What do you think of the current level of snowboarding, has it really developed that much over the years?
Jody: For sure snowboarding has evolved a lot over the years! Perhaps not as rapidly as in skateboarding where it’s like you see new tricks appear by the second, but jumps and gaps in snowboarding are bigger than ever before. Check Travice Rice and Romain de Marchi for example doing that enormous gap in Pop (Absinthe). That shit is crazy!
Like Travis and Romain, for most snowboarders it’s all about pushing things to the limit. Can you explain what your ultimate challenge is?
Jody: My ultimate challenge is going to the Olympics; I’m trying to qualify for Turin 2006 this season. It’s difficult though, because of all the cancelled competitions, but fortunately I still have a few left. Another challenge is getting a nice part in a good snowboard video.
In order to try and fulfil these goals you have signed with several sponsors, each of them clearly providing an essential part of your snowboarding gear, except for one: ID&T. Can you explain why you signed with them?
Jody: Duncan Stutterheim decided to offer me a sponsorship deal because he admired my passion for snowboarding and because he saw some clear similarities between what I do and all that ID&T stands for: talent, fun, innovation, exploring the edge. In Duncan’s view snowboarding is like going out, having a good time, unwinding and I totally agree. Not to mention the fact that I’m very much into house and techno, so it was a done deal to me. Recently I renewed my contract: ID&T is my main sponsor now!
My ultimate challenge is going to the Olympics I’m trying to qualify for Turin 2006 this season
Name
Jody Koenders
Date of birth
May 25th, 1979
Place of birth
Leidschendam, The Netherlands
Years of Snowboarding
10 years
Home spot
Scheveningen, The Netherlands
Education
Mavo and Hotel and Management school
Hobbiess
Dj-ing, skateboarding, chilling with my homies
Jody, you didn’t start snowboarding until you were sixteen, pretty late compared to the young kids we see starting out nowadays. Do you feel you are a bit too old to be a professional snowboarder?
Jody: Many people have asked me this, but I don’t think age has anything to do with it. I don’t feel too old at all! In fact I believe you might well be sixty and still be a professional rider, just as long as you can keep up with the high level of snowboarding and make sure your body can still deal with the rough sport.
Speaking of rough sport: you have entered in quite a few boardercross competitions, aren’t you more of a freestyle rider?
Jody: Yes, basically I am a freestyle rider, but I like to compete in boardercross contests as well, because when I race with these other guys, I get a certain rush that I miss during a halfpipe or big jump competition. When I was a kid I used to play a lot of ice hockey and soccer, both teamsports and very energising. For me boardercross is sort of the same thing. And also: competing in a boardercross battle means you really have to be a skilled rider, so it’s not just for anyone.