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TOMBOY TAPES returns with an ode to the Southern Hemi heroes.
Feels like a good time to talk about our friends down south. Winter is still doing its thing down there, WAYWARD is headed south for a premiere soon, and while we’ve been busy soaking up the last bits of summer up north, the Southern Hemi has been getting after it.
And they’ve been getting after it for a long time. From Olympic icons to backcountry legends and some of the most influential riders in between, women from below the equator have had a pretty damn big hand in shaping snowboarding.
So this Tomboy Tapes is for them. A little Southern Hemi roll call and a reminder that some of snowboarding’s best have been coming from the other side of the globe for a long, long time.
WAYWARD Southern Hemi premiere — DATE TBD.
FROM FREST & TASTY, 1996
In the first-ever issue of women’s-only snowboard magazine Fresh & Tasty, Stan Hill asked a question that feels pretty familiar nearly 30 years later:
“It looks like New Zealand is fast becoming the most popular off-season snowboarding destination in the Southern Hemisphere.”
The article was called “What’s New? New Zealand.” Turns out, New Zealand—and the rest of the Southern Hemi—weren’t exactly a passing trend.
READ THE ENTIRE 1995/1996 ISSUE FROM FRESH & TASTY HERE!
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE WOMEN'S INDEX - NEW ZEALAND
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott AKA THE GOAT
Career: 5× Olympic medalist — Gold (SS, 2022), Silver (BA, 2022), Bronze (BA, 2018), Silver (BA, 2026), Silver (SS, 2026). 3× World Champion (2019, 2021, 2025). 13 X Games medals (6 gold). First woman to land a triple cork in competition (2025).
Influence: Zoi has won everything from Natural Selection to the Olympics and X Games (multiple times). She continues to push the limits of progression and style. Circe Wallace says: “Stylistically, I think hands down, the best snowboarder in the world, regardless of gender.”
Rebecca “Possum” Torr
Career: Olympian (Sochi 2014 – 18th). Winter Games NZ bronze (2011). Dew Tour Ball Park Rookie of the Year (2010–11).
Influence: A standout of the 2010s, Possum raised the bar at events like Ms. Superpark with her smooth style, humor, and authenticity.
Fun fact: Went viral for using Tinder in Sochi. Here's the news article lol.
Stefi Luxton
Career: Olympian (Sochi 2014). Canadian Open podium (2012). Multiple World Cup top 10s. NST Duel competitor. Filmed multiple video parts.
Influence: Known as “your favorite snowboarder’s favorite snowboarder,” Stefi has taken her slopestyle roots into the streets and backcountry with effortless style. Over a decade deep and still pushing.
Christy Prior
Career: X Games bronze (2015). Burton European Open gold (2015). Stoneham World Cup winner (2014). Ranked 3rd overall in FIS Slopestyle (2014). Ms. Superpark MVP (2013).
Influence: Globally respected for style and technical tricks, Christy was one of NZ’s first slopestyle stars, inspiring the next wave of Kiwi riders.
Pam Bell
Career: New Zealand’s first Olympic snowboarder (1998, Nagano GS).
Influence: A true pioneer, Pam later founded the NZ Snowboard Academy, mentoring the next generation.
Learn more about Pam from the article here!
Juliane Bray
Career: First Kiwi to win a Snowboard World Cup (2001, Japan). Olympian (2006 & 2010 – NZ flagbearer at Opening Ceremony). 2× Burton Open gold (2005, 2009). 5× NZ Open Champion.
Influence: A trailblazer in halfpipe and snowboard cross, Julianne helped popularize snowboarding in New Zealand and inspired countless women.
Rachel Newton
Career: One of the first NZ women to compete on the FIS circuit. Later became a coach.
Influence: A foundational figure in Kiwi snowboarding, Rachel influenced the sport from the start—both as a competitor and later as a mentor and guide (MINT Tours).
Kendall Brown
Career: Olympian (Torino 2006, Vancouver 2010). Canadian Open Champion (2010).
Influence: New Zealand’s youngest Olympian at 16, Kendall represented for nearly a decade despite chronic injuries.
Shelly Gotlieb
Career: World Champs bronze (2011). Olympian (Sochi 2014). First Kiwi invited to Winter X Games (2010).
