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CDEPARTMENT✬✵✸✼✮ ✑✾✹Heather playing at her favorite playground.Lens: Ozone SnowkitesWhen and where did you start snowkiting? Whatinspired you to learn?I learned to snowkite in 2001 when I moved to Utah.Snowkiting is at the top of my list because I can explorenew terrain and fresh powder all day long, and you cango wherever you want. When I go out for a day ofsnowkiting I no longer have to waste time riding a chairand getting cold. Snowkiting keeps you warm.How has snowkiting grown since you first startedand do you think it will surpass water kiting?It is cool because each year when I travel around theUS the numbers have increased in each riding area. Ithink that snowkiting will be the largest kite sport due tothe unlimited amount of locations and the amazingpotential for exploring mountains.Landboarding is just starting to catch on in the US.Why do you think this form of kiting is more popularin the UK and Europe than the States?The riders on the other side of the drink are more closelylinked with riding locations so development has beenquicker, whereas the US is so spread out that it is slowerfor the word to get out. But it won’t be long nowbecause I’m telling and showing everyone how fun it is.What riders influence you most?The riders that influence me most are my husbandBrian Schenck, because he is always helping me outand encouraging me to go bigger, and GuillaumeChastagnol and his wife Titaua. Chasta is alwaysshowing us how simple the unimaginable is and Titauabecause she is very hard core and tears it up on thesnow.Where is your favorite place to ride and why?My favorite place to snowkite is Skyline Drive becausethere is so much to explore. You can go down ridgelines,up hills and find natural jumps all day long. Forlandboarding my favorite place is Seaside, Oregon. Thebeach is so big and hard packed and the winds arealways good.What do you think of contests?I think some contests are good as long as they keepthe fun aspect of kiting around. I think the things thatare going to help the sport grow are all based aroundfun events and freeriding.By Marina ChangvitalsAGE:29HEIGHT: 5’7”WEIGHT: Light as a featherSTANCE: RegularYEARS SNOWKITING: 6FAVORITE SPOTS: SkylineDrive, UTFAVORITE CONDITIONS:Bluebird with fresh powderFAVORITE MOVES: 360 with agrabSNOWKITE SETUP: RossignolSnowboard, bindings andboots and Ultra Nectar kitejacket.BINDINGS: Strap inKITE: 12m Ozone FrenzyBARS: StockLINES: 25mHARNESS: Dakine PyroSPONSORS: Ozone kites,Ultra Nectar, Zeal OpticsHeather gets ready to hitthe road for anotherdemo. Lens: Brian SchenckPro Tips- When you start learning to snowkite, always startwith a smaller kite —-you don’t need that muchto get going.- Always think about the other people you aresnowkiting with and around.- Keep your lines rolled up when you are taking abreak. It saves you from being upset becausesomeone didn’t see them and boarded overthem.-Have fun because this sport is about having agood time and riding with your friends.Heather Schenck is the VP of Windzup LLC, the US distributor of Ozone Kites andGround Industries boards. When you first meet her, you would never know thatthis modest and somewhat shy woman is one of the driving forces behindsnowkiting and groundboarding in America. Since the late 1990’s, she alongwith husband and partner Brian hit the road every year to travel more than40,000 miles coast to coast promoting snow and mountain/landboardingevents and demos. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Heather was raised at a skiresort and was on skis starting at age 3. It’s no wonder she rips!How do you think we can get more women interestedin our sport?Last weekend I had four of my girlfriends come out andtry snowkiting for the first time and at the end of theday, everyone was smiling and ready to come out formore. Also, while kitesurfing can be intimidating, thereare tons of women who already ski or board and arewilling to add a kite to their winter sports.30