Profile... Laura Berry
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Introduction...
Where do I begin?
Laura has always been a bright, energetic and demanding child. She was walking before she was 10 months old. Always into everything and hard to entertain led me to introducing her to sports.
She is one of those annoying people that can play any sport well.
Tumbletots led to gymnastics and dancing. Laura is a very good Rock'n'Roll dancer!!
At the age of 4 she decided she wanted to play football. Laura played for local boys teams until she was scouted and accepted into the Arsenal Ladies School of Excellence at the age of 8. By the age of 12 she was voted most promising England player for her age group.
Laura combined her football activites with judo and at the age of 12 was asked to join the Great Britain Cadet Judo Squad. Laura travelled all over Europe picking up International medals along the way. She was also National Champion in her weight group in 2001.
It was shortly after this that Laura got disillusioned with football. She was too much of an individual to enjoy team sports anymore.
For her 12th birthday her nan bought her a snowboard taster lesson at the Mk Xscape. Laura enjoyed it so much that I bought her some more lessons and by the end of the week she was up to recreational standard.
Laura enjoyed snowboarding as a pastime and a relaxing sport away from the hussle and pressure of Judo.
Everyone told me she was a natural and it wasn't long before she was invited to join the Xscapes junior team ran by Gavin Learmonth that was run on a tuesday night. This clashed with judo training which meant decision time.
That wasn't hard for Laura, it was snowboarding all the way.
Her rise to the standard where she is today has been unbelievable. Laura was picked up by sponsors very early in her career and I personally would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported her in any way no matter how small because without you Laura would not be where she is today.
Laura has now left school with a bagfull of good GCSE's ( 5 A's, 3 B's and a C )and is now embarking on a full time career as a Professional Snowboarder.
Laura has achieved more things and seen so many wondeful sights and places that people my generation can only dream about.
It goes without saying that Laura makes me very proud, but the thing that makes me most proud is to hear people commenting on how polite, well mannered and grounded she is.
I look forward to seeing where she'll be in a few years time.
By Lesley Berry (Mum)
Snowboarder Questionnaire
How old where you when you first began riding?
12, but 13 before I started properly.
What/Who got you into it?
I was bought a lesson by my nan for my birthday after the Xscape opened five minutes from my house.
What sort of board do you ride?
Ride
What length board do you ride?
147
Do you ride Regular or Goofy?
Goofy all the way
Stance width?
About 20-21 inches I think
Stance angles (front and back)?
+15 front, -9 back
Favourite resort?
Morzine
How many seasons have you done?
Three and a bit
Where and when did you do your seasons?
2005-2006 Mammoth/Europe. (few separate trips) 2006-2007 Morzine 2007-2008 Team GB travelling 2008-2009 Morzine
Laura Berry © Josie Clyde
From Laura's Lifestyle & Portrait Gallery.
What was your favourite trip and why?
I'm gonna say either the 'Rad' tour we did with Vans and channel 5 or a red bull trip to NZ. Both of them included doing new things, shredding amazing places and a amazing crew to travel with.
What do you love about snowboarding?
The bit where you aren't going up but you aren't coming down.
What's your goal within snowboarding?
Have fun while shredding and progressing. Win some more contests, be up there with the best females in the world.
What aspect of snowboarding gives you the most satisfaction (powder, kickers, halfpipe, competitions, big air, cliff drops, etc.)?
Doing big spins or backflips on tiny jumps, tranny finders and riding with friends.
What style of snowboarding best describes your riding (include a couple if you want)?
You tell me!
What's your favourite trick?
Nollie backside shiftys off rollers.
What's your scariest snowboarding moment?
Thinking I was getting avalanched on and all the snow went in my mouth when all that happened was about a 10cm by 10cm amount of snow had stopped dead on my face. Hilarious but I thought I was dying.
What are your top safety tips when riding?
Don't stop on the landing unless something is broken or you're knocked out!
What advice have you got?
Fall over. It's usually funny and helps you get better.
General Questionnaire
What are your other interests?
Most sports, being with friends, quotes and facts, conspiracy theories, random stuff.
50-50 to noseslide © Josie Clyde
From Laura's Action Gallery.
Where would you like to see yourself in the future?
Hopefully making a living out of snowboarding. Blasting around with friends and having a great time and living the dream.
Realistically, what will you be doing in the future?
Trying to keep up with all the 'new school' tricks. Struggling to get by but still loving it.
Who are your idols?
My friends. Andy Nudds.
What music are you into?
Pretty much everything. Mostly rock/punk/indie stuff.
What's your favourite book?
Harry Potter
What's your favourite film?
Nick and Norahs infinite playlist.
What's your favourite quote?
Change your thoughts and you change your world -- Norman Vincent Peale
Best cocktail, shot or drink?
Tea!
What's your most prized possession?
Family, friends, my dogs and my health.
Thanks to:
Family, friends, sponsors, dogs, everyone who makes the shred fun.
Laura's Results/ Achievements...
