MEGAN FARRELL
My name is Megan. I am an alpine snowboard racer and have recently been selected to be a member of Canada’s National Team as the only female athlete for my discipline. Racing is my full time job with the goal of a podium finish at the 2018 Olympic games. I am asking for your support to help me get there.
While I am honoured to represent Canada, snowboarding is a very costly sport. It comes as a surprise to most people to learn that the support from Canada Snowboard only accounts for 25% of my total expenses. The National Team program includes training camps and races around the globe. I am required to spend several months in Europe, and travel to Japan, Russia, the Yukon and elsewhere. I am working in a lab in the off-season earning as much as I can. My expenses will be in excess of $50,000.
My goal with Pursuit is to raise enough money to cover my coaching fees, airfare and accommodation to be able to travel and compete in all of the World Cups this season.
My relationship with snow began at an early age. I started snowboarding at 4 and won my first national title at 6. Although it was not always easy, I recognized from an early age that hard work is necessary to be the best and I was happy to put in the effort.
At 16, I was eligible for my first Canadian National race. By the age of 17, I was the only Canadian woman selected to compete in Junior World Championships in Japan. In my final year of high school, I won two gold medals at individual North America races (NorAm circuit) and won third place for the overall NorAm Cup. I also competed in my first world cup, and second Junior Worlds in New Zealand. At Canadian Nationals that year, I placed second overall for women and was the youngest female to be selected on the National Team for alpine snowboarding.
After competing for a year full time, I chose to pursue my passion for learning and enrolled at Queen’s University. I recognize there is a life apart from snowboarding and wanted to give myself the option of having a fulfilling career. This past June, I graduated with an Honours BSc in Environmental Science. Throughout my four years of schooling, I maintained my snowboard status by attending races throughout North America while doing mostly dry land training in local gyms while still attending to my studies. As a result, I successfully graduated and at the same time I won the NorAM (North American) Cup by winning the most races despite having to miss four competitions due to school commitments. This secured my world cup positions for next season. I also won the slalom national championship. Graduating from a challenging 4 year program and at the same time achieving the NorAm and Canadian gold medals is a tremendous accomplishment. I am looking forward to what I can acheive this coming season.
I have raced for Canada at a number of events and take pride in my professional conduct and integrity. I have been told I am a great role model for young girls and I make every attempt to support younger riders in pursuit of their goals.