🧡Tell us a little about yourself:

​Kia ora e te whānau. E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Taupō-nui-a-Tia e noho nei au. Nō Olivia ahau.

​Hey, my name is Olivia and I live on the beautiful south-western shores of Lake Taupō. 

​I'm a passionate outdoors woman and feel most alive and aligned when learning new things and exploring new places.

🧡Tell us about your boardsports journey:

I am so grateful that my highschool had a snowsports curriculum up Mt Ruapehu as part of their PE program, without it I wouldn't have discovered as quickly my love of mountains and snowboarding. I was obsessed with riding every weekend and after Year 13 took a gap year to work and save up for my first trip overseas to ride in Canada and the USA. I've since explored Japan and the ski fields in the South Island multiple times.

Last summer I got into wakeboarding after receiving a wakeboard for my birthday and was hooked! I mean, it would be crazy not to ride the massive lake that's on my doorstep! I'm really looking forward to getting out there after a short-but-sweet winter.

🧡Reasons you love boardsports:

The sense of calm mixed with pure bliss and love and all the warm fuzzies that flood your body after that one run down the mountain. And then you get to go back up and do it all over again! Being out in nature is joy in its purest form. The people you meet and get to know along the way make it that much more enjoyable too.

🧡Your favourite boardsports memory:

I've recently come back from the most epic couple of weeks in the South Island (got back the day Level 4 was announced nationwide) snowboarding and trying my hand at something new - splitboarding! In my mind, this combined my two favourite activities, hiking and snowboarding, I was more than intrigued! I spent 4 days in the backcountry skinning up faces, summiting mountains, and riding the most incredible powder slopes I've experienced in NZ. The pics on this post are a few from that adventure.

🧡What other ways do you cherish (Manaaki) yourself? (personal wellbeing)

My journey inward has developed a wonderful sense of self-love that I continue to cultivate through grounding meditations, education and reflection, and being out in nature. I also prioritise restful sleep and staying connected to my close friends and family.

🧡What advice would you give wāhine looking to pursue a boardsports lifestyle?

Everything is better together when you're first starting out, so finding a supportive and fun group like Wellness Riders to encourage and show you the ropes is really helpful to gain confidence and skills.
When you're comfortable, NZ is your oyster and is just begging to be explored!
​

🧡​Tell us a little about yourself:

I grew up in Calgary, Canada and started snowboarding at a young age. I remember catching city transit to our local ski hill after school and on the weekends, and rode with a small crew of local girls. After graduating high school I got a job at the ski hill for the winter. One season quickly turned into 3 and during the third winter is when I met my partner, Matiu, while riding up the chairlift together.

Fast forward 13 years and a few countries later - with a slight pause to study Ski Resort Operations and Management at Selkirk College - snowboarding has provided me with a lot of awesome opportunities. I have been able to meet a lot of amazing people (some of my closest friends I met while riding!), live and explore some of the coolest places, and importantly, gain a lot of life and work experience from frontline jobs in rental/retail shops, snow school instructing and management, catski lodge assistant, to currently working at TCB Ski Board & Bike Shop in Ohakune.

🧡 Tell us about your boardsports journey:

It took me a few years to learn to snowboard and really get into the sport. Now that I am older, I look back and see that I was introduced to snowboarding at the right time and it really helped me get through the middle school and high school years. Unfortunately, my parents went through a divcorce later in my teenage years and going snowboarding provided me with a regular and safe constant in my life, as well as a form of “escape” from reality sort of speak. I could go out riding and completely forget about all the troubles and stress I was carrying. It didn’t matter if I went riding for only a few hours or full day, I would always come home feeling happier. 

I have always enjoyed park laps, as growing up and riding at Canada Olympic Park that was one of the main things people would ski/ride there. I have had some amazing powder days riding around Alberta and British Columbia ski resorts - especially at Retallack Lodge and Whitewater Ski Resort, and the seasons I’ve done in Niseko, Japan. I now call Ohakune home and regularly go riding at Turoa on Mt. Ruapehu.

🧡 Reasons you love boardsports:
I love snowboarding because it provides me an outlet for creativity and self expression, and allows me to be in the elements of nature, surrounded by mountains and fresh air. Snowboarding, like mountain biking, is a way that I am able to take care of my mental and physical well-being. I also love how snowboarding, like all boardsports, brings together like minded individuals from different backgrounds to have fun and provide a sense of belonging and community.

🧡 Your favourite boardsports memory:
Wow this is a tough one to answer! I am fortunate enough to honestly say I have had so many amazing memories that it is truly challenging to single out one specific moment! Overall a regular memory that I always reflected back on is from spending winters working as a snowboard instructor. Watching students challenge themselves and fight fears of learning a new skill and being able to watch their progression throughout the process - that’s quite an amazing feeling to know you can be a part of someone’s journey (and memory!) of learning a new boardsport!

