Name: Sonia Shaw
Age: 28
From: Bournemouth, England.
Sponsors: Nitro, Dakine, Animal, 32boots/etnies trainers, Fitness First.
Briefly describe yourself… Most of the year I am involved in the snowboarding side of things. This year I’ve travelled to lots of parts of Europe and spent some time in the states. I also run Female spec camps called Our Camp in the Alps and am a member of the School’s Tour, giving me the great chance to travel all over the UK promoting snow sports and giving out over 20,000 free lessons to kids. Yoga keeps me sane and I let it rip on dance floors for relief. I like to surf and have been to penniche(Portugal) and Hossegor this summer.
Talk us through your average day…
It’s a double edged sword but I’m both a morning and night person, so an average day for me is very long. I get up at 7am(ish) and do some yoga, then have porridge with nuts and raisins. I’d normally slap on some heavy tunes and get ready to go up the mountain. After phoning the crew I’ll meet up and we’ll either session a kicker, or if I’m doing photos that day hike a drop or something else I’ve seen to shoot. These days can be really pressured but if you have a good working relationship with a photographer like I do with Anna Barry or Nils Svenson they just seem to have all the time in the world for you to get a good shot or try something you wouldn’t normally do.
If it’s an Our Camp week then I’ll meet up with the ladies and we’ll work out what and where to go and what the girls need to focus on. Lunch is a bit hit and miss because it breaks up the day too much, so I normally carry nuts and a muesli bar because mountain resorts either serve sandwiches/pizzas or cheese which really make me lethargic. Once the day is over on the mountain, it could go one of two ways… To the bar for a little Apres (this has been known to continue to a nightclub) or If I’ve been worked on the mountain home; to yoga and my Apple Mac. After this I normally have dinner with friends (Ben cooks a mean fajita dish).
How long have you been riding? Pretty much since I left school at the age of 18, apart from a couple of seasons.
Best achievements:1st @ Rip Curl event in les 7eau; 1st Bx British Championships 2003; 1st Big Air British Championship 2003; 2nd Bx British Championships 2006; Being asked to manage the School’s Tour and a Backflip this year!
Best trick: Backflip for fun (very hit and miss!)
Biggest rush:
Has to be the run in to a large jump when you can hear your clothes flapping because of the speed you have to take.
Scariest moment: Not knowing how I would feel about snowboarding after I broke my back two years ago.
Favourite riders: So many of my friends like Ben Crawshaw and the Morzine, breck, NZ Crew and Natazsha Zurick.
Favourite place to ride and why: Breckenridge or New Zealand. Breckenridge for the amazingly groomed parks, or NZ for their outlook on riding; every day’s got something to offer, even if the winds might blow you off the mountain!
What essential items do you pack in your suitcase for a trip?
Apart from my board kit? Quinoa (like cous cous), vitamins and minerals, lap top + mp3 player, lots of inappropriate shoes and clothing. Always pointy shoes for some reason!? And lots of accessories.
Top 3 tunes: Stanton Warriors (all), Nine Inch Nails: Bow Down and Zero Seven: Passing By.
How do you stay in shape? Yoga, pilates, surfing and going to Fitness First gyms.
Top training tip: Before hitting the gym always get a consultation from a trainer who can give you a specific program to work to. This is so beneficial, you could be building muscles that could hinder rather than progress what you want to achieve.
Favourite foods: Fish, especially gerouda and mackerel.
Must-have beauty product: Sun block and moisturiser
Beauty tip: Dry brush your skin towards your heart to improve your circulation.
Favourite clothing brands: Chloe, Paul and Joe, H&M and Topshop.
Fashion tip: Old with new, designer with high street. And if there’s no one else wearing anything similar to you it doesn’t mean they’re right – you look goood… You’re a leader and they WILL follow! Ha!
Which celeb’s style do you admire? Johnny Depp, Drew Barrymore, Gwen Steffani, Missy Elliott and Mena Suvari.
Favourite quote: An old Japanese proverb: “Eat a frog for breakfast”. Meaning get all the worst things done first and the rest will seem easy.
Before I die I want to: Have it all!
I want to make sure that kids get a chance to start sports they’ve never had the opportunity or means to do. I want Our Camps, that I run with Gilly and Emma to be successful in everything we do. I want to live in New York and Barcelona. I want a maaaaasive walk in wardrobe. I want to find my prince (too many frogs out there, not all!) I want to provide everything for my Mum and Dad. Get a better memory, especially for names… ya ya di ya di ya!
