go back to Szine Newsletter IndexThe Snowboard Szine
Vol. 1, Issue 4
12/21/03
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In This Issue
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1. Snowboarding Notes from Lauren
2. Powder Day and Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Hunter
Mountain, NY Last Week
3. Tricia Byrnes Camp at Stratton, VT Dec. 22
4. Ross Powers Camp at Belleayre, NY Jan. 31
5. Azzpads
6. Getting in Shape for Snowboarding
7. Snowboard Events Calendar
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1. Snowboarding Notes from Lauren
The Szine’s a little long this week, but I had a lot to say. You can read it
slowly. I’ll slack next week and spend my energy eating, drinking, and making
merry. Hope you are 2!
I hear that Christmas Day is pretty uncrowded on the slopes. Probably the only
time in the next few weeks.
***
Jan. 4, I’m off to Barrett Christy’s Snowboard and Yoga ReTreat for Women in
Vail, Colorado. She is one of the most winning riders in history, having been named
TW Snowboarding's Female Rider of the Year in 2001, competed in the Nagano Olympics,
won more X-Games medals than any other athlete in the history of the Winter X Games,
and more.
I practice yoga weekly to keep the strength and stamina I need to ride long and
hard. And I recommend it to you who want to stay strong and flexible. This camp
should be great! More at
http://vail.snow.com/info/retreat.barrettbio.asp
***
Remember that Gear Checklist on my site that I mentioned? Hey, y’know what
happens if you forget to add your new equipment to your gear checklist?
That’s right, I went riding in a blizzard and forgot to bring my new balaclava
(face mask). Sure would’ve been handy at Hunter on Sat.
OK, “balaclava” has now been added to the list.
Print out a copy at
http://www.snowboardsecrets.com/cheklist.htm
***
The bottom line on my Camelback hydration backpack is, when it’s in the 20’s
with wind, I’ll wear my backpack under my coat to keep it from freezing.
Otherwise, I'm just sucking on ice in the mouthpiece.
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2. Epic Powder Day at Hunter Last Sunday and
Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge
I went up to Hunter Mountain, NY right before the blizzard to compete. The
blizzard hit while I was there. This was powder I could understand, a few inches
over a base of hardpack. Smooth slippy stuff, not the thick mashed potatoes I
encountered and fought thru last week.
Riding was much easier. I like to think it's partly because my thighs are getting
stronger since my first sessions last week. I am riding low with my knees deeply
bent.
***
Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge
I competed in the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Hunter on Sunday. It's a
slalom race, divided by age category and sex, and entered mostly by skiers. In fact,
ridiculously few snowboarders enter, which gives YOU a better chance of winning.
It's free and a lot of fun.
The first 100 entrants receive shirts, and at the award ceremony a lot of great
prizes are raffled off. Winners get medals. Last year when I entered I had never run
gates before, and I found I liked it and it's opened up a whole new area of riding
to me. And yes, on Sunday I qualified for the finals at Loon NH in March.
Find out when the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge will be near you at
my Snowboard Events Calendar.
http://www.WhatsOnSnow.com
More on the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge
http://www.snocountry.com/mdvc_events/md_vertical_chall.php
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3. Tricia Byrnes Snowboard Camp at Stratton Dec. 22
Sorry for the short notice. Two-time World Champion and 2002 Olympian Tricia
Byrnes and her buds Olympic Gold Medallists Kelly Clark AND Ross Powers come home to
Stratton Mountain to host a two-day snowboard camp for intermediate and advanced
riders of all ages.
The camp includes two days of fast paced riding and training with tips on getting ready for competition at every level. Plus, there's a party, giveaways and pro autograph session. Camp is $299 including lift tickets.
Check it out at
http://www.stratton.com/lessons.cfm?subpage=13&subsubpage=746
Call 1-800-STRATTON for reservations, and tell them you saw it in the
SnowboardSecrets.com Szine. Thanks!
***
Ross Powers is running a camp at Stratton too, in March '04. More at http://www.stratton.com/lessons.cfm?subsubpage=168&subpage=13
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4. Ross Powers Snowboard Camp at Belleayre, NY Jan. 31
Can you believe Olympic gold medalist Ross Powers is running a weekend snowboard
camp close to NY City, at Belleayre, in the Catskills January 31 and February 1?
