The Future is Bright: Mayumi Wakefield

As larger-scale industry investment for women’s events like Redbull Formation has dried up in recent years, grassroots events, She Shreds Legacy and Thunderstruck by KaJay , have begun popping up to fill the gap. For the femme freeride community, such events offer a chance to progress, network, bolster portfolios, and, most importantly, have fun in a supportive environment. The Future is Bright is a series dedicated to hearing more from the athletes at these grassroots events about their "Why:" why they participate and why things like She Shreds Legacy matter.

Mayumi Wakefield was just twelve when she participated in Hangtime , Hannah Bergemann 's freeride event for women, in Bellingham, Washington, last year. The Japanese-American rode alongside some of the world's top female freeriders on Blue Steel - and despite having never ridden the massive jump line before, was hitting every feature by the end of the jam. The experience introduced Mayumi to the femme freeride movement, and opened her eyes to the sort of a progression an all-gals event could foster, which is why found herself at both She Shreds Legacy and Thunderstruck by KaJay this summer.

Name, age, current place of residence?

Mayumi Wakefield (she/her), 13, Auburn, WA.

Why did you attend She Shreds/Thunderstruck?

I attended SheShreds and Thunderstruck because I’m drawn to the unique atmosphere of all-women freeride events. Riding in large groups of men can feel intimidating, especially as a younger female rider, so I prefer the support of riding with other women. In these events, the women challenge me to push beyond my comfort zone in a positive and encouraging environment. Plus, riding at Legacy and Thunder Mountain bike parks had been on my bucket list for a while, so the opportunity to experience them was a dream come true.

What makes She Shreds stand out, to you, from other MTB / freeride events?

Thunderstruck stood out to me not only because it was on the East Coast, a region I had never visited, but also because I was amazed by how incredible the riding appeared to be, especially the Fort Hill jump line. Fort Hill is massive, both in terms of the size of the jumps and the length of the trail. It's known for having some of the largest jumps in the U.S. that are open to the public and I was stoked to ride it. The lift access made Thunderstruck even more unique, allowing us to easily explore the entire bike park. I was able to get in countless laps with different girls, hitting the jump lines and tackling some challenging tech trails like Too Easy, something I would never have attempted on my own.

SheShreds was truly special in its own right because we had the entire mountain bike park exclusively for us ladies. For several days, we could ride whenever and wherever we wanted, with an incredible selection of jump lines to suit all levels. This range of trails gave everyone the space to progress at their own pace, creating a supportive and empowering environment. I also loved the sense of community that came from camping and sharing meals onsite. We only left the park for a quick swim in the lake to wash off.

Did you have a proudest moment from the event?

My proudest moment at SheShreds was landing my first no-hander (sui) on something other than an airbag. I had been working toward this goal for a while but was always too scared to commit. With encouragement from the other ladies, I finally found the confidence to go for it and landed one on Legacy’s mulch jump. I was thrilled and proud of myself for achieving it!

At Thunderstruck, I pushed my progress even further. Once again, with the amazing support from the girls, I threw my first sui on dirt. I was so excited because I had set this as a personal goal for the end of summer and I achieved it, thanks in large part to the encouragement I received at these women’s events. To top it all off, Chelsea Kimball captured my sui on her Insta360 and shared it on her Instagram. I was so stoked when she posted it!

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Did you have a most challenging moment from the event?

At SheShreds, the biggest challenge for me was believing I was good enough to be there since it required an application to attend. I worried that I might not belong. But once I arrived and felt the positive vibes, those doubts quickly faded. This is one of the many reasons I love all-women freeride events so much!

At Thunderstruck, the challenge was entirely different. The jumps on Fort Hill are massive, and I was nervous that no matter how hard I pedaled, I wouldn’t have enough speed to clear them, especially the last one. But with the encouragement and support from different ladies over several days, I unlocked the jump line one by one. I even sent Jump Thirteen, the newest and largest jump at the end of the line. It was an exciting moment, and I felt so proud to have completed the entire Fort Hill jump line.

Did you have any goals coming into the event?

My biggest goal for both events was to complete the entire jump line. Both Fort Hill and Jammer are massive, and I was determined to send them both. Having never ridden either line before, I didn’t know what to expect, much like when I first faced Blue Steel at HangTime last summer. But by the end of both events, with valuable tips and a few tows from the other women, I managed to complete both lines from top to bottom.

Do you have any goals moving forward (this season or in future seasons)?

I’m searching for more opportunities to freeride because it’s my true passion. I absolutely love attempting big jump lines, and I hope to eventually receive invitations to ride on some of the larger private lines out there and participate in more freeride events next summer. Looking ahead, I dream of one day competing in Red Bull Rampage. This fall, I’ll be attending the inaugural women’s Rampage event as a spectator, but my ultimate goal is to compete in it myself.

Anything else you wish I had asked / that you want to share?

Inclusion of women of all ages at these events has allowed me to connect with a diverse group of riders who inspire me, both young and old. At just thirteen years old, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to ride alongside some of the best freeriders in the world. This experience has been crucial to my growth as an athlete, and for that, I’m truly grateful.

I want to encourage other girls my age to believe in their capabilities. If you had told me at eleven years old that I would be riding Blue Steel, Jammer, and Fort Hill by the time I turned thirteen, I would have thought it was impossible. But thanks to events like these, I have progressed further than I ever imagined. These events are crucial for the growth of the women’s freeride movement, and we need to see more of them. I hope more companies will support and create opportunities for these types of events and the female riders who participate in them.

Any family, friends, or sponsors you want to thank?

A huge thank you to Heather and Kaytlyn for organizing SheShreds, and to KaJay for putting together Thunderstruck. I had an absolute blast at both events and can’t wait for next year!

Finally, I’m incredibly thankful for my sponsors. Smith Optics’ new Hardline DH helmet and Rhythm goggles look awesome and are incredibly comfortable. I love wearing them! And I can’t imagine tackling these huge jumps on any bike other than my Transition Patrol. My Patrol gives me so much confidence and makes me feel invincible, no matter how gnarly the jumps or trails get.