Loopd Network

• Snowboarding

GRETCHEN BLEILER on sponsorship: "hey Carrie! I'm actually in Beijing for the summer Olympics right now; it's super exciting. I'm doing something I've never done before; hosting for Yahoo! Sports summer games round up everyday so you should check it out http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/roundup on another note, that's awesome that you love snowboarding! My tips to anyone getting started off is to one, love it (sounds like you do) and then make goals and go out and ride your little heart out to make them happen. As far as getting sponsored it's all about finding a way to getting noticed out there and also separating yourself apart from everyone else. But that's where the goals come in because if you have them that already separates you from most of the others and the goal shouldn't be I want to be sponsored but I want to win the next usasa contest or I'm going to make a 2 minute video of myself with all of my best action shots of the year, etc. GOOD LUCK GIRL!  Just continue to improve and work your way up. The more you win contests or get photos in the mags or video parts the more your sponsors should and will support you. I would say stick with the sponsors you've got to create lasting relationships. But at the same time if someone else is offering you a better deal then you have to take it into consideration. Then maybe even approach your currunt sponsors and let them know that you have a great offer from someone else but that you would rather stay with them because they've been the one believing in you from the begining. If they can't step up to the other offer then you'll have to decide what's more important to you."

HANNAH TETER on contests: "what uP!! i like jams way betta then any other format because you can just relax cause u know all u have to do is stomp some cool stuff, but you have a lot of runs to do it in. the atmosphere at contests is actually pretty mellow, everyone is just hanging out at the start gate, trying to feel the good vibes, and positive energy. at least thats what im doing... i think they are too! i tried doing some Tai CHi before my runs in Australia, just a few moves... and it made trickes seem so easy..! so thats my advice for contests, feel the good vibes, do some tai chi, eat organic, and relax. lemme know if that helps;_0"

ANDY FINCH on the snowboard industy and women snowboarders: "welcome to the industry first of all. so here is your crash course on the industry. Late 20's is little late for the industry, but if you got what it takes then you got what it takes! If you are on top then sponsors aren't going to care how old you are. The biggest hurdle I see with girls is the injury factor. One bad injury and they never get the confidence back. Injuries will happen if you are at the top level and you gotta know that you have the mental strength to come back. I know I can do it and I have done it many times. Hit me back with more questions if you like."

FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK ALL OF MY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FANS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ME THIS PAST SEASON AND IN THE SEASONS TO COME.  YOU ALL ROCK AND I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK AND GOOD HEALTH DURING YOUR SEASONS.

SECONDLY, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE MENTION THE FACT THAT I HAVE THE GREATEST SPONSORS IN THE WORLD AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT WHILE GIVING A LITTLE SHOUT OUT TO THEM.

SLAP ENERGY DRINKS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST ENERGY DRINKS BAR NONE. THEY HAVE A GREAT AND REFRESHING TASTE WITH NO GROSS OR OVERPOWERING AFTER TASTE. THEY GIVE YOU THE ENERGY AND FOCUS YOU NEED WITHOUT THE CRASH AND ARE BETTER FOR YOU THAN ANY OF THE OTHER BRANDS OUT THERE. THEY HAVE JUST RELEASED SLAP COFFEE DRINKS AND SLAP ENERGY SHOTS. CHECK THOSE OUT! THEY ARE THE BEST SPONSORS AN ATHLETE COULD EVER WANT!  I CAN NOT SING THEIR PRAISES ENOUGH. SLAP YOUR BUDS!  www.slapdrinks.com

FREESTYLE WATCHES ARE THE VERY BEST WATCHES. I HAVE THE WOMEN'S KAMPUS MID IN GREEN AND I LOVE IT!  WATERPROOF AND IMPACT RESISTANT, IT REALLY DOES TAKE A BEATING AND COMES BACK TICKING. HUGE VARIETY OF STYLES AND FUNCTIONS. THEY HAVE A WATCH FOR EVERYONE. KILLS THE COMPETITION OFF IN STYLE. FREESTYLE! ROCK OUT WITH YOUR CLOCKS OUT!!!  www.freestyleusa.com

SPY OPTIC IS AWESOME!!! THE GOGGLES AND SUNGLASSES ARE SIMPLY AMAZING WITH TOTALLY SICK DESIGNS AND THE QUALITY IS THE BEST YOU'LL EVER FIND. YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH SPY. YOU CAN EVEN GET PRESCRIPTION GLASSES!!! HOW COOL IS THAT?! CHECK THEM OUT.. NOW!!! www.spyoptic.com

SIX FEET DEEP CLOTHING HAS SOME OF THE FRESHEST AND TOP QUALITY MADE SHIRTS AND MORE. THE DESIGNS TOTALLY ROCK AND WITHSTAND THE TEST OF TIME, WASHING AFTER WASHING AND  WITHOUT FADING OR THE GRAPHICS PEELING OFF. THEY HAVE NEW STUFF COMING OUT VERY SOON. SO CHECK THEM OUT! ALSO, A GOOD SPONSOR! CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE AND LOOP'D PAGE.  www.sfdclothing.com

GOPRO CAMERAS GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO BECOME A PRO!  HIGH QUALITY IMPACT-RESISTANT CAMERAS THAT TAKE AMAZING SHOTS. BETTER THAN GROWING A SECOND PAIR OF HANDS.  CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE OR VISIT THEIR LOOP'D PAGE FOR ALL THE UPDATES!  www.goprocamera.com

FUEL CLOTHING SNOWBOARDING OUTERWEAR IS AWESOME!  THEIR GEAR IS WELL MADE AND DURABLE IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER AND THE DESIGNS ARE COOL.  CHECK OUT THE NEW GEAR OUT NOW!  FUEL YOUR FIRE AND GO SHRED!  www.fuelclothing.com

TRUE SNOWBOARDS, OUTDOOR TECHNOLOGY AND SHRED BETTIES MAGAZINE ARE GREAT COMPANIES! GO CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITES AT www.truesnowboards.com, www.outdoortechnology.com and www.shredbetties.com