Features

Eurotrip!

Part 2

By Roberta Rodger

A lack of snow in Austria didn’t deter the Roxy team from bonding together to session every jump, line and jib in sight. Morning to night, shots fired and film rolled with dedication. As the trip to Austria wrapped up, Roberta Rodger interviewed Robin Van Gyn to get her thoughts on her first European experience being the new addition to the team.

Simply put, Austria was amazing! We met up with Roxy riders Erin Comstock, Amber Stackhouse, and Alexis Waite, plus Roxy Photographer Neil Dacosta and Roxy filmer Hayden in beautiful St. Anton Arlberg. We’d hoped for deep, fresh snow but even with a lack of said deep snow, St. Anton and all the surrounding resorts had endless possibilities for jumps, jibs, and lines. Not a day went by where we didn’t have something to shoot on. I now know why the town is so legendary for its backcountry terrain and mountain sports.

After our arrival, it quickly became apparent that the Roxy girls were all super tight and knew each other very well; they’d spent years traveling, filming, shooting, going to contests and even living together. They knew exactly what to say to support one other to get the shot and they had a seamless working relationship. I could tell Robin was a little nervous about stepping on their toes or overstepping boundaries. Unfortunately there wasn’t any powder so the girls had to work really hard to scope out features and terrain to shoot. We did have sun everyday so at least we were warm and got some great tans. It really felt like a spring break vacation, except for the fact that we were up at 7 a.m. everyday and didn’t get back to our house until 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. at the latest. By the end of the trip I felt the girls had bonded well with Robin, riding and hanging out with her everyday for seven days. Robin impressed them all with her positive attitude and ballsy riding skills. She’s a tough girl but I’m sure there were times during the trip when things were difficult for her being the outsider.

I checked back in with Robin to see what her thoughts were on the trip and her interpretation of the week. And, this is what she said.

What were your thoughts when we were driving up the winding snowy roads to St. Anton Arlberg?
Thoughts included wondering how the heck those things got built and also some serious anticipation for the week ahead. I was just really excited to be out of my element.

Did you get excited looking at all the backcountry terrain or did it make you nervous?
Oh yeah, really excited. The backcountry in St. Anton Arlberg looks so epic and there are lines to do everywhere—on the side of the road, high up the mountain, and then yes, there was some stuff that was crazy but nothing to get nervous over.

Not knowing the Roxy team very well before you got there, what was your impression of Erin, Alexis, and Amber before this trip?
Well they seemed like a really tight crew and good friends who got down together snowboarding. I was a little nervous about not really being a part of that, but I can get along with pretty much anybody, so I wasn't too worried.

We ended up being in a house down the street from where the girls stayed, were you bummed?
Not really. I mean it would’ve been nice for everyone to stay together but we rode all day and had dinner together every night so it wasn't a bummer at all. Although I was envious of their internet and super cozy hotel.

The first day we went out to shoot they were too tired and sore from all the filming and shooting they had done the previous week. How did that make you feel?
I thought maybe that they might be over it for the rest of the trip and I was kinda bummed. However, that was far from the truth, and after the first day of sending it solo, it was on like Donkey Kong. We worked it all week as much as we could given the snow conditions.

The second day we were all together and hiked into a pillow zone. Were you nervous to perform with all the girls there? Were they helpful and supportive?
Yeah a bit, because everyone has expectations about what you are going to snowboard like, and making sure you meet that and exceed those expectations is what any rider would hope to do. They were super supportive which lifted the pressure a bit.

All three girls have very different personalities but they are all very girly. Do you think you fit in?
Hey I am girly! Maybe almost as girly, but I think that works ‘cause it adds an element of "skidliness"! I am not a skid at all, but think I add a bit of goofiness to the equation, and I think I could learn from their ladyness.

I heard you say on the trip that Erin Comstock is a sick rail rider with the best style and hits gnarly rails. When you were hitting that heavy ledge with the girls cheering you on and helping you to stomp it, how did you feel?
It definitely meant a lot that they were stoked on it! I also was thinking that I just wanted to get it over with because I felt bad about keeping the crew in the shade where it was super cold.

What was the most important thing you learned about being on the Roxy team and riding and filming with the girls on this trip?
To have fun while you are doing it. There was little to no intense seriousness on the trip, which I loved. I think if you are having a really awesome time doing something, that is when you will perform the best. It is also important to make sure it’s the right time to do something and not just to do it anyway even if you are not completely ready for it.

What did you learn about yourself on this trip?
I put a lot of pressure on myself to be really good all the time, which is not realistic. So learning not to get bummed on myself and just keep doin' ‘er is the best way to be. Positive vibes mon!

Did you feel kind of privileged to be on this trip?
Oh yeah for sure. Everyday I feel blessed to live the life I do, so then to ride in Europe with some of the worlds best riders? Well you can fill in the blanks.

What’s next for you? Are you going to hook up with the team again?
Next is more snowboarding... surprise, surprise! The team is going to make it up to Canada late in the season so I am super pumped about that.

Any thanks?
Thank you to Roxy: Gerhard, Jessica, Erin, Amber, Alexis, Neil, and Hayden. Thanks also to Roberta for hooking it up! Oh and thanks to chocolate and cheese for always being there for me when I need you the most.