Drafted: Robin Van Gyn

Feb 12, 2009

Author: Jeff Pearlman; intro by Eric Greene

"The first experience I had with Robin Van Gyn, we drove together for two full days to Northern British Columbia. She originally told me the destination was an eight-hour drive away. When we finally got there I wasn’t even mad, because by then I knew she was too cool. The kilometres cruised by as we drank coffee, talked about how it’s healthy to embarrass yourself when you party, and agreed that reggae is the most superior music genre. When we eventually got to go snowboarding she impressed me even more. She is skilled on her sled, likes to ride fast, and bounces around the mountain with the excitement of an ADHD child on Christmas morning. However, she is slightly lacking in the judgment department. Every jump she suggests to build is over 200 feet, and whatever speed you advise her to hit something at, she goes double. Needless to say, it’s exciting to watch her ride. Robin is a great influence on everyone because she always laughs and doesn’t worry about anything." —Eric Greene

Age: 25
Years riding: 9
Years sponsored: 5
Sponsors: Roxy, Dakine, Northwave, Airblaster, Pom Pom wax, DVS
Board and bindings: Roxy Ollie Pop 154, Roxy Team bindings
Stance width: Adjusted till it feels nice
Angles: 17º front, –15º back
Hometown: Victoria, BC
Current residence: Victoria, and Whistler in the winter
Vehicle: Jeep Cherokee
Snowmobile: 2001 Summit 800
Preferred terrain: Backcountry
Crew: Leanne Pelosi, Amanda Mourant, Dom Vallée, Molly Milligan, Raewyn Reid, Bev Vuilleumier, the Runway crew
Shred heroes: Victoria Jealouse, Nicolas Müller
Favourite trick: Bar Phantom
Ideal conditions: Cold, sunny days and a fresh layer of snow
First setup: I borrowed my sister’s K2 with clickers—seriously, who does that?
Best album of all time: Gold by Bob Marley

What’s the translation of your last name, Van Gyn? I tried to look it up, but the results were all in reference to obstetrics and the gynecological field.
Obviously you didn’t look hard enough. The direct translation is better than you.

Really, it means better than you? Are you an egomaniac, maybe a narcissist? How do you grow up with a last name like that and keep your head remotely close to normal size?
Yes, it really means better than you. You don’t get to choose your last name. I just happened to get a really good one. I always kept my head in check by eating a lot of apples. I hear it makes your ego smaller, but that could be a lie.

I guess you’re destined to be good at what you do with a last name like that.
I don’t know. I think I fall harder and more often than most, usually in front of large crowds. That also helps to keep me in check. My nickname used to be Rub On Von Chin because I ripped the skin off my face so many times bailing on corn snow.

Would it be accurate to assume that the literal version of your name must have created some torment as a child?
Let’s just get this out of the way so we can move on to less embarrassing things. Ready? Vangyna, vangynitis, vagina, vagine. Anymore? OK, good.

What’s your earliest childhood memory?
Riding down an ivy patch on a Barbie sled with my cousins.

Please explain.
For some reason my cousins and I got a huge kick out of sliding down pretty much anything. It all started with a blanket and some stairs. When that got old we moved to bigger and gnarlier backyard obstacles.

What about the ivy? Was it of the poison variety?
No, but it was damn good at hiding rocks.

You’re in Argentina at the moment. What’s going on down there?
Everything is going on down here: winter fun times, a wicked crew, good living and a super party. I’m working as a coach at South America Snow Sessions, which is pretty much the best camp on the radar. The winter is so good down here. Tanning is for hosers.

I’ve seen people protesting with bats, tire irons and flares in Argentina before. Did you see any armed civilians voicing their displeasure marching through the streets?
Oh, yeah, but it was at a regional soccer game in Mendoza. They had SWAT teams and barbed wire separating the opposing sides. We accidentally chose to sit with the visiting team, or maybe that’s just where they send the gringos, but it was scary. They were spitting on the players through the fence, and they started a bonfire in the stands with the home flag. Overall, though, the people are really nice as long as you try to speak their language.

Have you tried the beef down there?
Oh, live for it. It resembles some sort of wicked red dripping butter. This is how it might go at an asado dinner: chorizo, chorizo, bread, beef, chorizo, bread, lomo [cured pork tenderloin] and maybe ensalada if you’re lucky. This is no place for vegetarians. I’ve seen it done, but it definitely sucks.

What’s the best and worst thing about Argentina?
The best is the people and the wine. The worst is the wax-coated napkins that just wipe the mess around and make it bigger.

Since we’ve covered translation, childhood torment and wax napkins, we should move on to snowboarding. Let’s start with some hate. Worst fad in snowboarding?
I have two: kids who can jib the shit out of anything but can’t make it to the rail without falling on their face, and tall tees on a pow day.

Best thing about snowboarding?
I have three: soul turns, hiking for your lines, and friends.

How long have you been sledding for?
Almost five years now.

What’s it like being one of the few female sled heads?
I have a crew of girls to go sledding with, so it’s awesome to be able to step it up and get out to where I really want to be.

It can be tough for some shreds to get adequate coverage in the backcountry. Have you had any challenges hooking up with filmers or photographers?
Not lately, but back in the day I had to ask to tag along. I think I have it dialed now, though. I have awesome friends and a crew I love shredding with. It’s good to be on the same program as everyone else. We all just want to be as productive as possible.

By the sounds of things, you would much prefer the backcountry to any sort of urban setup.
Is that a real question? Of course I would. Jibbing is what I do when the powder has all been shredded or it’s too windy to jump. That being said, I’m always down to hit new stuff.

Ultimate shred goals?
To be able to still love snowboarding when I am 90. Yeah, soul turns.

Ultimate life goals?
I would love to be a really positive and patient person about everything. Being down-to-earth and happy is so important. I would also like to get extremely educated to the point where I know too much. Being smart is rad.

Obama or McCain?
Obama, because he says it like it is. Uuuhhh.

Yeah, Obama is a straight political gangsta. How about a final thought or two?
Follow your heart always and don’t let anyone else tell you what you should do. You can sleep when you’re dead. You only live once—enjoy it.