Big ups for Queenstown Freestyle

Big ups for Queenstown Freestyle

Queenstown snow sport areas The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are serious about ensuring fantastic winter experiences for freestyle enthusiasts and have set up a specialist youth action snow sports department to develop the sector.

Ski areas sales and marketing manager David Ovendale said that terrain park developments at The Remarkables over the past 5 years had led to a parklife culture that was great for young people (and the young at heart) and needed supporting.

“The position of Youth Action Sports Coordinator has grown from the success of terrain park programmes at The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. Developments this year at The Remarkables include a doubling in size of the beginner park, development of intermediate park areas and improvements to the already world class 150m, FIS standard halfpipe. The snow sports freestyle market has developed extensively. Having a dedicated person will increase the interest, growth and fun factor in this area”.

The man for the job is professional snowboarder and talented marketer Deni Bevin. Born and raised in the Southern Lakes region, Deni has been a professional athlete and coach for the past 10 years. During that time he has represented New Zealand as a national snowboarding champion, competed in world cup events, been ranked among the top 40 male halfpipe athletes in the world and has held snowboard coaching and advisory positions in New Zealand and Canada.

Now 28 years old, Deni is excited to be taking his experience and expertise back to the mountains.

“I plan to contribute energy and efforts to Queenstown’s two major snow sport areas. Primary areas of focus for me will be staging solid events, managing and coordinating the Parklife Team of Athletes and developing the youth and freestyle culture, at both The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.”

Sub-contracted from ‘Gifted’ a progressive Queenstown design, production and apparel company, Deni plans to incorporate the Gifted family expertise into his new position.

“Gifted is a creative entity with several years experience in apparel, video production and major event co-ordination. Through Gifted we will be able to source web and graphic design, clothing merchandising for Parklife, video production for events coverage and event management expertise.

“We are working at the cutting edge of the freestyle market and together I believe we can lift an already strong youth focus at The Remarkables to the very top level while providing excellent events and freestyle fun at Coronet Peak.”

Mr Ovendale said several events catering to the youth sector are already in the planning stages and he’s delighted to have Deni on board.

“We targeted the best person we knew of for the job, someone with expertise and credibility. Already he has begun to instigate a programme that will see great events and more fun in the terrain parks and half pipes at The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.”

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