Emily Park and I used to be a crochet addict! ...ha ha. I find it hard to sit still so it's the perfect hobby for the bus and gondola journeys to and from the hill. I don't find the time to do it as much as I do when I am living in the UK. I prefer to stay active so I am fit and strong for another winter season. My favorite team sport is cricket but I enjoy pretty much all sports.
LEANNE: What is your dream trick?
EMILY: Switch front tail same ways on a street style rail.
LEANNE: What is your best recipe?
EMILY: Mango chicken!
LEANNE: Where is your favorite place to snowboard? Why?
EMILY: My favorite place to snowboard is in the park. Jibbing is what I enjoy the most, getting locked onto rails and learning new tricks is the best feeling, so wherever there is a park with fun features to play on. My favorite place to ride powder and tree runs is Kicking Horse because I had an epic day there last season riding 50cms of POW midweek getting freshies with friends all day long!
LEANNE: What is your most embarrassing moment?
EMILY: Erm...I remember stepping on a skateboard in front of this guy I liked and wanted to impress. I can't skate but thought I would give it a go…you know to maybe impress him with some skills...I stepped on it and it flew out from under my feet. I pretended like it hadn't hurt when really I was crying inside! I can be a bit of a klutz at times, but you get used to it after a while.
THE END.
