Check out the latest espn.com interview of Hana, conducted by Matty V.

In today’s society, it’s hard to imagine calling a female a beast without getting a nice slap to the face. Hana Beaman’s a beast, though — a beautiful, graceful beast, but she’ll shut down a male ego in no time flat when she steps on her snowboard. And she has been known to head butt people from time to time. If Tara Dakides was the first female to hit the same jumps and rails as the boys, Hana was the one that picked up the reigns where she left off. We caught up with Hana to talk about dating rock stars, her new web series, and shredding in Alaska.

Hello.
Hey. Sorry I missed your call earlier.

No worries. I was just trying to be weird on your voicemail.
[Uncomfortable pause] Yeah.

What are you up to today?
I’m up in Jackson Hole right now. We rode the resort today, did some hiking, and then rode the Stash Park. It was a really fun day — we rode from open to close.

Did you just compete in the X Games?
Yes. It was fun, but it was a huge change of pace because I have been riding mostly powder and hitting backcountry jumps. It was kind of a shocker to show up and ride big firm jumps.

Aren’t you kind of a contest jock though?
No. I think 2007 was the last year of really focusing on competition. The last three or four years I’ve been focused on backcountry riding and filming video parts.

Is that because you’re getting old?
[Laughs] Could be.

You’re like the new age Tara Dakides — are you going to start dating rock stars?
[Laughs] I wish! If you know any single rock stars that are looking…

I know a ton. I will have them Facebook you.
Perfect.

You have new web series reality show on Snowboarder Magazine’s website — tell us about that.
I just sort of came into it this season. I was really trying to figure out what I wanted to do for the year, and I knew I wanted to film, but I wanted to be on my own program. It allows me to go wherever I want to go and ride with whom I want to ride with. I rallied some sponsor support and hired a filmer, and now I don’t have anyone telling me where to ride or who to snowboard with.

Is there going to be any reality show drama? Like will some trashy girl that you were friends with in high school show up and try to steal your boyfriend?
[Laughs] I don’t really see that happening. If that’s what the public wants, though, we can work on making it happen. It will mostly just be us having a good time snowboarding.

We can’t even get one fight out of you?
Well it’s not planned for the show, but I have been known to head butt people and wrestle once I start partying. We might get some late night wrestling action in there.

What’s the rest of the season going to look like for you?
We are going to head back to Southern Colorado in a few weeks and ride with Jenny Jones, and after that it’s sort of up in the air. We’re just going to go wherever the snow is good. The biggest trip will be when we drive up to Alaska for Tailgate, — we’re going to take three or four weeks and do some backcountry riding.

It seems like only a handful of girls are really stepping to bigger backcountry lines and features. Do you think that’s the next arena for women’s snowboarding to really progress?
Yeah. I mean, it’s a natural progression. You can only hit and rails and huge park jumps for so long before your body starts to break down. Getting into the backcountry is super fun and you can still push your snowboarding. The danger isn’t as in your face or self inflicted as when you are riding a handrail. The danger out there is ever-present, but it’s based on the conditions of the terrain and your knowledge of what’s going out there. It’s what I’m going to focus on, and it’s super fun. So, yeah — I want to progress out there.

See more photo’s posted with the interview at espn.com.

Megan Ginter Interview
Posted on northwestboarder.com on Oct 27, 2010 by Landon
Full Northwest Boarder Megan Interview & Photos

With a bronze medal win at Winter X Games 13 slopestyle, a 2nd place Canadian Open win, Two 5th place finishes in the Dew Tour before an ankle injury, and 9th overall after not even competing in the final slopestyle contest at Northstar, Megan Ginter’s list of podium standings are more than impressive. Add to that list the fact that she’s well spoken, humble, and down to earth… and you have one of the Northwest’s fastest rising super stars. I caught up with Megan to find out how her injury was healing up, and what she had planned for the La Nina winter season.

Where do you live currently?
I’m a gypsy… home is where the heart is.

Have you lived in the NW your whole life?
Washington will probably always be home for me. I feel lucky to have been born and grown up here. I’ve grown up just a little east of Seattle and always come back around in between traveling. I spend my of my summers at Mt. Hood because I love Oregon too.

What Mt. do you call your home base?
Stevens Pass is my hidden treasure. I have been riding there for over ten years and every year I am still finding new things. I love being there when it snows. I’ve spent a lot of time around Hood and I’m trying to feel out places I keep returning to every year.

What kind of riding do you do mostly? Back Country/Park?
I ride a lot of park stuff because I do a lot of contests. I like jumping… there is a feeling it gives you, that you can’t get from anything else. But so does riding a good fresh line. I love riding BC because it opens up the possibility for so much creative opportunity. I want to continue riding park but really make way to do some more big mountain riding.

I hear you have been throwing down some 700′s lately? How are those coming?
Well I had a few good days over the summer. Unfortunately summer ended as soon as I got warmed up but I feel a lot stronger this year than the last few and more confident going into this season. Definitely feeling a craving for progression.

People are getting hyped up for the coming winter, being that it’s La Nina. Do you remember the last La Nina in the NW? What were the conditions like for that?
I’m hearing good things, which stokes me out. But you never really know. They are calling for this one to be like a storm the NW got in 1955. I hope it dumps and I hope I’m here when it does.

