European success fuels teen snowboarders next challenge

AFTER a decade on the slopes and multiple junior wins across Europe, Jan Juc snowboarder Pantxo Wall is chasing a professional freeriding career.

The 18-year-old is back on the Surf Coast and preparing to test himself against more experienced riders on the Challenger Series, with ambitions of one day competing on the Freeride World Tour or at the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Wall has already enjoyed success in junior competition, recording several three-star event wins in Europe and building a reputation as one of Australia’s emerging freeriding talents.

Snowboarding has been part of Wall’s life since childhood.

Raised by parents Gary and Danni, both former athletes, he spent weekends at Mount Hotham before later moving overseas with his family.

His father’s work took the family to the United States and later Hossegor in France, opening the door to regular trips to the French and Spanish Alps.

 

“We didn’t really know where to go when we arrived, but we settled on Baquiera, which became the sickest place,” Wall said.

“It became part of life to hit the slopes. We didn’t miss a weekend up there in between school.”

At 12, Wall spent most of the season training in the United States, specialing in park riding and tricks to develop strong fundamental skills.

While he later competed in slopestyle, freeriding eventually became his discipline of choice.

“I love the freedom of it,” Wall said. “It’s just you putting yourself at the top of the mountain and picking the most creative line.

“Pretty much most of the time, I’ve still got those nerves. It’s a feeling of adrenaline and thrill before you bind in.”

 

Despite competing across Europe, Wall said Mount Hotham remained close to his heart.

“It’s sentimental and feels right having grown up so much over there,” he said.

“I missed Hotham so much when I was overseas, but it was so nice to come back years ago and get back into it.”

The teenager now has his sights set on the next step of his career and testing himself against stronger competition.

“I’m going to have a genuine crack,” Wall said.

He has locked in some incredible results in the under-18 juniors, scoring several three-star event wins in Europe.

 

“These wins in the juniors were terrific, and a great stepping stone to what I want to achieve,” Wall said.

Wall will spend the next few months competing across the Australian Alps before heading to New Zealand in August.

“I’ll be sleeping in the car and bunking in with my mates. I can’t wait,” he said.

Despite his lofty ambitions, Wall said his love of the sport remained his biggest motivation.

“I just love the sport truly,” he said. “We will see where it all takes me, but it’s an exciting journey.

“I’m being really well supported my those around me and I just want to make everyone proud.”