Influence: Helped legitimize Slopestyle before its Olympic debut, consistent and stylish throughout the 2010s.
Abby Lockhart
Career: 3× World Heli Challenge Champion (2011–2013). NZ Cup Big Air silver. Longtime Wānaka freerider.
Influence: Backcountry legend who shaped NZ freeride before it went mainstream, also a strong park rider.
Rebecca “Bex” Sinclair
Career: Olympian (Vancouver 2010 – youngest NZ athlete, Sochi 2014). Multiple World Cup podiums. Top 6 finishes at Worlds/X Games Europe.
Influence: Consistent halfpipe rider who proudly represented NZ at the highest level.
Cool Wakushima
Career: Olympian (Beijing 2022). Top-10s at Laax Open & Worlds.
Influence: Rising star with big spins and bigger energy. At 23, Cool is quickly cementing herself as the face of NZ’s next generation.
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE WOMEN'S INDEX - AUSTRALIA
Torah Bright
Career: Olympic Gold (HP, 2010), Silver (HP, 2014). Multiple X Games titles, US Open wins. Inducted into Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2025).
Influence: Australia’s most decorated snowboarder, Torah is a cultural icon whose versatility (HP, SS, SBX) and mainstream visibility helped put women’s snowboarding on the map globally. After competition, she continued to push women’s progression in the backcountry.
Tess Coady
Slopestyle • Big Air
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Career: Olympic Bronze (SS, 2022). X Games Silver (SS, 2023). Multiple World Cup podiums.
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Influence: At 17, Tess was Australia’s youngest Olympian at Pyeongchang and is now a global podium threat in Slopestyle and Big Air. Known for going big with smooth style, she’s already crossing into filming and inspiring the next generation.
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Links: YouTube
Emily Arthur
Halfpipe
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Career: Olympian (2016, 2018). Jr Worlds Bronze (2014). Australian Olympic flag bearer (2016).
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Influence: A staple in Aussie halfpipe, Emily began competing internationally at 13 and became one of the most recognizable young faces of snowboarding Down Under.
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Links: YouTube
Jess Rich
Slopestyle • Big Air
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Career: Olympian (PyeongChang 2018). Multiple top-10 World Cup finishes since 2015.
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Influence: First Aussie woman to compete in Olympic Big Air. Known for her resilience and technical riding, Jess is also a vocal advocate for equality in snowboarding.
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Links: YouTube
Lauren Staveley
Slopestyle • Halfpipe
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Career: 2× World Championships competitor. Australian Slopestyle Athlete of the Year (2012).
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Influence: Represented Australia on the World Cup circuit from 2008–2015. Her versatility across slope and pipe now fuels her coaching, where she’s leading the next generation of Aussie snowboarders.
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Links: YouTube
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE WOMEN'S INDEX - SOUTH AMERICA
Antonia Yáñez (Chile)
Slopestyle • Big Air • SBX
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Career: Jr Worlds 4th. Youth Olympics 7th. Multiple World Cup top-10s. World Rookie Finals 2017 – Best Rookie Girl.
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Influence: One of Chile’s most recognized snowboarders, Antonia helped put South American freestyle on the global stage across Slopestyle, Big Air, and Snowboardcross.
Maca Valle (Chile)
Freeride
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Career: Competed at US Open, FIS (2011–2018). Recently placed 2nd on the Freeride World Tour.
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Influence: Grew up riding the Andes before moving to Europe, where she remains a key figure in freeride. Maca is central to South America’s freeride culture and continues to push her riding internationally.
Isidora Aguirre (Chile)
Freeride • Slopestyle • Big Air
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Career: Current IFSA/FWT #1 ranked freerider. South American Champs 2nd (SS 2021). South American Cup 2nd (Slope & Big Air, 2021).
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Influence: Transitioned from freestyle contests into freeride, where she’s now a consistent global competitor. One of the few Chilean women competing internationally at this level, inspiring future generations.
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Links: Instagram
Julieta Pérez (Argentina)
Freeride
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Career: #2 IFSA-ranked freerider.
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Influence: A leader in Argentina’s freeride scene, Julieta represents her country on the world stage and supports progression by coaching young South American riders.
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Links: Instagram