afterbang - rider profiles

Rider Profile: Ciara Corrigan

Ciara Corrigan is the subject of afterbang's first rider profile. I met Ciara around 2 years ago and we've been together ever since. I asked her if she wanted to do a profile with me to get the ball rolling with this stuff and she accepted. Read on...

Name, age, current location, nationality?
Ciara Corrigan, 27, Gateshead (England), Irish.

How long have you been snowboarding?
I have been snowboarding for two years, around 7 weeks riding in total. I'm getting ready for the third season ;-)

How did you get into it?
Two things: the offer of a free holiday and the fact that it looked like a lot of fun on all the borrowed DVD's that I watched at the time.

Where have you been?
Tignes, Chamonix and Meribel (France); Courmayeur (1 day, Italy); Zermatt (Swizterland) and Castleford's indoor slope (UK).

Who do you normally ride with?
Crazy Horse (my friend Emma), you (Gavin) and other friends.

Any snowboarding destinations you'd like to go?
I'd love to go to Canada and New Zealand.

What do you think of riding in the UK?
There's quite a big scene in the UK but I think it's limited to certain areas; the northeast seems to be the least well served. Riding for me, in the UK is ok if you are willing to travel and pay. I don't really have a varied experience but Castleford is the next best thing to being on the slopes. I've ridden there a few times recently as I am just getting into freestyle. It's good but expensive. I am also planning to ride at Halifax shortly and see how SnowFlex compares. As for the dry ski slopes, well the horror stories put me off!

What type of riding do you like to do?
The type of riding that I am into has changed over the last two years. Now that I feel I am free riding competently around the mountain I really want to be able to do some 'sick' jibbing moves. To begin with all I could think about was blasting down the hill. I still love that buzz and wouldn't give it up, but at he moment I am into jibbing. That's not to say that I have moves... but I want to. I love watching it anyway. For me, free riding is limited by my annual holiday entitlement, jibbing is something I can do now. I would like to get a few freestyle lessons at Castleford.

One of the things that I have always admired are pipe riders, I'm in awe of their 'big air' trick after trick after trick, so I would love to be able to ride the pipe properly. Unfortunately I have a long way to go - my pipe skills at the moment are embarrassing!

Oh yeah, this might be strange but I find moguls real fun!

What's your setup, board, bindings, angles etc?
I have two boards. My first was a Volkl Destiny, 144cm. I am very precious about my Destiny as it was my first board. Unfortunately it got damaged during a collision so I decided it was time to get new stick and opted for a something a bit shorter and softer � a Santa Cruz Rebel 141cm. Being short at 5' 1.5" (yes the point five is important) I found it difficult to get a short board, so the Santa Cruz is ideal.

Angles � not sure I have found the perfect stance yet, it's currently +18/-18. I'm riding some Salomon Antidote bindings, the release on the toe strap is really cool and they are white with angels on them!

Any sponsorship?
He he... yeah this guy called Gavin.

What's been your worst slam?
My worst slam was definitely when an 'impaitent monkey boy' crashed into me in the pipe, damaging my ass and beloved destiny. I lay on my knees at the bottom of the pipe wondering if I had any ass left while he rode off into the sun. Anyway, on a positive note I got some free impact shorts from WhiteLines magazine who awarded me Injury of the Month. I must say I never thought my scantily clad bottom was going to feature in a magazine!

What was the last trick you learned?
The last trick I learned was a flatland frontside 180 ;-)

Where are you riding next?
I will probably ride next at Castleford or maybe Halifax. I am going to Avoriaz at the end of January and then Laax in March � actually it's when the Brits are on. Can't wait!

What's in the video below?
The video? Well its me learning to some basic freestyle (very very early stages). There are a few attempted ollies, some switch riding, flatland 180's and I think one small kicker with a bad landing. Luckily there is some footage of my regular riding so I don't feel too stupid. Oh there are also one or two 'princess tantrums' - true to my Irish temper.

What do you like best about snowboarding?
It's fun! Snowboarding is full of great experiences that you share with your friends.

Anything else?
Ye ha I love snowboarding!