BabeShredder Spotlight: Hannah Hornbein

Hannah Horbein is 25 years young, and spends her time shredding both mountains and waves. She grew up in Montara, California where she picked up surfing at the age of six, later picking up skiing and snowboarding when she moved to Littleton, Colorado. After a serious knee injury she used her recovery time to get a perspective on the sport that few riders ever get, working on the other side of snowboarding as a design and sales intern. “It’s still a boys club on both sides,” she says, “but in my years it’s been great to see more and more girls progressing both as athletes and on the other side in design and sales. It’s like the women behind the scenes are pushing the women on the front lines (the athletes) and visa versa. It’s rad.” The revolution in women’s riding can only continue to grow as more are finally finding representation and making their voice known. The support behind the scenes will pave the way for women to keep pushing the sport.

Being a true BabeShredder since the age of six has given Hannah a great perspective on life. “You’ve got to get stoked on the little accomplishments,” she says, “A couple weekends ago I helped out with a surf camp for orphaned youth, I hadn't surfed in six years due to multiple knee surgeries. I couldn’t even stand up, but I got to a knee and that's how I caught waves. I was so hyped on just that and walked away feeling like I had the best day ever!”

Hannah is now preparing with More Hands on Deck to set sail for the Sea of Cortez this weekend, and surfing all summer long! “I cannot wait to harness the wind and enjoy that freedom to explore it all,” she says. Among all the surfboards on the boat you’ll certainly be able to find a bit of hot sauce as well, the one thing Hannah can’t live without. At the end of the day it’s about having fun, so don’t get too serious about it, just get out on your local mountain or wave and shred!
By Bayley Ehlinger

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