Year | Event | Discipline | Category | Position |
| 2009 | Red Bull Home Run | Chinese Downhill | Women | 1st |
| 2009 | British Championships,Laax | Big Air | Women | 1st |
| 2009 | Battle of Waterloo, Avoriaz | Team Event | France vs GB | 1st |
| 2009 | British Championships,Laax | Slopestyle | Women | 2nd |
| 2009 | Princess of the Park, Val D\'Isare | Slopestyle | Women | 2nd |
| 2009 | Nikita Goodie Lady Session | Slopestyle | Women | 2nd |
| 2008 | Burton AM Tour, Damuls,Austria | Slopestyle | Junior Girls/Overall | 1st |
| 2008 | Burton AM Tour, Bansko, Bulgaria | Slopestyle | Junior Girls/Overall | 1st |
| 2008 | Europa Cup Championships | Slopestyle | Women | 1st |
| 2008 | Europa Cup, Rogla, Slovenia | Slopestyle | Women | 1st |
| 2008 | Europa Cup, Rogla, Slovenia | Big Air | Women | 1st |
| 2008 | Red Bull Home Run, Laax | Chinese Downhill | Senior Women | 1st |
| 2008 | Burton AM Tour | Slopestyle | Tour Overall | 1st |
| 2008 | Burton Scrap Metal, Tamworth | Rails | Women | 1st |
| 2008 | Burton AM Tour, Grandvalira,Andorra | Slopestyle | Junior Girls/Overall | 1st |
| 2008 | Burton Scrap Metal Final, Milton Keynes | Rails | Women | 1st |
| 2008 | Westbeach Freezer Jam | Slopestyle | Women | 1st |
| 2008 | Europa Cup, Vogel, Slovenia | Slopestyle | Women | 1st |
| 2008 | Burton AM Tour, Val Senales, Italy | Slopestyle | Junior Girls/Overall | 2nd |
| 2008 | British Champioships, Laax | Slopestyle | Senior Women | 3rd |
| 2008 | Westbeach Freezer Jam Super Final | Slopestyle | Men and Women | 3rd |
| 2008 | Selected for GB Freestyle Team | Halfpipe/Slopestyle | N/A | N/A |
| 2007 | Burton AM Tour, Castleford | Slopestyle | Junior Girls/Overall | 1st |
| 2007 | British Indoor Championships | Big Air | Women | 1st |
| 2007 | Europa Cup, Landgraaf, Holland | Slopestyle | Women | 1st |
| 2007 | British Indoor Championships | Slopestyle | Women | 1st |
| 2007 | International German Championships | Halfpipe | Women | 2nd |
| 2007 | Selected for GB Freestyle Team | Half Pipe/Slopestyle | N/A | N/A |
| 2006 | Roxy Chicken Jam, Kaprun 6* TTR Event | Slopestyle | Senior Women | 11th |
| 2006 | Orange British Championships,Laax | Boardercross | Senior Women | 1st |
| 2006 | British Indoor Championships | Slopestyle | Senior Women | 1st |
| 2006 | British Dryslope Championships | Big Air | Senior Women | 1st |
| 2006 | Nouex-les-Mines International Snowboard Jam | Overall | Women | 1st |
| 2006 | Burton Black Metal Rail Jam, Tamworth | Rails | Senior Women | 1st |
| 2006 | Burton AM Tour, Milton keynes | Slopestyle | Junior Girls | 1st |
| 2006 | British Dryslope Championships | Quarter pipe | Senior Women | 2nd |
| 2006 | British Indoor Championships | Boardercross | Senior Women | 3rd |
| 2006 | Orange British Championships,Laax | Slopestyle | Senior Women | 3rd |
| 2006 | Burton Black Metal Rail Jam Super Final | Rails | Men/ Women | 3rd |
| 2006 | Roxy Chicken Jam, St Moritz 6* TTR event | Slopestyle | Senior Women | 5th |
| 2005 | Orange British Championships, Laax | Boardercross | Senior Women | 1st |
| 2005 | Burton AM Tour, Milton Keynes | Slopestyle | Junior Girls | 1st |
| 2005 | Burton Black Metal Rail Jam | Rails | Senior Women | 1st |
| 2005 | Orange British Championships, Laax | Slopestyle | Senior Women | 3rd |
| 2005 | Orange British Championships, Laax | Big Air | Senior Women | 3rd |
| 2005 | DCMT Snowboard Awards | Most Improved Rider | All | 3rd |
| 2005 | O\'Neill Freestyle Pro, Avoriaz | Slopestyle | Senior Women | 5th |
| 2005 | Nikita Chickita Snowdown, Tahoe | Slopestyle | Senior Women | 9th |
| 2004 | Orange British Championships, Les Deux Alpes | Slopestyle | Senior Women | 1st |
| 2004 | Junior Worlds, Czech Republic | Big Air | Under 20 Women | 7th |
| 2003 | Burton Black Metal Rail Jam | Rails | Men/Women | 1st |
| 2003 | XFM Union Snowboard Awards | Vans Best Rookie Snowboarder | All | 1st |
| 2003 | XFM Union Snowboard Awards | Nikita Best Female Snowboarder | Women | 2nd |
| 2003 | World Youth Championships | Half Pipe | Youth Women | 2nd |
| 2003 | Board-X Big Air | Big Air | Senior Women | 4th |
