We ran into Suray Fernández on the Les Deux Alpes glacier this summer while she was spreading her knowledge of the shred like butter to the campers at Girlie Camp. Ketchup with this little Andorran shred mamacita and find what's going on in the southside mountains of Spain and Andorra.
Hi Suray! So what did you do this summer? Anything cool off snow?
Yea, I chilled by myself mostly, spent some time training in the gym, I also went skateboarding! I like it a lot!! Oh, and I painted my house, now it looks even more beautiful! Hehe...
So you were born in Spain but grew up in Andorra, tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Barcelona, but Andorra is where I'm from. I went to school here and all my friends are also from here, although maybe most of them are actually from Argentina because I've been going there every summer for 3 months since was 18 to do a double winter season! Recently I've been going up to Les2Alpes in the summer, I'm either coaching at Girlie Camp or just riding for myself, I like the mountains there! My life revolves around snowboarding, but I also love photography, check out my site http://picasaweb.google.com/home. I have some photos I like up there, as well as my snowboard shots, I hope you like it!
Crispy kickers and crunchy landings don't faze Suray.
You were one of the coaches at Girlie camps, did the level of the riding of the campers make you worried about your sponsorship?
The girls at camp, they come with a lot of motivation and a strong will to learn! They picked things up really fast, but I think my experience outweighs their enthusiasm. But I think if they keep practicing for a few more more years and stay stoked on snowboarding they will go far! =)
Do you wish snow was hot instead of cold? Do you hate having to wear a lot of clothes to ride?
I've always preferred the cold, the snow is better when it's cold. I love powder! And wearing layers is not a problem for me… I'll just wear more or less layers, depends of the day.
Do you adore Andorra?
Hehehe… I think "adore" might be a bit much, but I really like Andorra a lot. The mountains are covered with beautiful forests, the snow is always dry, the city is nice, a lot of people come from around the world to work or shred the awesome park in Grandvalira. It's so good there now, just as good if not better than any other park in Europe.
Suray cuts a turn in a fresh field of fluff
Is there any difference between the Spanish and the Andorran scene?
I think so… Maybe because we're closer to the rest of Europe, so we have more influence from France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland. This is an important distinction because we are way more into the European scene and not only the Spanish one. I like the Spanish scene too, of course. Spanish people are always a little bit more sociable than everyone else and you can have nice sessions together!
Do you think the Spanish and Andorran scenes gets enough attention? What could help bring more attention to your part of the world?
I think we need a little more love from the European scene and not always be considered the country with weakest level of riding. Nowadays there are lots of people with good shred skills here to represent our scene like any other in Europe. But we need more love in European magazines, videos, competitions… It's up to the European media too! We've been working hard at doing our part, now we just need some more attention. Respect always for riders from France, Austria... But there are also good riders in Spain!
Sliding tubes, sin problema
Is the married life hard when being a snowboarder? Could you only have a snowboarder husband?
Hehehe, I’ve only been married for 2 years and he's a snowboarder too! We have a great life together because we are always there for each other and we both love snowboarding and skateboarding. Also we are both filming parts for BQP's new video (www.badquality.com.ar). My husband, Pepe Sanchez, has been filming with BQP for years now, and I had the opportunity to film with this Argentinean crew last season, I’m so stoked to be able to take part in this project! Also, It’s important for me to film because I work hard every day all year-round thinking only of putting together a good part, which still haven’t managed to pull off, but I will! =) I'm pretty sure I couldn’t have a “normal” husband. Long-distance relationships are difficult and with my husband we can travel together, not always but quite often.
You have a sweet scar, how did you get it?
Wooo, I was 16-years old and I thought the biggest jump in the park looked easy. I hit the jump going way too fast, totally overshot the landing and landed completely flat!! I was lucky I only broke one arm, the rest of my body was fine.
Hola!
Do you prefer watching an all-girls movie or would you rather watch a movie with both guys and girls?
I like all-girls movies, but I like movies with both guys & girls a lot more! A perfect example is Absinthe's "Ready" or Rome's “No Correct Way”, I really like Marie-France Roy's part in that one!! I hope one day I can put together a part like that, it's so complete!
What Roxy Rider Rocks the most?
As a rider and a person, Tania de Tomas is the one, in my opinion. I also like Torah Bright, Margot Rozies and Kjersti Buaas. And I think Lesley McKenna is a really great mentor to me!! Thanks Les!
How often do you wash your snowboard socks?
HAHAHA... I wear a pair for 2 days straight, no more…Haha, luckily I have enough... =P
Sponsors: Roxy, DC, Grandvalira, Loaded Shop Andorra.
Photos by Pepe Sánchez
Portrait courtesy of Roxy