The mountain is an adventure terrain where enthusiasts seek to push themselves, whether in skiing, mountaineering, or simply hiking. It is in this environment that athletes confront their limits and discover sensations that will mark a turning point in their lives.
A quest for meaning and personal exploration
For many, conquering a mountain is synonymous with victory over oneself and surpassing one's own abilities. Indeed, it allows us to confront our humanity against the elements and push our physical limits while developing our self-confidence. The mountain also fascinates with its raw beauty that invites respect and admiration for our natural environment.
The challenges of the mountain: developing confidence and mental strength
In any mountain sports practice, the main challenge remains the development of that famous "self-confidence" which allows one to tame the mountain environment. Professional guides are there to support practitioners and help them become aware of their skills and overcome their fears.
Pushing oneself in the mountains contributes not only to a better understanding of oneself but also to a better understanding of the world around us. By engaging in this type of adventure, one also develops relational skills and team spirit, thereby strengthening group cohesion and promoting exchange and sharing.
Mountain sports: a vector of solidarity
The experiences lived in the mountains also allow us to approach the challenges that life imposes on us daily more calmly and to develop a sense of solidarity with those who accomplish these feats alongside us. We become aware that alone, the goal is hardly achievable, but by uniting and relying on each other, it becomes realistic and enjoyable to experience.
Athletes conquering peaks and themselves
Various sporting achievements accomplished in the mountains demonstrate this desire to push oneself and reach new goals:
- Isabelle Boyer, who wins two medals at the French firefighters' ski championships in Font-Romeu
- The participants of the Raid des Alizés, a race in the heart of Mount Pelée listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Literary and playful works about the mountain: The Great Story of the Mountains by Blandine Pluchet or the board game K3.
Learning to push oneself and try the adventure in the mountains
Learning different mountain sports allows you to experience this intense challenge of self-improvement while being supervised by competent and attentive professionals. Some advice for beginners wishing to embark on this quest:
- Training: participate in suitable courses and workshops
- Avoid comparing yourself to others, each individual is unique and evolves differently
- Show patience, work on your mindset, and remain persistent
- Recognize one's physical and emotional limits without forgetting that "impossible does not exist."
Inspirations to go always further
It is important to stay inspired and motivated by remarkable success stories that show the mountain can be a witness and participant in true human adventures filled with resilience, courage, and determination.
Tanguy Chaminade, Hawaii Surf ambassador and former member of the French snowboard cross team, embodies this spirit of adventure and self-improvement. We had the opportunity to talk with him to discover the secrets that guided him to snowy heights and the challenges that shaped his journey.
Hawaii Surf: How would you define the concept of "self-transcendence" in the mountains, especially in the context of snowboarding?
Tanguy: For me, pushing oneself in the mountains represents mental mastery as well as our ability to maintain our capabilities during effort regardless of the terrain.
We must not let ourselves be destabilized by the things we may face. The goal is to always stay focused on our actions as well as on the evolving conditions in the mountains.
Hawaii Surf: How has your experience with the French team influenced your view on self-improvement?
Tanguy: It allowed me to know and push my limits. We are constantly pushing ourselves to surpass our sports goals, which represents a constant self-transcendence over several years both physically and mentally.
Hawaii Surf: Can you share an experience that marked you where you had to push yourself physically or mentally?
Tanguy: Generally, when we go on a mountain expedition, we push ourselves physically as well as mentally because conditions are often never as expected. With the risk of avalanches, you have to be very vigilant and have the ability to visually analyze the slopes we are going to ride.
For example, I go with a friend to do the north face of the Aiguille Pourrie in Chamonix. To do this, we had to climb on a splitboard to reach the top of the face while knowing that there was a fairly high avalanche risk. During the descent, my friend dropped first and triggered an avalanche right in the middle of the face. Fortunately, he managed to get to one side and get out of the flow. In this case, you have to be very focused and confident not to make a mistake and get carried away. Meanwhile, I was a spectator of the scene and it put extra pressure on me knowing that the conditions were really dangerous. But I had to go down, so I rode with the thought that I had no room for error and that I must not be dominated by fear.
Hawaii Surf: How do you approach mental preparation before venturing into the mountains?
Tanguy: I don't have any particular ritual, but the goal is to reassure myself by putting myself in a positive mindset. I think about the luck I have to be able to pursue my passion and I focus on positive things. It's very important not to be dominated by fear or to be in a negative state of mind.
Hawaii Surf: How do you assess the risks during your expeditions, and how do you manage them?
Tanguy: The first thing to do is to check the weather to know what types of conditions we will have to face. The wind, the amount of snow, the avalanche risk level, and visibility are the main factors to analyze before setting out on an expedition.
Then, on the day, carry out an analysis of the snowpack to determine the stability of the snow and deduce the risks. Ski patrols are also regularly called upon to provide their information on the risks and current conditions.
Find all our safety advice on our blog: Mountain safety: tips and precautions to enjoy peacefully
Hawaii Surf: What precautions do you take to ensure your safety?
Tanguy: For each expedition, I equip myself with a DVA, a shovel, a probe, an airbag backpack. Then, depending on what we plan to do, we can consider equipping ourselves with crampons, ice axes, as well as a harness. The goal is to be able to face any conditions while being well equipped.
Hawaii Surf: What are the most rewarding moments you have experienced snowboarding in the mountains?
Tanguy: It's about reaching the top of a face and reaching the bottom of a face. It's the accomplishment of an effort by reaching the top of a face and the sensation of sliding on the descent. Being in the mountains is always impressive because we are very small compared to the environment we are in. It's always a feeling of happiness to be in contact with nature and to be able to climb up and down these gigantic mountains.
After each ride, I feel a sensation of happiness, serenity, and peace with myself. It is one of the best feelings that sport can give us.
Hawaii Surf: Do you have any future projects or challenges you would like to take on?
Tanguy: Yes, I would like to continue building my experience in the mountains to be able to do new things and constantly push my limits further. Expeditions at higher altitudes in countries known for freeriding and mountaineering.
I plan to make my second snowboard short film this season. The goal is to screen it at snowboard film festivals and obtain more funding for my future projects.
Hawaii Surf: How has snowboarding in the mountains shaped your life and your vision of self-improvement?
Tanguy: For me, all high-level sports practices bring about a change in your life. The fact of constantly pushing yourself develops your senses and your physical as well as mental abilities. This is intensified in natural environments like the mountains because the risk is always present and it is an environment that is constantly changing. The strong sensations and the adrenaline that this sport gives me are like a drug for me. Sport represents stability in my life and it allows me to escape and think about nothing. It is a kind of remedy for life.
Hawaii Surf: How to find a balance between boldness and caution?
Tanguy: By staying focused and aware of the risks in the mountains. You must always keep your feet on the ground and never get carried away by an overly intense feeling or emotion. The essential thing is to maintain your level of concentration and remain emotionally sober during the effort. However, once the expedition is over and the risks are gone, everyone experiences it in their own way. 