🧡​What other ways do you cherish (manaaki) yourself? (personal well being)

Alongside snowboarding, I love to go mountain biking and walking our dog Figaro, as well as spending time with our families and friends. As I’ve gotten older I have learned that my “me” time is also very important too, as well as keeping a healthy balance between work and life. Since living in Ohakune year-round, I have really gotten into gardening and crafts. A room in our house has been shifted into an art studio and recently we completed a greenhouse in our backyard. These hobbies help provide me time to chill out and slow down, and take the time to reflect on life and dream about future adventures.  I also love to garden because it provides us with a source of healthy food to eat while at the same time learning about nature and caring for our environment. 

🧡 What advice would you give to other wāhine wanting to pursue a boardsports lifestyle?

Honestly, if you dream of pursuing and living a boardsports lifestyle then chase your dreams! Sometimes I wonder who I would be today if I did NOT follow my passion for snowboarding. Snowboarding has helped fuel the adventurous side of me to explore and grow as an individual, and helped make me who I am today.

Don't be afraid to reach out for help and ask people for advice and guidance - a lot of us have shared very similar experiences while pursuing a boardsports lifestyle and we would be more than happy to talk. We may even have recommendations or people whom we can connect you with to help on your journey!

Are You Interested In Longboard Dancing?!

This trick is for the wāhine who is comfortable cruising on their longboard and looking to start learning some longboard dance moves to mix things up. It's an exciting time for you! Take it at your own pace so you feel safe at all times.

Here is what you need to know:

Peter Pans 🧚‍♂️

Instructions (Watch Video for Visual Assistance):

1. Transfer your weight completely to the front foot before releasing to the other. Make sure your toes line up with each other.

​2. Weight transfer from toe to heel. To balance on one foot I focus on putting the weight on the arch of my foot.​ 

3. Practise your steps on your skateboard, tap your foot on the ground if you lose balance. (Practise on grass or carpet for stability before you hit the concrete).

4. Once you have mastered this step, practise without tapping the ground.​

5. Try to do this while moving. I like to crave heel side first and feet my front foot to the outside of the board. 

6. Arms out for balance. 

There you go, it may take a while to master this longboard dance move so have patience and be your best cheer leader! Sending you lots of good vibes and focus.

Give it a go and tag us @wellness_riders or DM through insta or facebook for us to share!

You go girl! 

Want More Tips?! 

👉Click Here for Leg Balance Challenge Tips & Tricks with Coach Teesh

👉Click Here for Going Down Slopes Tips & Tricks with Coach Teesh

​👇Or More Support?! Check Out Our Ebook 👇

Womens Beginner Skateboarding Guide Using Skateboarding for Your Wellbeing
​

Looking To Level Up Your Health?!

Here is a a nourishing smoothie recipe to kickstart your day or take to fuel your boardsports session.

Ingredients:

✨Blend banana
✨Kiwi
✨Spinach
✨Ginger root
✨Pea protein
✨Spirulina
✨Chia
✨Hempseed hearts
✨Coconut cream
✨Water

Note:(you don’t need all these ingredients if not accessible).

​Opt for fresh and organic sources where manageable for optimal nutritional benefits including Vitamin C

Wishing you well! I hope this helps you feel great before your next skate, surf or snow board session!

Recipe by @sarinah_maya x

Give it a go and tag us @wellness_riders or DM through insta or facebook for us to share!

👉Check Out Spicy Pumpkin Soup Recipe

👉Check Out Masala Chai Recipe 

Simple Daily Self Care Rituals

A ritual can help you to feel uplifted, calm and grounded especially if life feels stressful and uncertain.

Here are some ideas

✨ Consuming nutritious food (Green Smoothie Recipe)
✨ Engaging in fun hobbies (Boardsports - SURF SKATE SNOW)
✨ Making time to relax (Belly breathing exercise)

All this can really help to boost nutrients and nurture your nervous system, adrenals, hormones and mind-gut connection.

I love taking time out with a tasty herbal tea & Shakti mat session. You may find them helpful for alleviating stress, anxiety and muscle tension, improving circulation and soothing headaches.

What’s your favourite home wellness chill ritual?

Chill Ritual Activity

Take some time to answer these questions?

✨What food makes me feel good when I eat it?

✨What activities do I love doing?

✨What am I doing when I am my most relaxed?

Reflect on your answers and see where you can incorporate these in your week? Let us know how you get on with consciously prioritising these things.

Tag us @wellness_riders or DM through insta or facebook for us to share!

Wishing you well!

Sarinah @sarinah_maya

Feeding Our Bodies With Nutritious Kai (Food)

As the wise Greek physician Hippocrates famously said

“Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food”

& that’s why we love spicy pumpkin soup.

