“Snowboarding is about connecting with the mountains. Surfing is about becoming one with the ocean.” — Patti Zhou
Patti Zhou might only be 14, but the spotlight isn’t anything new to her. Neither are podiums, big tricks, or the stunned reactions from spectators watching her ride. Whether it’s a national stage like the USASA National Championships in Colorado or an international contest like Stab High Japan, Zhou has already made a habit of turning heads.
Her reputation has largely grown through snowboarding, where she continues to push progression with the kind of confidence that can make even seasoned pros take notice. But the mountains aren’t the only place she excels. Zhou is also an elite surfer, balancing two sports that demand very different environments yet share the same sense of flow and freedom.
At just 11 years old, Zhou became the youngest athlete ever to reach the podium at the Dew Tour, an achievement that hinted at the trajectory she’s been on ever since.
Her latest film, In The Air, offers a glimpse into that rise—showing the style, creativity, and fearlessness that define her riding. And if the film is any indication, Zhou’s climb is only getting started. Maybe that drive was inevitable. After all, she’s named after legendary punk icon Patti Smith—a fitting namesake for someone already carving her own rebellious line through both mountains and waves.
