Olympic Hopeful: Clair Bidez
Christina Johnson
I recently had an opportunity to Interview Clair Bidez about her quest to the Olympics and life in general. Check it out!
With the Olympics coming up and media spots taking off like wild fire, what are your plans for dealing with the stress?
I’m planning on prioritizing and not spreading myself too thin. I’m counting on the support and good judgment from my family and friends to get me through it and to a place I’m happy with. Also, I need to focus on the positive and make sure that I have fun throughout the process!
As an Olympic hopeful, what are you most looking forward to about the games?
I’m looking forward to finally realizing a major goal I’ve had for years. Representing my country, women and everyone who’s helped me get this far on a global stage will be amazing.
What’s is like competing with your younger brother at such a high level?
I’m SO lucky and love that I get to travel and ride with Dylan. He’s one of my best friends, I know I can always count on him, he’s a super talented snowboarder, and I probably wouldn’t even be snowboarding like I am now if it wasn’t for him. I also know that if I ever get hurt I can count on him for some solid coverage (http://www.shredthestation.com/2009/08/matt-ladley-scarred.html), GNARLY!
As everyone knows, you were injured this past December. What are you doing to prevent another injury leading to the Olympics?
Unfortunately in our sport, it’s just a matter of time until the snow snake comes after you. All you can do is make sure you’re strong, healthy and
make smart decisions to prolong the time between bites, so that’s exactly what I have been doing.
So you used to be a dancer. Do you think it helps with your snowboarding?
I think growing up dancing and doing gymnastics gave me body awareness and air sense that is crucial for what I do.
Is there anything we can expect from your sponsors this season?
I ride for Woodward at Copper and can’t be more stoked that it’s up and running. It’s a training facility disguised as a kid’s dream of trampolines and foa m pits catered specifically to freestyle snowboarding and skiing- it’s where I’ve been spending all my off-season time. As for my product sponsors, I just got back from shoots with Nikita and Giro and I’m totally in love with their stuff! Nikita (outerwear and streetwear) is stylish and unique as always, and I love the direction Giro is heading- this upcoming season they have a couple new goggle models in a bunch of sick colors and patterns.
In your blog you wrote about a bike trip in Moab. The locals tried to deter you from completing Slickrock. What made you determined to finish?
Once I was on Slickrock, people were encouraging. It was leading up to it when locals and self-proclaimed “experts” told me and one of my best friends, Aurel Baker, that since we enjoyed other easier trails, there was no way we’d enjoy Slickrock. I’m far from a mountain bike expert, so there’s a good chance I would have been scared away if not for Aurel’s determination. It ended up being really challenging, but also the most fun I’ve ever had on my bike. I’m so glad I did it!
In your blog you also wrote about Snow Angels and the “ugly rubbery boots”. What’s the story behind them and are they still unlucky?
I was about to burn those boots after the series of really unlucky things that happened while I was wearing them. The worst was catching some kind of
stomach virus on a midnight voyage from Mammoth to the Reno airport. That was absolutely miserable. Since then, they were in my closet for the summer
and I just recently broke them out to get me through the early-season snow we’ve had in Breckenridge. I think the curse must be broken because nothing
terrible happened since I re-donned them. They’ve actually proven to be good, sturdy and waterproof winter boots! Glad I kept them.
Speaking of Snow Angels, what was it like to be in that atmosphere with such awesome women?
Snow Angels is probably my favorite event of the season. It’s the perfect environment to see and be a part of progression in women’s snowboarding. It’s so fun and empowering!
Do you have any advice for young girls and women interested in snowboarding or have just begun to snowboard?
My advice is to follow your heart and have fun! If you decide you want to take it to the next level, go for it and don’t be afraid to fall.
Any final remarks?
Do what you can to be environmentally conscious! Do something to ensure our grandkids will be able to experience our amazing sport!
http://protectourwinters.org/
Thanks again Clair, this is really appreciated! Good luck in the up-coming Olympic Qualifiers!
Posted by Christina Johnson on 01/20
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