Catching up with Cameron Waddell

Name: Cameron Waddell

Age started skiing: 2 years

Home mountain: Perisher, Australia

Discipline: Slopestyle

Favorite OYUKI Product: Proclava

Follow me on instagram: @cameronwaddell

Cameron Waddell hails from Jindabyne, Australia and is one of the countries best slopestyle skiers. He spends his Southern Hemisphere winters ripping up the Perisher park, with his smooth style and endless enthusiasm being a huge hit with the Australian skiing community. Today we catch up talk about the Olympics, injuries and his love for skiing.

OYUKI: WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS?

Cam: I spent the Australian winter skiing my local resort Mt Perisher, and it turned out to be a fun season for those of us lucky enough to be there. The Perisher crew put on a really good park and I managed to ride loads, and there were plenty of locals hanging out and throwing down which was cool. More recently I managed to get away to Europe for the 2020/2021 ski season where I mostly rode park and was learning new tricks for the competition season. It was all going well until I got injured six weeks into my trip, injuring my femur in the final practice run of the first competition. I was really frustrated, but I had to accept that bitter pill and come home and rehab it. So now I’m back in Jindabyne hanging out in the gym everyday, building up strength in my knee so it can be ready for the upcoming Australian winter. It’s definitely still my goal to make it to the Olympics for 2022, so once my knee is recovered it will be all action again, and fingers crossed that will be soon.

OYUKI: IS THE OLYMPICS YOUR ULTIMATE COMPETITION OR ARE THERE OTHER SKIING EVENTS THAT RIVAL IT?

Cam:The Olympics are definitely important as you’re representing your country, however growing up I was more likely to tune in to the X Games. At the end of the day I want to prove myself as often as possible (in competitions), so all of the events almost feel that they are of equal importance to me.

OYUKI: WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN?

Cam: For sure it would have to be a really good powder day with friends. Every time I see the Japan powder season happening it looks so good, and I definitely love shredding all over the mountain. But at the same time I do love skiing park when it’s 10 or 15 degrees back in Perisher, that’s pretty sick too. I just love skiing in general, and look forward to being in this industry for a long time as I really appreciate the people it has introduced me to and the places it has taken me.

OYUKI: WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TRICK, AND ALSO THE SCARIEST?

Cam: My favourite has to be a Double Cork 14…. it’s a new trick for me but every one I do feels super cool and different.  The scariest trick I’ve ever done is probably a Triple Cork 14, it happened last year when I was skiing with my mate Bayley (Johnson) in NZ. He stepped up and threw one (a Triple 14), and so I figured I better step up and do one too (haha).

OYUKI: DO YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING DEDICATED TO SKIING FOREVER?

Cam: Yeah for sure I definitely see myself committing to skiing for the rest of my life. I’ve always genuinely loved skiing, and one day when I inevitably retire from competition skiing I know there will still be plenty to learn. When I’m no longer focusing on competitions, it would be great to do some film trips to rad places (like Japan!), so yeah I’ll hopefully be a skier forever!

OYUKI: DO YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE GYM FOR SKIING AND WHAT DO YOU WORK ON?

Cam: When I was younger it got drilled into me that if you put more time in at the gym you will be able to extend your ski career, as it’s the best form of injury prevention. Naturally I wanted to focus on things like squats and other things that build mass, but with proper guidance from coaches I found myself benefitting more from aerobic training. This training helps a lot when riding park, as you don’t get tired when smashing out loads of high intensity laps.

OYUKI: Have you been to Japan for skiing, and what was your favourite moment?

Cam: I’ve been twice! Japan is so amazing definitely being in Nozowaonsen was insane just so different being in the village and around all the Onsens in the street. It definitely helps that the mountain is so much fun as well.

OYUKI: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS AND WHY?

Cam: The Proclava is an essential for me, I never ski without it. It keeps my face protected from wind and sun, while also providing warmth in a blizzard. They are also pretty breathable so they don’t get gross when you’re hiking, and are easy to wash. For my hands I usually ride with the Shaka Mitt (for obvious reasons!) and of course a Yama beanie for on and off the mountain.

OYUKI: We wish you a strong recovery and the best of luck for the upcoming winter, we can’t wait to see you back on the snow!

Keep up to date with Cameron Waddell by following him on Instagram, and shop Cam’s favorite products here.