German snowboarder Marco Smolla is taking time out from competition to turn mentor to 15 young snowboarders at Red Bull UpSprings. We caught up with the young Bavarian to find out more about what it’s like to go back to school…
How did you first get into snowboarding?
Most of what I learned to begin with was from snowboarding with my friends. When I signed a sponsorship deal with Nitro, my manager at the time Niko Kyriazis taught me a lot.
Did you have any formal training?
I spent a few years working with a trainer at the German Snowboard Association (SVD). I think I learned quite a lot during my time there but I think that was less down to the coaches and owed more to the fact that we were very keen to progress and spent so much time in the snow. But the SVD taught me a lot of useful information about other areas of life as a pro athlete.
What sort of thing did they teach you?
The importance of a healthy lifestyle and the benefits of proper fitness training such as stretching properly before and after you exercise. We didn’t appreciate it too much at the time because we were all at a rebellious age but as the years have gone by I’ve come to appreciate it and I must admit that even now I still make sure I warm up and down a little. I’ve not been so well behaved when it comes to the diet but that’s because my mum is such a good cook.
What do you think of Nicola Thost’s work with rookies?
Nicola’s work with Red Bull UpSprings and Springboard is really good. So much depends on knowing the right people in snowboarding, especially when you’re aged between 10 and 16 years. By taking part in Red Bull UpSprings, the rookies get to know other talented kids the same age and find out what motivates them. And they get an idea about what life is like as a snowboard pro.
So what’s your top tip for young snowboarders?
The most important thing is to concentrate on the essentials of snowboarding: (as well as school and girls). And always remember to enjoy your snowboarding trip, because you’ll make better progress and you’ll want to do more. I’ll be trying to pass on this little insight at Red Bull UpSprings this year!
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