Where ya at?- JJ Rayward

JJ Rayward is another of the new wave of kiwi shredders tearing @#%* up right now, we find out where he’s at!

JJ slash

JJ in full effect, rippin this groomer slash @ Cardrona – Photo Angus Grey

 

Where you at right now? At the moment I’m based in Wanaka for the season which is a sick place! I love it.

How long have you been there? Roughly 2 weeks.

And before that? I was in Richmond-Nelson peeling onions 5 days a week to get that cash money and hanging out after this summer in Mammoth CA. Haha.

How have the first couple of weeks at Cardies been?  So good, snow wasn’t the best at the start but it’s snowed the last few days which is dope and hopefully the jumps will be up real soon!

Funnest thing to hit up there at the minute? Probably Stag Lane then all the natural side hits and slashes down the rest of the run.

What was your time over seas like this year?  Really cool, there wasn’t much snow at the start of the season but once everything was set up it was hammers. I also got to travel a little bit which was an awesome experience and I am so thankful for.

You spent quite a bit of time at Mammoth how do you rate their park? 12 out of 10. They have about 3 big parks ranging from so many different levels and you can always find a sheltered place to ride no matter what the weather is. And it’s usually warm so hoodie weather 24/7.

Where else did you ride?  Ah, I went to June Mt once (45min drive from Mammoth) but they had really bad snow and no park so didn’t go back, haha. Also went to Sun Valley ID for a competition and all the way to Valmalenco in Italy for Junior Worlds which was crazy and had the BEST lasagne I have EVER had.   Haha.

 Funnest trick for you right now? That’s a rough one, probably a solid tweeked grab on a side hit – You have to send it though!!

Scariest trick? Back 2 on, I still have to man up and do it on a rail.

 Who were you shredding with in the US? Heaps of the NZ crew and American guys who I trained with on the Mammoth Junior SB team.

 What were the highlights of that trip? Forsure the improvement I made on snow, all the rad people I met and hungout with, and defiantly the amazing trips I was able to go on.

 Plans for the NZ winter? Train hard and get stuff done, also have a tonne of fun with everyone and yeah.

 Who will you be shredding with?  Liam Whiley, Sam Christie, Angus Grey, hopefully the Canadian boy Seb if he comes out, maybe Freeman if he comes down, all the coaches and others from Cardrona Parks Squad and just whoever is down to boost some laps – If I left anyone out sorry ha.

Shouts? My parents for letting me do what I do, all my coaches from Cardrona and Mammoth, my sponsors for helping me out, Cardrona Resort, Volcom, DVS Shoes, Signal Snowboards, Electric Visual, MadWax, Replay Cameras, everyone who has helped me get to where I am and also the guys at NZSnowboard mag for this checkout!!

Hamish Bagley – This runs for you buddy!