IRELAND’S newest freestyle snowboarding star is making waves in the sport worldwide – at the age of just EIGHT.
Little Hannah Gajewska has already scooped two international gold medals and has caught the attention of the Snowsports Association of Ireland as a rising star, all while balancing her second class schoolwork.
The whizz kid spends several months a year in the Alps training, all while completing her schoolwork for her teachers supporting her back home in Ireland.
Plucky Hannah said she got her first snowboard for Christmas when she was two-and-a-half years old.
The very next day Hannah had her first go on the snow while still in a nappy.
She told the Irish Sun: “The first day that I was on the snow, I was snowboarding with my dad holding my hands because in front of my grandparents’ house. There was snow there.”
The Irish-Polish girl has also scooped two gold medals in the Polish Freestyle Snowboard Cup in two different disciplines – Slope Style and Big Air.
Hannah said: “The best thing about freestyle snowboarding is that feeling when you land a difficult trick. That makes me very proud and happy.”
Now in her sixth season, Hannah is breaking barriers in the sport where few Irish athletes compete – let alone young girls.
And talks of the Olympics are already on the cards.
Her dad Jakub said: “There is the one in Milan in 2030. So, we’re going to think about that. But it’s a lot of work.
“So hopefully. But, if it plays out in a different way, we’ll be also happy that.
“It’s just for fun. It’s a beautiful discipline. We love to do it.
“I also like it a lot from a parenting perspective because it’s a great time to have fun together.”
Hannah told how she always finds time for play.
She said: “The last competition that I was on, we had to wait two hours for the next lap. I was happy because then I could play with everyone.”
The Dubliner spends a few months each year training in the Alps, dedicating herself to perfecting her skills.
Hannah told how she trains all over Europe with world-class instructors.
PERFECTING SKILLS
She said: “I have a coach. When I’m in the Netherlands, then I sometimes train with another coach.
“When I was in Poland a bit after Christmas, I was training with a different coach. They’re professional snowboarders.”
Dad Jakub said: “Covid disrupted it a little bit, but then as soon as the lockdowns were lifted, we were back on the snow.
“We spend a lot, between 60 to 80 days a year on the snow, which is quite a lot.”
With limited training facilities in Ireland, Jakub told how she has been refused because of her age.
He said: “It’s difficult because they said that Hannah is a bit too young for that.
“Although I think her skills are probably quite good, but they are not very happy to have kids.
“We go on trampolines and all the different things that you can do, that support your snowboarding.”
COMPETITION TIME
Hannah is preparing to compete in the Oscyp Contest in Southern Poland and Brelok Banked Slalom, also in Southern Poland.
Jakub said: “That’s why we’re practicing a lot because there’s one again here in Poland.
“My parents live nearby a ski resort here. So we have the chance to practice every day from my parents’ house, whenever the conditions are good.”
As the summer approaches, they will then move to the “higher parts of the Alps” to train.
Last year, Hannah broke her elbow and was out of action for four weeks.
Jakub said: “She was able to participate in all the classes and do all the different things.
“She even practiced violin. Because she couldn’t use one hand. But the one that she holds the bow with, she was still kind of able to play. Just a little disruption.”
SCHOOL & SPORT
The second-class pupil praised her teachers for their continuous support and care for her well-being.
Dad Jakub said: “The teachers are very good. We are very lucky.
“The school principal is very understanding and they really support us in all the ways they can.
“So we do a lot of stuff online as well and we keep the homework going when we are abroad.”
Her doting dad explained how they aim to “combine musical education with normal education and the snowboarding”.
The talented violin player has also performed in concert with The Royal Irish Academy of Music and loves getting involved in school trips and events.
Jakub said: “This Friday is International Book Day, so we’ll be back in Ireland just for that day because Hannah doesn’t want to miss that.
“So she’ll wear her favourite costume and then we’re back training next week again.”
