Canadian freeskiing and half-pike star stays relaxed
As the half-pipe demands him to be, Canadian skier Noah Bowman is a complete show-off when competing, but off the slopes the 25-year-old is as humble as they come.
Bowman is reaching the form of his life in his freeskiing and half-pipe disciplines, this year winning bronze at the X Games held in Aspen. But he has kept a level head and says blocking out results and accolades is his way of staying focused.
It has only been in the last two years that Bowman has hit his best, as earlier in his career he struggled with the mental side of the sport and keeping happy.
He had found that with success came expectations from himself and external sponsors, which didn’t go down well for a young skier trying to make his way to the top.
‘‘I had a bit of a rollercoaster ride as far as the mental side of things go in my early years. When I first stepped into the scene and got to that podium level, it happened so spur of the moment and came as a surprise.
‘‘It was so natural. As I started to feel some different pressures I went through some head beams and so it wasn’t until probably two seasons ago where I started to sort that stuff out and get back into the rhythm of things.
‘‘Last year I felt at the top of my game and really got in to the rhythm of skiing at a consistently at a high level.’’
You wouldn’t have noticed by his results. In 2012, he grabbed a silver in the super pipe at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado.
But he says he has now figured out how to deal with any anxiety towards winning, which has made it easier to perform.
‘‘Just ski as well as you can and do the things that will help you do that.’’
These days, Bowman is a key member of the Canadian half-pipe team, and competed at the last Winter Olympic Games held in Sochi, Russia.
‘‘The Olympics were never a huge goal of mine. But now it’s become one of my top priorities.’’
More success followed at the Winter X Games this year when he put in two flawless runs and left Aspen with a bronze medal and a new-found competition confidence.
He hopes to qualify for next year’s Winter Olympics, but again says concentrating on what is directly in front of him helps his state of mind when competing.
‘‘I’m not in the stressed out zone, I want the podiums for myself and if I get there [the Olympics] I get there. I think I work best that way.’’
Bowman has been coming to New Zealand in his off-season for the last seven years to train ahead of world champs and Winter X Games competitions. He says it’s been a ‘‘home away from home’’ for him.
‘‘It’s just such a beautiful place. It’s cool to be so far away from home in such an amazing, beautiful spot, but also fel so at home. There’s not a crazy culture shock. People say Canadians are the nicest people right, but I kind of think Kiwis are - the people are so welcoming.’’
He uses the Cardrona ski field as a base, saying it is a world class facility and has one of the best halfpipe facilities he has competed on.
‘‘They do a great job, especially with the park and the pipe, world quality you know. That’s why we keep coming back because it’s so amazing.’’
Bowman decided to compete at this year’s Winter Games NZ because it is close to the Winter Olympics and he knew there would be many of the world’s best snow sports athletes in town also.
While the competition was delayed yesterday morning up Cardrona due to heavy fog, Bowman wasn’t fazed and said it was an excuse to relax. His other passion is writing and playing music.
‘‘I get the same sort of joy I get from skiing but totally pressure free. It’s a lot easier on the body.’’
Bowman isn’t sure how many years he has left competing, but said even when his body gives out he would like to continue the discipline and possibly get into film.
‘‘I think there is more longevity in the non-competitive side of things and you can keep the momentum going.’