Features

Eurotrip!

Robin Van Gyn hits Austria with the Roxy team

by Roberta Rodger

Big news! Robin Van Gyn has recently been recruited to the Roxy elite team—the first Canadian girl to be picked up. If that wasn’t excitement enough, she’s currently on her first trip across the pond in Austria with the rest of the Roxy squad. Roberta Rodger, also there with Snowboard Canada Women’s Annual, checks in with a Q & A on Robin’s first Euro experience and thoughts on being the newest teammate.

I remember my first time going to Europe for a snowboard trip. I was 18 and I flew over by myself into Zurich then took a train up to Chamonix to meet up with Jamie Mosberg and Nico Droz. I was so excited and so nervous at the same time. I didn’t know what to expect but I instantly fell in love with Europe. The quaint streets and the awesome baguettes and chocolate spread every morning, not to mention the towering Alps and unlimited terrain. I wondered how Robin Van Gyn felt heading into this trip, as it was not only her first snowboard trip to Europe but also her first Roxy team trip after recently signing with them. Roxy is known for having one of the best female teams in snowboarding and Robin was the first Canadian to be signed to the team. Was she excited? Was she nervous? I decided I’d ask her some questions about it as we flew over to Austria to meet up with the rest of the crew.

How long have you been riding for Roxy?
About two weeks, officially a few days!

How did you get on the Roxy team?
That is a mystery. I guess just doing my thing, right? I got a call from Gerhard Gross [team manager] one day, saying I had been popping up in conversation and he liked what I was doing. I am not sure exactly what I was doing but he liked it. It was rainbows and unicorns from there on out.

What does riding for Roxy mean to you?
It means a lot to me that such a rad brand is stoked on my riding. I feel fuzzy inside because I know so many girls would love to represent for Roxy. It is definitely a privilege and I feel really lucky.

How does it feel to be the first Canadian to be put on Roxy’s elite team of top female snowboarders?
Awesome, Canada is what’s up. There are so many good riders that come from the Great White North. I am kind of surprised that it didn’t happen earlier. Being included in the ranks is great.

Going into this trip do you know the other girls on the team very well?
No not at all. I met a few of them in Vegas during the trade show but not before that.

Are you excited to hang out and ride with the girls?
Yeah, I am really excited to meet some new shred buddies and mix it up a little, especially because they are at the top of their game and that can be inspirational.

What do you think it will be like being on the Roxy team?
I really have no idea, but I think I am going to like it. I am amped to ride with girls who are pushing it all the time. That’s what makes you a better rider.

We’re on our way to Austria, have you ever been before?
No. It’s my first time snowboarding in Europe.

Are you a bit nervous for your first Roxy team trip?
No not really, I think if I just do what I am good at and roll with it I will be fine.

What do you hope to accomplish while we’re over there?
I am going to do a 1440, grab tuna salad, get a cover, film four video parts, eat wienerschnitzel and, if the time is right, I might rope a donkey to take home as a souvenir.

Do you think that riding for Roxy and having the opportunity to go on this trip will help take your career to the next level?
Sure. You are what you make yourself, so as long as I ride hard, and keep the progression going, it could be really good for me. I feel so lucky to be given this opportunity.

Check back soon to see how the trip went for Robin.