Jekot, Marta

Aka: Mawa, Smarta, Smarties

Age: 25

Hometown: Hmmm… This one’s a toughy. The majority of my stuff is in Johannesburg but I probably spend the least time there. I’m either overseas or in Durban.

School/varsity: Finished a stats and Actuarial Science BSc degree at Wits University in 2004

Snowboarding

History: I was born in Poland, put on skis at the age of 2 and a half years, moved to South Africa at age seven, started snowboarding in 1994 in Austria, started competing internationally in 1998 first representing the Polish Team and since 2001 South Africa.

Years snowboarding: About 15, though some seasons have only been a few days long and others didn’t even exist.

Where: Park City, Keystone, Whistler, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Poland, Italy, AfriSki and Tiffindell

My first time on a snowboard was... a very traumatic experience. At about 10 years old, my brother strapped me into his board and sent me down a hill. The problem was I was in ski boots. Now it’s hard enough just learning to snowboard but wearing ski boots while strapped into freestyle bindings is practically impossible. My first session lasted one run. I almost rode into another kid and had his miserable mommy or granny cursing at me. After that I swore I’d never get onto a board again.

What set-up do you ride: 18 and -18

Favourite trick: Cab 3

Favourite park feature: Jumps and boxes that are wide and long so you can just throw yourself spinning into them.

Default trick: Nose grab and indie frontside 180s.

Trademark trick: Method

Trick you aspire to pull off: Misty flip, it’s like an inverted backside 5

Sickest trick you ever pulled off by mistake, explain: Riding one day at Park City, I hit a box which I was gonna spin on. I went into a board slide but caught a little edge. Instead of bailing and knocking all my chicklets out, I somehow managed to go into a front board and 180 out. I was just happy to still have my colgate smile but apparently it looked pretty sick too J

Where is your favourite place to ride: Anywhere with a sweet snowpark

What is your highest competitive snowboarding achievement?

2007
1st Slope Style South African Snowboarding Championships
1st Big Air South African Snowboarding Championships
1st Slope Style Snow in the City, Johannesburg, South Africa
1st Big Air Snow in the City, Johannesburg, South Africa
2nd Slope Style Men’s category, Aces Up Tour stop, Afri-Ski, Lesotho

2006
1st Slope Style South African Snowboarding Championships
1st Big Air South African Snowboarding Championships
1st Slope Style Oakley Snow in the City, Johannesburg, South Africa
1st Big Air Oakley Snow in the City, Johannesburg, South Africa
To name a few.

Sponsors: BILLABONG, DC SHOES and DAKINE

What’s the best thing about snowboarding: Being outdoors

What is your ultimate goal in snowboarding? To ride like a boy!

Social

When I’m not snowboarding... I’m riding some sort of other board – wakeskating, surfing, flowboarding. In between that, I fit in some work and a bit of studying (I’m writing my actuarial board exams).

Music on my ipod right now: Lots of remixes

Last good movie I watched: 21

Movie I quote the most: Southpark, Anchorman

Favourite food: Fruit

Favourite city: Durban

Favourite fashion brand: My own brand

I don’t go anywhere without my: Yoga mat!

Favourite series: Southpark