Tell me about the X Games and competing over the last few years.
Last year was my third time at X Games. The first year I got 6th, then 3rd and last year I just kinda went and wanked it and just barely missed finals. I wasn’t satisfied with my riding though, I was constantly changing my line nothing would work for me. Sometimes the course is good, you just like all the features and the day just works out for you. Some times you just have to give your best and know its not your day. X games medals are always the goal though.

What other contests did you compete in last year?
I did all three stops of Dew Tour. Breckinridge was a rough start, but podiumed at Snowbasin and just barely missed it in Vermont. I also did both of Ride ShakeDown and won both big airs in Snoqualmie and Quebec.

You had a horrible accident a few years ago. Tell us about that.
Not too bad, although it was my first real injury so it was a bit of a shock. I was at Northstar for the last Vans cup they had (Feb08) and over shot the entire bottom jump. It was a windy day, I had checked it a few times and just got screwed when I went. It happens your number just comes up sometimes. I broke my humerus completely through in 2 pieces so my arm was just dangling like I had an another elbow below my shoulder. I had to have surgery so they could successfully reattached my robot arm. I severed part of my nerve which was the really shitty part because I had no use or feeling in my right hand for about 8-9 months (and I’m right handed). But with a lot of hard work and love my arms good… just like she used to be.

The next season (Feb of 09) I broke my ankle at my home mountain. It was one of those things that really shouldn’t have happened but I understand why it did now. I had to have surgery for that too and besides the nerve part has been a little harder on recovery than my arm. You just put so much strain on your feet and ankles. You don’t really appreciate them until it hurts every day.

Have you fully recovered from either of these? How has it been physically/mentally?
Injury’s are tough… as the physical aspect starts to wear on you mentally. I think when you really want something though you will put in the effort and work it requires to recover. My arm has gone through and immense journey and I am amazed at how much it feels exactly like it used to. I remember how frustrated I would be when my hand didn’t work. My ankle is getting better with time but I’m not sure if it will ever feel the same. Injuries suck when they happen but staying positive and working hard you can get back. I have a friend I admire huge that was/ is a pro wakeboarder and was in a motor cycle accident and lost his leg. Less than a year later he is already competing again with a prosthetic leg at wakeboarding and skiing.

I think he will even be at X games this year and watching his positivity and amazing attitude through it all makes me remember that we are only human but we are capable of accomplishing so much. It’s all in how you look at it.

Who are your current sponsors?
Well, my biggest support comes from Ride Snowboards. I am stoked of my team/family there and the help they’ve given me. I also ride for Stevens Pass Snowboard Shop (SPSS), Pow Gloves and Stevens Pass. I am a supporter of Oakley and am still looking to plant my roots and grow in this little snowboarding world. And of course… good ol’ mom and pop.

SNOWBOARD CANADA
Oct 28, 2010
Author: Siofan Davies
www.sbcwomen.com

Rider Sarah Conrad fills us in on how she gets set for the winter from head to nose (of her snowboard).

How do you get ready for the season ahead fitness-wise?
“I definitely log some hours in the gym doing everything from pull-ups to squats, but some of the best training I’ve had this summer has been surfing. I stayed home in Nova Scotia this summer and took advantage of our abnormally warm waters and caught some pretty sick waves. When you’re stuck on the inside and feel like your paddling for you life, you can’t take a time out to catch your breath, it pushes me out of my comfort zone, and that’s when you know your getting somewhere. When I’m on the road my workouts are pretty dependent on the gym, or lack thereof. During the season I’m just trying to maintain my level of fitness that I’ve built over the summer and fall. Regardless, the weight drops a bit to make sure you won’t be sore on the hill. I really like body weight exercises, cable pulls and spinning out on a bike.”

Does this affect your diet?
“I usually try to eat right after training; chocolate milk is a good quick fix as well. I don’t count calories or anything, but I eat pretty healthy. I actually just separated my shoulder last week so I’m in healing mode right now. Eating right when you’re injured is just as important, if not more, than when your health. I’m loading up on Omega’s, fish, dairy, fresh fruit and water. Lots of water”

Do you do anything to get yourself ready, mentally?
“I did get to check out the Whistler premier of the new Sandbox film, Now You Know. It was pretty good, and I’ll probably be checking out a few more before my shoulder heals.”

(Sarah working at Proskates new location)

Have you started making travel plans for the winter and meeting with team managers to plan your season?
“Yes, dates are starting to appear as far as contests go. Coach Leo has a few things planned for us as well. Looks like a good one.”

What do you do as far as your gear?
“If I’m riding a new board, I detune it for sure, throw some wax on, and sticker it a few days before riding so they don’t peel off. For an old board, I’ll clean up the edges a bit, and put some wax on. Don’t forget about your boots, most boots have moldable liners now, heat them up, its worth it.”

Is there anything else you do to prep for the season ahead?
“Trampolines are becoming pretty essential for riders these days; I’ve put some time in on them this summer. Also yoga—it’s not just stretching. I’ve been doing some balancing poses that are pretty fun. Don’t forget skateboarding—the hardest sport I’ve ever tried.”

How does this all help with making a better start to the season?
“Well I guess the point of it is to not only help with the start of your season but the end as well. Being in shape and healthy will help you get over jet lag easier, make sure you can last the entire winter without burning out, and make it less likely to break yourself.”