Betty of the Month: Emily Blewitt
Name: Emily Laine Blewitt
Age: 20
Years Riding: Eight
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Home Mountain: Tyrol Basin in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin is where I started out, but now I spend the majority of the season riding at Breck and Keystone.
Setup: I was riding a Bataleon Violenza 145 with Flux Feedback Bindings, but my setup was stolen on the last day of the season at Breck. That was simply an awful day. It pretty much gave a new meaning to never calling “last” run.
Sponsors: Bataleon Snowboards, Flux Bindings, Celsius Boots, Oakley Optics
Recent Competitions: 1st place Transworld TransAm at Keystone, Matt Wyffell’s Choice at Breck’s Spring Massive Pro Rail Jam
How did you decide to pursue professional snowboarding?
Snowboarding has always been a way for me to escape the real world. I can forget everything else going on in my life and just ride. It inspires me to keep pushing myself harder and to achieve more. Plus it’s fun! I’ve always been really athletic and I mostly did team sports like soccer and basketball. Once I started snowboarding, it slowly took over my life and I never looked back. I can’t begin to imagine where I would be without it. I know my life would be completely different if I didn’t snowboard, but this is the path that I decided to take and what happens happens. Snowboarding makes me happy, so I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Photo by Chip Kalback
Any advice for girls who are just getting started?
Your butt is gonna hurt and you might barely make it down the hill without running into someone, but stick with the sport! You’ll meet new people and gain confidence. You might end up spending a lot of money on lift tickets or new gear, but the memories and experience will be worth it.
Do you have exciting travel plans for the summer?
I’m venturing out to Hood in July with my boyfriend. We’re hoping to do some summer shredding for a couple weeks and brave the outdoors camping with friends. I’m also debating about doing a session at Camp of Champions. Their park looks really sick, but it’s a huge financial commitment, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to afford that.
Park or Powder?
I’m from the Midwest so pretty much all we ride is park, but if you give a jib kid snow, there will be plenty of powder slashes and cliff drops!
What are you most proud of from last season?
Finally getting out of the Midwest and spending a lot of the season in Colorado. I used to be a rail rat but this season I started to spend more time jumping and riding powder. I can’t wait to be back in the Rockies for next winter!
Pirates or Ninjas?
Pirates for sure. Especially when that pirate is Orlando Bloom or Johnny Depp, am I right?
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you while snowboarding?
I can’t remember a specific story, but my last name is Blewitt (pronounced just like it looks Blew-itt). So, I pretty much live with constant embarrassment on a daily basis whenever someone addresses me by my full name. In particular, competition announcers have a jolly good time with my last name. Apparently jokes like “let’s
hope she doesn’t blow it” never get old.
Competition or filming?
Neither. I’d much rather spend a day riding with friends and jamming out to an awesome playlist.
What are you up to other than riding?
I am going to school online for a marketing degree. Someday I’m hoping to go into the snowboarding side of marketing, so I’m hoping to get an internship in the near future. Besides that, I like spending time outdoors and hanging out with friends. I also think that it’s important to stay healthy, so I exercise a lot and try to eat natural foods.
Photo by Jeff Bernard
FAVORITES
Park Feature: Down Flat Down Rail
Candy: Mike N Ikes…They’re hard to say “No” to
Snowboard movie: Thanks Brain
TV: I don’t spend a lot of time watching television because I hate commercials.
Drink: I’m addicted to Diet Coke and White Chocolate Mochas. Caffeine Overload!
Snowboard Shop: Big Hit in Breckenridge or Focus Boardshop when I’m home (Madison, WI).
Inspiration: My older brother Scott is the reason why I started snowboarding. He will always be my biggest inspiration but I also have to thank our amazing group of friends that shred Breck. They are always there offering me encouragement and support. It’s awesome how many people come from all over the world to ride the terrain parks there. The level of progression is just amazing, and it’s pretty cool to see professional riders on a daily basis. Overall, I’m eternally grateful for my friends and family in the Midwest that believe in me and my dreams.
Thanks for listening to me ramble and remember: never stop believing in yourself.
Posted by Kelly Vance on 06/09