The camp will run for two days; from Sat. January 31 to Sun. February 1, 2004.
It's an all mountain, free-riding and free-style camp. Instruction will take place
in the park and halfpipe as well as on the steeps, bumps and jumps. There will be
four separate sessions over the two days, offering campers the opportunity to work
on a variety of skills or focus on one area. The camp is set up for Beginners to
Expert riders with plenty of opportunities to develop new techniques or hone your
skills.
RadXSports will be there videotaping for the February TV show that airs locally
on Time Warner's Cable 6. You'll have plenty of chances to get your picture taken
with Ross Powers on the mountain, in the lodge and at the parties.
More information is available online at
http://www.radxsports.com/events/page2.html
You can register online, through the mail (request the form through email to
info@radxsports.com ) or at Belleayre Mountain. Total tuition is $375 and includes
lift tickets, lunches, parties, gifts and prizes.
Tell them you saw it in the SnowboardSecrets.com Szine. Thanks!
Not sure what to give or get for a holiday gift? This camp would be a SUPER gift!
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5. AZZPADS!
I tried out my new AZZPADS butt protection at Windham last week. This pad has a
flexible plastic shell over the foam to really protect your tailbone. Tailbone
bruises are a BAD thing. They hurt for a long time and will keep you off the snow.
I don’t fall much anymore on the slopes, but it can and does happen. Snow
resorts can be dangerous places. I fall more when I’m not riding lately than when
I’m strapped on. I’ve fallen near a lift line on powder covered ice, and in the
parking lot this season. But of course I was wearing padding on my butt, so no
injuries!
I’m thinking of just wearing padding all winter outside at home too! And you
can bet I'll DEFinitely be rocking my AZZPADS when I start working on rails! Check
them out at
http://www.azzpadz.com/
t's best to call them toll free -866 299 -7239 -if you want to order. (They're in
Ontario, Canada, on Eastern Standard Time.)
The owners Neil and Jason are friendly snowboarder guys who want to make sure you
order the right size. Tell them you heard about AZZPADS here from Lauren at
SnowboardSecrets.com. Thanks
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6. Getting in Shape for Snowboarding
There's still time to get in shape. Read the whole article by our knowledgeable
friend, Jean Sapula at http://www.snowboardsecrets.com/qaindex.htm
Here's a little nibble for now.
***
Getting in Shape to Have a GREAT Season on Snow
Q: "I've been running and hiking all summer; what else should I be doing to get in shape for snowboarding season?"
A:
1. Squats (for strength and stamina when you ride low with bent knees)
(note from Lauren; “if I only had time for one exercise, squats are the ones I
would do!”)
2. Lunges
3. Push ups
4. Triceps Dips (for getting up off the snow)
5. Aerobic Conditioning
6. Flexibility Training
(read the whole article at http://www.snowboardsecrets.com/qaindex.htm
to see details on these exercises.)
Balance is very important, and contrary to popular belief...you can practice to improve your balance. Try this easy exercise...
(see article at http://www.snowboardsecrets.com/qaindex.htm
Always perform a proper warm up and cool down, incorporating stretches into that routine.
These excerpts are from an article was written for www.SnowboardSecrets.com by
Jean Sapula, a Level II Snowboard Instructor at Ski Sundown in New Hartford, CT, who
has been teaching snowboarding for eight years and also has the following
qualifications:
M.Ed. (Masters in Education), ATC (Athletic Trainer Certified), CSCS (Certified
Strength and Conditioning Specialist), Certified Athletic Trainer, and Strength and
Conditioning Specialist for HealthSouth Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine.
See Jean’s whole article at http://www.snowboardsecrets.com/qaindex.htm
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7. Snowboard Events Calendar
Our Snowboard Events Calendar has over 130 events on it now from over 30
mountains, from Maine down to Pennsylvania. TV events too, like the Chevy Truck US
Snowboard Grand Prix Dec. 27. Check for events near you at
http://www.whatsonsnow.com/
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That’s it for now!
Thanks for reading The Snowboard Szine!
Lauren
Editor