That might be true but snowboarding is Torah Bright’s metier, and it was on one plank that she forged her reputation as one of Roxy’s leading ladies. It is a relationship that has been blossoming for almost two decades and while it might have led to Olympic gold (and silver) and multiple competition titles, it also gave birth to the Roxy Torah Bright Snowboard.

“I was twelve when I was first introduced to the Roxy family,” Torah recalls of that moment back in 1999. “I was over the moon to receive my first sponsor pack from them – I can still remember what it had inside! As my skills progressed and I was showing promise, Roxy helped me get overseas to see how my skills matched up against the rest of the world. Call it good timing, luck, fate or little bit of everything, for me it was a perfect fit to be supported by the only all-female board sports brand as a young girl out to just do her thing. I was so proud and still am to have the Roxy heart on my snowboard. I had no real expectations of myself, but others had belief in me and what I could do and be, so I just kept going and loving and enjoying this amazing journey I was on. My first time on a plane was my first trip overseas. As my snowboarding skills grew so did my relationship with Roxy.”

Not just with Roxy, but with the broader entity of snowboarding itself. Because as she has developed into a world-renowned rider, Torah’s name has become synonymous with the sport, and for the most wholesome reasons. It isn’t just about the Torah Bright snowboard. You see, Torah Bright the noun finds itself appended to more than just snowboards and clothing; her name is also a component in one of the most popular formative events in Australian winter sport: the Torah Bright Mini Shred.

The Torah Bright Mini Shred takes place in Thredbo, Australia every winter and aims to lay foundations for the next generation of snowboard (and believe it or not, ski) enthusiasts. Running every July, Torah and her contemporaries take charge of a host of under 17s and offer a professional’s introduction to riding piste and park. These up and coming young athletes get a coaching session, barbecue lunch, and the chance to grab some autographs at the end.

Best of all, it’s free.

Honestly, I feel like I want to be Torah’s new best mate. I know, I know, join the queue right?

In any case Roxy can’t be far from the front of that queue, because relationships don’t come much closer than the one Torah shares with the all-female brand. Yes they are her sponsor and yes she gets paid to wear and ride their stuff, but it is a relationship that was, and remains, mutual. At least I assume that is why Roxy asked Torah to design – and put her name to – one of their snowboards.

Roxy is one of the leading women’s sports brands (lads – we get to shop at its brother label Quiksilver) and they offer a range of winter and summer gear, much of it tried, tested and modelled by Torah. Not surprisingly she is a prolific feature across the Roxy website. By all means click away but for an actual snowboard you’ll need to go to a Roxy merchant. I’ll add a link at the end for participating outlets, so feel free to stay with us for now – and you should, because Torah is about to get into the nitty gritty of the Torah Bright snowboard.

And this is one of those moments where I’m pleased to be a bloke. As a writer I’m possessed of a mind that spends too long lost among gleaming alpine peaks – and of a bank balance that exists in a realm that lies somewhere much more down to earth. I’ve just put a new floor in at home, bought a new (ish) car and well – I do have to get over to the French Alps this winter at some point. Suffice to say I’m not flush at the moment.

Which is why I’m a bit reluctant to ask Torah Bright about her snowboard. I just know she will lure me into one of those full-afterburner, plastic-melting spending sprees that are just – well, plain bad for me.

Luckily for me I am immune to the enticements of this all-female brand.

Ladies though: prepare for temptation. (Sorry).

“I have developed my board to be a great all round mountain board for the intermediate to advanced,” Torah says. “I ride the board in all conditions – park, pipe and all round the mountain terrain – even powder, although if you are going to ride powder on this board I would set it back. Let’s be serious though, if you are a froth monster and ride everything you would get yourself a powder specific board, it makes all the difference in the world – more playful in the deeps! My Torah Bright board by Roxy, technically speaking, is a C2 BTX – which means camber, reverse camber (banana) and Magne-Traction. Mervin Manufacturing, who hand-make these boards, are very eco-conscious so all materials are strong and environmentally friendly. You are buying a handmade piece of art when you buy a Roxy snowboard! Let me explain the technology: in between the bindings it is reverse camber, or banana, then from under the feet to nose and tail it is camber – like what we took from skiing. This technology allows the board to be really playful yet aggressive – it gives you back what you put in. So for the intermediate rider it is responsive and will talk back to you and allow you to have fun as you progress. The other main tech in the board is Magne-Traction. This is a wavy edge – when I first saw it I thought the boards had been damaged in travel. Funny. What this allows is the same effect as cutting bread with a straight edge knife versus a serrated edge knife. The serrated edge knife cuts through the bread no worries…easy. But the straight edge knife struggles. When this technology is applied to the snow, what is created is more contact points between you, the board and the snow. It is particularly noticeable in icy conditions, you are able to stay on edge more easily and not slip out. This board is a true twin which means you can get fancy and challenge yourself riding switch no worries, mountain riding, park or pipe.”