What is your full name?Becky Menday
How old are you? 13 years old
Who are your current sponsors? Protest Boardwear, Head, SNO!zone, Clast, Dragon Alliance, DVS, Celtek, Skullcandy, Nooka, Boardersboards and Drift Innovation.
How long have you been riding for? I have been riding since I was 8 years old so about 5 years, but I only started to compete internationally 3 years ago.
How did you get into snowboarding? I watched a TV show with Laura Berry in and she fell over and I had to wait to the next week to find out if she was hurt and I kept asking my Dad if she would be all right all week. She was fine, and this inspired me to go and start having Snowboard lessons. I was also watching my Dad learn to snowboard and I really wanted to join him as he was really enjoying himself. So he booked me in for a trail lesson at SNO!zone in Milton Keynes, and I have not stopped since then.
When did you first realise a career in snowboarding was for you? I have never really thought about it as a career, just enjoyed the experiences so far and having fun. But I really hope that I become good enough to make it a career.
When and where did you win your first comp and what was your winning run? The first real comp I remember winning was actually an FBBB event in Landgraaf in Holland. But I guess it would really be on the dry slope at Norwich during the Slopestyle event in the British Snowtour 2010 where I beat the amazing Katie Ormerod and took first place. I can not remember my winning run but it was a great feeling.
What is your most impressive trick so far? That is a very hard question, but I would have to say on a side hit rail a front 270 on to back 270 off although it is not always on lockdown. Off a large kicker it would be a front 540 indie grab, but I love my indie grab back 3′s as I only nailed them this season.
What was your favourite competition from the previous season? I would have to say when I took 3rd place in the Junior Burton European Open 2011 in Switzerland, as it is such a massive competition with so many good riders from all over the World. But there have been some really cool indoor ones in the UK as well, love all the FBBB events as they are so creative and really enjoyed the Burton High 5 series, gutted that there will be no more.
How does it feel to be up against some of the worlds best snowboarders? It is pretty scary at times, but everybody I have met so far has been really nice and it is great to shred with them after the comps. Also riding with good riders always makes you want to rider better and harder.
Will you representing Britain in the Olympics? I have no idea if I will be representing Britain, I really hope I can compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics as I will not be old enough for the 2014 one. But currently being an ‘Elite Junior’ on the British Freestyle Snowboard Team means I receive good opportunities to train with the top GB coaches and if I can become good enough over the next 6 years, who knows!!
Where was your last team trip and what was your favourite episode from it? My last team trip was with the GB Junior Snowboard team at Laax for the ‘Pre Brits training camp’. It was really cool, because we had loads of fun in the Freestyle Academy there, and I also finally nailed my front 5 off the medium kickers. I have also just come back from Austria where I was staying with the Protest team and although I ended up injured, I had a great laugh and had my first sip of beer!! shh don’t tell my Mum or Dad…….
What are your plans for the coming season? Well I guess I would like to enter the usual round of comps, like the BEO and World Rookie Fest and The Brits. as well as hitting up any of the UK indoor and dry slope events. I really want to do as much mountain riding and park shredding as possible, and work further on my big kicker spins. But I start my GCSE’s this year so time off school will be a lot harder next season. You will still find me shredding all summer and into the winter at Milton Keynes on a Thursday or Friday evening and I want to push my rail riding further and further.
Where is your favourite place to ride so far and why? well I love shredding at MK as I ride there every week and have a good group of friends. But my favourite mountain resort splits between Laax in Switzerland and Avoriaz in France. I love Laax because it is where the British Championships and the BEO are held and the new park location is awesome. Also the run down to the chairlift is wicked with features all over the run for you to hit. But I also love Avoriaz because it is such a cool place to ride. You have the wooden features of ‘The Stash’ through the trees and two really cool parks to hit. It also has amazing off piste terrain, and so many people I know there from the UK.
Who are your favourite homies to ride with? I love riding with Katie Omerod as she inspires me to do new tricks, but I also love riding with Ayla Thidling and Nathalie Silkstone when I am away. Otherwise back in the UK it tends to be Thom Boddington and MK crew.
If you never took up snowboarding what do you think you’d be doing right now? I used to be really into swimming and take it very seriously; so I guess I would be competing in that.
When you are not snowboarding where is your favourite place to be? ummm…Probably with my family or friends just chilling. Or in my bed, sleeping! Hehe!
Who are your heros? Has to be ‘Jenny Jones’ I have met her a few times and got a picture with her! I was soo stoked! She is amazing at snowboarding and I hope one day I can be like her!
What is your best random fact?
Ha ha! hard one! umm…ok..When you eat 8 or more bananas in a row you die!!!!! 