This soup will have you thriving on your boardsports journey. Stay happy and healthy skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding and eating spicy pumpkin soup 💛🧡!

Ingredients

1 pumpkin (medium size) cubed
1 kumara cubed 
1 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic crushed
1 tbsp fresh ginger root diced

1 tsp oregano (fresh or dried)
1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
1 tsp curry powder
1 tbsp Rapunzel Organic Vegetable Bouillon powder

400 ml coconut milk
1 L purified Water 
1 tbsp coconut oil 

Garnish

Fresh parsley 
Cayenne pepper
Toasted pumpkin seeds 
Coconut milk 

Method

Heat the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, curry, oregano and thyme. Sautee until the onion becomes translucent.

Add the pumpkin and kumara to 1L of water with the sautéed ingredients and vegetable bouillon powder. Boil until vegetables are soft and allow to cool for 10 minutes. 

Pour the soup into a blender with the coconut milk and blend until smooth. 

Add to saucepan to reheat. 

Serve with a swirl of coconut milk and sprinkle fresh parsley, toasted pumpkin seeds and a pinch of cayenne pepper to garnish.

Recipe by @sarinah_maya x

Give it a go and tag us @wellness_riders or DM through insta or facebook for us to share!

Wishing you well! XX

👉Check Out Green Smoothie Recipe

👉Check Out Masala Chai Recipe 

☀️ Creating a space for wāhine to SHINE through boardsports has been a dream, here is a bit about how it all came to be... ☀️​

In 2016 ManaakiFit Ltd was started from our co-founder Gina's desire to have a lifestyle designed around board sports and having more wāhine to do them with. She was previously a snowboard instructor and had just become a personal trainer so was looking for a way to combine all the things she loved into something she could do everyday. The business set out to teach more wāhine to skateboard, surfboard and snowboard to improve their fitness. 

In 2018 Wellness Riders was started from our co-founder Sarinah's desire to connect her wellbeing knowledge as a naturopath with physical activity as she felt a lot of the common health problems she was seeing in her practise would be helped through increasing peoples sense of connection and physical activity. Wellness Riders was started as a social wellbeing group that provided a space for social connection & being active. 

Gina and Sarinah met at Snow Planet at the start of the ManaakiFit journey in 2016 and their friendship led to them working together to run a womens skateboard therapy programme that involved skateboarding lessons taught by Gina and womens wellbeing sessions led by Sarinah. They loved working together and this was the programme that showed them the magic of combining their joint experiences.  

As their friendship continued and their shared passion for boardsports and using them as a tool to enhance wellbeing grew, they decided to create a combined vision, one that incorporated ManaakiFit and Wellness Riders together.

It was a perfect fit for them.  Gina with her coaching/sports background and Sarinah with her wellbeing knowledge to create a holistic approach that felt right to them. Their friendship and caring one another is the foundation of all the mahi they do to together. 

The co-founders decided to trade under the named of Wellness Riders and keep ManaakiFit as the Maori name for the business as well as the legal name of the business. ManaakiFit remains an very important name as it represents the Maori roots of the business as well as our mission to bring Te Ao Maori practices into our mahi (work). 

Wellness Riders represents the ethos around our mahi as we ride boards for our wellbeing to feel connected to ourselves, others and the environment.

Manaaki means cherish in Maori, ManaakiFit represents looking after ourselves, others and the environment through broadsports. 

Since 2018 Wellness Riders has been privileged to welcome in the talents and good vibes of other awesome wāhine. 
"Manaakitanga" is our guiding principle - to cherish & look after.

As a crew we look to cherish ourselves through living a life that is true to us, we look to cherish each other through prioritising friendship and supporting one another and cherishing the environment through maintaining our connection through board sports. ​

Feel safe going down slopes with these tips. As you continue to skateboard you will be faced with varying slopes. Practise your skills on small slopes first and progress as you feel comfortable. Have FUN!

✨ View the video for a visual example :)!

1) Bend your knees, weight and chest over your front foot.

2) Work your way up the slope so you get used to speed and acceleration 

3) Get comfy! You should be able to stop at any speed your going at

4)Crouching lowers your centre of gravity 

5)A long run off gives you time and space to shave off speed

Give it a go and tag us @wellness_riders or DM through insta or facebook for us to share!

​👇Wanting more support?! Check Out Our Ebook 👇

Womens Beginner Skateboarding Guide Using Skateboarding for Your Wellbeing

1. A slight downhill gradient helps
2. Use your hands for balance & support
3. Watch hand placement so they don't get squased!
4. Try using different feet. You might find the front foot is easier that the back foot.

Give it a go and tag us @wellness_riders or DM through insta or facebook for us to share!

You go girl! 

​👇Wanting more support?! Check Out Our Ebook 👇

Womens Beginner Skateboarding Guide Using Skateboarding for Your Wellbeing