M2 Magazine
New Zealand's ONLY Mens Lifestyle Magazine
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Account
  • Magazine
    • M2 Dec/Jan 2021 Issue
    • 2020 Archive
      • M2 Sep/Oct 2020 Issue
      • M2 Jul/Aug 2020 Issue
      • M2 May/Jun 2020 Issue
      • M2 Mar/Apr 2020 Issue
      • M2 Jan/Feb 2020 Issue
    • 2019 Archive
      • M2 Nov/Dec 2019 Issue
      • M2 October 2019 Issue
      • M2 September 2019 Issue
      • M2 August 2019 Issue
      • M2 July 2019 Issue
      • M2 June 2019 Issue
      • M2 May 2019 Issue
      • M2 April 2019 Issue
      • M2 March 2019 Issue
      • M2 February 2019 Issue
      • M2 January 2019 Issue
    • 2018 Archive
      • M2 December 2018 Issue
      • M2 November 2018 Issue
      • M2 October 2018 Issue
      • M2 September 2018 Issue
      • M2 August 2018 Issue
      • M2 July 2018 Issue
      • M2 June 2018 Issue
      • M2 May 2018 Issue
      • M2 April 2018 Issue
      • M2 March 2018 Issue
      • M2 February 2018 Issue
      • M2 January 2018 Issue
    • 2017 Archive
      • M2 December 2017 Issue
      • M2 November 2017 Issue
      • M2 October 2017 Issue
      • M2 September 2017 Issue
      • M2 August 2017 Issue
      • M2 July 2017 Issue
  • CHANNELS
    • M2 Tech
    • M2 Great Escape
    • M2 Investment Specialists
    • M2 Better Lifestyle
    • M2 Top 10
    • M2 Game Changers
    • M2 The Nature Of Time
    • M2 Taylor Made
    • M2 What Moves You
    • M2 High Performance
    • M2 Cellar
    • M2 Barber Styles
    • M2 Whisky
    • M2 Adventure Channel
    • M2 Fitness Performance Channel
    • M2 Summit
  • About
  • Events
  • Join Our Emailer
  • Video & Podcast
  • M2 Specials

STEF-ZEESTRATEN-HALFPIPE-HEDONIST

Great Escape

Stef Zeestraten: Halfpipe Hedonist

Isaac Taylor

From one of the flattest countries in the world, to the sharp ascents of the Southern Alps, Dutch-born Stef Zeestraten has, as is his wont, carved a name for himself in New Zealand snowboarding folklore.

Throughout his 17-year competitive career that saw him peak at 47th in the world in 2008, Zeestraten has followed the serious snow since 2000, bouncing between hemispheres to challenge the world’s best.

stef-Zeestraten

In a period of pioneering Kiwi snowboarders, Stef Zeestraten has been at the forefront of the sport, along with the quartet of Wells brothers.

Settling in Kaikoura after his move to New Zealand in 1994, Zeestraten would become an accomplished surfer, but soon translating his water skills to the hills and mountains. Slopestyle and BigAir would become his signature events and he took his talents to North America and the alpine areas of Europe to ply the tricks of his trade. In a saturated sport with high event participation, Zeestraten was ultra-competitive and often challenged for podium finishes on the World Snowboard Tour.

Zeestraten would have his best successes closer to home, however, on both sides of the Tasman. In 2009, he beat off the best in Australasia at the Remarkables before teaming up with Jake Koia to win the 2010 Dew Hut Jam at Mt. Buller in Victoria. Then, back on his home snow, Zeestraten won the 2012 Billabong Bro Down at the Cardrona Snowpark. This purple patch (including a fourth at the 2010 World Cup in Calgary) led to a scholarship that enabled him to come close to Olympic selection for the 2014 Sochi Games.

After 26 consecutive winters spent chasing and living the dream, Zeestraten returned home to settle in Wanaka and ‘to get a real job’. Building his lavender farm business with brother Tim has taken centre stage in the past few years, but Zeestraten still squeezes in the odd competition. After a nine-month hiatus, he came third in last year’s Jossi Wells Invitational at his beloved Cardrona, of which he is now an ambassador. Although his competitive schedule has been pared down significantly, finding back-country powder is still a serious prerogative.

 

You’ll also like:

  • Anton Cooper: Riding The Winning Cycle
  • Brook Macdonald: Paralyzed To Racing Again In A Year
  • Russell Ord: One Shot At The Perfect Image
  • Mountain Biking In NZ’s GOLD Level Destination
  • The Lads Guide To A Weekend In Rotorua

  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Video & Podcasts
  • Join Our Emailer
  • Events
© M2 Magazine 2021
Powered by WordPress • Themify WordPress Themes